CE mourns passing of former Premier Li, recalls ‘great contribution’

Former Premier Li Keqiang meets with Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng in Beijing, December 2022

The memorial arrangements for former Premier Li Keqiang in Macau will be in compliance with national instructions, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has said over the weekend when asked by the press.

Li passed in the early hours on Friday, national authorities have announced.

Ho also expressed his sorrow for the passing of the former second-most powerful person in the Chinese government, describing the former official as “an excellent leader for both the [Chinese Communist] Party and the country.” He said that the former official had made great contributions to the improvement of China’s economy and livelihood. Li was also very interested in Macau, Ho added.

The Chief Executive said that the death of Li is a great loss to the Party and the country, and that he will always remember him and will miss his contributions to the country and people. 

Back in December last year, the former Premier of the State Council, spoke highly of the work done in the past year by the SAR Government, in particular the series of measures for “stabilizing the economy, ensuring employment, and securing benefit for Macau people.” These efforts helped maintain Macau’s momentum and steady development, according to Li.

Premier Li made these remarks when he received the Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, on December 22, 2022 at Ziguang Pavilion at the Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing.

During the meeting, Premier Li called for the MSAR Government to lead the Macau community to make practical and concerted efforts to better integrate Macau into overall national development; advance on a programme-by-programme basis the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; promote adequate economic diversification; enhance Macau people’s well-being; and maintain Macau’s long-term stability.

During the meeting, the Chief Executive said the MSAR Government carried out work in accordance with Premier Li’s instructions given during Ho’s duty visit in 2021, including measures outlined in the Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2022.

Li visited Macau on October 10 to 12, 2016, and attended the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

On October 11, 2016, after the opening ceremony of the forum, accompanied by the then Chief Executive Chui Sai On, he visited the community.

Li Keqiang visited the Macao Museum, where he explored the collections in the museum that displayed the history and multicultural features of Macau. He then said that Macau should capitalize on the opportunities created by the Belt and Road Initiative and expand and enhance its unique advantages in deepening its commitment to the policy of opening up. Li also presented a set of bronze chariots and horses as gifts to the museum. MDT