Speeches and Transcripts

15 May 2011

Your Excellencies, Dr Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macau SAR;

Mr Tung Chee-hwa, Vice Chairman of CPPCC;

Mr Edmund Ho Hau-wah, Vice Chairman of CPPCC;

Mr Mao Siwei, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao, the Central People’s Government.

Our honourable guests Mr. Chang Yuxing, representative of Mr. Bai Zhijian, Director, Liaison Office of The Central People’s Government in Macau SAR and

All distinguished guests, media friends, ladies and gentlemen:

First I would like to thank you for being here at the grand opening of the Galaxy Macau integrated resort and sharing our joy with us.

Hong Kong’s and Macau’s first-ever inclusion in China’s 12^th Five-year Plan signifies the Central Government’s strong support for Macau’s tourism industry and carries significant implications for the city’s move towards building a world-class tourism centre and a more diversified economy. In addition, the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macau embodies objectives and policies designed to position Macau’s tourism on a higher plane and realise its tremendous growth potential. As a major operator in Macau’s all-important hospitality sector, Galaxy Entertainment Group is aware of the valuable opportunities now available and its commitment to supporting the government’s policy to help consolidate the city’s current market positioning.

After several years of hard work, Galaxy Entertainment has successfully created a blueprint for development in Macau by integrating traditional Oriental culture with Western management style. Rooted in our “World Class, Asian Heart” philosophy, Galaxy Macau best exemplifies the business strengths of Galaxy Entertainment Group. The integrated resort brings together three internationally renowned hotels – Banyan Tree Macau, Hotel Okura Macau and Galaxy Hotel – with new elements of leisure and entertainment unprecedented in Macau. Through its world-class amenities and quality services, the new Asian-inspired project offers what has been missing from the local integrated property market. It is intended to attract more travellers from Asia and beyond, encouraging them to extend their stay with a more diversified destination choice.

Our hearts are in Macau. The Grand Opening of Galaxy Macau will make the local leisure tourism sparkle. We are determined to build a New Palace of Asia that signifies a fresh era of leisure travel in the city and a dynamic Asia.

We are committed to developing local tourism and to helping boost the local economy by providing job opportunities for local residents as priority. We also aim to proactively cooperate with community organizations whose services are invaluable to the people of Macau.

The opening of Galaxy Macau would not be possible without your support, advice and assistance. For this reason I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Macau SAR Government, members of the Executive Council, all members of the Legislative Assembly, community organizations, community leaders, media friends and many others. I also wish to thank all our business partners, tenants, building contractors, subcontractors, architects, designers and consultants. You have worked hard to bring to life the values that Galaxy Macau represents. On behalf of Galaxy Entertainment Group, I thank you once again and hope that everyone will be happy with our arrangements here. Please also bear with us whilst we do our best to meet your needs in this extremely early stage of opening.

At the same time, I wish to thank our management team and all of our staff for their hard work and dedication to delivering on our commitment to our “World Class, Asian Heart” service ethos. I am proud of you.

The opening of Galaxy Macau marks a new pinnacle of achievement in Galaxy Entertainment Group’s history. We will continue with our mission to promote the sustainable development of our community our motherland’s economic prosperity. Thank you.