The Chief Executive, Edmund Ho completed his duty visit today (11 Dec) in Beijing after meeting President Jiang Zemin in the morning and Vice President Hu Jintao in the afternoon.

Both of the state leaders have conveyed the Central Government's support for the SAR during their meetings with Edmund Ho.

President Jiang had encouraged the residents of Macao to work together in the endeavor for the SAR's development and the successful implementation of "One Country Two Systems", said Edmund Ho on a briefing on the visit for the press.

Edmund Ho reported to the state leaders on the work of the SAR Government in the past year, including the gradual liberalization of the gaming industry, and the policy plan for the future.

Edmund Ho also said that the Central Government had expressed full support for Macao to host an Economic Forum for Portuguese Speaking Countries and China next year.

He said that cooperation between Macao and Hong Kong had not been a topic that he has discussed with the state leaders during this visit because there is no difficulty particularly.

He also said that he had met with Chief Executive Tung Chee-Hua of Hong Kong SAR and the two had agreed on many issues, adding that the two SAR would continue to cooperate in a positive manner.

Edmund Ho said that the two Chief Executives shared the same opinion concerning the integrated development of the Pearl River Delta and on how to make better use of Hong Kong advantage in the process, adding that Macao would support and cooperate with best endeavor, regardless of its own benefit.

Responding to media enquiries on the authorization of soccer betting in Hong Kong, He said that it would not have any negative impact on the relation between the two SAR Governments.