Central Government supports Macao in tackling economic challenges

The Central Government will launch nine new supportive measures to sustain Macao in tackling the economic challenges that emerged in the global financial crisis. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, announced this after he met the President, Mr Hu Jintao and the Premier Mr Wen Jiabao, individually in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on the second day of his annual duty visit. Mr Hu said in the meeting that the Central Government was highly concerned with the impacts caused by the global financial crisis to Macao, and would fully support Macao in facing the challenges by moderately diversifying economic developments. He said he has noticed the SAR Government had implemented a string of measures earlier to cope with the difficulties, and the outcome was positive. He also praised Mr Ho’s dedication in governing Macao over the past nine years, and the principle of “one country two systems” has been fully implemented in Macao. Mr Ho expressed his thankfulness to the Central Government on behalf of the Macao people for the continuous supports, especially the nine new measures to help Macao. In the meeting with Mr Wen Jiabao, Mr Wen said the Central Government has faith that Macao that would have a stable economic development despite the global financial crisis. He said the Central Government would offer full support so that Macao would maintain a prosperous economic development, and that a concrete study had been carried out, nine new supportive measures have been conducted. Basically the supporting policies and measures to be implemented in Hong Kong could be applied to Macao, he said. Mr Wen said he hoped Macao could strengthen communication with the Central Government, and that he believed the Macao Government could lead all sectors in Macao to overcome difficult times. Mr Ho said he highly appreciated for the Central Government’s never-ending supports, especially under the severe impacts came from the global economic crisis. He also reported to the Premier that the SAR Government has already adopted appropriate policies to cope with difficulties, though some challenges were still unpredictable. Those who attended the meeting included the Vice President Xi Jinping, the Vice-Premier, Mr Wang Qishan, the State Councilors, Ms Liu Yandong, the State Councilors and the Secretary-General, Mr Ma Kai, the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, State Council, Mr Liao Hui and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Bai Zhijian.