Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), met with a delegation from the Rehabilitation Affairs Committee of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the committee's interdepartmental steering group for the 10-year rehabilitation services plan in Beijing on Sept 11.
The two sides held a discussion and exchange meeting. On behalf of the CDPF, Cheng welcomed the delegation led by Hon Wai, vice-chairman of the Rehabilitation Affairs Committee and director of the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, expressing gratitude for the long-standing concern and support from various sectors of Macao for the disability cause in Chinese mainland.
Cheng presented an overview of policies and developments concerning poverty alleviation, rehabilitation, education, employment, assistive devices, cultural participation and access to various subsidies for people with disabilities in Chinese mainland. He noted that the disability cause in mainland has developed rapidly in recent years, with significant advancements in the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities, and continuous improvement in social security and public services for them.
Noting that Macao's valuable experiences in disability cause could serve as useful references, Cheng said he hopes to strengthen collaboration and exchanges with Macao, working together to support national strategic initiatives, promote the coordinated development of disability cause in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), enhance the wellbeing of persons with disabilities in the GBA and lead the high-quality development of disability cause.
During the meeting, Hon lauded the new achievements of the disability cause in mainland. He briefed disability services and related policies and regulations in Macao, as well as the preparation of the 10-year development plan for rehabilitation services in Macao. He expressed his hope to continue advancing cooperation with the CDPF, providing more accessible and high-quality services for persons with disabilities, and fostering joint contribution and shared benefits in the disability cause across the GBA.
The meeting also addressed early childhood rehabilitation, education for persons with disabilities, assistive technology, barrier-free environment construction law and strategic planning for the sector.
Li Qingzhong, member of the CDPF executive council and chairman of the China Blind Persons’ Association as well as Yang Yang, member of the CDPF executive council attended the meeting. The attendees of the meeting also included officials from the related departments of the CDPF as well as representatives from China Association of Persons with Intellectual Disability.