MAINLAND AND MACAO CLOSER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENT Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation

• Area of Law： Hong Kong & Macao Affairs
• Level of Authority： Departmental Regulatory Documents
• Date issued：12-18-2017
• Effective Date：12-18-2017
• Status： Effective
• Issuing Authority： Ministry of Commerce

MAINLAND AND MACAO CLOSER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENT Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation
Preamble
To promote trade and investment facilitation between the Mainland1 and the Macao Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as the “two sides"), as well as to fully enhance the level of economic and technical exchanges and cooperation, the two sides decided to sign this Agreement to strengthen economic and technical cooperation between the Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as “Macao”).
CHAPTER 1 RELATIONSHIP WITH CEPA2
Article 1 Relationship with CEPA
1. The two sides decided to sign this Agreement on the basis of CEPA and its Supplements. This Agreement is the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation of CEPA.
2. The relevant content of Articles 13, 14 and 15 in Chapter 4, Articles 16 and 17 of Chapter 5 and Annex 6 of CEPA shall be implemented in accordance with this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the CEPA and its Supplements, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
3. The two sides reaffirm the existing cooperation under CEPA, and agree to explore new areas of cooperation.
CHAPTER 2 COOPERATION OBJECTIVES AND MECHANISM
Article 2 Cooperation Objectives
1. Based on the principle of mutual benefit and with a view to further facilitating and promoting trade and investment between them, the two sides agree to enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation, and strengthen economic and technical cooperation in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, policy objectives and resource allocation.
2. The two sides encourage Macao's participation in the “Belt and Road” Initiative, deepen the cooperation in the development of Macao as a trade and economic cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), support the two places in strengthening sub-regional economic and trade cooperation, further deepen the cooperation in key areas between the Mainland and Macao, promote trade and investment facilitation, and foster the joint development of the two places.
Article 3 Cooperation Mechanism
1. Pursuant to Article 19 in Chapter 6 of CEPA, under the guidance and coordination of the Joint Steering Committee, the two sides will establish communication channels and mechanisms for consultation and coordination through the existing operational mechanisms or setting up new working groups to notify each other on important policies, support exchanges between the industrial and commercial sectors of the two sides, and jointly promote cooperation and development in relevant areas.
2. At the request of either side, the two sides may consult each other on, supplement and amend the cooperation areas and specific content of cooperation pursuant to Article 2.
CHAPTER 3 DEEPENING COOPERATION IN ECONOMIC AND TRADE AREAS OF THE “BELT AND ROAD” INITIATIVE
Article 4 Deepening cooperation in economic and trade areas of the “Belt and Road” Initiative
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to deepening the cooperation in economic and trade areas of the “Belt and Road” Initiative:
1. Establish an operational liaison mechanism, and strengthen information exchanges and communication on the “Belt and Road” Initiative between the two places.
2. Encourage the establishment of multi-level communication channels by government departments, industry organisations and investment promotion agencies of the two sides for information sharing.
3. Provide an exchange platform to support semi-official organisations, non-official organisations and the trade in the two places to play a part in facilitating the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
4. Give full play to Macao's strengths in being a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and PSCs, as well as in featured finance, professional services, and convention and exhibition, etc., and utilise the personal networks of returned overseas Chinese and their family members in Macao to support the trade of Macao in participating in various development projects.
5. Support the trade of the two places to strengthen cooperation, jointly participate in the major projects of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, and jointly explore the markets along the “Belt and Road”. Support Macao in providing featured finance, convention and exhibition, and other professional services for the “Belt and Road” Initiative, including the provision of professional services in a market-oriented approach for Mainland enterprises' expansion into overseas markets and investment projects, and the promotion of production capacity cooperation between the Mainland and countries along the “Belt and Road”. Support the cooperation between the two places in the areas of tourism and cultural exchange. Support the China-PSCs Cooperation and Development Fund (CPDFund) in enhancing its role.
6. Enhance publicity campaigns related to the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Support Macao in organising high-level “Belt and Road” thematic conferences and forums. Encourage the Macao government, industry associations and trade organisations to launch activities, such as seminars and training, relating to the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
CHAPTER 4 DEEPENING COOPERATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MACAO AS A COMMERCIAL AND TRADE COOPERATION SERVICE PLATFORM BETWEEN CHINA AND PSCS
The two sides agree, on the basis of the “Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and PSCs (Macao)” (hereinafter referred to as Forum Macao), to capitalise on the advantages of Macao as the permanent hosting place of Forum Macao and the seat of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao in order to promote the development of Macao as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and PSCs, enhance Macao's international influence and competitiveness, and deepen the economic and trade cooperation between China and PSCs. To this end, the two sides agree to adopt measures with a view to strengthening cooperation in the following areas:
Article 5 Promoting the development of the “One Platform, Three Centres” Initiative in Macao
The two sides promote the development of the “One Platform, Three Centres” Initiative in Macao through a combination of setting up physical service facilities and constructing online functional platforms with a view to building a new and efficient service platform for exchanges and cooperation of bilingual talents, investment projects and trade between Mainland China, Macao and PSCs.
