Xi meets with Macao SAR chief executive

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai On, who is on a duty visit, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai On, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.

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

Xi said that over the past year, the Macao SAR government, under Chui's leadership, had faithfully fulfilled its duties, been prudent and steady in its work style, and implemented the "one country, two systems" policy and the Macao SAR Basic Law.

The Macao SAR government had improved the institutions and mechanisms for safeguarding national security, proactively taken part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and in the Belt and Road Initiative, promoted the proper diversification of the economy, improved the livelihood of the people, and strengthened the disaster prevention and reduction system, winning the praise of the Macao society, Xi said.

"The central government fully endorses the work by Chui and the Macao SAR government," he said.

In the process of reform and opening up of the new era, Hong Kong and Macao still have a special status and unique advantages, and can still play an irreplaceable role, Xi said.

Xi said he believed the compatriots of Macao would seize the opportunities, expand the space of development and foster new drivers of growth by integrating the SAR's own development into the development of the country, and greet the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland with new achievements.