As a result of Central Government support, Macao made significant achievements in social stability, public order, economic development and better quality of life for residents during the past years, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today.

He said this during a meeting in the afternoon at Santa Sancha with about 20 reporters from the mainland.

He pointed out that the approval by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress over the establishment of the University of Macau’s campus on Hengqin Island was significant to Macao.

This decision solved the problem of a lack of space in Macao, and demonstrated the Central Government’s support for Macao in nurturing talent and raising the quality of higher education.

The decision was evidence of the vitality and flexibility of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, Mr Ho said.

Speaking about co-operation among cities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, Mr Ho said the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and a more advanced and sophisticated railway network in the region would bring more opportunities to Macao, which positioned itself as a global tourism and leisure hub.

Mr Ho also said that Macao should strengthen its efforts in diversifying its industrial portfolio, and that the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition industries (MICE), and the cultural industries could be breakthroughs in the future.

Mr Ho said Macao had to study the issue of imported workers objectively as the development of Macao’s industries could not rely only on the local workforce. The administration had to strike a balance between ensuring jobs for local citizens and the competitiveness of the city.