China's announcement about marking its territorial sea around Huangyan Dao, an atoll in the South China Sea, is a natural and appropriate step in the country's consistent safeguarding of its territorial integrity and its commitment to dialogue, said a Chinese researcher.
The Chinese government on Sunday issued a statement regarding the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said later on Sunday that the island has always been China's territory, stressing that the territorial delimitations were made in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone.
During a China Global Television Network (CGTN) program, Rong Ying, a senior research fellow at China Institute of International Studies, said that the announcement reflects the country's long-held position and its continued efforts to improve administrative efficiency in the South China Sea.
"Huangyan Dao has been an integral part of China's territory. So this is only natural, justifiable, reasonable and appropriate for China to release at a time appropriate the baselines and base points of the territory waters of Huangyan Dao. So that announcement and, of course, the implementation of Chinese petitions, will help the relevant institutions to implement, to enforce the necessary steps in terms of better management," said Rong.
Also on Sunday, the China Coast Guard said that it will continuously strengthen patrols and law enforcement in territorial waters off Huangyan Dao and relevant waters, as the atoll is an inherent part of China's territory.
However, according to Rong, cooperation and dialogue remain the primary means of resolving tensions in the South China Sea.
"China has always maintained a kind of consultation and dialogue for managing and resolving territorial disputes, any disputes with any countries. But in the meantime, China has made it very clear and has been very resolute in safeguarding its legitimate rights and territorial integrity. And on the question of South China Sea, again, I think China's very clear is ready to talk with relevant parties to address, to manage the territorial disputes. So I think it is very clear that cooperation will benefit everybody. Confrontation, everybody is going to lose," he said.
China's delimitations around South China Sea island reasonable, appropriate: expert
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
