China's top legislator holds talks with Australian Senate president

China's top legislator Zhao Leji held talks with President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines in Beijing on Monday, expressing China's willingness to work with Australia to build a more mature, stable and fruitful bilateral relations.

At the invitation of Zhao, Lines is leading a delegation to visit China from Oct 11 to 16.

During the talks, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, bilateral ties have returned to the right track of healthy and stable development.

Zhao said China stands ready to work together with Australia to enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the building of a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Zhao called on the Australian side to stick to the right perception of China, view China's development in an objective and positive way, respect China's core interests and major concerns, and consolidate the political foundation for bilateral relations.

Zhao called on the two sides to effectively cement cooperation in traditional areas such as energy minerals and agriculture, expand cooperation in emerging areas including green sci-tech, new energy and artificial intelligence, and promote a fair and open trade and investment environment.

He also stressed deepening cooperation at the subnational level and in the fields including culture, education and tourism, and strengthening public support for China-Australia relations.

Zhao said the NPC of China is willing to make joint efforts with the Australian Senate to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, enhance friendly exchanges between the leaderships of legislatures, special committees, bilateral friendship groups, as well as between NPC deputies and Australian Senate members, share experience on governance, and learn from each other's experience in legislation and oversight.

Zhao also provided relevant information on China staying committed to green development.

For her part, Lines said members of the Australian delegation were from different parties and regions in Australia, but they all hope for sound development of Australia-China ties.

Noting the stabilizing and improving bilateral relations are inspiring, Lines expressed her hope for further enhanced practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, green economy, climate change response and people-to-people exchanges.

She said the Australian Senate is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China so as to contribute to the development of Australia-China relations.

China's top legislator holds talks with Australian Senate president

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