Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, briefs reporters in Beijing on his four-day duty visit.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Central Government had pledged its full support to Macao in its efforts to attain further economic development and in the efforts of the Government continuously to improve the livelihoods of Macao’s people. Summarising to reporters at a press event in Beijing the details of his duty visit to the nation’s capital, Mr Chui said the state leaders had affirmed the Government’s efforts in implementing several policies over the past year. Mr Chui is in Beijing for a four-day duty visit. He was received by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang today. In the meetings, Mr Chui reported to the state leaders the situation in Macao and its development during the past 12 months, and also the outlines of the Government’s policies for 2016. The Government would submit a detailed report to the Central Government about the Government’s plan to help small- and medium-sized enterprises, and its plan to support young people to establish a business of their own, Mr Chui said. The Chief Executive said the newly demarcated boundaries of Macao had created favourable conditions for the city to progress via closer cooperation with neighbouring areas – especially with Guangdong. Those particular efforts are being pursued under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, he added. The freshly demarcated boundaries would also further the Government’s efforts to sustain Macao’s long-term development and adequate economic diversification. Mr Chui said the Government would use its best efforts to manage the 85-square-kilometre maritime zone endorsed on Sunday (20 December) by the State Council. The Government’s tasks in taking up this new administrative role included ensuring a smooth transfer of management from the Guangdong authorities to Macao and optimising relevant legislation. The Government would start soon the planning process relating to its maritime economy, Mr Chui added. On Sunday, the State Council released an updated map of the administrative divisions of Macao. It included: an 85-square-kilometre area of water to the east and south of the Macao SAR; an area of land where the Border Gate with Zhuhai is located; and a section of Canal dos Patos. Mr Chui said, in response to questions by journalists, that the Government would nominate to the Central Government before the end of next month a candidate for the position of Director General of the Macao Customs Service. He was also asked about the Government’s land concession for Pearl Horizon – an unfinished residential project. The Chief Executive reiterated that the Government’s decision to revert the concession had been made in accordance with the provisions of the Land Law. Adherence to the rule of law is the principle of governance in Macao, Mr Chui stressed. Mr Chui also noted that while Macao residents are entitled to express their views in many different ways and through many channels, such expression ought to be conducted in a legal and rational manner. Regarding the new Urban Renewal Committee, Mr Chui said the consultative body would be headed by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works. He added that there would be more details available soon Before meeting the state leaders, Mr Chui met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, also in Beijing. Delegates accompanying the Chief Executive during the meetings included: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Representative Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.