Macao should continue to re-inforce law-based governance, enhance economic diversification, bolster social harmony and promote youth education.

These are the four aspirations for Macao put forward by the President, Mr Xi Jinping, in a speech delivered at the inauguration ceremony of the fourth-term Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government.

In his address, the President started by acknowledging the remarkable achievements made by the MSAR over the last 15 years.

Mr Xi went on to urge the new administration to keep up with the good work and to lay an even stronger foundation for Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability as Macao now stood at a new starting point in history.

He pointed out four priorities for the new administration to focus on.

First, the government should continue to vigorously re-inforce law-based governance as people today have higher expectations for good governance. He said it was important to build an efficient, clean and just government with a strong and capable civil service.

Second, the government should continue to enhance economic diversification with strategic planning, making full use of the opportunities offered by the nation’s deepening reforms to turn Macao into a world tourism and leisure centre.

Third, the government should continue to bolster social harmony as stability is the cornerstone of economic growth and social wellbeing. He stressed the importance of putting people first and the sharing of the fruits of economic growth among the whole population.

Last but not least, the government should continue to promote youth education to pass on the tradition of patriotism and to ensure that the great cause of “one country, two systems” can be carried on as the younger generation is the hope of Macao and the nation.

Mr Xi re-iterated that the principle of “one country, two systems” is a fundamental state policy that cannot be compromised under any circumstances, which means that the “one China” principle must be upheld while respecting the differences of the two systems.

According to the President, the “one country, two systems” principle is an important part of the endeavour to realise the Chinese dream of national renewal and it also conforms to the long-term interests of Hong Kong and Macao.