Beijing installs Chui as Macao chief executive

Premier Li Keqiang vowed greater support for the Macao Special Administrative Region as he installed incumbent Chui Sai-on as Macao chief executive on Monday in Beijing.

Chui, 57, was re-elected for a second term on Aug 31. He was the sole candidate in the election.

Congratulating Chui on his appointment and praising his work during his last term, Li praised the SAR government and the Macao people for their tremendous achievements in carrying out the "one country, two systems" principle over the last 15 years.

Li said the central government will continue to "thoroughly and accurately" implement the principles of "one country, two systems" and the "Macao people administering Macao" while allowing the region a high degree of autonomy according to the Macao Basic Law.

"(The central government) will fully support the chief executive and the SAR government in the rule of law, actively push forward the exchange and cooperation between Macao and the mainland, and ensure Macao's unique role in the country's overall development," Li said.

Chui expressed gratitude for the central government's support and vowed to fulfill his duties as chief executive and boost the region's long-term prosperity, stability and development.

Chui's new five-year term will start on Dec 20, the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to Chinese sovereignty.

President Xi Jinping also met with Chui on Monday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi congratulated Chui and said the central government appreciates the work of Chui and his administration in Macao in coping with various challenges, developing the economy, improving people's livelihoods and enhancing communication with the mainland over the last five years.

"The internal and external environment of Macao has witnessed great changes, and that will require better work from the new administration," Xi said.

At a meeting last week, Li said the August election was in line with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and all other pertinent laws, and reflected "an open and just principle".

He said Chui, with the support of the central government, has maintained high economic growth and low unemployment rates over the past five years, and his re-election will bring long-term stability to Macao.

The world's biggest gambling center, Macao saw its gambling revenue fall by 6.1 percent in August from the previous year, the third straight monthly decline this year amid the country's anti-corruption campaign and falling house prices on the mainland.

But experts said Macao will see continued growth, although at a slower pace, because of an increasing number of visitors from the mainland.

Li said Macao's future development depends on regional cooperation, especially in its ties with Beijing, and support from neighboring regions such as Guangdong province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

zhaoyinan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/23/2014 page3)