The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) maintained sound development and scored new and great achievements in 2002, Bai Zhijian, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, noted Tuesday.
The SAR overcame various challenges and difficulties on the road of development sticking to a clear orientation and pragmatic spirit, under the leadership of Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, he said in a New Year Message.
Abiding by the Basic Law, the SAR government sought to stimulate economic growth, help the disadvantaged people, kick off government administration reforms and lead all local residents to grasp the future with a master's spirit, the official said.
Bai said, "A new environment, featuring political stability, economic growth, social harmony, and the people faring in peace and contentment, has been created in Macao."
Links between the SAR and China's inland have been further cemented, he added.
Now Macao is not only one of the freest regions in the world in terms of trade and investment policies, but one of the areas with the best laws and public order globally, Bai noted.
The official believes that Macao's economy will enter a new phase of stability and development.
(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2002)
