Xi hears report from Macao SAR chief executive

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.

During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Ho on Macao's current situation and the Macao SAR government's work.

Lauding Ho's work over the past year, Xi said Ho has led the Macao SAR government in diligently performing its duties, staying results-oriented and hard-working, successfully finishing the amending of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Macao SAR, and taking orderly steps to advance the work to amend the region's laws for electing its chief executive and legislative council.

He also noted that the Macao SAR government has strengthened the management of the region's gaming sector and formulated Macao's first comprehensive plan for its diversified development.

New achievements have been made in advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and international exchanges and cooperation have been further expanded, Xi said, adding that Macao has achieved a rapid economic recovery while maintaining social harmony and stability.

Xi said the central authorities fully acknowledged the work of Ho and the Macao SAR government.

The central authorities will, as always, fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully implement the principle of "patriots administering Macao," Xi said.

Xi stressed that the central authorities will fully support the chief executive and the Macao SAR government to unite and lead people from all sectors of society in seizing the historic opportunities brought about by the nation's development, continuing to advance the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics, and embracing the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland with new fruits of development.

Li Qiang, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Shi Taifeng, Chen Wenqing, Xia Baolong and other senior officials attended the meeting.

President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)