The future

Historically, Macao was an international trade centre and shipping hub connecting China with Europe, America, Africa and Latin countries . In over 400 years of peaks and troughs, Macao has always existed as an international city. It is for this reason that it has maintained extensive international economic, trade and cultural ties with the outside world. After its return to China on 20 December 1999, Macao's position as a special channel, connecting East and West economically and culturally, has been preserved and developed further under new conditions. It will continue to be the 'bridge' and 'window' for China's opening up, playing multiple intermediary roles that are both indispensable and irreplaceable.

Macao has maintained extensive economic and trade relations with over 100 countries and regions around the world, and is at the same time an independent signatory or participant in international treaties and organisations. Meanwhile, the fact that Macao enjoys preferential treatment from European countries and the United States, plus its unique culture and history that meld eastern and western cultures, as well as its position as a highly open port, all reinforce its function as a point of exchange, communications and contact with the outside world.

Macao's extensive international ties and marketing networks serve not only as an important gateway for China's exports and the development of the world market, but also as an important channel through which the Chinese mainland can obtain foreign capital, technology and equipment. Macao's frequent international exchanges, responsive reactions to information and advanced telecommunications systems will continue to be an important window for the mainland to acquire knowledge about the international economy, technology, information and management.

Macao's culture and history, converging both eastern and western cultures, will offer greater space for China to expand its economic and cultural exchanges between east and west. In particular, Macao's traditional ties over several hundred years with Portugal and other Latin countries will be an important bridge linking China to the European Union in terms of economic and cultural exchange, as well as an indispensable medium for China to further develop economic and cultural relations with these countries. Its unique position will offer the city a realistic opportunity to play the role of intermediary in the future.

On the one hand, Macao opens up a convenient passage for the ties between the mainland and Taiwan province . On the other, its ties with EU countries will also serve as a bridge for Taiwanese businesses to develop in the European market. The future role that Macao will play in China's external economic exchanges is going to be unique and irreplaceable. In this process, Macao will demonstrate its own value and earn valuable opportunities for its own economic development.