The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its 12th session in Beijing on Friday, approving a bill on raising the ceilings of local government debts, among other decisions.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.
At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a preschool education law, a revised Law on Protection of Cultural Relics, a revised Mineral Resources Law, an energy law, and a revised Anti-Money Laundering Law.
They also adopted a decision on amending the Law on Supervision by the Standing Committees of the People's Congresses at All Levels, and a decision on removing Li Xiaopeng from the post of minister of transport and appointing Liu Wei to the position.
President Xi Jinping signed seven presidential orders to promulgate the laws and the decisions.
The meeting also adopted a decision on extending the authorization to temporarily adjust the application of relevant provisions of the Metrology Law in cities implementing a pilot program of improving business environment.
Lawmakers voted to approve a State Council bill on raising ceilings on local government debt to replace existing hidden debts.
They ratified an amendment to the 1996 London Protocol on the prevention of marine pollution by the dumping of wastes.
They also adopted several reports on the deliberations of proposals submitted by lawmakers, as well as a deputy qualification report and personnel-related bills.
Zhao chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting and presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.
Song Rui, deputy secretary-general of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, gave a lecture on the development course of the system of people's congresses.
The Standing Committee also held a swearing-in ceremony for its new members to pledge allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People on Friday afternoon.
China's top legislature concludes standing committee session
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
