The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) is gearing up for the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting, scheduled from June 24 to 28.
With strong support from the central government, the stage is set for a landmark gathering that will highlight Macao's transformation and its growing role as a bridge connecting the mainland with the rest of the world.
More than 300 APEC delegates will gather in Macao during the period to strengthen regional tourism integration and chart a sustainable future for the Asia-Pacific travel industry.
"Every session will reflect Macao's hospitality and culture from the main banquet and creative showcases to performances blending Chinese and Western traditions. We're fully prepared, from staff training to sideline events, to deliver a successful, safe meeting that showcases Macao SAR and China's broader development," said Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office.
Macao is looking forward to seizing this moment to showcase its evolution over the past 27 years under the framework of One country, Two systems.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to present Macao's fresh face to all 21 APEC economies. Some economies will also use this occasion to promote themselves, and we're happy to facilitate that. Macao aims to be an open city, serving our country, our tourism sector, and our fellow APEC members, while boosting two-way travel flows between China and the rest of the world," the director said.
Just across the water, Hengqin Town is turning that vision into reality. The Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai City, is emerging as a dynamic hub for deeper cross-border integration, creating new momentum for trade, innovation and shared growth.
"To build Macao and Hengqin into a new platform for China's high-level opening-up, policies have been introduced to link domestic and international markets and deepen integration through the hard connectivity of infrastructure, soft connectivity of rules and standards, and the heart connection of the people," said Wu Chuangwei, director of the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.
That framework is already reshaping the zone, with measurable gains now visible.
"Foreign trade momentum has picked up notably. Over the past two years, the cooperation zone's trade volume has risen by over 30 percent. New business models, including bonded aircraft engine leasing, have taken root, diversifying and upgrading the zone's industries toward the high end," said He Qiming, deputy commissioner of Hengqin Customs House.
The APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting is one of around 300 APEC-related meetings and events that have taken place or will take place in multiple Chinese cities throughout the year. China will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen in November, which marks the country's third time hosting the event following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014.
Macao gears up for upcoming APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting
