Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Cai Run, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) in Brussels yesterday, the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) has announced in a statement.
According to the statement, Sam and Cai exchanged views on supporting Macau in strengthening economic, trade, and cultural cooperation with the EU, and on promoting the stable development of China-EU relations.
According to the statement, Sam expressed his sincere gratitude to Cai and the Chinese Mission to the EU for their support and assistance in facilitating the MSAR Government delegation’s visit to the EU headquarters. Sam noted that Macau has long maintained cooperative relations and mutual exchanges with the EU. He pointed out that the 24th EU-Macao Joint Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sam expressed hope that both sides could soon resume this important dialogue mechanism, with the aim of deepening ties with the EU and enabling the MSAR to make new contributions to the continued development of China-EU relations.
Since its return to the motherland on December 20, 1999 Macau’s successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle has achieved remarkable results and received full recognition from the central authorities, Sam underlined. Macau’s development embodies the principles of peace, openness, inclusiveness, and shared growth, serving as a successful model of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, Sam said. These results have been made possible with strong support from various sectors, including the Chinese Mission to the EU, he added.
Sam also stressed that Macau is committed to integrating into, and serving, the nation’s overall development strategy, fully leveraging the unique platform role conferred to the MSAR by the central authorities, and actively extending the reach of its market coverage, thereby further contributing to the country’s high-level opening up. He expressed hope that the Chinese Mission to the EU will continue to provide support and guidance to enable Macau to advance its exchanges and cooperation with the EU in economic, trade, and cultural fields.
During their meeting, the ambassador pointed out that in Brussels on Friday Olof Skoog, deputy secretary general for Political Affairs of the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS), held in-depth discussions with Sam and clearly expressed the EU’s willingness to continue dialogue and strengthen cooperation with Macau – a clear sign of the EU’s high regard for the MSAR, Cai noted.
The meeting with European Parliament Vice President Younous Omarjee similarly reflected the EU’s strong interest in deepening exchanges and cooperation with Macau, Cai said. The Chinese Mission to the EU supports the resumption of the EU-Macao Joint Committee meetings, he added.
Cai also said that China and the EU have a solid foundation for cooperation, and that the China-EU relationship is currently at an important stage of development. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU’s predecessor body, Cai pointed out. He expressed hope that, through joint efforts, the China-EU relationship could continue to move forward constructively, build on existing consensus, and seize opportunities to strengthen future exchanges and cooperation.
Cai also commended Sam’s nine-day, four-nation European tour, which was significant and would effectively enhance Macao’s ties with the EU, and contribute to the stable and sustained development of China-EU relations.
Officials also present at yesterday’s meeting included: the chief-of-office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Chan Kak; the director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union in Brussels, Lúcia Abrantes dos Santos; and officials from the Chinese Mission to the EU, including Minister Counsellor Hua Ye, and Minister Counsellor Wang Hailong.
Sam and his entourage are scheduled to arrive back in Macau today.
N.B. Translation provided by GCS; minor edits and addenda by the Post
Caption: Macau SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) shakes hands with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Cai Run, who heads the Chinese Mission to the 27-member European Union (EU), in Brussels yesterday. - Photo: GCS
