“I hope the government will stay united, be willing to shoulder responsibility and boost its governance as well as efficiency to advance the successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’ in Macau.”

Macau, like Hong Kong, is governed by the “one country, two systems” formula and its own mini-constitution, the Basic Law – both of which Zhang said were fully implemented in the international gambling hub, along with Beijing’s overall jurisdiction.

Zhang’s latest visit comes as the magnet for high-rollers tries to diversify its economy to reduce its dependence on the gaming industry.

While acknowledging Macau’s achievements since its handover to Chinese sovereignty, Zhang noted it was at a critical stage for economic transformation and called on different sectors to work together with the government in writing the city’s next chapter.

Several local pro-democracy activists protested outside Beijing’s liaison office in Macau on Monday, urging the start of discussion on achieving universal suffrage in the city.

Macau political observer Larry So Man-yum said it was expected that Zhang would focus more on the economy than politics. He believed the state leader was there to push for speedier efforts in diversifying its economy.

“Beijing hopes Macau will work better in developing the city into an international leisure centre and a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries ... apart from its gaming industry,” So said.

Veteran China-watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said he believed the VIP visit was aimed at sending a message not only to Macau residents but also Hongkongers, even though he was making his speeches in the casino city.

“Zhang said the ‘one country, two systems’ principle was fully implemented in Macau with the central government exercising its full jurisdiction over the city. He is trying to tell Hongkongers that this is something Macau has achieved but not Hong Kong,” Lau said.