1.Support Macao's development of “Information-sharing Platform for Bilingual Professionals and Business Cooperation, Exchanges and Interaction between China and PSCs”. Enrich the content of the “Economic and Trade Cooperation and Human Resources Portal between China and PSCs”, implement information services for information on Chinese-Portuguese bilingual talents and the areas of small and medium enterprise services between China and PSCs, convention and exhibition between China and PSCs, food products from PSCs, etc., and implement progressively transaction payment function.
2.Promote the development of Macao as a “Commerce and Trade Service Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises of Forum Macao Participating Countries”. Give full play to Macao's strengths in the area of commerce and trade professional services to provide services to investors from China and PSCs.
3.Promote the development of Macao as a “Convention and Exhibition Centre for Economic and Trade Cooperation between Forum Macao Participating Countries”. Including: organise thematic exhibitions targeting PSCs in Macao; organise delegations to PSCs to participate in exhibitions and conventions, enhance the effectiveness of the “Meeting of Entrepreneurs for Economic and Commercial Cooperation between China and PSCs” hosted annually by each Portuguese-speaking country in turn; explore bringing in featured exhibitions and conventions that are relatively maturely organised in the Mainland to Macao.
4.Promote the development of Macao as a “Food Product Distribution Centre for PSCs”. Including: give full play to the task force jointly set up by the two places to explore solutions for specific problems in relation to the process of developing Macao as a “Food Product Distribution Centre for PSCs”; consider introduction of facilitation measures in respect of clearance and inspection and quarantine to further facilitate the entry into the Mainland through Macao of food products from PSCs; strengthen publicity of the physical facilities of the Food Product Distribution Centre for PSCs; support Macao in setting up display centres for food products from PSCs in Mainland provinces/municipalities to provide a display and transaction platform for food products from PSCs. Set up “PSCs Food Products Corner” in relevant exhibitions in the Mainland, Macao and PSCs to expand sales and promotion channels for food products from PSCs.
Article 6 Enhancing promotion of trade and investment between China and PSCs
1.The two sides encourage and support investment promotion agencies and business associations in the Mainland and Macao to jointly organise and participate in trade and investment promotion, visit and exchange activities in the Mainland, Macao and PSCs.
2.The two sides enhance the role of the Headquarter of CPDFund set up in Macao, and support Mainland and Macao enterprises in making use of the CPDFund to conduct investment cooperation in PSCs.
3.The two sides provide support and services for cooperation between enterprises of China and PSCs through the Secretariat of the China-PSCs Federation of Entrepreneurs.
4.The two sides promote actively the work of Forum Macao ‘s Working Group on Cooperation in Capacity Production with a view to promoting cooperation in capacity production between China and PSCs in key areas and projects through convening working meetings, organising promotion and negotiation for cooperation in capacity production, project matchmaking, etc.
5.The two sides enhance Macao enterprises' participation in the economic and trade exchange and cooperation between China and PSCs. Support Macao enterprises in capitalising on their strengths in language, commerce and trade services, etc. to provide services in a market-oriented approach for Mainland enterprises' expansion into PSCs' markets and investing in PSCs, and support enterprises of the two places to jointly explore PSCs' markets.
6.The two sides support Macao in forging a financial service platform between China and PSCs to provide financial support for cooperation between enterprises of China and PSCs.
Article 7 Enabling People-to-People exchange between China and PSCs
1.The two sides promote the development of Macao as a centre of cultural exchange between China and PSCs. Give full play to Macao's advantage in Chinese-Portuguese bilingualism to encourage art organisations and artists from China and PSCs to organise various types of cultural activities in Macao.
2.The two sides continue to organise in a proper manner the series of activities of the “Cultural Week of China and PSCs” held annually in Macao.
3.The two sides will establish a Chinese-Portuguese bilingual talent nurturing base in Macao. Encourage Macao to participate in the work of the Mainland foreign aid degree education programmes, and explore specific paths for jointly nurturing talents of PSCs by the Mainland and Macao.
4.The two sides support Macao in continuing to organise the “Seminar on Nurturing and Teaching Chinese-Portuguese Bilingual Talents”.
