Premier Li Keqiang met with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), on Dec 15, in Beijing, and heard the annual report on Macao and work of the SAR government.

The SAR government, under the guidance of its chief executive, has achieved stable economic growth, improved lives, and fostered a harmonious society with steady governance and progressing public administrative reform, Premier Li said.

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.

Development is the basis of Macao, and it helps to improve the people’s lives there, he said.

The Premier hoped that the SAR chief and government could lead its people to grasp opportunities and make active moves in its integration with the nation’s development and key national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

He also urged the SAR government to implement support policies from the central government, promote moderate and diversified growth, and increase talent cultivation and innovation.

Macao, the Premier added, should build itself as a global leisure and tourism center, and the cooperation and service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Meanwhile, more work should be done to address prominent livelihood issues and improve housing, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure and education, to enhance people’s sense of happiness and achievement, he said.

Chui thanked the central government’s support of Macao’s economic and social development, saying the SAR government will actively link the region with national strategies and promote the region’s moderate and diversified economic growth.

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