To actively promote the reinstatement of travel permit issuance for Mainland residents to Macao and draw the attention of residents cross the Country for a wonderful visit to the destination, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism as well as Dongcheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality organized a series of promotional activities themed as “Beijing Macao Week” in the capital, whilst showcasing Macao’s vibrant dynamic in celebrating the 15^th anniversary of the inscription of the Historic Centre of Macao on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The event was grandly unveiled in Beijing today (26 September). Under the tutelage of the organizers from Beijing and Macao, various governmental entities of both sides poured great efforts in event preparations with the ardent support of enterprises and commerce associations from Macao. A mega roadshow is rolled out along Wangfujing Street from today to 29 September to showcase Macao’s offer of diverse travel experiences to Mainland residents in Beijing.

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Ao Ieong U; Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Huang Liuquan; Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, Wang Hong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Yao Jian; Director General of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Xie Jinying; Deputy Secretary of Administrative Committee and Chief of Dongcheng District of Beijing Municipality, Jin Hui; Deputy Director General of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Pang Wei; Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of the Administrative Committee of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Lau Wai Meng; Deputy Director General of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Li Hui; Second-level Inspector of Beijing Municipal Health Commission, Guo Zixia, and Director of the Representative Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing, Nadia Leong, officiated the opening ceremony together with other personages to lift the curtains upon the promotional activities.

In her remarks, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Ao Ieong U, expressed that travel permit issuance has been resumed for all Mainland residents to Macao. The Macao SAR Government is holding the series of promotional activities in Beijing as the top choice of venue, with the aim to convey Macao’s cordial welcome to Mainland residents for a first-hand experience of the city’s unique glamour. The SAR Government has continuously adopted different effective measures of pandemic control and prevention while collaborating with Zhuhai in carrying out pertinent measures, to protect the safety of residents and visitors. At present, under the condition that the overall pandemic situation is progressing toward greater stability, the SAR Government will continue to take a prudent approach while progressively resuming local and inbound tourism activities, in turn stimulating the other related sectors.

Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, Wang Hong, remarked in her speech that issuance of travel permits for Mainland residents to Macao has been resumed from 23 September. She expressed the hope that this latest measure will further enhance Macao’s exchange and cooperation with the Mainland and especially Beijing in the field of tourism. It may also serve as a window of opportunity that inspires trial resumption of movement between targeted destinations, in turn leading to progressive resumption of safe travel across borders.

Between 26 and 29 September, an array of themed zones is set up at Wangfujing to share with locals and visitors Macao’s diverse dimensions of tourism, commerce and trade, culture, sports and entertainment. The themed zones include “Macao’s international events and cultural tourism”, “Macao’s World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage”, “International sport events”, “MinM Made in Macao and local brand exhibition”, “Exhibition of products from Portuguese-speaking countries”, “Macao tourism exhibition” presented by Sands Resorts Macao, MGM, Wynn Macau, Grand Lisboa, Melco Resorts & Entertainment and Galaxy Macau, “Air Macau”, “Macau Fisherman’s Wharf”, “Macau Shopping Festival” and so forth. Beijing Macao Week showcases Macao’s diversity of tourism resources with a preview of an upcoming new highlight. In tandem with the Greater Bay Area Simulator Racing Carnival, a virtual racing event “Motion in China” will be staged in Macao, offering another captivating experience for travelers.

A LED screen modeled after the Ruins of St. Paul’s is installed at the zone of the main stage with scheduled performances to present Macao’s colorful culture from splendid angles. At both ends of the shopping street, Tourist Information counters are set up with the Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK showing up as per schedule, where locals can enquire about Macao’s tourism situation. To enhance event promotion, the Beijing Macao Week also offers giveaways. Locals can scan the QR code at the Tourist Information counters to access the H5 page, then acquire electronic stamps through scanning other QR codes at various zones, follow MGTO’s WeChat ID (“mgtoweixin”) and take a photo at the main stage to share on Wechat with friends, in exchange of gifts obtained at the designated station in Macau Center.

During the event, the organizers also leverage a series of online and offline channels in the Mainland to promote the Beijing Macao Week, including promotional campaigns carried out by over 10 KOLs via their own platforms. The event is also covered by a range of media from Macao, Beijing and across the Mainland.

To further enhance cooperation between Beijing and Macao, MGTO and IPIM will ride on the visit to co-organize a “Beijing – Macao tourism and MICE presentation” in Beijing on 27 September to facilitate exchange among industry delegates from both cities and explore the development of tourism, MICE and other related industries on both sides in the wake of the pandemic. As another major highlight of Beijing Macao Week, the Outdoor Café themed as “Gathering at Dusk in Senado Square – in Beijing” has started serving Macao’s culinary delights to patrons with the full support of Macau Center since days ago, gaining much popularity. Beijing residents and visitors are welcome to visit the Outdoor Café at the Northern Plaza of Macau Center for a taste of the diverse culinary culture embraced by Macao as a Creative City of Gastronomy until 25 October.

During the Beijing Macao Week, the units involved rigorously follow the COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines issued by the health authorities of Beijing. Proper event arrangements are carried out to support pandemic prevention while all participants must adhere to the arrangements for pandemic prevention. On the other hand, visitors to Macao are required to complete the formalities for entry and pandemic prevention beforehand and adhere to the public health guidelines for pandemic prevention issued by the Macao SAR Government during their stay in Macao, joining hands to protect public health and safety in the city. Please visit MGTO’s Wechat ID for more information about the Beijing Macao Week and its program.

The organizers for the Beijing Macao Week include the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism as well as Dongcheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The coordinators include Macao Government Tourism Office, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing and Administrative Committee of Wangfujing of Dongcheng District of Beijing Municipality. The supporting entities include Beijing Municipal Health Commission, Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, the Macao Chamber of Commerce, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, Industrial Association of Macau, Macau Importers & Exporters Association, International Lusophone Markets Business Association as well as the Federal General Commercial Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises.