Welcome speech by Ambrose So Shu Fai, Director-General of IFCE

 

 

Ambrose So Shu Fai

Director-General of IFCE (Macao), Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SJM Holdings Limited

 

 

Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC Mr. Edmund Ho, distinguished guests and members of the board:

 

Good evening.

 

The annual International Forum for Clean Energy is now in its seventh year. In traditional Chinese culture, the number “seven” represents the combination of yin and yang with the five elements, which is expressed in the Confucian doctrine of “harmony”. The cultural essence of China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative is to embody this Confucian ideal of “harmony”, which symbolises peace and prosperity. Fundamentally, achieving peace and prosperity is a core interest for countries along the “One Belt One Road” route.

 

Macau was once a starting point at the ancient Maritime Silk Road, while ASEAN countries are presently some of the key strategic areas at the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. Given the historical and cultural links with ASEAN countries, and a foundation of extensive cooperation built over the years, Macau is becoming an increasingly important commercial link for ASEAN countries.

 

The theme of this year’s Forum is “Clean Energy and Smart Leadership: China-ASEAN Energy Cooperation”. Our goal is not only to make Macau a platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, but also a platform for such cooperation between China and ASEAN countries against the backdrop of the “One Belt One Road” strategy. These two cooperation platforms can also be served as vehicles for promoting clean energy and smart energy. Currently, the economic development of ASEAN countries has a significant demand for clean energy, and China has a wealth of experience and leading technology in this field. Hence, the cooperation between China and ASEAN countries will enable both sides to benefit from complimentary advantages, and to progress together in the promotion of energy transformation and in the fostering of an integrated regional economy. In particular, China is now in the process of actively promoting the development of the Greater Bay Area and the construction of a Green Belt and Road, Macau can serve as a bridge between China and ASEAN countries, using green development as a guide and clean energy as a vehicle to jointly building a community of shared interests and future.

 

Last but not least, I hope that through exchanges and discussions at the Forum, we will learn from each other and deepen understanding, and together we will explore opportunities for cooperation and foster development.

 

Thank you all.