Witnessed by President Xi Jinping, Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, National Development and Reform Commission Chairman He Lifeng, and Guangdong Governor Ma Xingrui signed the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Co-operation in the Development of the Bay Area in Hong Kong on 1^st July. The National Development and Reform Commission released the text of the agreement on 3^rd July.

According to the Agreement, with the support of the related department of the Central Government, Macao, together with Hong Kong and Guangdong, will improve and innovate the co-operation mechanism, establish a mutually complementary co-operation relationship, and develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area into a more dynamic economic region.

The quality living circle will be an ideal place for living, working and travelling as well as a showcase for in-depth co-operation between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, as they collectively build a world-class city cluster.

Based upon participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and the Agreement, the Macao SAR Government intends to conduct work under the two major roles, three statutes and eight important tasks by establishing a working mechanism. The two major roles primarily involve the implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle and Macao's participation in the construction of the 'Belt and Road' initiative.

The three functions include Macao's development as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, the establishment of an economic and trade co-operation platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the establishment of an exchange and co-operation base with Chinese culture as its mainstream, and the co-existence of different cultures.

The priority areas for Macao's participation in the development of the Greater Bay Area include: 1) creating co-operation and opening ties in the Greater Bay Area; 2) promoting adequate diversification of the economy via multilateral co-operation; 3) combining efforts for a good living environment in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao whilst negotiating fair treatment of Macao residents in the three regions; 4) encouraging the exchange of people and promoting cultural enrichment; 5) encouraging bilateral co-operation, supporting young entrepreneurs, and making room for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises; 6) promoting infrastructure connectivity; 7) Actively using cutting-edge technologies to create an ecosystem of innovation to support the development of new economies, technologies and sectors in Macao; 8) reinforcing the promotion of the Greater Bay Area.

For measures to adopt an integrated mechanism, Macao will establish a high-level mechanism for co-operation and connection and a mechanism for the co-ordination of comprehensive planning, with the purpose of efficiently supervising the implementation of the work, while increasing public participation and non-governmental co-operation.

For more information about the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Co-operation in the Development of the Bay Area in Hong Kong, please visit
www.gce.gov.mo/bayarea (Chinese & Portuguese only).