Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Thursday made an inspection tour of community facilities and a school in the Hengqin cooperation zone, and met with community leaders to garner their views.

While enjoying dim sum at a restaurant on Thursday morning, Xia exchanged views with seven community leaders who represent the city’s patriotic forces.

Xia highly affirmed the school’s environment and facilities, encouraging employees to continue their efforts to cultivate more outstanding talents for Macao and the motherland

After the meal, Lei Pui-lam, vice-president of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, said Xia likes to meet the old compatriots who have made contributions to the construction of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and to listen to their past experiences and stories.

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Li told the media that from Xia’s inspection tour, Li understands the central government’s deep concern, support and expectations for Macao. He also thinks that the weeklong inspection tour will help provide Xia with an in-depth understanding of Macao's development and existing problems, so that the central government can make better decisions to support the city.

Xia proceeded to the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin in the afternoon, visiting the Macau New Neighborhood — a development complex includes 27 residential towers providing 4,000 units in total — as well as education, healthcare and social service facilities.

His next stop in Hengqin was the Hengqin School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School.

Iao Tun-ieong, principal of Hou Kong Middle School, told reporters that Xia visited a classroom at the campus and listened to a briefing about the teaching concept and educational content there.

Macao Secretary for Administration and Justice Cheong Weng Chon said Xia’s visit provides important guidance on Macao’s development, and fully reflects the central authorities’ care for and support of Macao

Xia highly affirmed the school’s environment and facilities, encouraging employees to continue their efforts to cultivate more outstanding talents for Macao and the motherland, Iao said.

On Wednesday, Xia met with labor unionists, teachers and students, and visited multiple social groups, including the Women’s General Association of Macau and the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, to learn their operations.

He also visited the Macao Chamber of Commerce and listened to entrepreneurs’ suggestions and opinions on Macao’s economic development.

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Macao Secretary for Administration and Justice Cheong Weng Chon said Xia’s visit provides important guidance on Macao’s development, and fully reflects the central authorities’ care for and support of Macao.

Cheong said that the Macao SAR government will vigorously and determinedly promote administrative reform, simplify administrative procedures, enhance administrative performance, continuously improve the governance capacity and level of the SAR, and provide residents with better and more user-friendly public services.

Xia will wrap up his seven-day inspection tour on Sunday.

Contact the writer at fangxue@chinadailyhk.com