Vice-Primer Qian Qichen reaffirmed Wednesday that the Central Government will continue to support the Macao SAR Government and to facilitate developments that benefits the Mainland and Macao.

Vice-Primer Qian Qichen attended the reception held at the Great Hall of the People, to celebrate the inauguration of the Office of Macao SAR Government in Beijing together with Chief Executive Edmund Ho, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Ma Man Kei and some three hundreds guests.

Mr. Qian congratulated the establishment of the office in his speech, stating that the office would further enhance ties between Macao and the Mainland.

He also praised that the "One Country, Two Systems" policies and the Macao Basic Law had been successfully implemented in the SAR, adding that the effective administration leaded by Mr. Ho and efforts contributed by the citizen were evidenced by developments in various sectors, significant improvements in public orders and full confidence in a prosperous future.

Mr. Qian also praised the Macao Government for adequate handeling of the liberalization of gaming industry which will creates new opportunities for Macao, proving that the practice of "Macao People Administering Macao" and a high degree of autonomy were successfully.

Mr. Ho said in his speech that the support of the Central Government was crucial to the establishment of the Office of Macau SAR Government in Beijing, which would act as a bridge between Macao and the Mainland, reinforcing the cooperation.

He said that the entry to the WTO, the successes in the bid to host the 2008 Olympic games and the hosting of APEC meeting last year have proved that the open-up and reform policies has entered a new stage in history. Thus, People of Macao must seize the opportunities and stand up to the challenges imposed by the success of the nation, exploring further cooperation with the Mainland.