Macao delegates to the just-concluded session of National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing came home Monday night, claiming that they filed 40 bills at the meeting to seek the central government's help in solving Macao's issues.

NPC delegate Lau Cheok Va said that they had made in-depth discussions over the issues of concern for Macao residents' daily lives, the overall economy and the society at the congress.

Macao's bills cover issues from improving drinking water supply, simplifying customs entry and exit formalities to upgrading logistic transportation with the mainland.

Lau said that Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report is pragmatic. It has given focus to extrusive hard nuts emerged in the country's social and economic development and issues closely concerning people's daily lives.

Lau said that he participated in the procedure of amending the Constitution, adding that all the 12 NPC delegates from Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) have earnestly reflected Macao citizens' appeals and wishes at the meeting.

"The amendment of the Constitution had a far-reaching insight on the protection of private property, human rights and intellectual property rights in China," said Lau.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2004)