Chen Wenjun:

Two more questions.

Macao Daily:

Due to the impact of COVID-19, Macao has faced multiple difficulties in development. How will the central authorities help Macao overcome these difficulties? The central authorities always support the development of an appropriately diversified economy in Macao. Regarding this, what progress has been made? Thank you. 

Huang Liuquan:

The COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading and severely impacting the social and economic development of countries all over the world. Macao cannot stay immune to the impact either. Due to the pandemic, people from all walks of life in Macao have a more sober awareness of the existing problems in the local economic structure and deeper understanding of the development direction set by the central authorities for Macao.

The central authorities always attach great importance to and unremittingly promote the development of an appropriately diversified economy in Macao. In December 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at a gathering in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. He pointed out, "What is particularly important is to ensure good collaboration with Zhuhai in developing Hengqin, which will create immense space and new momentum for Macao's long-term development." In September 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council released the general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, marking how we have comprehensively implemented and accelerated the building of the zone into a new phase. Through a year, initial outcomes have been accomplished. The relevant departments of the central authorities and the Guangdong provincial government have launched specific measures regarding different fields such as industries, science and technology, human resources, and finance. Under the firm support of the central authorities, the Macao SAR will continue to appropriately diversify its economy. In my opening statement, I said that the proportion of emerging industries like conventions and exhibitions, traditional Chinese medicine, special financial products and services, and cultural and creative industry in the GDP of Macao has continued to rise. The strategic position of Macao as "one center, one platform, and one base" has been basically put in place. Macao has ramped up efforts to develop itself into a world tourism and leisure center, and is well-known as a Creative City of Gastronomy. It has achieved fruitful results in building itself as a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and has made steady progress in becoming a base for exchanges and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist. 

Just as you said, Macao has encountered some difficulties and challenges in its social and economic development in the past few years due to the epidemic. However, its positive economic fundamentals remain unchanged. We believe that, under the strong support of the central authorities and the firm leadership of the chief executive and the government of the Macao SAR, Macao can give better play to its unique advantages, make more achievements in driving economic growth, and improve people's wellbeing. In response to the requests of the Macao SAR, the relevant departments of the central authorities will actively formulate policies and measures to support Macao's tourism growth and accelerate the building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Thank you.