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The Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, said this afternoon he hoped the Macao Government would enhance governance, foster industrial diversification, improve people’s well-being, and safeguard social stability. Beginning an address to a gathering of representatives of the local community, Mr Wen said he was very excited on his first trip to Macao and it felt like coming home after a long time away. Macao holds an important place in the hearts of Chinese people and has played a special role in the historical development of China, said the Premier. He said the destinies of the Mainland and Macao were closely intertwined, as evidenced by history. Speaking of Macao’s achievements since its return to China, the Premier noted that the region’s progress was another testament to the success of the principle of “one country, two systems” and demonstrated Macao people’s ability to manage their city. Mr Wen also emphasised the Central Government’s support for Macao’s long-term development. The 11th and 12th national five-year plans have covered co-operation between Macao and the Mainland, opening more opportunities for Macao’s growth. Looking ahead, the Premier put forward four priorities for Macao. They are: - Enhancing governance by keeping abreast of public opinion and social issues; upholding the rule of law; introducing public oversight; and striving for integrity and efficiency. - Fostering industrial diversification by driving the growth in tourism, conventions, finance and cultural industries; regulating the development of the gaming industry; strengthening co-operation with the Mainland, especially with Guangdong; and devoting more resources to the development of education, technology and culture. - Improving the people’s well-being by spending more public money on items related to people’s livelihood; speeding up the construction of public housing; improving the living environment; and enhancing social justice. - Safeguard social stability by promoting a tolerant and inclusive society. After his speech, Mr Wen responded to several questions from the audience. In his answers, he highlighted the significance of education in promoting economic and social development. He said he believed that education was the bedrock of a strong nation as it was the source of both hard and soft power of a country. When asked about the introduction of another round of quantitative easing by the United States of America, the Premier re-iterated that a stable exchange rate for the RMB is conducive to the stability of the global financial market. As a major reserve currency, the US dollar should maintain a relatively stable exchange rate, said Mr Wen. He added that Macao’s financial system would remain stable as long as the financial sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland were stable. More than 400 representatives from different sectors of Macao attended the meeting.
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The Training Centre of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was launched today after the signing of the Action Plan of the Forum’s Third Ministerial Conference. Speaking at the centre’s launching ceremony, the Secretary of Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, pledged that the centre would tap into Macao’s resources and expand manpower training for members of the Forum. Mr Tam added that the centre would also serve to enhance human resources co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting mutual exchanges. Apart from the establishment of the training centre, the Action Plan calls for the promotion of Macao as a centre for arbitration of commercial disputes between enterprises on the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Action Plan also re-affirms Macao’s role in bringing China and the Lusophone world ever closer together and acknowledges Macao’s contribution to the Forum. According to the Action Plan, Macao will continue to play an active part in strengthening China-Lusophone exchanges, particularly in the areas of trade, logistics, investment, fishing and agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure, health and telecommunication. The significance of the co-operation and development fund between China and Portuguese-speaking countries is also highlighted in the Action Plan, which encourages financial institutions of the Forum’s members to participate in the fund on a voluntary basis. The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum closed this morning; the next ministerial conference will be held again in Macao, in 2013.
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Macao should develop its own unique industries with a focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to build its own brands in the global market. This is the advice of Premier Wen Jiabao during a visit to Macao’s House of Apparel Technology under the Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre this morning. According to the Premier, the growth of the creative industry led by SMEs is closely linked with Macao’s ambition of becoming a world travel and leisure hub. Mr Wen, accompanied by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao, Mr Bai Zhijian, was shown around the House of Apparel Technology, getting a first hand look at the latest development in Macao’s clothing industry. He was also presented with a scarf made by the apprentices there. Afterwards the Premier visited the Northern District Community Services Centre of the Workers’ Union, where he chatted with retirees and youngsters. He was briefed on the retirement benefits offered by the Macao Government and was told by the young people that high housing prices made it hard for them to climb on the property ladder. In response, the Premier said the government had the responsibility of helping low income families with their housing needs.