5.The two sides enhance the role of the “Training Centre of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and PSCs (Macao)” and encourage them to arrange students from PSCs to visit and exchange in the Mainland.
Article 8 Exploring Cooperation Channels between Mainland Provinces/Municipalities and PSCs
1.The two sides encourage the relevant Mainland provinces/municipalities to make use of Macao's platform advantage to conduct regular reciprocal visits and industrial connections with PSCs in economic and trade areas.
2.The two sides continue encouraging Mainland provinces/municipalities to organise trade and investment promotion activities in Macao.
3.The two sides support the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao in continuing to organise the Roundtable Meeting between Leaders of Provinces and Municipalities of China and PSCs in Macao.
CHAPTER 5 COOPERATION IN KEY AREAS
Article 9 Cooperation in Tourism
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of tourism:
1. Support Macao in establishing itself as a world centre of tourism and leisure to promote regional tourism development, and support Macao in forging a training base for education in tourism.
2. Support Mainland and Macao tourism enterprises in expanding the scope of cooperation, enhancing interaction of the industry, and deepening the cooperation in areas including the development of itineraries, publicity and promotion, and human resources development. Promote Macao's development as a diversified tourism platform.
3. Utilise the platforms of overseas tourism exhibitions and fairs to conduct joint publicity and promotion, and further enhance the cooperation of the respective overseas offices of the Mainland and Macao tourism organisations. Promote tourism exchange and collaboration between the Mainland and Macao.
4. Establish a sound coordination mechanism for strengthening the regulatory system for the tourism markets in the Mainland and Macao, promote the exchanges of market regulatory information, strengthen the collaboration on law enforcement with regard to tourism, and jointly combat the organisation of tour groups at unreasonably low prices and other unlawful activities. Regulate the operation of tourism enterprises to protect the legitimate rights and interests of tourists, and jointly promote the healthy and orderly development of tourism markets in the Mainland and Macao.
5. Deepen the regional tourism cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and support the development of a world-class tourist destinations cluster within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. Contribute as the key link to connect Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao with Mainland coastal provinces such as Guangxi and Fujian, enrich “multi-destination” itineraries, and jointly develop Maritime Silk Road tourism products.
6. Promote the Guangdong-Macao Individual Travel Scheme for Yachts to enrich the tourism resources between Guangdong and Macao.
Article 10 Cooperation in Convention and Exhibition Industry
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the convention and exhibition industry:
1. Taking into account Macao's features of industry and orientation of development, support Macao in nurturing a certain number of signature conventions and exhibitions to promote the development of Macao's convention and exhibition industry and its supporting industries.
2. Focus on supporting large-scale international conventions and exhibitions such as the “International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF)”, the “Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF)”, the “Macao International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF)” and the “Summit on Chinese Central State-owned Enterprises Supporting Macau as Cooperation Platform between China and PSCs”, and continue supporting Macao in organising high-level conventions and exhibitions for cooperation between China and PSCs.
3. With a view to promoting the development of Macao's convention and exhibition industry, upon request of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and subject to the agreement of relevant authorities of the Central People's Government, the relevant Mainland departments consider providing further facilitations for the processing of applications made by Mainland individuals participating in conventions and exhibitions held in Macao for travel documents and endorsements required for visiting Macao.
4. With a view to promoting mutual attraction of visitors between conventions and exhibitions of the two places, the two sides facilitate the processing of applications made by overseas individuals participating in conventions and exhibitions held in Macao for travel documents and endorsements required for visiting the Mainland to participate in conventions and exhibitions held there.
5. Strengthen exchanges and communication in the area of cooperation in exhibits clearance, exchange information on the enactment of laws and regulations with regard to exhibits clearance. Encourage the relevant departments of the two places to simplify the exhibits inspection and quarantine procedures on the premise of complying with the laws and regulations of the two sides, and explore cooperation agreements on further promoting exhibits clearance facilitation to facilitate exhibits clearance between the two places.
6. Encourage Mainland enterprises and business associations to participate in economic and trade activities in Macao, encourage Mainland convention and exhibition organisers to organise conventions and exhibitions in Macao, allow Mainland convention and exhibition organisers and participants to pay convention and exhibition fees to the trade in Macao by means of cross-border payment.
7. Strengthen cooperation between the Mainland and Macao in the areas of nurturing convention and exhibition talents and training convention and exhibition personnel.
8. Support relevant semi-official organisations, non-official organisations and the trade to play a part in promoting cooperation in the convention and exhibition industry between the two places.
Article 11 Cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Medicinal Products Industry
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products industry:
1. Communicate on the formulation of their respective regulations on and management of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products with a view to achieving information sharing.
