The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, has today raised four points of aspiration regarding the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

The Cooperation Zone’s Administrative Committee held in Macao its fifth meeting, which was co-chaired by the body’s two directors, namely Mr Ho and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong.

After the meeting, several cooperation agreements were signed covering a number of key projects regarding the development of the Cooperation Zone, in fields such as: financial services; biotechnology; traditional Chinese medicine, and electrical insulating materials.

Speaking during the meeting of the Cooperation Zone’s Administrative Committee, the Chief Executive stated that thanks to the care shown by, and support of, President and the central authorities, Guangdong and Macao had accomplished fruitful results in terms of promoting the construction of the Cooperation Zone around the “one main line” principle and its key task, covering industrial development, integration of projects relating to people’s livelihoods, and convergence of rules and regulations.

The first point of aspiration shared by the Chief Executive was the need to hold firmly to the main task regarding the development of the Cooperation Zone: ensuring it is of high quality, while accomplishing the goals and tasks set for the first stage. Mr Ho called for further effort to implement fully the "three major projects" and to strengthen the "three supports", and to strive for new progress in various areas.

The second of Mr Ho’s four points was the need to focus on the most important areas and tasks, in order to achieve landmark results before the end of the year. Work to implement a policy regarding a “first-tier” relatively-relaxed form of customs control, and a “second-tier” stricter form of customs control should be expedited. Further effort should also be made to: ensure high-quality construction of the Macao New Neighbourhood project in Hengqin; increase supply of housing units to meet the needs of talented people that will live and work in the Cooperation Zone; and attract investments for the key industries planned for the Cooperation Zone.

The third point outlined by the Chief Executive was the need to implement favourable policies planned for the Cooperation Zone. Since the beginning of this year, there had been a number of preferential policies introduced, including the Regulation for Promoting Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; “30 articles relating to financial support”; and “20 articles for customs affairs”. Mr Ho called for further effort to realise these policies in order to share the benefits of the Cooperation Zone’s development with the community.

The fourth point shared by Mr Ho was the need to understand fully the key points regarding innovation of regulatory systems and mechanisms, and step up effort to optimise the mechanism for shared growth via discussion and collaboration.

Development of the Cooperation Zone was essential for the future of Macao, said Mr Ho. He reiterated the need to adhere to the “one main line”, the four strategic positionings and the four major tasks outlined for the Cooperation Zone, to ensure high-quality development.

Also at the meeting, Governor Wang said that with guidance from, and the support of, the central authorities, Guangdong and Macao had implemented the policies outlined in the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and worked diligently to realise a number of favourable policies. There had been fresh achievements regarding the development of the Cooperation Zone, stated Mr Wang.

Mr Wang also shared five aspirations for advancing the Cooperation Zone. First, concentrate efforts to implement a “tier-specific” management policy, and strive to complete the major supportive initiatives outlined in the Master Plan. Second, press ahead with development of the key industries and the construction of major related platforms. Third, expedite work to ensure completion, by the end of the current year, of the Macao New Neighbourhood project, and accommodating infrastructure relating to people's well-being, with a view to build the Cooperation Zone with characteristics similar to those of Macao. Fourth, adhere to the principle of “mutual discussion, joint construction, joint administration and shared benefits”, and optimise operating and management mechanisms within the Cooperation Zone. Fifth, assume a problem-based approach to overcome challenges.

All these efforts were of significant importance to achieve landmark results in the development of the Cooperation Zone, and in turn, help Macao better to integrate into the overall national development effort, said Mr Wang.

Other officials attending the meeting included: the Administrative Committee’s Executive Deputy Director and Secretary for Administration and Justice of the MSAR Government, Mr Cheong Weng Chon; and the Administrative Committee’s Deputy Director and leading officials of the Guangdong Government, Mr Zhang Hu, and Mr Zhang Xin.