Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, recently completed a fact-finding tour of the city, which took place over six days in May. The purpose of Xia’s trip was to gain an understanding of Macao’s current socioeconomic conditions and future development plans, as well as check in on the new government’s progress.
Upon arriving on 8 May, Xia met with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai at Santa Sancha. He delivered President Xi Jinping’s greetings to the people of Macao and relayed the Central Government’s recognition of the promising start made by Macao’s sixth-term government.
Xia visited a wide array of sites reflecting Macao’s historical, cultural, educational and infrastructure priorities. These included the Maritime Museum and nearby A-Ma Temple, the Giant Panda Pavilion, the Macao University of Tourism (UTM), the Dom Pedro V Theatre and several plots of land earmarked for public projects. He also visited Hengqin, where he inspected the under-construction Macao International Airport Hengqin Upstream Cargo Terminal and the site where the University of Macau (UM) is building its new campus. The director’s packed itinerary included meetings with the heads of Macao’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as representatives from various sectors of civil society.
During his time here, Xia noted that Macao’s destiny was entwined with the motherland’s. He highlighted the longstanding tradition of patriotism demonstrated by Macao and Hong Kong people, and described both Special Administrative Regions (SARs) as precious jewels of the nation. He also described the pair as fertile grounds for investment and paradises for entrepreneurship.
Four Aspirations to follow
On 12 May, Xia met with 21 representatives from Macao’s industrial and commercial sectors. The director praised standout entrepreneurs from Macao and Hong Kong for consistently aligning themselves with the currents of China’s economic growth. “As the saying goes, ‘the rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen’,” he noted.
While speaking with the representatives, Xia put forward “four aspirations” for their progress. First, he urged them to stand up to the bottom line of national interests, while upholding their sense of honour and dignity.
Secondly, he encouraged them to continue striving for growth and development, aligning their strengths with the region’s needs. Xia described Macao’s appropriate economic diversification as of utmost importance and said that the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin should be regarded as integral to Macao’s long-term future. “The development of Hengqin should be regarded as Macao’s own business,” the director noted.
Xia’s third aspiration was for Macao businesses to participate in the country’s opening up to the world.
“It is essential to vigorously expand the international business network, continue to consolidate economic and trade ties with traditional markets, proactively connect with national strategies such as the Belt and Road initiative, and actively explore emerging markets, such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa,” he noted. Leveraging Macao’s ties with Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) was also a priority in this regard, with the aim of developing new markets.
Encouraging an inward flow of international talent was another part of China’s opening up policy, and Xia urged Macao’s businesses to “make great efforts” to attract experts from abroad to fill the SAR’s talent gaps.
His fourth aspiration was for Macao’s business people to spread good stories of Macao, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, and broadcast the success of the ‘One Country, Systems’ policy. “We should also leverage the advantages of our extensive international connections and invite more overseas friends to visit us, showcasing the vibrancy and charm of Hong Kong and Macao,” he noted.
Government pledges swift action
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai responded to Xia’s visit with a pledge to act decisively in key areas the director had highlighted, particularly in pushing forward the SAR’s economic diversification agenda – an issue he described as pressing – and advancing development in the Cooperation Zone. He acknowledged the need for Macao’s business sector to align business growth with the prosperity of the SAR and the development of the country.
At a press conference, Sam noted the need to advance major infrastructural projects in order to see them generate fresh momentum for Macao’s economic transformation. The chief executive also announced plans for a joint government-business delegation from Macao to visit Portugal and Spain in the near future, with the aim of expanding opportunities in both Portuguese and Spanish-speaking markets while welcoming investment and talent from around the world. Furthermore, he committed to fostering patriotic community groups and supporting youth development.
“The Government is confident that under the central authorities’ strong leadership and with substantial support from the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the [Macao] SAR, Macao will leverage its unique positioning and distinctive advantages; effectively implement all the central authorities’ policies that benefit Macao; and consolidate cross-sectoral collaboration,” Sam said.
