The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met today with a working group from the National Tourism Administration (CNTA) led by the Director General of the Department of Tourism Promotion and International Communications, Mr Li Shihong, when they updated each other on the preparations for and exchanged views on the Eighth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM8), to ensure a successful event in Macao next month. The Chief Executive again thanked the Central People's Government for offering Macao the honour of engaging in organising the first ever APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting to be held in Macao. As usual, the Macao SAR Government will contribute its best efforts in preparing for the event. Mr Chui expressed his gratitude to the CNTA, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR (LOCPG Macao), and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR (FMCOPRC Macao), for their support and co-operation through forming a special working group to conduct co-ordination meetings with the team led by the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the TMM8 Organizing Committee, Mr Alexis Tam, to facilitate effective arrangements for the event. According to Mr Li Shihong, with the high concern from central government leaders and the leadership of the Chief Executive, all parties involved attached great importance to the ministerial meeting. A special delegation has been formed with representatives from the CNTA, the HKMAO, the FMCOPRC Macao and the LOCPG Macao to attend working meetings, conduct co-ordination work and detailed arrangements in Macao. Thanks to the co-operation between the working groups, all preparations for program schedule, activity planning, protocol, touring routes and media arrangements are progressing smoothly. Mr Li stated that through consultation and discussion with APEC members, the APEC Secretariat and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the main theme of the TMM8 is set as "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development". Under the main theme, the tourism ministerial meeting will focus on exchanges between and discussions concerning integration of Asia Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism industry, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators. The ministerial meeting will conclude with a discussion to pass the "Macao Declaration". The Director General of the Liaison Department of the HKMAO, Mr Qian Yibing, said the HKMAO actively engaged in preparing the event with the aim of realising two goals -- to make this international event a great success to project a positive image of the nation; and to promote Macao as a world tourism and leisure centre. Mr Alexis Tam said the organising committee's working group has been actively engaged in preparation work for more than six months under the leadership of the Chief Executive. He is confident the TMM8 will proceed smoothly and achieve great success. Other delegation members attending today's meeting included Deputy Director of Economic Department of the LOCPG Macao, Mr Kou Ming; Director of General Affairs Department of the FMCOPRC Macao, Mr Li Zhenhua; Deputy Director of Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Ms Ma Jie; and officials from the CNTA. Members of Macao's organising committee and working group attending today's meeting included Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Acting Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Louie Wong; Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and Deputy Commissioner of the Public Security Police, Mr Lai Kam Kun.