Li Keqiang kicks off visit praising local gov’t, economic growth

Li greeted by children shortly after his arrival yesterday

The Premier Li Keqiang , who is visiting Macau to take part in the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum of Economic and Trade Cooperation Between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, praised the recent economic improvement. “We can acknowledge that in the first semester of this year and specially in the last two months the economy had a new [positive] change and that will also have effects in the future,” he said referring to the recent gaming results, although not specifically mentioning them.
The Premier was speaking yesterday at an event held at the government’s headquarters that aimed to evaluate the work from MSAR government.
Li made clear that the central government’s evaluation on the work by the MSAR government is very positive. “On the last few years and under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the MSAR government has benefiting the population and the fellow countryman of Macau,” ha said.
The Chinese Premier also reaffirmed the hopes of the central government regarding the diversification of the local economy.

The Premier overlooks the city from the Macau Tower

“I had the opportunity to see and acknowledge the modernity and prosperity of Macau but also the cultural diversification and I believe that this will continue and the economy will reach the goal of its diversification,” Li remarked.
During the event at the government’s headquarters, the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, reaffirmed the fulfillment of what is stated by both the Macau Basic Law and the directives from central government regarding the 13th five-year plan of the People’s Republic of China.
The CE expressed confidence that during the coming 5 years, the MSAR government will carry out all the projects that seek to uphold the stability and wellbeing of the population.
It is expected that during the three-day visit Li Keqiang will announce supportive policies for Macau’s long-term stability. The measures from China’s central government will be aimed at promoting and speeding up Macau’s diversification.

Final press conference canceled

The press conference scheduled to be held today after the Ministerial Conference was cancelled yesterday evening, the Government Information Bureau announced. The event has been held in previous occasions of the ministerial conference and was the main meeting between the participants and journalists. A total of 78 journalists were registered to attend, many of them from Portuguese media outlets. In a short message and without further explanation, the GCS stated that the cancelation was made “at the request of the Forum and due to adjustments of the program.”