The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), Mr Zhang Dejiang, today said the Central Government was satisfied with, and fully affirmed, the efforts of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in boosting current achievements while seeking to accelerate progress generally.
With the strong support of the Central Government and the concerted effort of the local community, Macao’s future would be brighter and more prosperous, said Mr Zhang.
The NPC Chairman made the remarks when he received a briefing on various aspects of the SAR Government’s work. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, gave the briefing during a meeting held in the afternoon at Government Headquarters.
Mr Zhang said he was pleased to see that the SAR Government – under the leadership of Mr Chui – had been dedicating continuing effort to the seizing of opportunities arising from the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan, as well as from the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).
He spoke highly of the SAR Government’s efforts in: setting up the city’s first Five-Year Development Plan; conducting a mid-term review of the city’s gaming industry; pressing ahead regarding the development goals of transforming Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure and into a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies); and in striving for further diversification of the city’s economy.
Mr Zhang reiterated Macao had bright development prospects, despite some challenges and issues having emerged. He added that achieving further socio-economic development would require further effort from the SAR Government.
A number of widely-recognised achievements had proved that the “One country, two systems” principle had been successfully implemented in Macao, said Mr Zhang. Such achievements included: the full implementation of the Basic Law since Macao’s return to the motherland; fully ensuring the Central Government’s sovereignty over the SAR and Macao’s high degree of autonomy; the proper functioning of an administration-led model of government; the rapid pace of economic development; and the overall enhancement of people’s livelihoods, accompanied by social stability.
In the work report session, Mr Chui stated that major preferential policies of the Central Government – e.g. the “Belt and Road” initiative and the proposal of a city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area – had been the driving forces for Macao’s further development opportunities. In addition, the country’s prosperity, continuing reforms and opening up had also acted as safeguards for Macao’s development, said the Chief Executive.
Mr Chui extended his gratitude to Mr Zhang for his long-term support and his interest in the city’s development.
Macao had made a good start this year on economic development, following a 26-month-long, in-depth, adjustment period for the city’s gaming industry, said Mr Chui.
The Chief Executive said the Government would spare no effort in maintaining social stability; in particular, in enhancing development opportunities for young people and in striving to ensure the upcoming Legislative Assembly Election was held successfully.
Under the guidance of the Central Government, the SAR Government would continue to unite people from all walks of life, to support the “One country, two systems” principle, and those of “Macao people governing Macao”, a high degree of autonomy, and full implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Mr Zhang arrived in Macao today for a three-day visit.