2. Strengthen communication on information and data on areas such as development strategy and development orientation of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products industry.
3. Strengthen communication and coordination in the management of registration of traditional Chinese medicinal products, implement standardisation in the management of traditional Chinese medicinal products, and facilitate mutual trade in traditional Chinese medicinal products.
4. Support cooperation between enterprises in the traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products industry of the two places and jointly explore the international markets.
5. Strengthen cooperation and trade and investment promotion in the traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products industry, and expedite the development of trade in services of Chinese medicine. With Hengqin being the pilot unit, the Mainland fully integrate the Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Industrial Park's strength in wellness and health care services and Macao's strength in modern medical care to forge a demonstration zone for healthcare services of Guangdong and Macao.
6. Support and assist semi-official and non-official organisations to play a part in promoting cooperation in the traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products industry between the two places.
Article 12 Financial Cooperation
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the areas of featured finance, banking, securities and insurance:
1. Support Macao in the development of featured finance, consider supporting Mainland financial leasing enterprises to settle in Macao under the principles of commercial sustainability and prudent risk management; support Macao in bringing in and developing Renminbi (RMB) financial products.
2. Support Macao in exploring staggered development with neighbouring areas, studying the establishment of a RMB-denominated securities market, green finance platform and financial service platform between China and PSCs in Macao. Support Macao in establishing an export credit insurance system.
3. Provide corresponding support in the construction of financial infrastructure, especially in respect of the formulation of laws, regulations and regulatory guidelines, and of the training of regulatory personnel.
4. Support Mainland banks to make use of Macao's financial service platform between China and PSCs to develop businesses in PSCs on the premise of prudent operation.
5. On the basis of commercial sustainability and prudent risk management, taking into account individual banks' characteristics and actual situation of development, and under the voluntary principle, support large commercial banks, joint-equity banks and central state-owned enterprises of the Mainland in re-locating their international treasury and foreign exchange trading centres, especially RMB settlement businesses with PSCs to Macao in a prudent manner.
6. On the basis of commercial sustainability and prudent risk management, taking into account individual banks' characteristics and actual situation of development, and under the voluntary principle, support Mainland banks in carrying out activities such as business collaboration with Macao banks and setting up subsidiaries in Macao for business operations in a prudent manner.
7. Establish a fast track (“green lane”) for applications from Macao banks for setting up branches in the central western and north eastern areas and Guangdong Province of the Mainland.
8. Encourage qualified Macao banks to set up rural banks in rural areas of the Mainland.
9. Enhance the two-way cross-border RMB fund flow mechanism and closer financial cooperation between the two places, including actively promoting the development of cross-border investment activities, implementing the investment quota of RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) for Macao, and promoting the RMB Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) as a main channel for cross-border RMB fund settlement with a view to further enhancing the cross-border RMB settlement infrastructure between the Mainland and Macao.
10. Explore further relaxation of the restrictions on the shareholdings of, and the lowering of the entry threshold for, Macao financial institutions setting up joint venture securities companies, fund management companies, futures companies and securities investment advisory companies in the Mainland; and depending on the situation, gradually increase the number of Mainland-Macao joint venture securities companies in the Mainland with controlling shareholding by Macao financial institutions.
11. Continue to encourage Mainland enterprises to issue bonds in RMB and in foreign currencies in Macao and make use of the Macao platform to raise capital.
12. The Mainland will, in line with the principles of observing market rules and enhancing regulatory efficiency, support eligible Mainland insurance companies in setting up branches or subsidiaries in Macao.
13. Support Macao insurance companies to enter the market through setting up business institutions or capital participation, so as to take part and share in the development of the Mainland insurance market. Enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as development of insurance products, business operation and operational management, etc.
14. Actively support qualified Macao insurers to take part in compulsory traffic accident liability insurance business in the Mainland. The Mainland will, in accordance with relevant rules and regulations, actively consider facilitating applications made by Macao insurers.
15. Support the cooperation between Macao insurance companies and Mainland companies taking part in export credit insurance business in areas such as business operation and operational management, etc.
16. The Mainland support the efforts of making full utilisation of and bringing into full play the role of Macao as a financial service platform for commercial and trade cooperation between China and PSCs and a RMB clearing centre for PSCs during the process of reforming, restructuring and developing the Mainland financial sector.
17. Both sides strengthen cooperation and information sharing between the financial regulators, and support banking industry associations of the two places in setting up a communication mechanism for information on investment and financing demand of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.
18. Explore organising seminars and exchange sessions on cooperation in the area of finance between China and PSCs in Macao as appropriate.
