The Europe Day Reception was held last night at Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau in Nape, with the event hosted by the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao and gathering dozens of guests.
Europe Day is annually held on May 9 to commemorate the Schuman Declaration*.
The celebration, which is particularly significant this year as it marked the declaration’s 75th anniversary, was attended by Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, and Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon.
In his speech, Rouse noted the deep and significant EU-Macau relationship, pointing out that the EU was Macau’s “second largest-trading partner in goods, accounting last year for 27 percent of Macau’s total trade”, only one percent behind the Chinese mainland’s 28 percent.
Rouse also highlighted the vital role that European companies play in Macau’s economy, and noted that the EU Office was looking forward to continuing cooperation with the city in green development and sustainability, and the further enhancement of academic exchanges.
Moreover, Rouse touched on Macau’s economic diversification. “Diversifying any economy is an immense task. European businesses are very well placed and committed to contributing to Macau’s economic diversification and we have a lot to offer”, with EU businesses bringing expertise, innovation and sustainable and forward-looking solutions that “will contribute meaningfully to Macau’s economic transformation”.
Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon also delivered a speech at the event, in which he said that the EU has always been a “major trading partner of Macau”, adding that total trade between the two sides reached nearly 38 billion patacas last year. “I am confident that we will not stop here and our ties will continue to grow and strengthen”, said Cheong.
Cheong also pointed out that Macau is determined to diversify its economy, welcoming more EU companies to open and expand their business in Macau. “The Macau government will reform the public administration and regulatory system so as to create a more favourable environment for investors”.
Moreover, Cheong also pointed out that the local and Hengqin governments are building a new service centre for economic and commercial relations between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries, which is slated to open by the end of the year. It will provide services such as legal, financial, training, translation and information services. “We hope the centre will facilitate trade and investment from Europe”, Cheong said.
*According to the European Union website, the Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on May 9, 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production.
The website added “The ECSC (founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg) was the first of a series of supranational European institutions that would ultimately become today’s ‘European Union’”.
Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao delivers a speech at yesterday’s Europe Day Reception at the Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau in Nape.
Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon gives a speech at yesterday’s reception. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
Guests interact during last night’s reception.
