MACAO, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- An official delegation of the Macao Special
Administration Region (SAR) government Saturday flew to China's quake-stricken
Sichuan province with the task of coordinating the SAR's funding of the
reconstruction projects there.
The delegation, headed by the SAR's Secretary for Social Affairs and
Culture Chui Sai On, comprises 17 members and will stay in Sichuan for three
days.
The delegation members will meet with Sichuan provincial officials
discussing details of the reconstruction projects that are being considered by
Macao for financial support. The SAR officials will also take a field trip,
studying the situation of part of the projects.
Previously, the Sichuan provincial government has recommended 37
reconstruction projects to the SAR government for assessment on account of
financial support.
The SAR's Chief Executive, Ho Hau Wah, announced on Thursday that his
government will spend 5.5 billion patacas (688 million U.S. dollars) in the next
three to five years funding the rebuilding of quake-stricken Sichuan.
In addition to direct funding, the SAR government will also work with
Sichuan provincial government in a bid to help the scenic southwestern China
province rejuvenate its tourism industry.
On Saturday, local flagship airline, Air Macao, resumed its direct flight
service to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, as a measure to help boost visitor
arrivals to Sichuan. The airline said that it will operate three flights to
Chengdu starting from September this year.
Macao has already sent three medical teams to the quake- stricken area in
Sichuan for relief operations respectively on May, June and July this year.