Article 13 Cooperation in Electronic Commerce
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of electronic commerce:
1. Cooperate in specialised projects in respect of the study and formulation of rules, regulations and standards of electronic commerce, with a view to creating a favourable environment for promoting and ensuring the healthy development of electronic commerce.
2. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as corporate application, promotion and training. Make full use of the relevant government departments of the two sides in promotion and coordination, foster interaction between the relevant government departments and enterprises of the two places, and facilitate the launching of electronic commerce among enterprises through demonstration projects.
3. Strengthen cooperation in implementing e-government, intensify exchanges and cooperation in the development of e-government at various levels.
4. Cooperate in economic and trade information exchanges, expand the breadth and depth of cooperation, and strengthen the connection of e-commerce logistics information with Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao as the core to support the rapid development of electronic commerce in the region.
5. Continue the cooperation in promoting electronic signature certificates that comply with mutual recognition policies such as the “Certificate Policy for Mutual Recognition of Electronic Signature Certificates Issued by Guangdong and Macao” to ensure the security and reliability of cross-boundary electronic document signing and electronic transactions in respect of service and trade.
6. Capitalise on the advantages of the two places to promote the development of cross-boundary electronic commerce for key industries and bulk commodities.
7. Strengthen exchanges between the two places regarding cross-boundary data flow.
Article 14 Environmental Cooperation
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the environmental industry:
1. Strengthen exchanges and communication in the area of cooperation in the environmental industry.
2. Exchange information relating to the formulation and enforcement of laws and regulations in respect of the environmental industry.
3. Enhance cooperation in training, organising visits, etc.
4. Strengthen cooperation between the two places in the environmental industry by various means including organising trade exhibitions, seminars, etc.
5. Explore cooperation proposals to further facilitate business operations in order to support the development of the environmental industry of the two places.
6. Support and assist semi-official organisations, non-official organisations and the trade to play a part in promoting environmental cooperation between the two places.
Article 15 Cooperation in Legal and Dispute Resolution Services
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of legal and dispute resolution:
1. Support professional institutions in the legal and dispute resolution services of the two places in building cooperation and exchange platforms to enhance business exchange and collaboration.
2. Explore making use of Macao's advantages to promote Macao's development as an arbitration centre for the resolution of commercial disputes between enterprises of China and PSCs.
3. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the Mainland and Macao in the areas of nurturing talents and personnel training for the areas of legal and dispute resolution and commercial dispute arbitration.
Article 16 Cooperation in Accounting
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of accounting:
1. Improve the operational mechanisms of communication and coordination in accounting3 and auditing standards4 between the two places, jointly contribute in the international accounting and auditing standards setting organisations, and facilitate the setting of relevant high-quality international standards.
2. Support Macao accounting professionals who have qualified as Chinese Certified Public Accountants to become partners of accounting firms in the Mainland, and support Mainland accounting professionals who have qualified as Macao Certified Public Accountants5 to become partners of accounting firms in Macao.
3. Support the accounting sector of the two places to play a role in developing accounting and auditing standards, as well as establishing the management system of the accounting industry, and the appointment of Macao accounting professionals as accounting advisory consultants.
4. Consider exploring the mechanism on mutual exemption of certain papers of the professional qualification examinations for Mainland and Macao Certified Public Accountants.
5. Explore the establishment of a regulatory cooperation mechanism based on mutual reliance, and promote the implementation of convergence of the Mainland and Macao auditing regulations.
6. Support Mainland accounting firms in setting up representative offices, branches, and developing member firms in Macao.
7. Encourage accounting firms of the two places to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in business activities, such as deepening the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, and the provision of auditing services for listing of Mainland enterprises outside the Mainland.
Article 17 Cultural Cooperation
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the cultural industry:
1. Support and step up exchanges and communication with regard to the cultural industry of the two places, and promote the development of cultural trade of both places.
2. Exchange information relating to the formulation and enforcement of laws and regulations in respect of the cultural industry.
3. Promptly examine and tackle problems arising from the exchanges of the cultural industry of the two places.
4. Enhance cooperation in the organisation of visits, exchanges, exhibitions, etc.
5. Jointly explore cooperation proposals on marketing development and other areas.
6. Support relevant semi-official organisations, non-official organisations and the trade to play a part in promoting cultural cooperation between the two places.
Article 18 Cooperation in Innovation and Technology
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in innovation and technology:
1. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two places in the area of innovation and technology, including technology trade. Support Macao in developing research and innovation and technology industry in areas including traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products, bio-medicine, information and communication, energy conservation and environmental protection, smart city and marine technology, etc.; support Macao in organising science popularisation and education activities such as the Science and Technology Week and the Science Popularisation Summer Camp, and organising Mainland technology exhibitions in Macao as appropriate.
