President Xi Jinping today said the Central Government fully affirmed the work done by the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government, led by the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng.

President Xi said, when receiving Mr Ho at Yingtai, within the Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing, that the Chief Executive had led the MSAR Government in maintaining stable governance and in adopting practical effort to maintain the city’s overall stability.

Mr Ho was in the capital to report to state leaders on the current situation in Macao and on the work of the MSAR Government.

President Xi also noted the MSAR Government’s dedicated effort to: study, promote, and implement, the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC); amend the Law on Safeguarding National Security; prudently handle the revision of the gaming laws and regulations, and the public tender and contract-signing for the new gaming concessions; and to advance pragmatically development relating to the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

President Xi said the Central Government would comprehensively, accurately and unwaveringly implement the “One country, two systems” principle; and fully support the MSAR Government in giving better play to its strengths in terms of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics. These efforts would enable Macao to make further contribution in building China into a great modern socialist country.

Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Executive said the path outlined in CPC 20th National Congress report sparked an upsurge of interest within the Macao community. That had encouraged the Macao public to share in the pride felt at the country’s development and the faith in the “One country, two systems” principle, while Macao people’s sense of patriotism and confidence about being Chinese had also been strengthened.

Mr Ho said the recurring COVID-19 outbreaks had battered Macao's economy, the livelihoods of its people and local employment, creating unprecedented pressure on Macao’s macroeconomic environment. In the face of such a complex situation, the MSAR Government had taken swift measures to curb epidemic conditions, easing the downward pressure on the local economy, and relieving hardship related to people’s livelihoods. With the strong support of the Central Government and from the mainland provinces and cities, Macao had seen gradual recovery of its socioeconomic situation, with fresh progress attained in various sectors.

Looking ahead to 2023, the MSAR would continue to adhere to the spirit of the CPC 20th National Congress, and the series of important instructions from President Xi Jinping, as the principles for its work.

In line with the overall direction of the MSAR Government’s administrative effort, namely, “boosting the economy, promoting economic diversification, alleviating people's hardships, epidemic prevention and control, and maintaining stable and healthy development”, the MSAR Government would make good use of the policies and measures introduced by the Central Government in support of Macao’s development; focus on promoting economic recovery; actively improve people’s livelihoods; solve the deep-rooted conflicts and problems in economic and social development; and expedite adequate economic diversification and the development of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Mr Ho stressed there would be concerted effort to: seek advances in social development; translate the plans of the CPC 20th National Congress into actual deeds; push forward development of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics; and make fresh contribution to the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation through the Chinese Path to Modernisation.

The Chief Executive thanked again President Xi for always showing concern for Macao, for his guidance and support for the city’s development, and for his concern about the welfare of the Macao public. With President Xi’s guidance, the Central Government had dedicated a meeting to discussion of a series of measures to support Macao’s development. Those measures had injected fresh impetus into Macao’s economic recovery, the betterment of people’s livelihoods, and adequate economic diversification.

Officials attending the meeting included: Vice Premier of the State Council and head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Mr Han Zheng; the Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Ding Xuexiang; Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong; and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Zheng Xincong.