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The Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, continued on his two-day visit to the Macao this morning and charmed local citizens as he toured a number of the city’s famous landmarks. At his first stop at Mount Fortress, the Premier was greeted by about a dozen senior residents who were practising the traditional Chinese exercise of taichi. Mr Wen chatted and practiced a taichi routine with them. Mr Wen visited the Museum of Macao atop Mount Fortress afterwards and joined a group of students taking part in a workshop on Chinese New Year paintings. The Premier sang with the students a popular song marking Macao’s return to China, and encouraged them to work hard in their studies. He then went to the Ruins of St Paul’s Church, a historic Macao monument. There he was greeted by over a hundred tourists eager to shake hands with him. The Premier shook hands with many of them and waved to the crowd before leaving. Mr Wen was accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; and Secretary of Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, in this morning’s tour.
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Premier Wen Jiabao, on his two-day visit to Macao, today met with the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On and the heads of the administration, legislature and judiciary. During the meeting with Mr Chui, Mr Wen said the Chief Executive had united the Macao population, surmounted challenges and promoted Macao in terms of economic and social aspects and enhanced people’s livelihood. He encouraged the Macao people to work together tirelessly, surmount challenges and strive for Macao’s development and said he believed that with the support of the motherland and the concerted effort of the Macao people, Macao would have an even better future. During a meeting with Macao’s Principal Officials, heads of legislature and judiciary and members of the Executive Council, the Premier put forward three points of aspiration -- to be people-oriented, to uphold integrity and to be faithful in their duties. He said that it is necessary to attach special importance to enhance people’s livelihood to build a fair and harmonious society. Macao was evidently facing some problems, Mr Wen said, such as the need to diversify its gaming-led economy into a mix of gaming, tourism, business, convention and creative industries. The Premier said that Macao had attached much importance to social affairs, such as culture, education and health. This had laid a solid foundation for Macao to build a fairer and better society and these efforts should be carried on, he said.
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The fact that Macao is playing host to the Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries for the third time demonstrates the Central Government’s support and trust in Macao and its recognition of Macao as a bridge between China and Lusophone countries. This is according to the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in a speech at a dinner reception co-hosted by the Macao SAR Government and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to welcome the delegations of the Ministerial Conference. Mr Chui told the gathering at the East Asian Games Dome that as a non-political international economic and trade cooperation mechanism, the Forum had strengthened economic exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries around the world, enabling Macao to become a connection platform that boosts common development between China, Portuguese-speaking countries and the Macao SAR. He added that with the theme of “Diversified Cooperation, Harmonious Development”, this year’s Conference would continue to play an active role in promoting trade, investment and business cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Wrapping up his speech, the Chief Executive said that the Macao SAR government would spare no efforts to push forward with the “One country, two systems” principle, maintain social harmony and diversity, bolster sustainable development, and ensure long-term and stable growth. This evening’s reception was attended by about 500 guests, including the Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao; delegates to the Conference; Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya; Director of Research Office of the State Council, Mr Xie Fuzhan; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhu Zhixin; Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and the Director of the Premier's Office, Mr Qiu Xiaoxiong; Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Fu Ying; representatives of entrepreneurs and financiers from the Mainland, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries; representatives of international organisations; and principal officials of the Macao SAR government.
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The Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was lauded today for its contribution in bolstering exchanges between the two sides during the opening of the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum. The heads of the seven delegations to the Conference spoke highly of the role of the Forum since its inception in 2003. The President of Timor-Leste, Mr José Ramos Horta, described the Forum as a flexible mechanism for co-operation that had brought immense benefits to peoples of the countries involved. For his part, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr José Sócrates, noted that the Forum offered a unique opportunity for China and Portuguese-speaking countries to promote bilateral trade and investment. The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Carlos Gomes Júnior, said he believed that the Forum would enhance mutual ties and promote sustainable growth. The Prime Minister of Mozambique, Mr Aires Bonifácio, said the previous action plans adopted by the Forum had been fully implemented, demonstrating the success of the Forum. The Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Telecommunication of Cape Verde, Mr Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, underlined that the Forum had the potential to boost co-operation on multiple fronts among its members. The Undersecretary General of Economic and Technological Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr Pedro Luíz Carneiro de Mendonça, said his country acknowledged the Forum’s meaningful role in spurring growth in developing Portuguese-speaking countries and promoting China-Lusophone exchanges. The Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola, Mr Abrahão Pio dos Santos Gourgel, pointed out that the Forum had helped its members cope with the challenges of globalisation. Meanwhile, the Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, said that the Forum had served as an important platform for mutually beneficial co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He added that the Forum had also tapped into Macao’s unique advantage as a bridge between the two sides; thanks to the Forum, trade exchanges between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries have also strengthened.
