The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Wu Bangguo, today visited the new campus of the University of Macau and attended a welcome banquet on the first day of his three-day visit to Macao. Mr Wu met with the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, at San Chok Un where Mr Chui brought him up to date on the latest development of Macao. After the meeting Mr Chui accompanied Mr Wu on a visit to the site of the new campus of the University of Macau at neighbouring Hengqin Island where Mr Wu was greeted by the Secretary of CPC Guangdong Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong, Mr Zhu Xiaodan. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, the President of Guangdong Nanyue Group, Mr Cao Dahua, and the Rector of the university, Mr Zhao Wei briefed Mr Wu about the campus. Mr Wu also asked questions about the university's construction, the composition of its students and its co-operation with other universities. On returning to Macao, Mr Wu met in succession the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the heads of the executive authorities, legislature and judiciary of Macao; members of the community, and representatives of Central Government agencies in Macao and Mainland-funded institutions. Mr Wu and his delegation then attended a welcome banquet hosted by the Macao SAR Government. In his speech at the banquet, the Chief Executive said since the establishment of the Macao SAR, the Macao SAR Government had always been adhering to the Basic Law in its governance, with the full support by the Central Government. He said the Macao Government had always focused on developing the economy and enhancing the livelihood of residents, in order to cultivate a more harmonious society. The legal framework provided by the Basic Law ensured that Macao continued to develop its economy to enhance the well-being of the people, he said. In the future, the Macao SAR would continue to implement the Basic Law and adhere to the principles of 'One country, two systems', Macao people governing Macao' and a high degree of autonomy. Mr Wu Bangguo extended his best wishes to the Chief Executive and all the residents of Macao at the beginning of his speech. He said though this was his first visit to Macao, he had always cared about its development, and supported Macao through the National People's Congress. The Congress had made an explanation and decision on the revision of election methods of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Assembly, and also authorised Macao to administer the campus of the University of Macao on Hengqin Island, he said. Mr Wu said since the establishment of the Macao SAR, it had made huge successes and these achievements should be attributed to the leadership of the former and current Chief Executive and officials, as well as to the full support of the Central Government and the motherland, and basically, the full implementation of the principle of 'One country, two systems', and the exercise of the Basic Law. He believed that the Chief Executive and the Macao SAR Government would continue to lead and unite people from all walks of lives and attain further achievements, he said.
