President Xi Jinping told re-elected Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On in Beijing Monday that Macau must be more forward-looking and be better prepared for any adversities.
Xi received Chui at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, just several hours after Chui was appointed Macau’s fourth-term chief executive.
National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman Zhang Dejiang and Vice President Li Yuanchao also attended the meeting. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, who heads Chui’s office, also attended the meeting.
Xi said during the meeting that as Macau is witnessing great changes in its internal and external environment, it needed to make a correct assessment of the situation, make plans for the city as a whole, be more forward-looking and be better prepared for any adversities.
“The internal and external environment of Macau has witnessed great changes and that will require better work from the new administration,” Xi said, referring to Chui’s second-term government which will begin on December 20, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
Xi also said he hoped Chui will do better for Macau so as to merit the central government’s trust and live up to local residents’ expectations.
The president also told Chui to diligently perform his duty, promote the sense of foresight and preparedness, improve the work of the public administration and advance the sustainable development of Macau.
During the meeting, Xi first congratulated Chui on being re-elected as the fourth-term chief executive of Macau.
Macau’s chief executives can only serve two consecutive five-year terms, according to the Macau Basic Law.
The president also said that the central government appreciates Chui’s work over the past five years for the solid implementation of policies while tackling all sorts of challenges, such as developing the economy, improving people’s livelihoods and enhancing communication and co-operation with the mainland.
Chui thanked the central government for its support and trust and pledged to implement the Basic Law and carry out the principles of “One country, two systems” and “Macau people administering Macau”, based on a high degree of autonomy.
Chui also said his agenda for Macau’s future would continue to be developing the economy and improving people’s livelihoods, especially paying attention to training the local workforce, apart from diversifying and developing the economy so that it will be more sustainable.
Chui also made a point of telling Xi that the University Macau (UM) completely relocated to its new campus on Hengqin Island earlier this month, pointing out that as the University of Macau is the city’s most important public tertiary education institution it will continue with its education and research development and contribute to society as it works towards being a world-class university.
Monday morning, Chui received his certificate of appointment from Premier Li Keqiang in a ceremony held in the central government’s Zhongnanhai compound.
After the ceremony, Li congratulated Chui on his appointment and praised the local government’s work to develop Macau and improve people’s livelihoods in the last 15 years.
Li also said that the central government would continue to “thoroughly and accurately” implement the principles of “One country, two systems”, “Macau people administering Macau”, and a high degree of autonomy for the region while following the Macau Basic Law.
Li said the central government would fully support the chief executive and the Macau government in the rule of law. He said he believed that through Macau’s own efforts, the chief executive and the government should continue to push forward with the city’s sustainable development and promote a fair and harmonious society.
The premier also said that Chui’s government should ensure Macau’s unique role in the country’s overall development.
Li said that he believed that under Chui’s administration, he could unite all sectors of society and live up to residents’ expectations, as he promised in his election campaign. Li also said he was confident that there will be new achievements in the implementation of the “One country, two systems” policy in Macau.
Chui said that he would keep the promises he made during his re-election campaign last month by listening more to public opinion, paying attention to projects related to people’s livelihoods and put residents’ needs at the forefront of his next government’s agenda.
Chui also said that Macau would work hard to become a world tourism and leisure hub and serve as a business and trade platform between the nation and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Chui also took the opportunity to thank the central government for hosting the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Macau earlier this month, thereby giving the city a chance to be involved in the organisation of an important international event.
Chui said the APEC meeting had helped to promote Macau overseas, which benefitted Macau’s quest to become a world tourism and leisure hub, a business and trade service centre for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Portuguese-speaking countries and a regional distribution centre for foodstuffs from Portuguese-speaking markets, as well as an exhibition centre for trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi, State Council Secretary-General Yang Jing, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Director Wang Guangya and Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Director Li Gang also attended the meeting with Li.
Chui’s agenda in the capital today includes a press briefing. He and his entourage are scheduled to return to Macau tomorrow.(macaunews/macaupost)
