Delegations from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies participated on Sunday (June 28) in a visit program organized by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, following the conclusion of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting.
The initiative aimed to introduce international representatives to Macau’s cultural heritage and tourism offerings through a series of visits and interactive activities.
The first stop was the Macao Museum of Art, where the delegations visited the exhibition “Ancient China in Creative Design,” which brings together cultural and creative products from more than a dozen museums in mainland China. The exhibition presents different periods of Chinese history and seeks to illustrate the evolution of society across various dynasties through objects inspired by cultural heritage.
During the visit, the Macao Government Tourism Office organized workshops dedicated to two traditional Macau specialties recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage: almond cookies and Dragon’s Beard candy. Artisans demonstrated the production techniques and invited participants to try certain stages of the manufacturing process.
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The delegations then proceeded to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Macao Museum, where they had the opportunity to explore the Historic Centre of Macao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most prominent examples of the meeting between Chinese and Western cultures.
The program concluded with a visit to the Grand Prix Museum, where representatives learned about the history of the motorsport event, one of the city’s most iconic international competitions held annually in Macau.
Several representatives from APEC member economies highlighted the richness of Macau’s cultural heritage and the diversity of its tourism offerings, according to the Macao SAR Government.
The delegations also praised the region’s investment in promoting tourism and enhancing cultural exchange between Chinese and Western cultures, noting that Macau is well positioned to continue playing a significant role in strengthening tourism cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
