The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today highlighted two main points regarding Macao’s experience on fully and accurately implementing the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Mr Chui’s remarks were made at a seminar to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR. The seminar, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, was attended by the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Li Zhanshu, and by Vice Premier of the State Council, Mr Han Zheng.

The first point made by Mr Chui was that, in order to ensure full and accurate implementation of the Basic Law, Macao was equally obliged to assume the rights and obligations enshrined in the Basic Law, including to safeguard the sovereignty and the development interests of the country. Such efforts helped to ensure further Macao’s stability and prosperity, he said.

The Chief Executive went on to brief seminar attendees on Macao’s efforts over the last two decades to firmly safeguard the full authority of the Central Government regarding the Macao SAR, while ensuring Macao’s enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy. Such efforts included the Legislative Assembly of Macao passing the National Security Law, and the establishment by the Macao authorities of the Safeguarding State Security Committee.

The second point made by Mr Chui was that Macao should make the most of the institutional advantages set out by the Basic Law, in order to advance in a timely manner the promotion of the "One country, two systems" principle.

Promoting the implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle was not only a matter related with history; it also served Macao’s needs for effective assurance and advancement of social progress, Mr Chui stated.

Mr Chui additionally said the “One country, two systems” principle was a significant reflection of the capacity for modernisation of the country's governance system. It also played a crucial part in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he added.

The Chief Executive said the Macao SAR Government would continue to firmly adhere to the “one-country” principle while taking advantage of the “two-systems” model, namely to: serve the country’s development needs while delivering on the city’s inherent strengths; and make use of Macao’s strengths to serve the country’s strategic objectives and to ensure the realisation of the country’s “two centenary goals”.

Officials attending the seminar included: the Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Mr Yang Jiechi; the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC, Mr Guo Shengkun; the Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr You Quan; Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Ding Zhongli; State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Mr Wang Yi; State Councillor Mr Zhao Kezhi; and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah.

Members of the Macao delegation attending the seminar included: the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Kou Hoi In; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Public Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui; and the Director of the Representative Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing, Ms Leong Kit Chi.

Former members of the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, former members of the Preparatory Committee for the Macao SAR, and some of Macao’s delegates respectively to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, also attended the seminar.