State leaders pleased with Macao achievements

President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao said today that they have positively appraised the past achievement of Macao and believe that Macao would continue to prosper under the leadership of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government. The Central Government appraised positively the achievement of the Macao SAR, which saw rapid economic expansion and advancement since the SAR's was established eight years ago, the President told the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, who was in Beijing for his annual duty visit to the capital. The President said he believed that the SAR Government would strive, and continue to govern in accordance to the law and adamantly build an even better Macao. President Hu said the new leadership elected at the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last month would resolutely adhere to the principles of ''One Country, Two Systems'' and ''Macao People Governing Macao'' and a high degree of autonomy. He said that the Central Government would, as usual, give full support to the governance according to the law of the MSAR by the Chief Executive and the SAR Government. ''We have every confidence in the future of Macao,'' said President Hu. Mr Ho briefed the President on the latest developments in the Special Administrative Region (SAR). President Hu and Mr Ho last met in Shanghai in early October during the opening ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Also at today's meeting were Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo Bureau, Mr Xi Jinping; State Councilor of State Council, Mr Tang Jiaxuan; Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Ling Jihua; Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Liao Hui; and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian. Premier Wen Jiabao met Mr Ho prior to Mr Ho’s meeting with the President. Premier Wen said he had read Macao's Policy Address that was published last week, which outlined the SAR Government’s policy blueprint for next year. He said that the Central Government was more than pleased with the substantial economic achievement in Macao and believed that the SAR Government could surmount new problems and address new issues, which have emerged in the course of economic expansion. Also attending the meeting were Vice Premier, Ms Wu Yi; State Councilor of State Council, Mr Tang Jiaxuan; State Councilor of State Council and the Secretary-General of State Council, Mr Hua Jianmin; Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Liao Hui; and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian.