BEIJING – President Xi Jinping yesterday praised Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng’s governance of Macau in particular his administration’s development strategy and the effective prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic by sticking to the “dynamic zero-COVID” policy*, according to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) and other news sources.
Xi made the upbeat remarks during a meeting with Ho at the central authorities’ Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing during which he listened to Ho’s report on Macau’s current situation and the Macau Special Administrative Region’s (MSAR) work.
Ho arrived in the nation’s capital for a four-day duty visit on Tuesday. It is Ho’s first annual duty visit to Beijing. He became Macau’s chief executive in December 2019 and his duty visit slated for January last year had to take place by video link due to the emerging novel coronavirus threat at that time. Xi’s last inspection visit to Macau coincided with Ho’s swearing-in as chief executive.
Xi underlined during yesterday’s meeting that despite the pandemic Macau has been able to maintain stability and a good development momentum.
The president pointed out that Macau has taken effective control and prevention measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 and stuck to the “dynamic zero-COVID” policy, as well as worked hard to normalise cross-border movement between the mainland and Macau.
The pandemic has created tough challenges for the global economy, but also created moments for reflection, Xi said, adding that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Macau’s civil society has gained a clearer understanding of existing problems in the region’s economic structure, resulting in deeper reflections on its future development.
Xi also pointed out that Macau’s economy has been enjoying gradual recovery in the outgoing year, and that the local government has offered assistance to disadvantaged groups and small- and micro enterprises.
The president also underlined that Macau’s legal system and executive mechanism regarding the safeguarding of national security have been optimised and that this year’s elections for the seventh Legislative Assembly (AL) were held successfully and, consequently, the principle of “patriots governing Macau” has been further implemented.
The central government’s General Plan for the Development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will pave a new path for Macau to further its integration into the national development drive, Xi said.
The president also said that the motherland will always act as a strong support for Macau in maintaining prosperity and stability.
The central government will continue to adhere to the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, and support Macau in accelerating its appropriate economic diversification effort, the president said, adding that all this will help ensure the continuous implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.
“The central authorities fully acknowledge the work that Ho and the Macau SAR government have done,” Xi said.
During the meeting, Xi extended festive greetings to all compatriots in Macau.
A number of senior officials attended the meeting, including Vice Premier and head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Han Zheng; the director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Ding Xuexiang; the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Guo Shengkun; the director of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, You Quan; State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi; Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Vice Chairman and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) Director Xia Baolong; HKMAO Deputy Director Zhang Xiaoming; the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Fu Ziying; and the chief-of-office of Ho’s office, Hoi Lai Fong.
*State broadcaster CGTN last week quoted Liang Wannian, head of the expert team on COVID-19 response at the National Health Commission (NHC) as saying that “‘dynamic zero-COVID’ does not mean ‘zero infection,’ as currently we are unable to ensure that not a single local case occurs.” He clarified that it is China’s overall guideline for COVID-19 prevention and control, which refers to a slew of measures to swiftly stamp out new outbreaks when they happened.”
The gist is to cut off the spread of new infections as soon as possible, instead of just letting go of the situation and allowing it to run out of control, he added.
Macau’s COVID-19 tally stands at 77. Its novel coronavirus death toll has remained at zero since January last year when Macau’s first COVID-19 case was confirmed.
President Xi Jinping (right) poses with Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng during their meeting in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, at the central authorities’ Zhongnanhai compound yesterday. – Xinhua
