Macao’s supporting committee to the Sichuan reconstruction works is in the province today, for a three-day fact-finding visit.

The Committee, which comprised a number of department heads from the SAR Government, met with its counterpart in Sichuan immediately after they arrived in the capital city Chengdu.

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, who also chairs the committee, said at the meeting that the committee had commenced a number of preparatory works after receiving the proposal from Sichuan, and the two sides would discuss the construction plan in today’s meeting.

He said that in the next three to five years, Macao would make its best effort in helping the reconstruction in Sichuan, and hoped to make some contribution to our “brothers” there.

He also conveyed Macao people’s concerns and blessings to the people of Sichuan and said that some individuals and organisations in Macao would also take part in supporting Sichuan’s reconstruction.

Mr Chui said the Macao SAR Government Tourism Office would meet with tourism officials of Sichuan during this visit, to draw up a plan for co-operation in tourism industry in the next two years.

He said the resumption of scheduled flights between Macao and Chengdu would help promote the recovery of Sichuan’s tourism business.

During the meeting, the Director of Sichuan provincial Development and Reform Commission, Mr Liu Jie, briefed the committee on the general plans for the 37 reconstruction projects proposed for Macao’s support, among which 17 are in Lizhou District of Guangyuen City, one of the most seriously affected region during the earthquake in May.

The Mayor, Mr Ma Hua explained in details plans for these 17 projects.

Before departing for Chengdu this morning, Mr Chui told reporters that the Sichuan authorities had proposed Macao support for the 17 reconstruction project in Guangyuen, so the committee would visit the city tomorrow to learn more about the planned projects.