Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, is briefed on various aspects of the Macao Government’s work.
Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, today said the Central Government fully affirmed the work of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The Central Government had lately launched a total of 19 measures supporting the development of Macao. They were designed further to ensure the impetus of socio-economic achievements in Macao, and to maintain the long-term prosperity of the SAR, stated Premier Li.
The motherland is, and will be always, a strong backing force for Macao’s development, added Premier Li.
Premier Li made the comments when he was briefed on various aspects of the SAR Government’s work. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, gave the briefing during a meeting – attended by the principal officials of the Macao SAR Government – held in the afternoon at Government Headquarters.
During the meeting, Premier Li said he had earlier witnessed – during his visit today to the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre – a modern and prosperous face of Macao, a multicultural city. He added he had confidence the SAR Government would achieve its goals regarding the city’s economic diversification.
Premier Li stated that – while viewing Macao’s cityscape from atop Macau Tower – he had envisaged the even brighter future awaiting the city.
While at Macau Tower, Premier Li had been briefed on the Macao Government’s strategies to forge ahead with efforts relating to economic sustainability and economic diversification; and on the vision for Macao’s urban development.
Premier Li said that, in order to cope with challenges emerging in recent years, the Macao Government, led by Mr Chui – along with the city’s residents – had constantly adhered to the principles of: “One country, two systems”; “Macao people governing Macao”; and a high degree of autonomy, while closely observing the principles of the Basic Law of Macao. The Macao Government had also constantly been working under the policy visions of “putting people first” and utilising “scientific decision-making”.
In order to push forward adequate economic diversification and maintain social harmony, the SAR Government had set forth a large number of practical measures: the Central Government fully affirmed the work of the SAR Government, said Premier Li.
Premier Li stated that the positive news emerging in the first half of the year, and in addition during the past two months, boosted the confidence of the people regarding the city’s development next year and onward.
Premier Li also spoke of the positive contributions made by Macao’s civil servants, and conveyed to them the Central Government’s greetings.
During the meeting, the Chief Executive said the launch of the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan provided Macao with fresh and innovative paths for development and added vitality to economic growth.
Mr Chui said the Government had released in September Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan, outlining: the city’s strategies in accommodating the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan; the city’s roles and contributions regarding the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative); and the city’s bridging functions between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan, the city’s blueprint for socio-economic development during the period from 2016 to 2020 inclusive, highlighted measures that would help fulfil the city’s short- and long-term development needs, he added.
The Government was confident about lifting Macao’s overall competitiveness, making further use of the city’s advantages under the principle of “One country, two systems”, Mr Chui said.
Under the guidance of the Central Government, the Macao SAR Government was steadfast in the implementation of: “One country, two systems”; “Macao people governing Macao”’ and a high degree of autonomy. The Government would spare no effort in maintaining sustainability and social stability, including promoting adequate economic diversification, maintaining sound public finances, and continuing social welfare programmes, the Chief Executive stated.
Following the meeting at Government Headquarters, Premier Li was due to hold bilateral meetings with officials leading government delegations from, respectively, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, and the Republic of Mozambique.