Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, is warmly welcomed by a cheering crowd at the Macau International Airport.
Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, today said the Central Government would continue to support Macao in fostering the “Centre and Platform” policies. Premier Li said there would be new measures and policies favouring Macao, in order better to make use of its position as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies). The new measures are aimed at facilitating the further development of Macao and promoting wider economic diversification, in order to support the long-term prosperity and stability of the region. Premier Li made the remarks upon arrival in Macao at around 11am today at the Macau International Airport. Premier Li was greeted at the airport by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, officials and a cheering crowd. Premier Li said one of his tasks during his Macao visit was to attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao). Premier Li said he would engage with people from across the community during his stay in Macao. The acts of attending the Ministerial Conference and meeting local people were in order to demonstrate – to the international community and to Macao’s residents – the Central Government’s support for further developing the “Centre and Platform” policies. Premier Li said this was his first visit to Macao: he was pleased to meet some of the city’s residents and to see the happy faces of Macao children and hear them cheering, as he disembarked from the aircraft. During his address, Premier Li said he was in Zhuhai Prefecture six years ago, representing the Central Government at the ceremonial ground breaking for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; Premier Li said he then paid a special trip to the Lotus Bridge where he was able to view Macao’s skyline from a distance. Macao was a treasured lotus land, a beautiful and special place; in particular, a place that was successfully implementing the principle of “One country, two systems”, stated Premier Li. Premier Li said he hoped that during his three-day visit to Macao, he would be able to see more, visit more, hear more, and experience more regarding Macao’s development, local traditions and customs, as well as learning more about locals’ daily livelihoods. Later in the afternoon, Premier Li will meet the Chief Executive at the San Chok Un Guesthouse, and will receive briefings on several topics, including: strategies to boost the development of Macao; and work on various aspects of Government activities. Members of the Central Government delegation include: the Secretary General of the State Council, Mr Yang Jing; the Deputy Secretary General of the State Council, Mr Xiao Jie; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi; the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Xu Shaoshi; the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Gao Hucheng; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya; the Director of the State Council Research Office, Mr Huang Shouhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Wang Zhimin; and the Director of the Premier's Office of the State Council, Mr Shi Gang. Macao officials welcoming the Central Government delegation were: 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 President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosario; the Commissioner Against Corruption, Mr Cheong Weng Chon; the Commissioner of Audit, Mr Ho Veng On; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; and the Public Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang. Other officials at the welcoming ceremony included: the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Macao SAR, Major General Wang Wen; the Political Commissar of the PLA Garrison in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhang Zhimeng; the Deputy Director of the State Council Information Office, Ms Cui Yuying; the Vice Minister of Commerce, Ms Gao Yan; and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo.
