Macao should further improve its public governance, press ahead with sustainable economic development, promote people’s well-being and strengthen social cohesion and stability.
Those were four aspirations for Macao put forward by the President, Mr Xi Jinping, in remarks he gave in Macao at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Macao’s Return to the Motherland, and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Fifth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome at 10am today.
President Xi began his address by reaffirming his belief that the Chinese people, including the compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao, were capable of better implementing the principle of “One country, two systems”; further improving the mechanisms of the “One country, two systems” principle; and respectively better governing the two special administrative regions.
President Xi pointed out that since Macao’s return to the motherland, Macao had established a sound constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law as well as on a sound governance system; achieved phenomenal economic growth for the continuous improvement of people’s well-being; and maintained social stability and harmony against the backdrop of cultural diversity.
President Xi noted that four important lessons could be drawn from Macao’s successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle.
First, it is necessary to have steadfast confidence in the principle of “One country, two systems” so that its viability and strength could be fully realised.
Second, it was important to steer the principle in the right direction to ensure that its implementation did not become wayward.
Third, it was vital for the people to maintain a strong sense of mission in the implementation of the principle because they were capable of making the Macao SAR an even better place.
Last but not least, it was essential to reinforce the sociopolitical foundation of the “One country, two systems” principle by uniting the people through patriotism.
In his speech, President Xi detailed the four aspirations for Macao.
First, he urged Macao to keep abreast of the times and further improve public governance by adapting to the new dynamics and requirements of modern social governance. Tasks included: pressing ahead with public administration reforms; making the rule of law the guiding principle in public governance; and harnessing technology to expedite the development of a smart city.
Second, he urged Macao to break new ground and press ahead with sustainable economic development.
According to President Xi, Macao should develop long-term holistic plans, keeping in mind the goal of becoming “One centre, one platform, one base”; focus on relevant key projects conducive to economic diversification; and seize opportunities arising from the “Belt and Road” initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
He drew special attention to the development of Hengqin, urging the Macao SAR to collaborate fully with Zhuhai in developing the area, which could provide space for – and inject fresh impetus into – Macao’s long-term development.
Third, President Xi stated he hoped that the Macao SAR Government would continue to put the people first and further improve their well-being by enhancing public infrastructure; actively responding to their needs in housing, healthcare and support after retirement; and continuously raising the standards of education available to them.
Fourth, President Xi said he hoped that Macao would persist in its inclusiveness and further promote social cohesion and stability.
He urged Macao people to uphold the core value of loving the country and Macao; build the broadest consensus for social development; and strengthen community organisations by preserving the good tradition of social unity in the city.
In concluding his speech, President Xi underlined the fact that the handling of affairs in the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao was strictly the internal matter of China and that interference from the outside world would not be tolerated.
He noted that the Chinese Government and the Chinese people were tenacious in upholding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and would never tolerate any external interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao.
He believed that the Chinese people, including the compatriots of Hong Kong and Macao, were capable of better implementing the principle of “One country, two systems”; further improving the mechanisms of the “One country, two systems” principle; and better governing the two special administrative regions.
President Xi added that the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation was unstoppable and that the common development of Hong Kong, Macao and the motherland would have ever-brighter prospects.
