Ma Xiaowei (R), minister of the National Health Commission, meets with the Macao SAR's Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng on Aug 17. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

Ma Xiaowei, minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), met with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Ho Iat-seng in Beijing on Aug 17.

Ma spoke positively of the Macao SAR government's prevention and control measures in combating the novel coronavirus outbreak, affirmed the close cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Macao in joint prevention and control of the epidemic, and outlined the related measures taken on the mainland.

He also expressed willingness to actively support gradual normal exchanges between the mainland and Macao, speed up the resumption of economic and social order, work together to promote regular epidemic prevention and control measures and strengthen future collaboration in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, hospital management and personnel training.

Ho reviewed the SAR's overall situation amid the epidemic, its current prevention and control measures and its plan to gradually restore normal exchanges with the mainland. He said he appreciated the central government for its trust and the NHC for its support of Macao in the fight against the epidemic.