Xi Jinping visits Macau University of Science and Technology

(Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (USTM) on Thursday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, also held talks with teachers, students and scientific researchers.

Xi was accompanied by Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Founded after Macau’s return to the motherland in 1999, USTM has become a comprehensive university with the largest enrollment in Macau.

Xi was briefed on the development of two national-level key laboratories within the university, one on quality traditional Chinese medicine and the other on lunar and planetary sciences.

Calling traditional Chinese medicine a jewel of Chinese civilization, Xi called for efforts to properly transmit, develop, utilize and promote it to the rest of the world.

Referring to China’s achievements in lunar exploration, he said Macao has demonstrated its ability to conduct world-class cutting-edge scientific research.

In May 2023, Xi responded by mail to USTM teachers and students who participated in the development of the “Macao Science 1” satellites, jointly developed by the mainland and Macao.

During his visit to the Satellite Science and Application Data Center on Thursday, Xi observed the operation of satellites live on monitor screens.

He told the audience that “Macao Science 1” was a successful example of in-depth high-tech cooperation between Macao and the mainland, highlighting the remarkable innovation and creativity capabilities of Macao’s science and technology sector.

In the university library, Xi chatted with students. “I am very happy to see that education in Macau is prosperous and that you are full of vitality and confidence,” he said.

Cai Qi and other senior officials attended the activities.

Xi arrived in Macao on Wednesday for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR and an inspection tour of the SAR.

Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, visited the Macau Museum on Thursday morning, accompanied by Cheng Soo Ching, wife of Ho Iat Seng.

In the museum, Ms. Peng spoke with the children present, and attended a workshop on making almond cookies, a local specialty.