China stands ready to work with the international community to contribute to the sustained peace and prosperity of the African Great Lakes region, said a Chinese envoy at a United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting held in New York on Tuesday.
China has always been a committed partner and supporter of Africa in its pursuit of modernization and the country is willing to contribute to the sustained peace and prosperity of the African Great Lakes region, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to UN, noting that the international community should support countries in the region to strengthen cooperation and solidarity as well as to build a shared future.
"China issued 10 partnership actions at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held last month, which concern multiple fields including security and development. The actions saw China grant the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to the least developed countries in Africa. This will help provide a bigger market and more opportunities to the African countries, including the countries in the African Great Lakes region. China stands ready to work with the international community to contribute to the achievement of the sustained peace and prosperity in the African Great Lakes region," said Fu.
Currently, the African Great Lakes region still faces multiple challenges like the prolonged conflicts and pressing humanitarian issues, Fu added, saying that the Chinese side proposes that the countries in the region should strengthen dialogue for reconciliation, uphold peaceful coexistence, address challenges jointly, and maintain shared security.
The international community should take measures to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in the countries in the African Great Lakes region so as to promote shared development, Fu said.
China committed to sustained peace, prosperity of African Great Lakes region: envoy
China committed to sustained peace, prosperity of African Great Lakes region: envoy
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
