The Commissioner’s Office of China's Foreign Ministry in Macao has been playing an irreplaceable role in lifting the international status of the SAR, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today.

Mr Ho made the remarks at a cocktail reception to welcome the new Commissioner, Mr Lu Shumin, who was appointed last month to replace Mr Wan Yongxiang, who had served in Macao since 2002.

Mr Ho expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Mr Wan’s contribution and welcomed Mr Lu.

The SAR Government would continue to maintain its close communication and co-operation with the Commissioner’s Office to explore the SAR's foreign relations under the Basic Law and following the "One country, two systems" principle, he said.