President Xi Jinping Monday met with Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, who was on a duty visit to Beijing, “fully endorsing” the work by Chui and his government and stressing that Macau can play an “irreplaceable role” also in the new era.
During the meeting, according to Xinhua, Xi was briefed by Chui on Macau’s current situation and the local government’s work.
Xi said that over the past year, the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government, under Chui’s leadership, had faithfully fulfilled its duties, been prudent and steady in its work style, and implemented the “One Country, Two Systems” policy and the Macau Basic Law.
Xi underlined that Macau government has improved the institutions and mechanisms for safeguarding national security, proactively taken part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) and in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promoted the proper diversification of the economy, improved the livelihood of the Macau people, and strengthened the MSAR’s disaster prevention and mitigation system, winning the praise of Macau’s society.
“The central government fully endorses the work by Chui and the MSAR government,” he said.
In the process of reform and opening up of the new era, Hong Kong and Macau still have a special status and unique advantages, and can still play an irreplaceable role, Xi said.
The president also said he believed that the compatriots of Macau would seize the opportunities, expand the space of development and foster new drivers of growth by integrating the MSAR’s own development into the development of the country, and greet next year’s 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland with new achievements.
Meanwhile, Premier Li Keqiang yesterday also met with Chui at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in the national capital.
Vice Premier Han Zheng also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Chui briefed Li on Macau’s situation and his government’s work.
Li pointed out that Macau has recorded relatively rapid economic growth and a consistent improvement in people’s lives.
The unemployment rate in Macau remains low and Macau’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) ranks among the highest in the world, the premier noted.
Li said that he hoped that Macau could continue its economic restructuring, optimize its business environment and integrate its development into the development of the country.
Chui pledged that Macau will actively take part in the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
