Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday said the central authority has attached great importance to Macao's prosperity and stability, urging the region to grasp opportunities of development and promote "appropriate diversification" of its economy.
Xi made the remarks while meeting with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), who was in Beijing to report his work in 2015 to the central government. "Although Macao's economy has witnessed a consecutive slowdown due to various factors, society remains stable and is facing new opportunities with a pressure-resistant economy," Xi said.
The president called on the SAR government to unite the whole of society and seize opportunities to boost "appropriate diversification" of the local economy and improve people's livelihood. The SAR government was told to be prepared for any eventuality, maintain political stability, improve the ability of governance and promote the implementation of "one country, two systems."
In the past year, Chui and the Macao SAR government worked hard on the region's long-term prosperity and achieved new development, Xi said, adding that the central government "fully endorses the work of Chui and the SAR government." Xi recalled that he attended celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland on Dec. 19, 2014. During the visit, he promised to clarify the water areas governed by Macao. One year later, the central government released a map of administrative divisions demarcating the maritime and land zones of the Macao SAR.
According to the new map, an 85-square-kilometer sea area to the east and south of Macao will be administered by Macao SAR. A stretch of land for a border inspection building between Macao SAR and Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province has also been demarcated under the administration of Macao SAR. "Such demarcation will play a positive role in boosting the region's economic and social development," Xi said.
Xi extended his new year greetings to all Macao citizens. Top legislator Zhang Dejiang also attended the meeting.
In a separate meeting with Chui on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang pledged continued support to the SAR government. Li expressed appreciation to the SAR government's efforts to vigorously adjust the region's economic structure, improve people's livelihood, manage to achieve a fiscal surplus and promote job market. The inland will always be a strong backup for Macao's prosperity and stability and the central government will continue to support the SAR government and the chief executive's governance, Li said.
Also, Li pledged support for the region to take part in the country's "Belt and Road" initiative and its efforts in reaching out for international market. He also called on the SAR to play the role as a platform for business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
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