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The Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, today announced six measures to help spur growth in developing Portuguese-speaking countries and help lift them out of poverty. These measures, outlined in the Premier’s speech to the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, are to be introduced over the 2010-2013 period. They are:-- - A US$1 billion co-operation and development fund between China and Portuguese-speaking countries will be set up by financial institutions from the Mainland and Macao to boost financial co-operation. - 1.6 billion Yuan in concessional loans under the bilateral framework will be provided to the Asian and African members of the Forum. - Materials, equipment, technical personnel and other support will be offered to one bilateral agricultural project in each Asian and African member of the Forum. - Train 1,500 officials and technical personnel for the Asian and African member of the Forum and support the Macao SAR Government in establishing a training centre under the Forum in Macao. - Provide 1,000 one-year government scholarships to students from the Asian and African members of the Forum to study in China. - Medical equipment worth 10 million yuan will be offered to each Asian and African member of the Forum. The Premier stressed that China valued its friendship with Portuguese-speaking countries and stood ready to play its part in helping developing Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Wen said China’s assistance to some of the developing Portuguese-speaking countries in the past had benefited the local people. He pointed out that China had provided a total of 3.56 billion yuan in assistance to Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Timor-Leste since the founding of the Forum in 2003, and wrote off 230 million yuan of interest-free government loans for these countries. He also noted that a number of signature projects that China built, such as the Poilao Dam in Cape Verde, the national stadium in Mozambique, the Friendship Hospital in Guinea-Bissau, and the government office buildings in Timor-Leste, have become symbols of friendship between China and these countries and brought economic and social benefits to the people there.
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The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries officially opened in Macao today. More than 1,500 senior officials and business leaders from China, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Timor-Leste attended the opening ceremony held at Macao East Asian Games Dome this morning. The Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, delivered a keynote speech and the President of Timor-Leste, Mr José Ramos Horta, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr José Sócrates, the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Carlos Gomes Júnior, the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Mr Aires Bonifácio, the Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Telecommunication of Cape Verde, Mr Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola, Mr Abrahão Pio dos Santos Gourgel, and the Undersecretary General of Economic and Technological Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr Pedro Luíz Carneiro de Mendonça, also made addresses. In his speech, Minister of Commerce Mr Chen Deming said since the initiation of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in 2003, it had become an important co-operation and communication platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. The opening of the Third Ministerial Conference would comprehensively enhance co-operation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and contribute to the growth of global economy in a robust, sustainable and balanced way, Mr Chen said. During the forum China and the seven Portuguese-speaking countries would formulate plans for co-operation between 2010 and 2013 and sign relevant agreements.
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Politburo Standing Committee member of CPC Central Committee and Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, arrived in Macao today for the opening of the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr Wen arrived at the Macao International Airport about 9:30 am and was welcomed by Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. Two children presented a bouquet to the Premier. Speaking to the press at the apron about his two-day visit, Mr Wen said he was thrilled with excitement for his first visit to Macao: he had had wanted to visit Macao for a long time. Mr Wen acknowledged the role of Macao as a platform to promote trade and co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and expressed the Central Government's concern and support for Macao. With the leadership of the Chief Executive and the Macao SAR Government, strict adherence to the principles of ‘One country, two systems’, ‘Macao people governing Macao’, a high degree of autonomy and the Basic Law of Macao, and the enthusiasm and creativity of the Macao people, Macao would even develop further in economic and social terms, Mr Wen said. Officials who greeted Premier Wen Jiabao at the airport in addition to the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, were the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen; the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io; the Prosecutor General of Public Prosecutions Office, Mr Ho Chio Meng; the Commissioner General of Unitary Police Service, Mr José Proença Branco; the Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai Hang; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Lu Shumin; the Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Macao SAR, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng; Vice Minister of Public Security, Mr Chen Zhimin; Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Jiang Zengwei; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Hua Jian; Deputy Minister of the State Council Information Office, Mr Wang Zhongwei, and Deputy Directors of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Xu Ze and Ms Gao Yan. Members of Premier Wen’s delegation include the Minister of Commerce, Mr Chen Deming; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya; the Director of Research Office of the State Council, Mr Xie Fuzhan; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Bai Zhijian; Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhu Zhixin; Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and the Director of the Premier's Office, Mr Qiu Xiaoxiong, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Fu Ying.
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