by Xing Zhiyuan

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai recently concluded a successful visit to Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and ASEAN. Thirty-seven official events were held and 189 cooperation agreements were signed during the eight-day visit, a packed itinerary that yielded fruitful results.

This visit not only raised the profile of Macao's successful practice of "one country, two systems," but also injected new momentum into Macao's efforts to build a higher-level platform for opening up and to better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

This visit marked the first time a chief executive of the Macao SAR had visited Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat, and the first return visit to Singapore in 15 years and to Malaysia in 19 years. Mr. Sam Hou Fai held in-depth exchanges with leaders of the three countries, the ASEAN secretary-general and senior officials, comprehensively enhancing strategic mutual trust and understanding between Macao, the three countries and ASEAN, laying a solid political foundation for long-term cooperation.

People from various sectors in the visited countries expressed confidence in Macao's development prospects, with many also voicing a strong desire to deepen cooperation with Macao and Hengqin.

The Singapore side said that both sides can deepen cooperation in tourism and urban development, and unlock new development opportunities in areas such as digitalization, innovation, sustainable development and elderly care services. Indonesia noted broad prospects for cooperation with Macao in halal products, traditional Chinese medicine and connectivity. Malaysia expressed its desire to promote cooperation in healthcare, education, science and technology, as well as tourism.

The ASEAN Secretariat, for its part, said it is confident that ASEAN member states and Macao can fully complement each other's advantages, strengthen collaboration in investment, trade, tourism, people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai made full use of meetings, speeches, receptions and interviews to present a comprehensive picture of Macao's distinctive practice of "one country, two systems" and explain its rich connotations. A video specially produced for the occasion, titled "The Successful Practice of 'One Country, Two Systems', The Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao SAR (2026-2030) Embarks on a New Journey," highlighted the key arrangements of the Third Five-Year Plan as well as new opportunities arising from Macao-Hengqin integration. The figures cited -- a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase in GDP in the first half of the year, a 9 percent rise in visitor arrivals and a 6 percent increase in international visitors -- made it clear to all that "one country, two systems" is not an abstract concept, but the fundamental reason behind Macao's profound transformation.

Political leaders in the visited countries praised Macao's successful practice of "one country, two systems," noting that Macao has long enjoyed social stability and rapid economic growth and has become a highly open, globally renowned city and a bridge connecting China with the rest of the world, serving as a model for the international community.

Macao's tourism sector signed 75 cooperation agreements with the three countries. Indonesia, in particular, said that building on the restoration of visa-free access for Macao, it would promote the resumption of direct flights between Macao and Jakarta.

Macao and Indonesia jointly held the exhibition "Splendor of the Mirrored Sea: Macao's Symphony of Civilizations on the Maritime Silk Road." It helped audiences appreciate the deep cultural ties between Macao and Southeast Asia and their shared heritage as key hubs along the Maritime Silk Road. The event built a bridge of mutual understanding between the people of China and Southeast Asia.

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai delivered a speech at the National University of Singapore, where he encouraged Singapore to take part in developing the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) City. He also introduced the Belt and Road Scholarship to Indonesia and Malaysia. Macao's higher education institutions signed 16 cooperation agreements with leading universities in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Macao SAR government continued its government-enterprise approach of "joining forces to go global," putting together a delegation of more than 120 business representatives from Macao, Hengqin and 15 provinces and municipalities from the Chinese mainland. With a focus on Macao's "1+4" industrial development, the government arranged three promotion sessions, 370 business-matching meetings and nearly 30 field visits. It also facilitated the signing of more than 100 cooperation documents.

Officials and business communities in the visited countries were optimistic about Macao's unique advantages, which link the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Chinese mainland with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. The business-matching sessions were lively. Clearly, Macao is small, but it is not a simple "transit station." It is a "Precise Connector" that understands rules and markets.

Looking ahead, Macao will make every effort to turn the outcomes of the visit into action, which will further enrich the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics.

Editor's note: The author is a commentator on Macao affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News, Global Times, China Daily etc.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.