The 5th Postal Summit among Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao was held in Macao on December 14. The Summit conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges on the overall development and prospect of postal services, postal business innovation and development practices, and challenges and opportunities in cross-border business cooperation. Mr. Zhao Chongjiu, director of the State Post Bureau, Mr. Liu Aili, chairman of China Post Group Corporation Limited (hereinafter referred to as China Post), and Ms. Leonia Tai Shuk-yiu, postmaster general of Hongkong Post, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Mr. Raimundo Arrais do Rosário, secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macao Special Administrative Region, attended the summit. Ms. Lau Wai Meng, director of the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau (hereinafter referred to as CTT) attended the meeting and delivered a welcome speech.

Mr. Zhao Chongjiu pointed out in his speech, the Summit was held at the right time, when the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics has currently entered a new era and embarked on a new journey, and the development of the postal industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is facing new tasks and requirements. China Post, Hongkong Post and CTT have focused on implementing the Guidelines on Promoting Postal Industry Development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and achieved significant results in promoting innovative, integrated, green and open development of the industry, thus laying a solid foundation for building a delivery service system that matches the international first-class bay area and world-class city cluster. He hopes that China Post, Hongkong Post and CTT may look ahead to the future, deepen cooperation and jointly promote development, so that they can make full play of their respective advantages and features to provide fresh impetus for their integrated development and strive to break new ground for their cooperation.

Mr. Liu Aili pointed out, since the 4th Postal Summit, China Post has adjusted the layout of the postal outlets in the Greater Bay Area, optimized their environment and enhanced the capacity of mail delivery network in this area. The Postal Savings Bank of China has actively increased its credit funds support. And China Post has launched the Hunan-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme (SELS), a new model of rapid customs clearance for mail items. At the same time, it has strengthened cooperation in business development and philatelic culture.

According to Mr. Liu Aili, China Post will continue to deepen high-level cooperation with Hongkong Post and CTT, and promote high-quality development of the postal industry in the Greater Bay Area. Firstly, China Post will strengthen intermodal transportation and comprehensive utilization of transportation hubs, enhance air distribution capacity and interconnection levels, develop efficient and safe customs clearance channels for mail delivery service among the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and continue to push forward the project of Hong Kong International Airport Transit Mail Center (TMC). Secondly, China Post will continue to optimize the layout of the postal outlets in the Greater Bay Area and build them into one-stop service centers for agency government affairs and postal, express and financial services. It will upgrade the intelligent technology of the postal outlets so as to offer timely, efficient and convenient postal services to the residents in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. Thirdly, China Post will serve the key projects in advanced manufacturing, new energy and new infrastructure industries, support infrastructure connectivity, the development of industrial clusters and pillar industries, and improve cross-border financial services. Fourthly, China Post will actively promote the joint issuance of relevant stamps with Hongkong Post and CTT, strengthen the product development of Hong Kong and Macao stamp yearbooks and stamps with popular themes, and jointly organize high-quality philatelic cultural activities.

Ms. Leonia Tai Shuk-yiu stated that Hongkong Post would fully support the in-depth exchanges and cooperation among the postal services of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and the establishment of mutually beneficial regional partnership, so as to leverage the comprehensive advantages and promote the development of highly efficient mail delivery network. Hongkong Post will put all efforts into carrying forward the construction of Hong Kong International Airport Transit Mail Center, develop cross-border cold chain logistics business and facilitate Hong Kong to consolidate and enhance its position as an international aviation hub. In the future, Hongkong Post will keep strengthening cooperation with China Post and CTT, research and develop cross-border delivery products, optimize postal routes among the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, simplify customs clearance, improve the efficiency of cross-border logistics, expand dedicated line business with Belt and Road countries and other overseas markets, and strengthen cooperation in issuing special stamps. Moreover, under the leadership of the country and the framework of “One Country, Two Systems”, Hongkong Post will take active part in the mutually beneficial cooperation of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, deeply integrate into the overall development of the country and inject momentum into the high-quality development of postal services in the Greater Bay Area.

Ms. Lau Wai Meng said, it is of great significance that the Summit is held in Macao. During the pandemic in the last three years, when postal service was faced with development difficulties, China Post, Hongkong Post and CTT have worked closely together to overcome numerous challenges and provide high-quality services to the public. In the future, CTT will fully exert the regional advantages of Macao and actively participate in the cooperation of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Ms. Lau hopes that the postal summit among the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao will continue to play a positive role in forming a lasting mechanism, so as to provide a valuable platform for regular exchanges and close contact among China Post, Hongkong Post and CTT, and seek more room for sustainable development and cooperation.

At the closing ceremony, Mr. Zhao Chongjiu announced that the Summit had reached six important consensus. The participating parties jointly signed the outcome document.