Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, addresses the opening ceremony of the International symposium on Belt and Road and Macao's development in Macao, south China, June 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
MACAO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The International symposium on Belt and Road and Macao's development kicked off in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Thursday to discuss Macao's role in the construction of the Belt and Road.
The two-day symposium, co-organized by the Macao SAR government, Macao Foundation and Grand Thought think-tank, has attracted about 400 officials, scholars and entrepreneurs from China, Brazil, Portugal and Thailand.
Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On said at the opening ceremony that Macao will seize the opportunities of the Belt and Road and continue to promote its economic diversification and improve people's livelihood.
Wang Bingnan, assistant minister of commerce of China, said Macao is an important gateway for China's reform and opening up. The Ministry of Commerce will support Macao in participating in Belt and Road construction and playing its unique role, he said.
During the symposium, participants are expected to discuss such topics as Macao's role in the development of the Belt and Road, the building of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, among others.
