The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, expressed, on behalf of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), profound sorrow at the death of Ms Liu Yandong, member of the Political Bureau of the 17th and 18th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China (CPC); Vice-Chairwoman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; and former State Councillor and Vice-Premier of the State Council, who died in Beijing on Wednesday (28 October). Mr Sam extended sincere sympathies to her family.

Ms Liu had long held important leadership positions within the CPC and the Central Government, and was an outstanding leader in the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, as well as in the fields of education, science and technology, healthcare, and matters related to women and children.

Whilst serving as Deputy Leader of the Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Ms Liu took a keen interest in, and actively supported, Macao’s prosperity and development. She visited Macao on two occasions, in 2006 and 2009, to conduct an inspection and provide guidance, and gained firsthand insight into the MSAR’s progress in improving people’s livelihoods and its social development. She consistently had at heart the wellbeing of the people of Macao.

Macao residents express their heartfelt gratitude for Ms Liu’s valuable guidance and for the strong support she has provided for the development of the MSAR. Her outstanding leadership and noble character will live on as an enduring example, one that Macao people should strive to emulate and remember.