Premier Zhu Rongji met with a delegation of bankers from Macao on November 9. The premier briefed the visitors about the current situation and the ongoing financial reform on the Chinese mainland.

Zhu expressed his hope that Macao bankers would actively participate in the mainland's economic development and reform and further promote the economic and trade relations between the two sides.

He predicted that Macao's economy, which was battered by the financial turmoil in Asia, would recover at an earlier time, through its own efforts and along with the economic recovery and development of inland provinces and Hong Kong.

Dai Xianglong, governor of the People's Bank of China, Wang Xuebing, president of the Bank of China, and Chen Ziying, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, attended the meeting.

The Macao financiers are here at the invitation of the Bank of China.