The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai, met Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for the Administration Mrs Carrie Lam today to exchange views on strengthening relationship on tourism co-operation. The meeting was held at Santa Sancha, where Mr Chui warmly welcomed Mrs Lam, who was on her first official visit to Macao as Chief Secretary. Mr Chui briefed Mrs Lam on the latest economic development in Macao and important policies to enhance people's livelihood. At the same time, he told Mrs Lam and her entourage that with the support of the Central Government, Macao has put much effort into developing into a world tourism leisure centre and a business co-operating service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Because of this, Macao would have more opportunities to exchange with the Romance language-speaking countries to help boost Macao's diversified development. According to the Pearl River Delta Region Reform and Development Plan, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao could jointly develop as a world tourist destination which may provide new opportunities for these three places, said Mr Chui. He also said that these three places have their own advantages in term of tourism resources which may play a complementary role in regional tourism. Based on the good foundation, these three places may join hands to promote tourism in order to achieve mutual benefit. Mrs Lam said that the National "12th Five-Year Plan" speed up co-operation between these three areas, with the establishment of high-level liaison mechanism which promoted co-operation of the two regions. She said she expected that with the past co-operation foundation, the two regions would deepen tourism promotion and to promote multi-destination travel. Before meeting with the Chief Executive, Mrs Lam also met with the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, at Government Headquarters where they exchanged views on tourism and social welfare issues.
