Residents of the Gaza Strip have welcomed the meeting between the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Beijing this weekend, calling for genuine reconciliation and unity among Palestinians.
"After 21 years of humiliation and contempt for each other, we must say enough is enough. Everyone has to seek reconciliation. Everyone must see these children. We demand that China not let Fatah and Hamas leave until true reconciliation is achieved," said Mohammed Zaqoot, a Gaza resident.
"We hope these efforts will bring fruitful results to all Palestinians. The war must stop. They must unite with each other -- our brothers in Fatah and Hamas, because the people of Gaza are the ones who are paying the heaviest price," said Ouda Khodari, another Gaza resident.
Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network, expressed hope that China's efforts to facilitate dialogue between Fatah and Hamas will lead to an end of the longstanding political division as China is leveraging its relationships with various Palestinian factions to foster unity amidst ongoing political tensions and a severe humanitarian crisis.
"China has a good relationship with various Palestinian parties. We hope that through these efforts undertaken by China to bring together Palestinian forces and factions, especially the Fatah and Hamas movements, an agreement will be reached to end the political division, especially in these difficult circumstances and this unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," Shawa said.
Hamas governs Gaza, while the Fatah movement maintains partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The two factions have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry since the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections.
The reconciliation talks in Beijing, aimed at resolving the serious political divisions between the two groups, are seen as crucial for ending the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Gaza residents welcome Hamas-Fatah meeting in Beijing, call for true reconciliation
Gaza residents welcome Hamas-Fatah meeting in Beijing, call for true reconciliation
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
