Chief Executive meets with Portuguese President

(Macao – 16 January 2005) The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah today greeted with the Portuguese President, Mr Jorge Sampaio who is in Macao Special Administrative Region for a two-day visit. Mr Ho and Mr Sampaio met the press after their meeting which lasted for 45 minutes. Mr Ho said he was glad to meet Mr Sampaio in Macao and congratulated him on his successful China visit. He said that thepresence of Mr Sampaio in Macao allowed him to reciprocate the cordiality and hospitality accorded to him when he visited Portugal. Mr Ho said that they have discussed a wide range of subjects concerning the future of Macao and Portugal during the meeting and also exchanged views on the role of Macao as a bridge to the Portuguese-speaking countries. He underlined that Mr Sampaio had contributed much in this relation. Mr Sampaio said he was grateful for the warm reception he received in Macao. He said that he was glad to see that the Joint Delaration Between Portual and China on the and the Macao SAR Basic Law being fully implemented in Macao after the establishment of the SAR . “Macao successfully governed by Macao people is proof of the success of the ‘One Country Two Systems’ concept ” Mr Sampaio said. He also praised Mr Ho’s performance and said it was one of the reasons for Macao’s success. Concerning the Guangdong, Macao and Portugal Economic Cooperation Forum 2005, which opens tomorrow, Mr Sampaio said that it was another proof of Macao’s role as a platform for Portuguese and Chinese Enterprises. Mr Sampaio extended an invitation for Mr Ho to visit Portugal again. Also presented at the meeting were the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Abroad, Mr António Monteiro, The Portuguese Minister of Economic Activities and Works, Mr Álvaro Barreto and and Portugal’s Ambassador to China, Mr Santana Carlos, The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. Tomorrow, the Portuguese President will pay visits to the Portuguese School, the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient (Instituto Português do Oriente) and attend a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. He will also visit some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Statue and the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city. Mr Sampaio is on an official visit to China at the invitation of the President, Mr Hu Jintao. Macao is the last stop on this visit. Mr Sampaio last visited Macao was in December 1999.