 |
Jiang Meets With Mainland Officials, Garrison Troops in Macao
President Jiang Zemin met December 21 morning with representatives of the central government, officials of inland institutions and inland-funded companies, and officers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Jiang, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), urged them to have deep understanding of the "one country, two systems" policy and work hard for the long-term stability and development of the Macao SAR.
He said that the representative offices of the central government represent the image of the central government and should work strictly according to the Basic Law and local laws, with firm confidence in the Macao people's abilities to well administer the territory. They must actively support the chief executive and the SAR government in administering the territory according to law.
Inland-funded enterprises have played a big role in Macao's economic development but also suffered difficulties in the Asian financial crisis, Jiang said. He hoped these firms would sum up experience, step up internal management and supervision and seek development opportunities.
These companies in Macao must abide by laws of the SAR and are allowed to be engaged in the lottery business in any name and form, he stressed.
At his meetings with the garrison troops' officers with the ranks of major and above, Jiang praised the troops, saying that they have established a good image widely recognized by local residents in merely one year.
The garrison troops should carry out their defense duties and assist, when it is needed, the SAR government in ensuring social security and participating in rescue operations in case of natural disasters, he noted.
All officers and soldiers of the garrison troops must understand their special tasks and adopt high standards and strict requirements in building the army, so as to live up to their mission, Jiang said.
Present at the meeting were Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, Member of the CMC and Director of the General Political Department of the PLA Yu Yongbo, Director of the General Official of the CPC Central Committee Wang Gang, and Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Liao Hui.
Macao SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah was present at the meeting.
Also present at the meeting were Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macao Wang Qiren, Special Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in Macao Yuan Tao, and Commander of the Macao SAR Garrison Troops Liu Yuejun.
Meeting with Macao Officials, CelebritiesPresident Jiang also met with senior officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and local celebrities, expressing his thanks to the Macao people for the warmth they have extended to the central government and the motherland.
Jiang said that although the Macao SAR was merely established a year ago, many encouraging changes have taken place in the SAR.
These changes are characterized by the smooth operation of the SAR government, the economic recovery, the notable improvement in local social security, and the peaceful life of the local residents, he said.
Jiang attributed it to the leadership of the SAR government led by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah and the joint efforts by SAR officials and Macao people from all walks of life.
The key to well handling Macao's affairs and maintaining its stability and development is to implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people administering Macao" and a high degree of autonomy, and to strictly abide by the Basic Law.
The president promised that the central government will continue its firm support to the Macao SAR government in fulfilling its duties according to law, and provide support and assistance to the SAR government, if necessary.
He urged people from all circles in Macao to unite, make concerted efforts and continue to support Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah.
Present at the meeting were Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, Member of the CMC and Director of the General Political Department of the PLA Yu Yongbo, Director of the General Official of the CPC Central Committee Wang Gang, and Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Liao Hui.
Macao celebrities present at the meeting were Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Ma Man Kei, Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, President of the Legislative Assembly Susana Chou, President of the Court of Final Appeal Sam Hou Fai, Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda Da Rosa Silva Chan, and other senior Macao SAR government officials.
In This Section
|