2. Encourage Macao research personnel and organisations to participate in the State Science and Technology Prizes, support them to participate in national science and technology projects, launch the Mainland-Macao Joint Funding Scheme for Research and Development, steadily promote the implementation of collaborative research and development projects, and progressively promote the involvement of Macao research institutes and enterprises in the national innovation and technology system.
3. Strengthen cooperation between the two places in scientific researches, high-tech research and development, and the application of the science and technology industry through the Partner State Key Laboratories (PSKLs) in Macao; continue supporting the work of PSKLs in Macao, and explore the establishment of platforms such as Macao branches of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centres.
4. Support the cooperation and exchanges of the incubators, co-working space, etc. between the two places, encourage young people in Macao to innovate and develop start-up businesses, and promote the industrialisation of innovation and technology. Enhance the communication and exchanges of young entrepreneurial talents between the two places, facilitate Macao young entrepreneurs to visit the Mainland, and explore cooperation in entrepreneurship and innovation with a view to providing Macao young talents with room for development.
5. Facilitate mutual understanding between the industrial, academic and research sectors of the two places through jointly organising workshops, seminars, etc. with a view to laying a foundation for further cooperation.
6. Strengthen exchanges and information resource sharing between the two places in the area of innovation and technology.
7. Support and assist semi-official organisations, non-official organisations and the trade to play a part in promoting cooperation in innovation and technology between the two places.
Article 19 Cooperation in Education
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of education:
1. Strengthen exchanges and communication in the area of education cooperation between the two places.
2. Strengthen exchanges of information in respect of education.
3. Strengthen cooperation in training, organisation of visits, etc.
4. Strengthen education cooperation through various means such as professional collaboration, organising seminars, etc.
5. Support Mainland education institutions and Macao higher education institutions to jointly provide education programmes, establish joint research facilities and nurture talents at undergraduate or above level in the Mainland.
Article 20 Cooperation in Small and Medium Enterprises
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation between small and medium enterprises of the two places:
1. Jointly explore the strategy and support policy for the development of small and medium enterprises through visits and exchanges.
2. Organise visits and exchanges on the organisational and operational modes of the intermediaries providing services to small and medium enterprises in the two places, and promote cooperation of the intermediaries.
3. Establish channels for providing information services to small and medium enterprises in the two places, exchange regularly relevant publications, and implement progressively information interchange and the interconnection of information website databases of the two sides.
4. Organise through different modes direct exchanges and communication between small and medium enterprises of the two places to promote their cooperation.
5. Support and assist semi-official and non-official organisations to play a part in promoting cooperation between small and medium enterprises of the two places.
Article 21 Cooperation in Intellectual Property
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of intellectual property:
1. Exchange information and share experience relating to the formulation and implementation of laws and regulations in respect of intellectual property protection.
2. Share and promote materials and information relating to the protection, exploitation and trading of intellectual property to the public, the industry and relevant parties, through different modes of exchanges, including business visits, exchange activities, seminars and relevant publications.
3. Continue to enhance cooperation between the Mainland and Macao in the areas of nurturing talents and personnel training.
4. Promote cooperation between the Mainland and Macao in the implementation and exploitation of intellectual property, intellectual property intermediary services and intellectual property trading.
5. Support the enhancement of Macao intellectual property legal system, provide technical support and assistance for Macao in various areas covering patent disputes or controversies handling and automation services.
6. Support the cooperation in intellectual property creation, exploitation, protection and the development of intellectual property trading between Guangdong and Macao, promote the publicity and education of intellectual property between the two places, and assist the development of high-end intellectual property service industry.
Article 22 Cooperation in Trademark and Branding
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in trademark and branding:
1. The Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Macao Economic Bureau will set up a liaison mechanism with a view to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the areas of trademark and branding.
2. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the Mainland and Macao in the areas of trademark registration and trademark protection, etc.
3. Exchange information relating to the formulation and implementation of laws and regulations in respect of protection of brands between the two sides; strengthen cooperation in areas such as training, visits and publications; and strengthen promotion of brands of the two places through various means such as promotion on websites, at exhibitions and seminars.
CHAPTER 6 SUB-REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION
Article 23 Deepening Economic and Trade Cooperation in Pan-Pearl River Delta Region
1. The two sides give full play to existing cooperation platforms and liaison mechanisms to continue deepening economic and trade cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region.
2. The two sides give full play to Macao's advantages to strengthen cooperation of industries such as featured finance, commercial and trade services, convention and exhibition, culture and creativity, tourism, etc., in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, promote the expansion of mutual investment, and jointly explore the international markets.
