On the morning of July 12, Chief Executive Chui Sai On of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) led a government delegation to visit Dongguan. The delegation was warmly received by Liang Weidong, Secretary of the Dongguan CPC Municipal Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Dongguan Municipal People's Congress. The two sides have touched on cooperation on industry, economy and trade, and youths in their discussion. They also exchanged ideas on the building of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
The delegation led by Chui Sai On visited Songshan Lake Eco-City Science and Technology Exhibition Hall and got to know the traffic location, eco-environment, industrial foundation, innovation results of Songshan Lake. At the subsequent meeting, Liang Weidong introduced the delegation to the economic and social development of Dongguan. Currently, Dongguan is implementing the spirit of the important speeches made by Secretary-General Xi Jinping, seizing the development opportunities brought by Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and optimizing and expanding the development space of the city. The city is also building major development platforms such as Neutron Science City, Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area, and Dongguan Shuixiang New Town.
Liang Weidong expressed that combining its own development foundation and advantages, Dongguan positions its integration into the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area as “building one center and strengthening three functions”. That is building advanced manufacturing center in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and strengthening the transfer function of science and technology innovation results, demonstration function of expanding cooperation, and service function of modern quality life. It is convinced that the cooperation between Dongguan and Macau will encounter unprecedented opportunities with the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Liang Weidong suggested that the two sides should strengthen the connectivity and integrated development at each side of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and that the exclusive advantages enjoyed by Macau can also be leveraged to support Dongguan’s industrial development. Macau has a close connection with countries where Portuguese is an official language, and Dongguan can make use of this connection to expand trade with these countries, guiding Dongguan to build connections with countries along the Belt and Road. Dongguan should bolster its traffic connection with Macau and open a maritime route that connects the two sides. Dongguan will also endeavor to boost youth development and create favorable conditions to welcome youths from Macau to start business in Dongguan.
Chui Sai On spoke highly of Dongguan’s achievements in economic and social development. He noted that his visit to Dongguan this time mainly focused on strengthening communication and exchanges, seeking opportunities for Dongguan-Macau cooperation, and deepening Macau’s participation in the building of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. The development plan for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area is to be launched and related cities are now pondering over the implementation plan and work deployment. Dongguan’s proposals are worth studying. Many cities in the Pearl River Delta have built maritime routes reaching Macau. The building of maritime route between Macau and Dongguan can take some pressure off road traffic, which merits the attention of the departments concerned.
Municipal officials Bai Tao and Huang Shaowen have attended relevant activities.