Upon arriving in Macau yesterday morning, Premier Li Keqiang (right) is about to shake hands with Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On (centre) as Chui’s predecessor Edmund Ho Hau Wah (left) and other officials look on at the local airport. – Xinhua
On the first day of a three-day working visit to Macau, Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday that the central government has recently launched 19 measures to support Macau’s development, to allow the city to maintain long-term prosperity and stability.
Li did not elaborate on the measures.
Li made the remarks during a session in which the local government briefed Li on its work, at Government Headquarters. The session was open to the media for the first eight minutes, during which Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On gave the opening speech, followed by Li who praised the local government.
On arriving in Macau, Li first had a meeting with Chui at the New Bamboo Mansion on Penha Hill, where Li is staying for the duration of his visit. The building is run by the central government.
The 61-year-old premier also visited Macau Tower for a panoramic view of the city, before attending the briefing.
Apart from Li and Chui, members of the central government delegation and senior local officials attended the briefing.
According to a statement from the Government Information Bureau (GCS), the local officials briefed Li on the local government’s strategies to boost the city’s socio-economic development, as well as its large-scale infrastructure projects and the government’s work.
During the period open to the media, Chui said that the launch of the central government’s 13th Five-Year Plan had encouraged Macau to grasp more opportunities.
Premier Li Keqiang (second from left) delivers a speech after arriving at the airport in Taipa yesterday morning, flanked by Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On (first from left), Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Director Wang Guangya (second from right) and Central Government Liaison Office Director Wang Zhimin. Photo: Tony Wong
Chui said the government was confident about being able to enhance the city’s competitiveness and make further use of the city’s advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
Under the guidance of the central government, the local government remained steadfast in the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, “Macau people governing Macau” and a high degree of autonomy, Chui said, adding that his government was strictly complying with the Macau Basic Law.
In his speech at the start of the session, Li said he had witnessed the modern, prosperous and multicultural facets of the city when he observed the cityscape from Macau Tower, adding he envisaged that Macau will have a brilliant future.
Li added he was confident that the local government will achieve its goal of diversifying the city’s economy.
Li praised the local government for its efforts in implementing practical measures for achieving a more diversified economy and maintaining social harmony and stability.
At the end of his speech, Li emphasised that the central government would continue to support the diversification of the city’s economy. Li said that the central government had recently launched 19 measures to support Macau in developing its economy and society, in order to maintain Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability, as well as benefit the city’s residents.
“The motherland is, and always will be, a strong backing force for Macau”, Li said.
Delivering a speech upon arriving at the airport in the morning, Li said the central government would announce new policies and measures with the aim of promoting the development of the city’s economy, as well as to speed up the diversification of its economy.
Li said he was happy to meet Macau’s residents. “When I disembarked from the plane, I saw the happy faces of Macau’s children, which makes me very happy”, he said.
Li said it was the first time that he has been to Macau.
Li said he went to Zhuhai six years ago to attend the ceremonial ground-breaking for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, shortly before the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
Li, as the country’s then vice-premier, attended the ground-breaking ceremony on December 15, 2009.
Li said that he then made a special trip to the Lotus Flower Bridge where he was able to view Macau’s skyline from a distance.
Describing Macau as a “beautiful and special” place, Li said, “I come to this treasured lotus land today, where the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle is successfully implemented.”
Li said that one of his tasks during his visit was to attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Li said the fact that he is attending the forum was to demonstrate to the international community and Macau residents that the central government will continue to support Macau to develop into world tourism and leisure centre and a business-service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, a development concept for Macau he described as “one centre and one platform”.
Li said he hoped that during his visit he would “see, visit and hear as much as possible”, to experience the latest developments in the city, as well as to learn more about locals’ daily lives.
During his visit to Macau Tower in the afternoon, Li was briefed by Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac and Principal Consultant of the Policy Research Office (GEP) Mi Jian about Macau’s urban development policy and strategies to diversify the city’s economic structure.
After arriving at the observation lounge on the 58th floor of the Tower, Chui and other senior officials pointed out the city’s various landmarks to Li as they walked around the viewing area.
Li, Chui and Leong later walked to an information board set up in the lounge, and Leong briefed Li on the government’s strategies to diversify the city’s economic structure.
According to a statement by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) yesterday, Leong told Li how the government has been diversifying the tourism sector to develop the city into a world tourism and leisure centre.
Moreover, Leong briefed Li on how the government is assisting developed industries while fostering new emerging industries.
The statement said Leong also talked about how the government is expanding Macau’s role as a business-service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Meanwhile, Mi briefed Li on the principles of urban development in Macau, according to the statement. Mi said the government would continue to improve the city’s transport system to meet the demands of social and economic development.
Mi said the government would administer Macau’s coastal waters well, according to the statement.
This morning, Li will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the forum at Macau Dome in Cotai.
Li’s inspection visit will end tomorrow morning.
Last night, the local government held a banquet at the Macau Dome in Cotai to welcome the central government delegation and the delegations of the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Last night, Li also had separate meetings with the prime ministers of Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique.
Premier Li Keqiang (right), accompanied by Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, looks at the Macau peninsula from the 58th floor of Macau Tower yesterday afternoon. – Xinhua
Premier Li Keqiang (right) shakes hands with Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On during a meeting at the New Bamboo Mansion on Penha Hill yesterday. – Xinhua
Premier Li Keqiang (centre), accompanied by members of the central government delegation (left), attends yesterday’s briefing by the top brass of the local government, at Government Headquarters. Photo: Tony Wong
