The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, met with the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Wang Lutong. They exchanged views on issues such as the practical expansion of economic and trade cooperation between Macao and Indonesia, and the strengthening of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two places, during the meeting held on Wednesday (2 September).
Mr Sam expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Indonesia for its strong support for the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) delegation’s visit to Indonesia, as well as for its active assistance in supporting the reinstatement – by the Indonesian Government – of visa-free entry to Indonesia for Macao residents. He emphasised that the MSAR Government’s ongoing journey involving a visit to three Southeast Asian countries was aimed at better fulfilling Macao’s role of “linking the domestic and international spheres”; concretely implementing the “Go South” strategy; broadening the scope for exchanges and cooperation between Macao and Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries; and enhancing the level of mutual cooperation.
He added that Macao and Indonesia have cultural affinities, with many Indonesian citizens working in Macao, which serves as a bridge to deepen ties between the two sides. At the same time, Macao is committed to expanding its Muslim visitor base, and there is considerable scope for tourism cooperation with Indonesia. Mr Sam hoped that the Embassy would assist Macao in: strengthening its tourism promotion efforts in Indonesia; enhancing the effectiveness of its promotional campaigns; and attracting more Indonesian visitors to Macao to experience its multicultural charm.
The Chief Executive also hoped that the Embassy will assist Macao enterprises in establishing links with relevant halal-certification bodies and industry organisations in Indonesia, and provide information on certification standards and policies, so that Macao enterprises can gain a more accurate understanding of the needs of the Muslim market and better meet them. Furthermore, the MSAR Government is actively promoting the resumption of direct flights between Macao and Jakarta, and it hopes to receive the Embassy’s strong support in this regard.
Ambassador Wang welcomed Mr Sam and his delegation on their visit to Indonesia. He stated that relations between China and Indonesia continue to develop strongly, with cooperation growing ever closer. Guided by the joint implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative, and the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, Macao is seizing the opportunities presented by China’s development, and the prospects for further expanding practical cooperation with Indonesia across multiple sectors are promising.
Mr Wang also pointed out that Mr Sam is the first Chief Executive of the MSAR to make an official visit to Indonesia, which reflects the MSAR Government’s strategic choice, and the importance it attaches to further strengthening cooperation with Indonesia.
Indonesia is home to the world’s largest overseas Chinese population, and Chinese businesspeople have made enormous contributions to Indonesia’s economic and social development. The MSAR Government’s initiative to organise enterprises from Macao, Hengqin, and other places on the Chinese mainland on a “joint voyage” basis to visit Indonesia and discuss cooperation, will undoubtedly inject powerful new momentum into bilateral economic and trade relations. The Embassy will continue to offer its support and assistance, Mr Wang stated.
Also present at the meeting were: Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Ng Wai Han; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Chan Kak; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ms Leong Wai Man; the President of the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Che Weng Keong; Minister Counsellor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, Mr Zheng Jie; and Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, Mr Zhen Wangda.
Mr Sam and Mr Wang then met with representatives of the local Chinese business community. The Chief Executive expressed hope that, through the network of Chinese businesspeople, cooperation between Macao and Indonesia in areas such as trade and economic matters, conventions and exhibitions, and halal products, could be further strengthened, thereby promoting two-way investment and enabling both sides to share in the new opportunities arising from the integrated development of Macao and Hengqin.
