Premier Li Keqiang on Dec 23 met with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), in Beijing, and heard his annual report on Macao and work of the SAR government.

Premier Li said he was impressed by the vigorous development of Macao when he visited the region and attended the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, held on Oct 11 and 12.

Amid the economic downturn, Macao continued its financial surplus and full employment, making new progress in moderate and diversified growth, and maintained social stability, said the Premier.

Such accomplishments, said Premier Li, are inseparable from the diligent work of the SAR government and the guidance of its chief executive, which are highly acknowledged by the central government.

He also said the central government sticks to the “One Country, Two Systems” policy and the principle of “Macao people governing Macao”, and supports the SAR government and its chief executive to run Macao according to the Constitution and the Basic Law.

Premier Li Keqiang meets with Macao Chief Executive Chui Sai On in Beijing on Dec 23. [Photo/China News Service]

The Premier said the SAR government should concentrate its efforts to develop the economy, improve people’s lives, and continue to promote public administrative reform, integrating Macao into the general picture of national development.

He also said that the central government has offered 23 preferential policies for Macao, and hoped Macao could bring them to full force in building a world-class tourism and leisure center and trade cooperation forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Macao should also step forward in the moderate and diversified economic development, to enhance people’s long-term welfare, the Premier said.

Chui said the help from the central government, especially supportive measures for Macao and the forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries announced by the Premier Li during his visit this year, has boosted Macao’s economic and social development, opening-up and cooperation.

The SAR government will actively link the region with national development strategies, build it into a tourism center and cooperation forum to maintain stability in Macao’s economy and improve people’s lives.

State Councilors Yang Jing and Yang Jiechi also attended the meeting.