The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On took the opportunity of the 10th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Trade Fair ("PPRD Forum"), to meet with leading officials from various provinces and regions in Guangzhou this afternoon (13 October), to exchange views on further co-operation between Macao and other PPRD provinces and regions. Mr Chui met with the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region ("GZAR"), Mr Chen Wu; the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Su Shulin; the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Wei Hong; and the Governor of Hunan Province and Mr Du Jiahao, immediately following the conclusion of the Joint Conference of Chief Executives. Mr Chui firstly met the Chairman of the GZAR, Mr Chen Wu, and together witnessed the signing of the Summary of Minutes of Meeting on the Cooperation between the Governments of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, by the Vice Chairman of the GZAR, Mr Zhang Xiaoqin, and Macao's Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Alexis Tam. Mr Chui said the GZAR and Macao have made joint efforts to conduct studies and discussions, and finally reached a consensus. The summary of minutes signed today indicated that both parties would enhance co-operation in various areas in the future, and plan to establish a regular co-operation mechanism. He said he hoped GZAR-Macao co-operation will ascend to higher levels, based on the previously laid good foundation. Mr Chen said the GZAR and Macao would continue to strengthen co-operation and exchanges in all areas to achieve common progress, especially in exploring ASEAN markets. With Macao as a bridge, Guangxi would also strive to seize more opportunities for exchanges and co-operation with Portuguese-speaking countries. He added that the Development Plan for the Zhujiang-Xijiang Economic Belt, recently approved by the State Council, was not only beneficial to Guangxi's development, but also strengthens ecological development and environmental protection in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, promoting sustainable development of the two river basins. Mr Chen said Guangxi would thoroughly implement the development plan, including the Dateng Gorge Hydraulic Project, which is expected to commence this November. Mr Chui responded that the project is critical to Macao, as it will be a solution to achieve long-term improvements to a stable water supply to Macao. He expressed his gratitude to Guangxi for their care and support. The content of the summary of minutes mainly covers the two governments' consensus on future deepened co-operation in tourism, trade, convention and exhibition, and cultural and creative industries, and environmental protection, as well as improvements to their co-operation mechanism. Mr Chui then met with the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Su Shulin, and thanked Fujian's government and people for their continued concern and support. He said the Macao SAR has been enhancing co-operation with Fujian since its establishment 15 years ago. The effective Fujian-Macao co-operation mechanism enables close co-operation between and common development of both parties. Mr Su also pointed out that Fujian and Macao have been expanding the scope of co-operation through the joint efforts of both parties. In addition to more frequent personnel exchanges, there is consistent strengthening in economic and trade, convention and exhibition, financial and tourism co-operation. He hoped that Fujian and Macao would intensify co-operation in the convention and exhibition industry, and leverage Macao's function as a service platform to enhance Fujian's economic and trade activities and cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries. During his meeting with the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Wei Hong, Mr Chui said that Sichuan and Macao have established a solid foundation in co-operation, and looked forward to further co-operation in numerous areas. Mr Chui said Sichuan and Macao are like brothers in the PPRD region, who work together as a family, while continuing to deepen mutual co-operation. It is hoped that the detailed co-ordination work can be implemented by the end of this year, and the highlighted co-operation projects and work plans for the coming year could be drawn up soon. Mr Wei said Sichuan and Macao always enjoyed good relations, and Sichuan pays much attention to the development of Macao. He congratulated Mr Chui for his success in his re-election as the fourth-term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. Last year, Macao donated 100 million patacas to support earthquake disaster relief work in Ya'an, Sichuan. The donation has been properly used under both parties' strict supervision, and effectively utilised for rescue and relief purposes. Mr Wei hoped Sichuan and Macao could deepen co-operation in education, culture and economic and trade, to realise mutual supplementary development. The Chief Executive also met the Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Du Jiahao. He told Mr Du that Hunan-Macao co-operation could be further enhanced, especially in tourism. Both parties could continue to jointly develop multi-destination tourism, which will benefit the tourism industry in both places and achieve a win-win success. Mr Chui also said Macao will play the role of a business and trade services platform to offer assistance to fellow PPRD provinces and regions, to attract more enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries to visit and invest in the PPRD region. Mr Du said Hunan and Macao have been maintaining effective communication. He said he believed Macao, a peaceful and prosperous city, would offer support to Hunan's development in various areas, especially in attracting foreign investments. Hunan enjoys an abundance of tourism resources, and favourable developments in agriculture, railway transportation and manufacturing industries. He looked forward to closer co-operation with Macao, to attract overseas investors to explore business opportunities in Hunan, and establish connections with Portuguese-speaking countries through Macao, Mr Du said. He also praised Macao for its development in convention and exhibition businesses, which serves as a window towards the global market, and hoped Hunan could learn from Macao's experience.