President Xi Jinping said yesterday afternoon that Macau’s quick response and forceful measures have helped the government bring the COVID-19 epidemic in the city under control in a fairly short period of time.

Xi made the comments after hearing a work report via video link from Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng on the government’s work in 2020 and Macau’s current situation.

Normally in December every year, the Macau and Hong Kong chief executives would separately fly to Beijing to meet with the president and other state leaders to report about their work arrangements. Due to COVID-19, the meeting was held via video link instead.

Reports from CCTV, Xinhua and Macau’s Government Information Bureau (GCS) said that Xi heard the work report from Ho yesterday afternoon in Beijing, with senior officials including Vice Premier Han Zheng in attendance.

“While faced with the sudden COVID-19 situation, you responded quickly with forceful measures. You brought the situation under control in a fairly short period of time with no new local infections reported for more than 300 days, it is an achievement that Macau citizens and everyone highly appreciate,” Xi said.

Xi also said that effective measures adopted to restore the economy and overcome people’s difficulties have achieved positive results.

“The central authorities fully acknowledge the work you and the Macau SAR government have done,” Xi said, adding that the central government would continue to give full support to Macau in coordinating the epidemic response with economic and social developments .

Xi also highlighted support to Macau in improving its legal system for safeguarding national security and corresponding enforcement mechanisms, moving faster in promoting an appropriate level of diversity in its economy, and better integrating into the country’s overall development.

Premier Li Keqiang listened to Ho’s work report via video link yesterday morning. Li said that Macau had timely introduced policies, specifically to stabilise the economy, ensure employment and relieve difficulties that people faced.

Li also said that Macau also took the opportunity to promote adequate economic diversification and speed up Guangdong-Macau joint projects, maintaining a favourable development situation for Macau.

Besides fully affirming the work of Ho and the government, Li stressed that the central government also hopes the Macau government will continue to have a good grasp of COVID-19 prevention and control work, continue to work on economic stability and livelihood improvement, and be firm in promoting appropriate economic diversification. Li added that Macau should also make use of its advantages of local and overseas connections so to play a more effective role when integrating into the country’s development strategy.

Ho said he was sincerely grateful for the care and support that the central government has given to Macau, adding that he would continue to lead people in Macau in breaking new ground for the practice of the “One country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.

Ho said that 2020 was an unusual and very difficult year for Macau as the economy has been severely hit by COVID-19. Ho said that in the new year, the government would continue with its COVID-19 prevention and control work, speed up the recovery of the economy and work hard to create a new phase for Macau’s development.

President Xi Jinping listening to a work report delivered via video link by Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng (right centre) on the Macau SAR government’s work in 2020 and Macau’s current situation, in Beijing, yesterday. 

– Xinhua

Premier Li Keqiang (left) listens to a work report via video link by Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng on the Macau SAR government’s work in 2020 and Macau’s current situation, in Beijing, yesterday. 

– Xinhua