Commissioner Bian Lixin meets with Consuls General of foreign countries in Macao Commissioner Bian Lixin of the Macao Special Administrative Region met with Consuls General from Angola, Portugal, the Philippines, and Mozambique in Macao, according to a statement released by her office. The meeting highlighted China’s commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up, as emphasized by Bian, who noted that the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference have sent a clear signal of this dedication. She stated that China is prepared to share opportunities with all countries to achieve common development. Bian emphasized Macao’s efforts to advance the development of “One Center, One Platform, and One Base,” aligning its growth with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. She described Macao’s role as a key platform for China’s high-level opening-up to the global economy and as an important window for cultural exchange between Chinese and Western civilizations. The initiative aims to position Macao as a bridgehead for international collaboration and a hub for mutual learning between different cultures. Bian expressed hope that the Consuls General would leverage their influence to encourage individuals and businesses from various sectors to invest, conduct business, and travel to Macao. She assured that the Commissioner’s office would provide necessary support to the Consuls in fulfilling their duties. The Consuls General acknowledged Macao’s vibrant economic activity and cultural diversity, expressing readiness to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Commissioner’s office and the Macao SAR government.#bian_lixin #macao_special_administrative_region #national_people_s_congress #chinese_people_s_political_consultative_conference #15th_five_year_plan
During the National People's Congress session in 2026, the death of a senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official, Song Ping, was announced. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that Song Ping passed away on March 4, 2026, at 3:36 p.m. in Beijing due to illness. Song Ping, born in April 1917 in Juxian County, Shandong Province, held significant roles in CCP history. From 1972 to 1981, he served as the Party Secretary of Gansu Province, during which time Hu Jintao, who later became a top CCP leader, was his subordinate as the head of the Gansu Provincial Construction Commission. Song Ping was a member of the 11th, 12th, and 13th Central Committees of the CCP, a member of the 13th Politburo, and a Politburo Standing Committee member. He also held the position of State Councilor and Minister of Organization. In 1992, at age 75, he stepped down from the Politburo Standing Committee and retired following the 14th National Congress of the CCP. Song Ping's tenure as head of the National Family Planning Association from 1990 to 1998 coincided with the implementation of China's one-child policy, a strict population control measure introduced in the 1970s. The policy enforced forced abortions, sterilizations, and heavy fines for families with more than one child, causing widespread hardship, particularly for women. Song Ping was recognized as the oldest living CCP elder in 2022, attending the opening and closing ceremonies of the 20th Party Congress. His death occurred during the annual National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) sessions. The official announcement of his passing was made shortly after his death, highlighting the timing of his passing against the backdrop of these high-profile political gatherings.#chinese_communist_party #song_ping #national_people_s_congress #xinhua_news_agency #gansu_province
