Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), met with Liu Jingzhen, chairman of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm), and his delegation, on Feb 26, to exchange views on promoting the development of the healthcare industry and constructing the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Guangdong province.

Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), meets with Liu Jingzhen, chairman of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm), and his delegation, in Macao on Feb 26. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Ho expressed gratitude to Sinopharm for its support to the Macao SAR during the pandemic. He emphasized that the SAR government is actively promoting "1+4" moderately diversified economic development, with a focus on advancing the healthcare industry, particularly through traditional Chinese medicine research and manufacturing. The Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, which began trial operation in late 2023, is progressively providing high-quality services to raise local medical standards.

Regarding the cooperation zone, Ho said that it has implemented border closure operations since March 1, adopting the tax policy of "opening up the first line and controlling the second line". This move aims to facilitate accelerated integrated development between Macao and Hengqin, enhancing the flow of cross-border factors. The Macao SAR government is committed to implementing and optimizing various policies and measures for the construction of the cooperation zone. Sinopharm is encouraged to invest and develop in the zone, leveraging its leading capabilities to contribute to its construction.

Liu expressed gratitude for the SAR government's long-term care and support of Sinopharm, as well as the government's promotion of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. He introduced Sinopharm's business structure and latest developments, highlighting its focus on life health, with biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, life health, and medical care and rehabilitation as its four strategic directions.

Liu said that Sinopharm has always supported the development of both regions. He emphasized their commitment to studying future directions for cooperation, aiming to further enhance collaboration and contribute more to the development of Macao and Hengqin.

A group photo of the attendees at the meeting. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Representatives of Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd, China Sinopharm International Cooperation, Shanghai Shyndec Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Taiji Group Co Ltd, as well as relevant officials from the group's headquarters, also attended the meeting.