CE: Unleash groundbreaking opportunities available via Macao-Indonesia cooperation

MACAU, September 1 - The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, today said China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) (2026-2030) will unleash groundbreaking opportunities for Macao-Indonesia cooperation.

In a speech delivered at a reception hosted by the MSAR Government in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, Mr Sam said Indonesia held a proud and historic role as the place where the idea of the “21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” was proposed. Under the visionary guidance of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, the deep bond of friendship and cooperation between Macao and Indonesia was destined to reach new, historic heights, said the Chief Executive.

Other officiating guests at today’s reception included: Indonesia’s Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Mr Susiwijono Moegiarso; the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Wang Lutong; Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Ng Wai Han; and Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Chan Kak.

Other Indonesian officials attending the reception included: the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mr Ayodhia G. L. Kalake; Deputy Minister for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation, Mr Edi Prio Pambudi; Deputy Coordinating Minister for Housing and Settlement Infrastructure Development, Mr Ronny Ariuly Hutahayan; and Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Ms Christina Aryani. They were among about 350 guests attending today’s reception. Other guests included members of the visiting MSAR Government delegation, accompanying business representatives, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, and distinguished guests from various sectors in Indonesia.

At the start of his speech, the Chief Executive, on behalf of the MSAR Government and the people of Macao, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the recent powerful earthquake in Indonesia, and extended sincere sympathies to the injured survivors. Mr Sam expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Indonesian Government, the Indonesian people would soon overcome their difficulties and rebuild their homes.

Following that initial remark, Mr Sam noted that in September 2025, the year of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto visited China. At the time, President Xi Jinping and President Prabowo charted the course for high-level advancement in building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global influence.

The ongoing visit to Indonesia by the MSAR delegation was not only a journey to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, but also a journey to consolidate that traditional friendship and open a new chapter of cooperation between the MSAR and Indonesia, said Mr Sam.

Building upon the existing sound foundation, Macao and Indonesia would unlock new potential and explore fresh horizons, he stated. Together, they would elevate their partnership to reach new heights. In doing so, they aimed to serve as a powerful catalyst for the comprehensive cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), working hand in hand to foster a future of peace, prosperity, and enduring stability across the region.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, stated Mr Sam. Over that time, the MSAR has successfully implemented the “One country, two systems” principle, with “Macao people governing Macao” with a high degree of autonomy. By maintaining long-term prosperity and stability, Macao has achieved remarkable success that has captured global attention.

In the first half of this year, Macao welcomed 6 percent more international visitors compared to the same period last year. Crucially, the tally included around 88,000 travellers from Indonesia, placing that country at the very forefront of Macao’s Southeast Asian source markets. These numbers spoke for themselves, said Mr Sam: they were a powerful testament to the deep and expanding bonds of people-to-people exchanges, trade, and tourism between Macao and Indonesia.

In July, Indonesia officially restored visa-free entry for MSAR passport holders. This policy would create seamless travel between the people in the two places while serving as a powerful catalyst to elevate bilateral cooperation, said the Chief Executive.

The MSAR Government is dedicated to fostering closer ties with Indonesia, stretching across both official and people-to-people exchanges, said Mr Sam. In doing so, Macao will maximise its unique strengths as a premier bridgehead for China’s high-level opening-up and as a “precise connector” to the world. Macao looks forward to strengthening all-round, pragmatic cooperation with Indonesia in the fields of trade, investment, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), tourism, and cultural exchange – actively bolstering the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

Indonesia is a leading ASEAN member state and host of the ASEAN Secretariat, noted Mr Sam. He said the MSAR hoped to seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia and leverage the relationship as a springboard comprehensively to elevate mutually-beneficial cooperation with all ASEAN member states.

In 2025, Macao made its debut on the influential “Global Muslim Travel Index”, firmly establishing the city as a recognised Muslim-friendly travel destination. Mr Sam extended an invitation to friends from all walks of life across Indonesia to visit Macao. He called on them to experience the vibrancy of the city firsthand, and invited Indonesians to work together with people in Macao to expand and deepen vital partnerships in trade, culture, and cutting-edge technology.

The Chief Executive also mentioned that the Belt and Road Scholarships for study in Macao were now fully open to Indonesian students. He encouraged Indonesia’s brightest young minds to apply for and pursue higher education in Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Deputy Minister Mr Pambudi said in his speech at the reception that Macao has built an outstanding international reputation under the “One country, two systems” principle thanks to its long-term stability, high degree of openness, and strong connectivity. As an important window for mutual learning and exchange between Chinese and Western civilisations, Macao has successfully brought together global talent, capital and creativity, he said. Indonesia highly commends, and looks forward to, Macao’s active pursuit of economic diversification, stated Mr Pambudi.

Indonesia and Macao maintain close economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges, with several ongoing collaborations and investment projects by Macao enterprises in Indonesia, spanning sectors such as construction and transportation. More than 200,000 Indonesian visitors travelled to Macao last year, placing Indonesia among the top Southeast Asian source markets for Macao’s tourism sector. Indonesia has already implemented a visa-free entry arrangement for holders of MSAR passports, which will further enhance mutual exchanges, added the Deputy Minister.

Mr Pambudi pointed out that broad prospects for cooperation exist between Indonesia and Macao in areas such as halal products and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as in fields related to connectivity. As Macao advances its Third Five-Year Plan, Indonesia hoped to become an even stronger partner, with enterprises from both sides joining hands to seize opportunities and create a brighter future together, he said.

In addition, Mr Pambudi expressed gratitude to the Macao community for its condolences and concern following recent natural disasters in Indonesia.

During today’s reception, the Chief Executive and other officiating guests jointly witnessed the signing of nine cooperation agreements. The agreements covered collaboration in: trade and investment; tourism; MICE; pharmaceuticals; basic water resources development; environmental protection engineering; traditional Chinese medicine and “Big Health”; and halal-goods raw material supply.

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