3. Support provinces/regions in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region to further integrate with the Macao International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF) to forge MIECF as a platform for exchanges and cooperation on green products, technology and intellectual property between the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, PSCs and European Union countries. Support Macao in exploring the development of a green finance platform.
4. The two sides encourage enterprises in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region to utilise Macao as a platform to explore cooperation in investment with PSCs and the countries and regions along the “Belt and Road”.
5. The two sides support the nine provinces/regions in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region to leverage their own advantages to participate in two-way investments in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region with Macao with a view to jointly “reaching out and drawing in”.
6. On the existing basis of economic and trade cooperation, the two sides actively promote the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.
Article 24 Supporting the Participation of Macao in the Development of Pilot Free Trade Zones
1. The two sides make use of the economic and trade cooperation mechanisms between the two places to enhance the notification of policies and information exchanges between the two sides on the development of the Mainland Pilot Free Trade Zones.
2. Under the framework of CEPA, the two sides study the further liberalisation for Macao service industries in the Pilot Free Trade Zones. The two sides encourage Macao to participate actively in the national strategies on major development through the Pilot Free Trade Zones, capitalise on the strategy of “leveraging on Hong Kong and Macao, serving the Mainland and reaching out globally” of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and further promote the liberalisation of trade in services between Guangdong and Macao.
3. The two sides encourage Macao micro, small and medium enterprises and youth to start their businesses in the Pilot Free Trade Zones.
4. The two sides give full play to Macao's strength in the aspects of featured finance, tourism and being a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and PSCs, etc. to integrate with the reform and liberalisation in the Mainland Pilot Free Trade Zones, invent the new modes of development and explore the potential for cooperation.
Article 25 Deepening the Cooperation between Macao and Hengqin, Nansha and Qianhai, etc.
1. The two sides give full play to existing cooperation platforms and liaison mechanisms to promote the deepening of cooperation between Macao and Hengqin, Nansha and Qianhai.
2. The two sides support Hengqin, Nansha and Qianhai in taking forward further liberalisation to Macao in key areas such as convention and exhibition, featured finance and traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese medicinal products on an early and pilot basis, and explore new modes to deepen economic cooperation with Macao.
3. The two sides promote the setting up of cooperation demonstration zones for Guangdong and Macao talents, and support Macao youth to develop and start their businesses in Hengqin, Nansha and Qianhai, for example, at Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley, Nansha Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Park - Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Cultural and Creativity Community, and Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, etc.
4. The two sides deepen the cooperation between arbitration organisations of Macao and Hengqin, Nansha and Qianhai, and will establish a cooperation mechanism of arbitration.
5. The two sides support the development of the Jiangsu-Macao Cooperation Park with a view to deepening the economic and trade cooperation between Macao and the Yangtze River Delta Region.
6. The two sides support Macao in deepening the cooperation with Zhongshan Cuiheng New Area to promote the development of the Demonstration Zone for Comprehensive Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao.
CHAPTER 7 TRADE AND INVESTMENT FACILITATION
Article 26 Trade and Investment Promotion
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of trade and investment promotion:
1. Notify and publicise their respective policies and regulations on external trade and foreign investment promotion, with a view to achieving information sharing.
2. Exchange views and conduct consultations to solve common problems relating to trade and investment of the two sides.
3. Strengthen communication and collaboration in promoting mutual investment and overseas investment.
4. Strengthen cooperation in organising exhibitions and arranging delegations to participate in exhibitions across the border or abroad.
5. Jointly conduct economic and trade promotion activities with a view to promoting trade and investment between the two sides and PSCs.
6. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the area of statistics. Further enhance the level of cooperation through various means such as professional collaboration, organising seminars, etc.
7. Strengthen communication and coordination between the two places in the area of tax administration. Build cooperation and exchange platforms to exchange information on the enactment and revision of laws, regulations and major policies in respect of taxation.
8. Conduct exchanges on other issues of mutual concern relating to trade and investment promotion.
9. Support and assist semi-official and non-official organisations to play a part in the area of trade and investment promotion, and to conduct trade and investment promotion activities.
Article 27 Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine:
1. Inspection and quarantine of animals and plants, and food safety
The two sides will enhance and deepen the existing coordination and liaison mechanisms, explore innovation of systems, and step up cooperation in inspection and quarantine of animals and plants as well as in food safety with a view to fostering the healthy development of agricultural products and food products trade between the two places.
The two sides agreed to actively study the matters related to the cooperation in inspection of wines imported into the Mainland through Macao, and put in place clearance facilitation and related measures for wines imported into the Mainland through Macao in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of the two sides and safety requirements.
