MACAO -- Macao should play an important and unique role in China's development with long vision and broad mind, head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has said.

Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Fu Ziying made the remarks on Monday during a speech in a reception held by the liaison office to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

Fu recalled the progress and development made by Macao in 2018, such as improving social emergency response mechanism, and participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

Fu hoped that Macao would seize the opportunity and take part in the nation's development by setting long-term goals for the SAR's social and economic development, and use Macao's advantage to play a unique role in China's further reform and opening-up.

He also said Macao could make the best use of the policies of the central government with a realistic and creative manner, and deepen cooperation with the mainland to achieve win-win results.

Fu emphasized that Macao has flesh-and-blood ties with the mainland, and the cooperation and exchange between the two sides should be carried out with broad mind and mutual understanding to ensure a brighter future of common prosperity and development.

Over 2,000 guests attended the reception, including representatives of Macao SAR government and legislature, and consul-generals of foreign countries in Macao and Hong Kong SARs.