Macao to embrace Pan-Pearl River cooperation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-26 15:55

Macao's chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah has been soliciting opinions in advance of the opening of a high-profile forum on the Pan-Pearl River cooperation to be held next month.

The Information Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said on Wednesday that the chief executive convened his think tank Tuesday discussing Macao's role in the new economic circle, which is taking shape in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region.

The bureau said that Macao's leadership has attached a great importance to the forum due to its awareness that a concerted effort in exploring the potential of Pan-Pearl River cooperation in the south China region would be a golden opportunity for Macao to be integrated into the motherland's regional economic growth circle.

Officials with a number of functional departments of China's central government and senior leaders from nine provinces and regions as well as Hong Kong and Macao SARs are expected to gather at the forum to paint a blueprint for the building of the Pan- Pearl River economic circle, which is generally viewed as a new economic growth pole of the country.

Macao's chief executive considered that the Pearl River economic integration has become a must-go track of Macao's economic development after its return to the motherland, which has broadened its scope on the economic growth.

However, he warned that Macao should not be eager for quick success and instant benefit from the regional cooperation. He hoped the SAR could make sufficient research and self-building to be more ready to embrace the economic integration.

To pursue a mutually-complementary cooperation with other members in the region, Macao should pinpoint its advantages and disadvantages, said Ho urging his think tank to bring forward ideas and suggestions to that endeavor.