2. Front-loaded monitoring of imported food inspection
The two sides will deepen the cooperation in the area of imported food inspection and monitoring, consider providing clearance facilitation measures for food products manufactured in Macao and imported into the Mainland with food inspection certificates issued by Macao government departments or officially authorised third party inspection organisations; review the experience of the above measures and consider extending the related measures to specified food products imported into the Mainland through Macao.
3. Monitoring of health and quarantine issues
The two sides will make use of the existing channels to regularly notify each other of the information on epidemic outbreaks and to step up academic exchanges and joint researches on health and quarantine issues; discuss health monitoring issues in respect of small vessels plying the control points of Guangdong; enhance cooperation in areas such as investigation and prevention of tropical infectious diseases and diseases vectors, monitoring of health and quarantine issues related to biomedical special articles, and testing and handling of chemical, biological and nuclear agents.
The two sides will explore cooperation in quarantine of human transplant organs, body fluids and tissues, etc. being transported cross-border.
4. Relevant authorities of the two sides will make use of existing cooperation channels to strengthen cooperation in the innovation of certification and accreditation systems, and support the certification, accreditation, inspection and testing organisations to conduct technical exchanges and cooperation.
5. To ensure consumer product safety of the two places, strengthen cooperation and exchanges in the area of consumer product safety, convene regular meetings in accordance with the mechanism signed by and communication channels established by relevant authorities of the two places, and strengthen notification of information on sub-standard consumer products exported and imported between the two places, while exploring cooperation such as technical exchanges and training in the area of consumer product safety.
6. Actively promote cooperation between Macao's testing laboratories and Mainland's certification bodies which are members of international multilateral systems on mutual recognition of testing and certification that are open to national member bodies (such as the IECEE/CB system), so that Macao's testing laboratories can be recognised under these multilateral systems.
7. Consider applications of eligible certification bodies set up by Macao enterprises in the Mainland to become designated certification bodies under the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) System.
Article 28 Workforce Training and Employment and Youth Entrepreneurship
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two places in the areas of workforce training and employment as well as innovation and entrepreneurship:
1.  Promote cooperation between the two places in workforce training, expand the items of National Vocational Qualification Examination in Macao, and strengthen the training of talents to enhance the level of human resources development.
2.  Continue to organise regional occupational skills competitions to promote skill exchanges among youth.
3. Step up advancing the work on “One Test, Multiple Certificates” for occupational qualification assessment, and explore bringing in international occupational standards with a view to facilitating bringing the level of human resources in line with international standards.
4. Promote internship and exchanges in the area of employment, and expand the diversity of Macao youth's career development.
5.  Organise visits and exchanges on the organisational and operational modes of youth innovation and entrepreneurship incubation and acceleration organisations in the two places, and promote cooperation of those organisations.
6. Establish channels for providing information services on innovation and entrepreneurship to youths of the two places, exchange regularly relevant publications, and implement progressively information interchange and the interconnection of information website of the two sides.
7. Organise through different modes direct exchanges and communication on youth innovation and entrepreneurship between the two places to promote their cooperation.
8. Support and assist semi-official and non-official organisations to play a part in promoting cooperation in workforce training and employment as well as youth innovation and entrepreneurship between the two places.
Article 29 Transparency
The two sides agree to adopt the following measures with a view to further strengthening cooperation in the area of transparency:
1. Exchange information and data on the enactment and revision of laws, regulations and rules in respect of investment, trade and other economic areas.
2. Disseminate in a timely manner information on policies and regulations through various media including newspapers, journals and websites.
3. Organise and support the organisation of various briefings and seminars on economic and trade policies and regulations.
4. Provide advisory services to commercial and industrial enterprises through channels such as WTO enquiry points, websites of “Invest in China” and “China Business Guide” of the Mainland, as well as websites of the Macao Economic Bureau and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, etc.
CHAPTER 8 OTHER PROVISIONS
Article 30 Coming into Effect
This Agreement shall come into effect on the day of signature by the representatives of the two sides.
This Agreement is signed in duplicate in the Chinese language.
This Agreement is signed on 18 December 2017 in Macao.
Vice Minister of Commerce       Secretary for Economy and Finance
People's Republic of China        Macao Special
                                                   Administrative Region of PRC
Gao Yan                                      Liang Weite
__________　　　 　　　               __________
______________________________________________________________________
1. The "Mainland" refers to the entire customs territory of China.
2. CEPA is the abbreviation of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
3. Refers to corporate accounting standards.
4. Refers to Auditing Standards for Certified Public Accountants.
5. Including accountants and auditors.