The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, met with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council last month.

During the meeting, the Secretary explained to the Deputy Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Song Xinchao, how the history and characteristics of Macao served an important role as a maritime trade port from the mid-16^th Century, in addition to promoting cultural exchange between East and West. Mr. Tam also said that Macao will actively collaborate and participate in the country's application of the Maritime Silk Road project apropos UNESCO World Heritage listing.

In turn, Song Xinchao expressed the desire to invite academics and Macao experts to form an integral part of the work in order to study the significant value of the historical role of Macao on the Maritime Silk Road, which, following its identification and elaboration in the future, may be a suitable project for application for World Heritage listing. A statement by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage also referred to the importance of the training of qualified staff in the cultural areas and museums of Macao and the intention to intensify exchanges between the Mainland and Macao in this area, as well as promoting co-operation in vocational training.

Alexis Tam later visited the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council to meet Deputy Director Zhou Bo, to whom he presented the priority work for the next year in the area of social affairs and the MSAR Government's culture initiatives, with particular reference to the continued improvement of the tourism environment, the reinforcement of overseas tourism promotion, and new measures pertaining to Macao advancing its position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The Secretary also expressed the hope that the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council would continue to support the MSAR in its endeavours as usual.

Zhou Bo said that the Central Government supports the construction of Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and the development of appropriate economic diversification, noting that tourism development must match the city's carrying capacity ability. He hoped that Macao could improve its characteristics, tourism facilities and infrastructure as well as service in order to develop tourism and expand the profile of tourists not only from Mainland China but internationally.