China's top legislator hears briefing by Macao SAR officials

Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, in Macao, May 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

MACAO -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang inspected the government head office of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Monday and was briefed by principal officials of the SAR government on their work.

Accompanied by Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On, Zhang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, arrived at the SAR government head office where he heard briefings by principal officials.

Zhang expressed greetings and good wishes to all principal officials and civil servants of the SAR government on behalf of the central government as well as President Xi Jinping.

He said since Macao's return to the motherland, the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law have been fully and faithfully implemented, the central government's overall jurisdiction over the SAR has been effectively exercised, and a high degree of autonomy in Macao guaranteed.

Zhang noted that Macao's economy has been developing rapidly and its livelihood continues to improve, resulting in a stable and harmonious society, with different undertakings reaching outstanding achievements.

It is proven that the practice of "one country, two systems" in Macao is successful, he added, saying that he was delighted to see that under the leadership of Chui, the SAR government has worked out a five-year development plan by seizing the opportunities brought about by the country's 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to continue to push ahead with Macao's role as "one center, one platform" and the diversification of economic development. These have been fully affirmed by the central government, he said.

Macao is striving to become a world tourism and leisure center and a platform for business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Zhang hoped that Macao can fully and faithfully implement the four requirements made by President Xi in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the fourth-term SAR government, and to build a better future for Macao by utilizing the favorable initiatives offered by the central government.

On the same day, Zhang met with Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah and Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui separately.