China's top lawmaking body, the National People's Congress (NPC), has established over 200,000 representative centers and liaison stations across the country, greatly facilitating communication between the NPC deputies and the people, and allowing issues to be more effectively addressed at the grassroots level.
The liaison stations serve as important bases for NPC deputies to carry out activities during the recess of the highest lawmaking body. There, they can listen to public opinions and learn more about people's concerns. Through these stations, the deputies can better solve hot and difficult issues such as garbage classification, residential compound improvement, and dog owner etiquette awareness.
"So far, more than 200,000 representative centers and representative liaison stations have been established across the country, basically achieving full coverage of towns and neighborhoods," said Zhu Hengshun, director of the training bureau under the representative working committee of the NPC Standing Committee.
Aojiao is a beautiful fishing village in east China's Fujian Province. However, the dilapidated facilities on the waterway have affected the entry and exit of fishing boats, making clearing the waterway an urgent issue for locals.
At the deputy liaison station in the village, NPC deputy Lin Huazhong communicated with local fishermen over the problem and a solution was reached to ensure fishermen's safety and smooth operations of at sea. "We will get rid of all the old fishing facilities at once. As for the still usable fishing facilities that are occupying the harbor channels, we will clear them out within 20 days," said Lin, who is also head of Aojiao Village.
At a deputy liaison station in Beijing's historic Qianmen Street, NPC deputy Wang Rui is able to listen to the demands and suggestions of businessmen and residents face to face, and discuss with them how to promote the rejuvenation of time-honored brands on the street.
"In such a space as the liaison station, ordinary people can speak freely, so we deputies can hear what they really think and are concerned about," Wang said.
Liaison stations help NPC deputies reach ordinary people nationwide
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
