BOAO Forum at Macau discusses new thoughts for Asia development

Liang, Zhang Yipeng, Liu Chak Wan, Leong Vai Tac, Ye Dabo, Ho Hau Wah, Chui Sai On, Zheng Xiaosong, Zhou Wenzhong, Tam Chon Weng, Wu Zhiliang, Wang Guangyan, and Mok Chi Wai)

Jointly organized by the BOAO Asia Forum, Macau University of Science and Technology and the Macao Youth Federation, the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 BOAO Forum for Asia Development Summit (Macau) was held at the Sands Cotai Central in the morning of November 6, 2017. Officiating guests at the ceremony were Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Zheng Xiaosong, Director-General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Mr.Ye Dabo Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Zhou Wenzhong Secretary-General of the BOAO Asia Forum, Mr. Leong Vai Tac Secretaryfor Economy and Finance of the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R., Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Member of the Administrative Committee of the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Wu Zhiliang Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Deputy Director-General Zhang Yipeng of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr. Wang Guangyan Deputy Director-General of the Department of Moral Education of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, and Chair Professor Liu Liang, President of Macau University of Science and Technology and President Mok Chi Wai of the Macao Youth Federation, Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Summit.

Secretary-General Zhou Wenzhongaddressed the ceremony. He noted that over the past 18 years since returning to the motherland, Macau’s overall economy has grown fast; especially, it has achieved adequate development in finance; since many countries along the “Belt and Road” are still at the beginning stage in terms of infrastructure construction, the potential demand of capital of these countries would be large, and for Macau, this would mean a broader reach of market and a significant opportunity to develop specialized financial services. It is expected that the Summit would be able to provide some suggestions, which Macau could make references to fulfill the transfer of Macau’s economy to adequate diversified sustainable development and a more profound involvement in the “Belt and Road” international initiatives.

Secretary Leong Vai Tac addressed the ceremony and pointed out that hosting the “2017 BOAO Forum for Asia Development Summit (Macau)” would greatly contribute to the development and advancement of Macau and Asia. He said, the “Belt and Road” initiative is a significant strategy of our country in opening to the outside; Macau must take advantage of the opportunity by participating in greater depth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao cooperation and the Pan-Pearl River regional cooperation, take initiative and make contribution to the “Belt and Road”, playing an active part in the greater national development, lay a more solid foundation for the continuous prosperity of the Macao S.A.R., and to contribute to the national modernization and development.

While speaking at the Opening Ceremony, President Liu Liang of mentioned that, in 2015, the BOAO Asia Forum, the Macao Youth Federation, and the Macau University of Science and Technology jointly held the “1st BOAO Forum for Asia Development (Macau)”, which successfully assembled in Macau approximately one thousand elite from various regions of the world and collected a great many insights and ideas. This time, the three organizations joined again to hold the “BOAO Forum for Asia Development Summit” and provide a high-level platform for dialogues among government officials, business leaders, and well-known scholars, all for the purpose of achieving joint prosperity and development for all countries and regions across Asia. The three themes selected for the Summit all suit the developmental need of Macau and other Asian countries or regions well; it is expected that the guest speakers would approach the themes in depth and contribute wisdoms and forces for the joint development of Asian countries.

The Forum

The 2017 BOAO Forum for Asia Development Summit (Macau) was attended by over 1,600 people, including 300 overseas participants and 200 volunteers. The forum themes align closely with the future orientations of the national and Asian development, and the future of Macau. The Summit has made available a one-of-a-kind platform for exchange of ideas among governmental leaders, international organizations, enterprises, media representatives, and specialists and scholars, to approach the topic of smart city development in great depth from such respects as entrepreneurship and innovation, training of talents, and economic development, aiming to provide new thoughts and ideas for the future development of Macau and Asia.