Witnessed by President Xi Jinping this morning (1 July), Chief Executive Chui Sai On, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Ms Carrie Lam, the Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr He Lifeng, and the Governor of Guangdong province, Mr Ma Xingrui, signed the “Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Bay Area” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Following the agreement signing ceremony, the “Jointly Promote the Development of World-class City Cluster in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area” forum was held in the afternoon.

Speaking at the forum, Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have achieved pragmatic and fruitful results in cooperation, and are well equipped to construct a world-class metropolis. Macao will proactively enhance communication with the Central People’s Government, make good progress in local infrastructure, deepen integrated development with Guangdong and Hong Kong, and leverage all resources, to promote better and faster development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Bay Area.

The forum, held at the InterContinental Hong Kong, was organised by the National Development and Reform Commission, and co-organised by the governments of Guangdong province, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR. It was attended by some 300 government officials and guests, including member of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretary of CPC Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua; Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Leung Chun Ying; the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Ms Carrie Lam; the Chief Executive of ther Macao SAR, Mr Chui Sai On; the Governor of Guangdong province, Mr Ma Xingrui; Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Lin Nianxiu; and representatives of ministries of the Central People’s Government and local governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The forum featured speeches by Mr Hu Chunhua, Ms Carrie Lam, Mr Chui Sai On, and a keynote speech by Mr Lin Nianxiu.

Delivered his speech titled “Leverage Macao’s Advantages to Jointly Develop the Bay Area” at the forum, Mr Chui said that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao each enjoy their unique advantages, and have established a solid foundation for cooperation. The three parties have long been cooperating with each other and maintaining close and friendly relationships. They have achieved pragmatic and fruitful results in cooperation, and are well equipped to construct a world-class metropolis. The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Bay Area will gradually be upgraded from a non-governmental initiative to a national strategy, which inherits our tradition of cooperation and leads to new development in future.

He said that from an international perspective, the Bay Area is important for supporting construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative, promoting high-level participation in international cooperation, and enhancing all aspects of the national leadership effect. From internal perspectives, the Bay Area is important for deepening the implementation of the principle of “One country, two systems”, injecting driving forces into the development of the region, and strengthening our leading role in national economic development.

According to Mr Chui, at present and in the near future, Macao will fully implement all cooperative projects in the Bay Area, focusing on four major tasks:

1. Proactively enhance communication with the Central People’s Government – Under the leadership of the Central People’s Government, Macao will actively and properly implement construction of the Bay Area, facilitate Macao’s integration with national development, and realise the principle of “One country, two systems” in Macao;

2. Make good progress in local infrastructure – Macao will implement its first five-year plan, coordinate the construction of the “One Centre, One Platform”, plan to construct “One Base”, realise adequate economic diversification, and participate in projects of the “Belt and Road” initiative, to join forces in the formation and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area;

3. Deepen integrated development with Guangdong and Hong Kong – Macao will uphold the principles of complimentary advantages, and mutual beneficial cooperation, have the courage to be a first-mover for innovative development, to ensure strengthening of the economy of the Bay Area, and realising exchanges and friendship between people in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; and

4. Leverage all resources – Securing a foothold in the area, Macao will take both the international market and the domestic market in view, broadly mobilise initiatives of all sectors, make full use of local and foreign resources, and draw on collective wisdom, to make concerted efforts in the construction of the Bay Area.

Mr Chui looks forward to the successful results of hard work by all parties, to develop the Bay Area into a demonstration zone for integrated development involving cooperation between mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, a vital and capable international bay area, and a world-class metropolis for living, employment and tourism.

The delegation accompanying the Chief Executive to attend the forum comprises the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Kou Chin Hung; and some 30 representatives of local enterprises, chambers of commerce and associations, experts and scholars.

During his attendance to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chief Executive Chui Sai On had the honour to be received by President Xi Jinping on 30 June. Mr Chui also attended the dinner for welcoming President Xi’s visit, hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government, the variety show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and the Inaugural Ceremony of the Fifth Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.