World-renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, who is invited to design for the future Science and Technology Center of Macao, arrived today (26 April) for an onsite visit.

I.M. Pei (Ieoh Ming Pei) and his colleagues were warmly received by Chief Executive Edmund Ho at the Government Headquarters.

"Mr. Pei's prestigious design for the Science and Technology Center of Macao will help to promote Macao's reputation internationally," said Mr. Ho

The Chief Executive also said that Macao is known as a unique society with a mixture of Eastern and Western culture. "I believe Mr. Pei will find Macao's own characteristics and inject into his masterpiece for Macao," said Mr. Ho.

Accompanied by the president of Macao Foundation Victor Ng, I.M. Pei and his colleagues visited several landmarks in Macao during their brief stay in the territory.

Mr. Pei said, "It is a challenge to blend the uniqueness of both Chinese and Portuguese culture in the design of the Science and Technology Center and the task is going to take some time."

Mr. Pei said that he had initially purposed several possible sites to the Chief Executive and he projected that the construction would take more than four years.