2016年CRI Premier promises staunch support for Macao

 

In a brief speech at the airport, Li Keqiang sent sincere greetings and wishes from the central government to Macao compatriots.

"This is the first time that I've come to Macao and see Macao compatriots here. I'm happy to see the smiling faces of the children at the airport, from which I can look into the city's bright future. By taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to extend the sincere greetings and best wishes from the central government to Macao citizens."

As part of the speech, He also recalled attending the inauguration¹ ceremony of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, about six years ago when he had looked at Macao from afar on the Lotus Flower Bridge in Zhuhai.

"Today, I myself step on the treasured soil of the lotus flower of the motherland, also a land that has seen the successful practice of the 'one country, two systems' principle. This time, I hope to see Macao's development, folk customs and daily life."

Macao was nicknamed the land of lotus in honor of its floral emblem².

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is currently the world's longest cross-sea bridge.

The major construction work on the 55-km cross-sea route has been completed.

The bridge will cut travel time from Hong Kong to both Zhuhai and Macao from the current three hours by road or one hour by sea to a half hour drive.

High on his agenda in Macao will be the opening of the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum³ for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Li Keqiang will attend and deliver a keynote speech on the ocassion.

The premier⁴ said he just wants the whole world to know the great importance the Chinese central government attaches to the Special Administrative⁵ Region.

"I just want to show the world and people from all walks of life in Macao, that the central government supports the city as a tourism and leisure center and as a hub of commercial cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries."

During his time there, the Premier will also meet other Macao officials and hold bilteral talks with leaders attending the forum.

A set of policies and measures to help Macao speed up its economic development and maintain long-term prosperity and stability is expected to be announced during Li Keqiang's visit.

1 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

2 emblem   

n.象征，标志；徽章

参考例句：

• Her shirt has the company emblem on it.她的衬衫印有公司的标记。
• The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.鹰是力量和勇气的象征。

3 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

4 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

5 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。