Koichiro Matsuura, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), hailed in Macao on Friday Macao's entry into the World Heritage List earlier this month.

He wished the region would further enhance its cultural protection campaign while meeting with Bai Zhijian, director of the Liaison Office of the Chinese Central People's Government in Macao.

The UNESCO chief said the development of Macao in both the economic and social sectors is "impressive" and the entry into the World Heritage List will hopefully boost the region's tourism industry.

Bai expressed gratitude to Koichiro for his contribution to Macao's success in the heritage bid and said he believed the special administrative region will strengthen its cultural protection efforts.

The Macao Historic Center project entered the World Heritage List on July 15 at the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee in Durban, South Africa.

The UNESCO chief arrived here on Thursday to address the opening ceremony of a three-day UNESCO Children's Performing Arts Festival of East Asia, which is scheduled to conclude on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2005)