The attendance of the United Kingdom (UK) at a European Union (EU) council meeting marks a "reset" in their relationship, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday in Luxembourg.
Lammy attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, at the invitation of Josep Borrell, EU high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The British foreign secretary said he was delighted to talk to 27 member states and their foreign ministers about important issues of European security, stressing that the UK and Europe's security is indivisible.
Lammy has become the first British foreign secretary since Brexit to attend a regular meeting of EU foreign ministers, "as part of Labour's 'reset' with Europe," according to British media reports.
"With the ambition for the EU and the UK to become closer security partners, we need to strengthen our cooperation across the full range of foreign and security challenges we face as a continent," said Lammy and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell in a joint article published on Monday.
Borrell said conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East will be the main subjects of discussion at Monday's Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party won an election in July, made his first visit to the EU headquarters in early October since assuming office, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation and hold regular UK-EU summits starting early next year.
European media analyzed that the attendance of Lammy at the EU foreign ministers' meeting is part of these regular engagements, signaling the UK's desire to work more closely with the EU on foreign affairs and strengthen their partnership on security issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East.
UK, EU "reset" relationship at EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting
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
