Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang joins the deliberation with deputies from the delegation of the Macao Special Administrative Region at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Macao deputies to the National People’s Congress — the nation’s top legislature — on Thursday called for more efforts to be made to develop its innovation and technology (I&T) sector and promote youth exchanges within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
They made their remarks at a meeting during the annual gathering of the NPC, which opened in Beijing on Tuesday.
Macao’s edge in leisure and entertainment should be further tapped for the city’s tech drive.
Jose Chui Sai-peng, a Macao deputy to the National People’s Congress
On Macao’s journey to integrate into the national development plan, it is crucial for the city to boost its I&T sector as a new growth driver by taking advantage of its tourism and talent strengths, said Jose Chui Sai-peng, a Macao deputy to the NPC.
The initiative is also part of Macao’s efforts to diversify its economy. The gaming industry once contributed around half of Macao’s GDP, employing one-fifth of the city’s workforce, according to government data.
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Chui, who is also a lawmaker in the Macao Special Administrative Region, said that the city’s edge in leisure and entertainment should be further tapped for the city’s tech drive.
Home to a variety of top-rated hospitality venues, he said, the casino hub is also able to accommodate various networking gatherings and mega events, including technology summits.
“Our five-star hotels provide an excellent environment for meetings and relaxation, allowing guests to enjoy both business and leisure, which is an advantage for hosting technology gatherings,” he said.
With a high number of tourists visiting Macao, the city can also be transformed into a center for showcasing the nation’s high-tech inventions, Chui added.
“Visitors can not only enjoy cultural heritage but also experience our technological advancements; this can also make the city more attractive,” Chui said.
The lawmaker said Macao has great advantages in its talent pool, given the city’s research strength, and this can help it further develop its technological edge.
“I hope Macao’s young blood can contribute to supporting the country’s technology ambition and have a greater say in the critical sector, for example, the chip and space industries,” he said.
Sio Chi-wai, a national legislator from Macao, said the measures to overcome Macao’s challenges are to seek closer international connections while integrating the SAR into the country.
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As a link between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Macao SAR is also an important node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Sio said, adding that substantial progress made in the GBA offers abundant opportunities for growth.
“Although Macao is a small city, it has a prominent position in the promotion of the country’s regional collaboration and overall development. So Macao itself also sees its integration into the country’s overall development as the greatest chance to explore the future,” he said.
Kevin Ho King-lun, another Macao deputy, highlighted the need for young people from the SAR and other cities in the GBA to engage in exchanges.
The flow of people is important to the 11-city cluster’s integrated development, as talent empowers the growth of any business and the economy, Ho said.
“With its unique ‘East-meets-West’ cultural landscape, Macao, alongside Hong Kong, can serve as an ideal platform for mainland people to tap into the international community,” Ho said.
