Amazed by the great changes that have taken place in China since his first trip to the country half a century ago, Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta said he personally witnessed achievements of Chinese modernization during his just concluded state visit to the country.
In an interview during the state visit to China from July 28 to 31, Ramos-Horta recalled his first trip to China in the 1970s.
"1976 the first time, winter, like January or February, I looked down to the street, I saw thousands of bicycles. Occasionally, you saw a bus. God! It's so different in only half a century," he said.
Ramos-Horta said China's historic steps of eliminating absolute poverty and developing itself into a country strong on high-tech impressed him the most during China's advance of its own path to modernization.
"It is elimination, total elimination of extreme poverty in a country so big, and then moving from a poor rural agricultural economy to a superpower in technology, in medical equipment and anything," said the president of Timor-Leste.
"And in my own country now today, rarely you see a child is barefoot, and almost you see every child with a backpack made in China, and cheap. The Chinese, they study the world market, they know there is like, I don't know, two billion people who are poor, whose purchasing power is like two dollars, three dollars, five dollars a day. So they produce for this market throughout Asia, Africa and even in Europe. That doesn't mean they produce only the shoes and these cheap (products), no, high-tech (products) as well. So only the Chinese can do that, supply the entire planet with goods that are accessible to the poorest people," he said.
Timor-Leste president says amazed by Chinese modernization achievements
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
