The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, expressed, on behalf of the Macao Special Administrative Region, profound sorrow at the passing of Mr Zhu Rongji, former Premier of the State Council, who died in Beijing on Wednesday (12 August). Mr Sam extended sincere sympathies to his family.

Mr Zhu was an outstanding state leader who made significant contributions to the country’s reform, opening-up, and modernisation. On 20 December 1999, when Premier of the State Council, Mr Zhu attended in Macao the handover ceremony for Macao between the governments of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic. Mr Zhu subsequently witnessed the swearing-in of the first-term Chief Executive and principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) at the establishment ceremony for the MSAR – an enduring and cherished memory for all Macao residents.

Mr Zhu attached great importance to the “One country, two systems” principle and the development of the MSAR. Mr Zhu’s passing is a great loss, and he will be forever remembered for his care and support for Macao, as well as for his immense contributions to the nation and its people.