Premier Li Keqiang greets members of the public during a community visit.
Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, today said, during a community visit, that a brighter and better future was awaiting Macao. Macao already used to be a door between China and the world; now Macao would be able to provide further connecting roles, Premier Li told reporters this afternoon during a visit to the Ruins of St Paul’s, one of the city’s landmarks. Macao is a beautiful city with a distinctive blend of Chinese and Western cultures, the Premier noted after a tour to the Mount Fortress, a part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao. While there, Premier Li had a good opportunity to view Macao’s skyline and cityscape. During the community visit, Premier Li was greeted by dozens of people and had friendly conversations with some members of the public. He gave his warm greetings to residents of Macao. During his visit to the Macao Museum, Premier Li presented to the institution a calligraphy inscription in his own hand, and a scale copper model of a chariot found in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The second day of Premier Li’s Macao tour also included a visit to a local high school – Keang Peng School – a visit to a local family and a trip to Rua do Cunha. At Keang Peng School, Premier Li spoke highly of the school’s promotion of the “love for the country and for Macao” spirit. After a presentation about several inventions produced by the students, Premier Li commented that the students are the future of Macao, as well as the future of the motherland. Later in the afternoon, Premier Li received a briefing on the construction progress of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, while at the rooftop of the Macau Grand Prix control tower. Premier Li paid close attention to details of the briefing, as the bridge is a project under the principle “One country, two systems”, and is the first large-scale construction project being coordinated by the respective governments of Guangdong, of Hong Kong and of Macao. Premier Li arrived in Macao on Monday (10 October) for a three-day inspection tour.