Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, today said the Central Government is confident that the outlook for Macao would continue to be bright. Speaking prior to his departure from the city, Premier Li said Macao would play an ever more important role in connecting China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. This would also assist the diversification of Macao’s economy, he added. Premier Li said the Central Government would boost further cooperation between the mainland and Macao; helping the Special Administrative Region to increase its contribution to the country’s development efforts. Premier Li said his community visits during his three-day trip – including a meeting with a local family – gave him opportunities to engage with Macao people and gain a better understanding of their day-to-day lives. He also noted he had felt during his exchanges with the public the patriotic spirit of Macao people, their welcoming nature and their strength of character. Macao had the capacity to continue with healthy finances, full employment, and to maintain the wellbeing of the community, despite the possible challenges posed by the recent global economic downturn and by the restructuring being undertaken in the city’s economy, said the Premier. Premier Li additionally stated that the Central Government fully affirmed the work of the Macao SAR Government and fully supported the Chief Executive and the Macao SAR Government in their efforts to maintain governance in accordance with the law. Officials bidding farewell to Premier Li at the Macau International Airport included: the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Wang Zhimin; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; and principal officials of the SAR Government. Premier Li had arrived in Macao on Monday (10 October) for a three-day inspection tour. While he was in Macao, the Premier attended the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), and delivered a keynote speech at the event.
