By a close bilateral co-ordination mechanism, post-earthquakes reconstruction works funded by the Macao Government have practically helped the local population in Sichuan.

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, said this today as he accompanied the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, to attend the completion ceremony of a large-scale sports centre sponsored by the Macao Government.

Speaking to the media, Mr Cheong said of 105 relief projects sponsored by Macao, only two awaited completion before the end of this year.

He said more than half of the projects were to build schools to benefit more students and to cultivate personnel training; about a quarter of the total projects were to build hospitals, health centres, care centres for the physically changelled, social service facilities, sport centres and bridges which helped the local population.

Mr Cheong praised the Sichuan people’s self-reliance spirit and their gratitude to Macao people.

There was much to be done down in addition to completing the two remaining projects, such as projects and to audit reports of the completed projects, which he said might take a year.

The Macao Government and the Macao Foundation injected 5.5 billion for reconstruction works in Sichuan in 2008: , the two governments have decided to use the $30 million remaining in the fund for the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for the physically challenged.

Mr Cheong said that the Sichuan and Macao bilateral co-ordination mechanism has closely monitored the quality of reconstruction works and the use of fund, adding that based on this good co-operative relation, both sides could further boost exchange and co-operation on trading, culture, toruism, sports and education.