BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Sept 23 voiced full support for Macao in accelerating its infrastructure construction and appropriately diversifying the economy.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, made the remarks at a video conference during which the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng gave a report on the SAR's current economic situation and other related work.

The central government fully recognizes the efforts the chief executive and the SAR government have made and is giving Macao full support in containing COVID-19, easing difficulties for businesses, improving people's livelihoods, and appropriately diversifying its economy, Han said.

Noting that it has been one year since the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin was officially put into operation, Han called on Macao to seize the important opportunity that the cooperation zone presents and inject new impetus into the SAR's long-term economic development.

Guangdong and Macao should tap fully into their respective strengths, enhance their level of cooperation, and develop the cooperation zone into a new platform to boost Macao's appropriate economic diversification and a new space to facilitate the lives and employment of Macao residents, Han said.