Vice Premier Qian Qichen, chairman of the Macao Special Administrative Region's Preparatory Committee, has said that the committee has fulfilled all its tasks during the last year and a half, thanks to the joint efforts of its members.

Qian made the remark in an address to the committee's 11th plenary session, which is also its last plenary session before the return of Macao to China. The meeting was held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, which neighbors Macao.

He attributed the successful work of the preparatory committee to the great concept of "one country, two systems" put forward by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the broad-ranged participation and support by the people of Macao, and the wisdom and hard work of the members of the committee.

The upcoming founding of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will be the start of the overall implementation of the principles of "one country, two systems," "Macao people administrating Macao," and a high degree of autonomy, the vice premier said.

He urged Macao members of the preparatory committee to support and assist the work of the future Macao SAR government led by Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and make new contributions to the development of Macao, using their wisdom and power as well as experience gained while working with the committee.

The job of forming the government of the Macao SAR has been proceeding well under the leadership of Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Qian said, adding that preparations for the resumption of sovereignty over Macao by the Chinese government are also going smoothly.

To date, the Macao SAR Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been formed, while the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry to the Macao SAR also has passed the preparatory stage, according to the vice premier.

Furthermore, all preparations have been accomplished for the transfer of government in Macao, the inauguration of the Macao SAR government, and celebrations, Qian noted.

He called President Jiang Zemin's October visit to Portugal "a complete success" and said it has pushed forward the friendly ties between China and Portugal, and was helpful to efforts by the two countries to strengthen cooperation on the issue of Macao.

The mission of the preparatory committee will finish along with the end of its last plenary session and the upcoming founding of the Macao SAR, he said.

Qian said it is up to the National People's Congress Standing Committee to decide on the end of the committee, and that the next plenary session will be held early next year.