Wen Jiabao is hard not to like. Practising Tai Chi with the old ladies up at the Mount Fortress is something Chui Sai-on would never be caught dead doing, but the Premier pulled it off effortlessly yesterday. We’re not saying he did it to make a point, but if anyone cares about such things, a point was indeed made.

It was reinforced throughout his trip to Macau this weekend for the opening of the 3rd Macau Forum, as Wen made it clear that the Macau government still had a lot of work to do in improving the livelihood of its people. Stressing that there was a wealth gap in Macau, and consistently noting that the “local people” had to bear the brunt of inflation in housing and living costs, it certainly seemed like the local leadership was being graded and was not doing too well. Soon after visiting a local hospital, for instance, the Premier noted that the government “should not overlook” the importance of education and public healthcare – with the Macau Chief Executive, a PhD graduate in public health, standing by his side.

Speaking to reporters just before his departure at the Lotus Bridge on Cotai, which gave him a close-up view of the progress – or lack thereof – being made in diversifying Macau’s economy on Lot 5&6 and Macao Studio City, Wen pointed out that China had decided to position Macau as a world leisure and tourism hub, adding that in order to achieve economic diversification “a lot of effort” will be needed. And if the message of following the central government’s wishes had not been delivered clearly enough, he went on to say that, “The Guangdong-Macau cooperation framework will further promote the ties between Macau and the Mainland. The Mainland will impose a significant impact on Macau’s development and therefore I hope the [SAR] Government can be well-prepared and outline a [thorough] planning accordingly” (as quoted by the Macau Daily Times).

Perhaps Chui knows now what it must feel to work for someone like Sheldon Adelson, for whom good is never enough. Unfortunately for those who have felt the latter’s wrath, however, he can’t reach a mortal term limit. Wen is on a farewell tour of sorts, so perhaps his admonishments should not be taken too literally. But it’s not exactly what we would call a ringing endorsement from on high.

Used with permission & copyright IntelMacau