The new Chinese diplomatic representative in Macau, Bian Lixin, expressed Beijing’s commitment on Thursday to “implementing the principle of ‘diplomacy for Macau’, supporting the ‘expansion of international exchange and cooperation’ in the region.” The statements were made at an event welcoming local political authorities and community leaders, about a month after her arrival.
Bian highlighted the merit of the “Chinese-characteristic diplomacy,” ensuring that, with Beijing’s strong support, the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) will expand and deepen international cooperation and create a high-level platform for opening up to the outside world.
The new Commissioner for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR– who replaced Liu Xianfa, recently announced as China’s Special Representative for Africa – also assured the support of China’s central government for the holding of the 13th edition of the ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for Tourism. The meeting will take place in June, in Macau.
Before, Bian Lixin had emphasized the recognition in recent years of the region as the “Best city for conferences and business” and “Best convention destination in Asia” by specialty publications.
“Macau will remain committed to its mission and leverage its unique advantages to better serve as an important window for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations, thereby contributing to the diplomacy of a great country with Chinese characteristics in the new era,” the diplomat stated.
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Bian Lixin commended the performance of the Macau SAR Executive in implementing the “principle of ‘Macau governed by patriots'” and for “maintaining and improving the predominance of executive power, firmly safeguarding national security, accelerating the appropriate diversification of the economy’s development, and increasing governance efficiency and capacity.”
“Macau has promoted the construction of ‘One center, One platform, One base’, created the Center for Economic and Commercial Services between China and Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries, and deepened pragmatic cooperation with the aforementioned countries,” Bian Lixin added.
Also the Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, who spoke after Bian at the same event, stated that, in the field of foreign relations, Macau will take advantage of the benefits of “internal connectivity and external linkage, as well as the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, to further intensify bilateral openness (…).”. He also added that the region intends to “actively participate in the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.”
The governor added that the region also aims to “promote multifaceted and reciprocal cooperation with Portuguese-and Spanish-Speaking Countries.”
