Chinese president urges Macao to beef up education

Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government should take a long-term view and step up personnel training for Macao's future development.

Hu made the remarks while attending a celebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao SAR.

"Competition in the world today boils down to competition in talent," Hu told the gathering. "Investment in education should, therefore, be increased to raise the overall level of education in Macao."

He also advised that policies should be geared to developing various on-the-job training programs catering to the genuine needs of Macao's economic and social development.

"Attention should be given to training more personnel for political participation to ensure that the patriotic forces in Macao will have more successors and enjoy lasting vigor and vitality," he said.