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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Lionel Leong Vai-tac, co-chaired the Eighth Hong Kong Macao Co-operation High Level Meeting (the Meeting) in Hong Kong today (July 17). At the Meeting, the two sides reviewed the co-operation work and achievements made in the past year, and conducted in-depth discussion on the co-operation directions for the coming year.
Mr Tsang said, "Hong Kong and Macao have laid solid foundations for co-operation on various fronts and have agreed to forge closer ties on economic and trade co-operation this year. The development strategy of 'One Belt, One Road' actively promoted by the country recently has brought new opportunities for the future development of the two places. Hong Kong and Macao were featured in the 'One Belt, One Road' strategy, which suggested that the two places should contribute to the development of 'One Belt, One Road' with their unique roles and edges. I hope both sides can continue to step up exchanges and co-operation in the coming year."
On economy and trade, Hong Kong and Macao would launch negotiation on the Hong Kong and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (HK-Macao CEPA) later this year, to establish a liberal and open trading and business environment, with a view to further promoting the trade and business opportunities between the two places.
On e-government, both sides established a notification mechanism on information security last year and agreed to continue to deepen co-operation in this aspect.
On financial services, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Hong Kong, the Monetary Authority of Macao and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission signed a co-operation agreement last December to enhance their co-operation against insurance fraud and to further help raise the supervisory effectiveness of the three places. Furthermore, Hong Kong and Macao also agreed to step up co-operation in providing diversified financial services to Mainland enterprises intending to "go global" and jointly participate actively in the national "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
On Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), both sides would continue to seize the time to take forward construction work and work towards forging an early consensus on cross-boundary transport arrangements upon the opening of HZMB, with a view to maximising the HZMB's functions of promoting regional economic development and facilitating interflow.
On environmental protection, both sides would continue to conduct the joint regional study on fine suspended particulates (PM2.5) to provide a scientific basis for formulation of strategies to improve regional air quality.
On the cultural front, both sides agreed to launch the "Regional Museum Pass for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao" shortly, to further build audiences in the region by encouraging pass holders to visit museums in the three places. Hong Kong and Macao will also continue to promote the training and exchange of talents of the three places, proactively plan major joint cultural exhibitions of the three places and facilitate the performance of more high-quality artistic productions in the three places, and thus promote outstanding creative works through co-operation of joint commission of artistic creation and touring of performances.
On youth matters, both sides agreed to appoint co-ordinators to facilitate the communication and collaboration on youth co-operation of the two places.
Hong Kong SAR Government officials attending the Meeting included the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Chang King-yiu; the Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Miss Salina Yan; the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Andrew Lai; the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Acting Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing, Miss Amy Chan, and representatives from other bureaux and departments.
Ends/Friday, July 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:47
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