Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), in Macao, south China, Oct. 10, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao)
Premier Li Keqiang met on Monday with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), pledging full support for the law-based administration of the SAR government. [Special coverage]
Over the past nearly 17 years since Macao returned to the motherland, the region has maintained political stability, economic prosperity and social harmony, completing a successful chapter in practicing the "one country, two systems" policy, said Li, who arrived in Macao on Monday for a three-day inspection visit.
In the past two years, Macao's economy has experienced adjustment. The SAR government has led all walks of life in Macao and successfully tackled challenges and made new achievements, said Li when meeting with Chui.
The central government fully recognizes the SAR government's work and hopes the SAR administration will overcome difficulties and continue to take initiative to realize good management, construction and development of the region while uniting Macao's people, said Li.
The premier said he expects the SAR government to continuously push the building of Macao as a world tourism and leisure center and a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The central government cares very much about Macao's development and the wellbeing of local compatriots and has formulated a series of policies and measures to support the SAR in developing its economy, improving people's livelihood and strengthening exchanges and cooperation with inland areas, said Li.
Li said the central government will continue to fully and correctly implement "one country, two systems," "Macao people administering Macao," a high degree of autonomy and the Basic Law.
The central government fully supports law-based governance by the chief executive and the SAR administration and backs Macao's participation in national development strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative to improve the wellbeing of local residents, he added.
Chui welcomed the premier and thanked the central government for its long-term care, support and help in the region.
The SAR government has strictly implemented "one country, two systems," "Macao people administering Macao," and a high degree of autonomy while working in strict accordance with the Basic Law, he said.
Macao's economy has entered a smooth period and various measures to upgrade the local economy have proved effective, according to the chief executive.
Macao has confidence in making greater progress as a world tourism and leisure center and as a platform for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as in achieving an appropriately diversified economy with the support of the central government and integration with national development strategies, said Chui.
During his visit, the premier plans to attend the opening of the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
