The Central Government agrees on Macao's development into a gaming, tourism and convention center, said Vice Premier Qian Qichen Thursday (27 Dec.) while receiving Macao Chief Executive Edmund Ho in Zhongnanhai.

Mr. Ho who was on his working visit to Beijing, had reported to vice Premier Qian about the works of Macao SAR government over the past year and mentioned about the position for economy development of Macao in the future.

Moreover, he had reported to the vice Premier about the processes of the casino operating concessions, stating that the Central Government satisfied and would fully support the decision of the Macao Government.

Mr. Ho said that support from the Central Government was reflected in several aspects: to ease the restriction on the number of mainland visitors to Macao for the purposes of travel, business and meeting/; considering the economic development of Macao when coordinating the infrastructures especially the transportation network of Pearl River Delta and during the discussion with Hong Kong about the free trade area.

Concerning the possibility the joint project between Hong Kong and Macao, Mr. Ho replied that currently there was not any new joint project being discussed. However, he emphasized that the two SARs have been cooperating smoothly especially in term of tourism, adding that he was optimistic that the ease of restriction on the visitors to Macao and Hong Kong might benefit the two SARs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ho said that the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR would visit the National Tourism Administration in Beijing in January 2002 to discuss details about "Macao Tour" for mainlanders, hoping this would help to attract more mainlanders to travel in Macao. Mr. Ho added that the development of Hengqin might help to benefit the tourism industry of Macao.

Mr. Ho visited the Office of the Government of the Macao SAR in Beijing in the morning and ended the visit in the afternoon.