Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, receives people from different sectors of the community during a meeting held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.
Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, announced today a further 19 measures from the Central Government designed to drive the development of Macao’s economy. The advantageous policies include: implementing before year-end a measure to enable Macao-registered vehicles to enter Hengqin Island in Zhuhai Prefecture; and implementation before 30 June 2017 of a scheme to facilitate pleasure craft journeys in the waters linking Guangdong and Macao. Premier Li’s commentary was given this morning during a meeting with people from different sectors of the community. The event, held at the Macao East Asia Games Dome, was attended by approximately 200 people. Highlights of the Central Government’s new measures included: support for Macao to host annually the Global Tourism Economy Forum; support for Macao to develop as a renminbi clearing centre for Portuguese-speaking countries and for the setting up of a system for trade credit insurance involving those countries; Macao to be the headquarters of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund; support for Macao to develop as a ‘smart city’ in relation to information technology; to optimise capacity for customs clearing and quarantine inspection between the mainland and Macao; to support Macao as it continues to develop its “Three Centres” role; and to support the development of a centre of traditional Chinese medicine, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and China’s health authorities, as well as the development of the Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park in Hengqin New Area on Hengqin Island. The Central Government would additionally support Macao to strengthen the city’s management role regarding its local waters, and push forward the development of the maritime economy in Macao, Premier Li said. The Central Government will directly assist in promoting Macao’s bridging role in connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The enhancement of that role will include a greater part for Macao in relation to: Central Government-stipulated development strategies; and the organisation of large-scale events that involve external as well as internal exchanges. The Central Government will also study closely what role Macao could play in initiating projects with the Silk Road Fund; in relation to industrial cooperation between China and Latin America; and in relation to the China-Africa Industrial Cooperation Fund. Following the meeting, Premier Li held a separate meeting with senior officials of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in the Macao SAR. Premier Li said he noted the successful implementation of the principle “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao”, and a high degree of autonomy, as well as the SAR Government’s strict adherence to the Basic Law of Macao. The Central Government would, as always, support the Macao SAR Government to govern in accordance with the law; and would continue to support the SAR Government in advancing progress in relation to adequate economic diversification. Premier Li said the Central Government fully affirms the work – pursued by the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in Macao – to boost economic development, advance wellbeing and maintain social harmony.