JAKARTA – Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou-fai said Tuesday that Macao and Indonesia are embracing new opportunities to deepen cooperation as China implements its 15th Five-Year Plan and Macao advances its third five-year plan.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Macao SAR government in Jakarta, Sam said that as important nodes along the Maritime Silk Road, Indonesia and Macao should further tap cooperation potential, expand areas of collaboration and contribute to broader cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

ALSO READ: Macao leader eyes new opportunities for ties with Singapore

Macao would continue to leverage its role as an important gateway for China's high-level opening-up to promote practical cooperation in trade and investment, conventions and exhibitions, tourism, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he noted.

Edi Prio Pambudi, deputy minister for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation under the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, said Indonesia and Macao have maintained close economic and people-to-people ties. He expressed hope that enterprises from both sides will further strengthen ties and seize opportunities for cooperation.

READ MORE: Macao launches cross-border land-air intermodal logistics

During the reception, nine cooperation agreements were signed in fields including investment, tourism, conventions and exhibitions, and medicine and health.

Also on Tuesday, a Macao economic, trade, tourism and investment promotion conference was held in Jakarta, where 36 cooperation projects were signed.