Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta has lauded the concept of a "community with a shared future for all humankind" championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying it plays a crucial role in balancing economic growth with social well-being and environmental protection.
President Xi put forward the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind to foster collaboration among countries and address shared economic challenges and opportunities.Three major initiatives -- Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) -- were proposed by Xi in 2022, 2021 and 2023 respectively, aiming to enhance global cooperation in various fields to realize common prosperity.
In an interview during his just concluded state visit to China, Ramos-Horta stressed the need for economic and social development that benefits everyone.
"The concept of community of shared future articulated by President Xi Jinping, I have read it and I endorse [it] 100 percent. How do we implement it? To realize this, we should stay more focused. Pick five absolute priorities in the third-world Global South. One is clean water for everybody, because there is serious water scarcity in the world. Look at sanitation, because it is the lack of sanitation that kills millions of children around the world; because of bacteria, because all kinds of diseases that affect their growth. Reforestation and general cleaning up of our forest. Renewable energy, which is already underway anyway, and China is a global leader," Ramos-Horta noted.
At the invitation of President Xi, Timor-Leste's president paid a state visit to China from July 28 to 31. This is Ramos-Horta's first visit to China after he took office in 2022 and the first state visit by a Timor-Leste president to China since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2002.
Timor-Leste president fully endorses Xi’s concept of community with shared future
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
