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Remarkable Results of Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Achieved to Align with GBA Opportunities
Over the years, Guangdong and Macao have been practically carrying out the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, and maintaining close co-operation in different areas, in order to align with new development trends. This has enabled both regions to grasp the opportunities arising from the country’s Thirteenth Five-Year Plan, the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the State Council’s guiding opinions on deepening co-operation within the PPRD region, and the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. After the founding of the “Guangdong-Macao Economic Promotion Group”, meetings have been held regularly to push forward the development of Guangdong-Macao co-operation platform including the “Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Industrial Park” in Hengqin, to collaboratively recruit investors and enterprises, intensify multi-faceted co-operation and intensify liaison mechanism.
In 2018, the total volume of trade in products between Guangdong and Macao was RMB 13.46 billion (equivalent to around USD 1.68 billion), dropped by 12.9% year-over-year. Macao’s total imports from Guangdong amounted to RMB 13.15 billion (equivalent to around USD 1.64 billion), and the city’s total exports to Guangdong totaled RMB 310 million (equivalent to around USD 39 million). (Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China)
As of the end of December 2017, there were 10,870 Macao’s investment projects in Guangdong, involving RMB 151.8 billion (equivalent to around USD 21.94 billion) of total contract value and RMB 60.5 billion (equivalent to around USD 8.743 billion) of actual investment amount. By the end of December 2017, the contract value of Guangdong’s investment in Macao amounted to RMB 3.54 billion (equivalent to around USD 512 million), with the actual investment amount reaching RMB 2.91 billion (equivalent to around USD 421 million).
The Chief Executive Chui Sai On, and the Governor of Guangdong Ma Xingrui, sign the “Major Tasks in 2019 for Implementing the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao”
2019 Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference Held in Macao
The 2019 Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference was held in Macao on 27 May. The Chief Executive Chui Sai On, and the Governor of Guangdong Ma Xingrui, led respective governmental delegations at the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Chui Sai On said that this Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference – being held at a critical time after the publication of the outline development plan for Greater Bay Area – illustrated the dedication of both sides to intensifying Guangdong-Macao ties.
He emphasised that the governments of Guangdong and Macao have been maintaining close connection for in-depth discussion on their alignment with the country’s development tactics such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the “Belt and Road” Initative, on the nurture of moderate diversification of Macao’s economic growth, and on the progress of major co-operation platforms of both regions.
In his address, Mr Chui mentioned the concerted effort of the two regions to press ahead in a steady way, regarding major tasks under the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, infrastructure construction, co-operation relating to society and people’s living standard, as well as investment zones in Guangdong Province, such as Hengqin in Zhuhai, Cuiheng in Zhongshan, Nansha in Guangzhou, and Daguang Bay in Jiangmen. The co-operation efforts included greater support for young people to establish innovation-driven projects and businesses. Collaboration also sought to diversify existing co-operation and foster the stability and prosperity of the two places.
He added that Guangdong and Macao will identify key tasks for the next stage of Guangdong-Macao co-operation according to their respective strengths and needs. Joint efforts will also be made to further the stable growth of the two regions.
Speaking in the meeting, Governor Ma Xingrui said the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area created a significant opportunity for Guangdong-Macao co-operation in a new era. He added that he was satisfied to see that meetings between decision makers of both regions became closer since the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference was held last year, which allowed them to have deep communication about jointly pressing ahead with the GBA and enhancing the level of co-operation. Multiple consensuses reached.
Mr Ma added that under the city-cluster initiative, the two sides were achieving closer economic and trade ties; were deepening liberalisation of trade in services; and were enhancing co-operation platforms and advancement efforts regarding a number of infrastructure projects such as the Guangdong-Macao New Channel and new crossings at the Hengqin port, as well as co-operation in social and livelihood areas. All these efforts were taking bilateral ties along a practical and effective path.
Following the keynotes by Chui Sai On and Ma Xingrui, Chief-of-cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive O Lam, and Vice-Governor of People’s Government of Guangdong Province Ouyang Weimin provided further details regarding what had been achieved.
Attendees included Director and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Fu Ziying and Yao Jian, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Song Zhe, Deputy Regional Chief of the National Development and Reform Commission Huang Weibo.
Both sides reviewed the results of Guangdong-Macao co-operation and apparent progresses were achieved in different areas, which had given a good start for both regions to pragmatically contribute to the GBA development.
Looking ahead, Guangdong and Macao will continue working together to implement the country’s tactics with innovative concept and feasible plans, in order to improve the living standard, economic prosperity and stable development of both regions. Major tasks for the next level of Guangdong-Macao co-operation include:
• Jointly carrying out the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, optimising relevant mechanisms and contributing to the GBA development;
• Innovating co-operation model and accelerating the construction of major Guangdong-Macao co-operation platforms, Guangdong’s fully supporting the moderate diversification of Macao’s economic development;
• Motivating scientific and technologic innovation, collaboratively building an international centre in GBA for science and technology innovation;
• Pressing ahead with the building of a base for young people from Guangdong and Macao to establish innovation-driven projects and businesses;
• Enhancing the connectivity between infrastructures of both regions;
• Expanding social and livelihood co-operations between both sides;
• Deepening liberablisation of trade in service, achieving synergetic development of modern industrial system;
• Intensifying co-operation relevant to the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
A total of nine agreements covering the next phase of collaboration between the two places were also endorsed, including the “Major Tasks in 2019 for Implementing the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao”, and other eight agreements covering: Macao-Zhuhai co-operation; a subsidy scheme for science and technology projects; forestry development co-operation; health co-operation; youth exchanges; census co-operation; construction of sluices at Macao’s Inner Harbour; and intellectual property.
Signing ceremony of agreements covering Macao-Zhuhai co-operation; a subsidy scheme for science and technology projects; forestry development co-operation; health co-operation
Signing ceremony of agreements covering youth exchanges; census co-operation; construction of sluices at Macao’s Inner Harbour; and intellectual property
