Your Excellency Mr. President Jiang Zemin,

The Honorable Mr. Vice-Premier Qian Qichen,

Distinguished guests and friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tonight, on the eve of the first anniversary of the founding of the Macau Special Administrative Region, we feel extremely honoured by the kind presence at this banquet of our state leader, President Jiang Zemin. First of all, may I be allowed, on behalf of the Macau SAR Government and all the citizens of Macau, to extend our warmest welcome and highest regards to President Jiang Zemin and Mrs. Jiang, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and Mrs. Qian, and all the delegates from the Central Government.

Please also allow me to express our warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to Mr. Tung Chee Hwa and Mrs. Tung, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation, and to all the distinguished guests and friends who are with us tonight.

Over the past year since the establishment of the MSAR, we have attained fairly good social order and solidarity, overcome some problems and challenges, and have achieved overall stability and healthy growth. In accordance with the Basic Law, and in consideration of the reality of Macau, the MSAR Government has adopted the policy strategy of "Consolidating the Foundations and Developing Steadily" and made some achievement. On the whole, the people of Macau, with hard work and dedication, have made this historic first year of the MSAR rich and fulfilling.

This good beginning would not have been possible without the full support of the Central Government. So I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government.

Distinguished guests and friends,

It is important for me to stress that the smooth and successful implementation in Macau of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy is a manifestation of the great wisdom of Mr. Deng Xiaoping¡¦s concept, the strong leadership of the third generation of leaders of our country headed by President Jiang Zemin, and of the achievement of unity of the Chinese nation. We must have a strong sense of commitment to our country and to history, carry on our patriotic tradition by loving our motherland and Macau, truthfully perform our duties well, and scale another height of success in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems", "Macau people administering Macau" and of the high degree of autonomy of the MSAR.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Now let me propose a toast,

To the health of President Jiang Zemin and Mrs. Jiang,

To the health of Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and Mrs. Qian,

To the health of all our guests and friends,

To the complete reunification of our motherland and to the bright future of Macau,

To you all, Cheers!

Thank you!