The Central Government would adopt measures to support the economy of Macao and maintain its stability, the Vice President, Mr Xi Jinping, said on his visit to Macao today.

Accompanied by Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Mr Xi enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the region from the 58th floor of Macau Tower and was briefed by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, on Macao’s urban planning and transportation network with neighbouring regions.

Due to the limited land area of Macao, it is important to emphasise on regional integration, Mr Xi said. The Central Government saw Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao as one in its planning and supported the integration of these three places.

Mr Xi said that it was important to integrate Macao’s tradition and modernisation, as well as preservation and development in Macao’s urban planning.

On the whole, the Central Government would introduce measures to support the economy of Macao and maintain its stability, as Macao faced the impact of the global financial crisis, he said.

Speaking to the press afterwards, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, said it was important for Macao to overcome the problem of its limited land area by further co-operating with neighbouring regions. The Vice President had agreed on this, Mr Lau said.