Macao chief executive urges better entry-exit services

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai On hailed the central government decision on new arrangement of service hours in three ports of entry between the mainland and Macao, according to a government statement available on Thursday.

The new entry and exit arrangement highlighted the central government's support for the SAR's stable development, improvement of Macao people's livelihood and cooperation with the mainland, he said during an inspection tour on Wednesday of the three ports of entry before the arrangement went into effect on Thursday.

Under the new arrangement, approved by the State Council, the Lotus port connected to Hengqin in the southern China coastal city of Zhuhai extends its service time to 24 hours. The previous service time went from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The two other ports also extended their services by hours.

"The dream of the SAR government and Macao people has come true with the new arrangement, which also manifests the fruitful cooperation between Macao and Guandong province," Cui said.

He also urged related departments of the SAR government to continue working hard to provide better services to local residents and visitors.

Macao is to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its return to the motherland on Saturday.