President credits work of SAR leaders

Backing for Macao

Xi also heard a work report from Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng in Beijing on Wednesday.

He credited the SAR government led by Ho for attaining a gradual recovery of the economy, helping struggling groups and smaller enterprises and improving the laws, systems and implementation mechanisms for safeguarding national security.

The pandemic has given the various sectors of Macao a keener realization of the problems in the economic structure of the city and prompted deeper thoughts about its path of development, he said.

The motherland will always be the strongest backing for Macao in maintaining long-term prosperity and stability, and the central government will continue to firmly carry out the principle of "one country, two systems" and support the city in pursuing the diversification of its economy, Xi said.

While meeting with Ho, Premier Li called on the SAR government to take the initiative in aligning with national development strategies, proactively participate in the development of the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and make new strides in promoting the diversified development of Macao's economy.

Ho said Macao will continue to put in place effective measures for fighting the pandemic, accelerate steps for economic recovery and seize the opportunities from the nation's growth in attaining new development.

William Xuin Hong Kong contributed to this story.