Xi envisions bright future for Macau

President calls for leveraging institutional benefits of 'one country, two systems' principle

President Xi Jinping urged the Macao Special Administrative Region to fully exploit the institutional advantages of “one country, two systems”, work hard and be bold in innovation to create a better future for the pearl darling of the fatherland.

Xi made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon upon his arrival in the SAR, amid eager anticipation from people from all walks of life ahead of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, which falls on Friday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by hundreds of young people and public representatives, who waved the red carpet . national and regional flags as well as colorful bouquets.

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“Every visit to this beautiful place has been very pleasant for me,” Xi said in a brief speech at the airport.

This is the seventh time in 25 years that Xi has set foot in Macau, which covers an area of ​​33.3 square kilometers and is located near Zhuhai in Guangdong province.

In 2019, President Xi attended a meeting celebrating the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the fifth term of the Macao SAR government. At that time, he called on all sectors of society to build on what Macao has achieved and take all businesses in the SAR to the next level.

“This time, I am here to celebrate with my compatriots the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and see the new developments and changes of Macao during these years,” he said.

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On behalf of the central government and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, Xi extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the people of Macao, and said that the development of Macao and the well-being of its people are always in his mind.

Over the past 25 years, the Macao-style “one country, two systems” practice has achieved widely recognized success around the world, demonstrating great vitality and unique charm, Xi said.

It is the glory of Macao people and the pride of all Chinese people that the motherland is developing rapidly and unstoppably with each passing day and Macao is making steady progress with a bright future, he said.

Xi added that he will visit different places in Macao during his three-day stay and have in-depth exchanges with friends in Macao to discuss the region's development.

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Escola Choi Nong Chi Tai student Wong Ho-ian, who stood near the podium when Xi delivered her speech, held a bright yellow “pearl,” a prop she had used during the dance performances of the dragon and the lion organized to welcome the president and his wife.

“Although I am only a high school student, I learned a lot about how the motherland has supported Macao's development. I was very happy to hear him say that Macao is like 'a pearl on the palm of the motherland,'” Wong said. said, adding that the way Xi described the city struck a chord with Macau residents.

Macau MP Wong Kit-cheng said Xi's visit represents the central government's best wishes for the SAR.

Wong, who is also vice president of the Macau Women's General Association, said the president's arrival will chart a clear path for Macao's development in the new era and for the work of the new SAR government. “It also reflects the central government's great attention to Macao's lasting prosperity and stability,” she said, adding that the motherland has always been a strong supporter of Macao.

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Duarte Alves, president of the General Assembly of the Macanese Youth Association, said it was a great honor for Xi to visit Macau for a gathering marking such an important date. “Macau today is the result of the vision of the country's leaders for decades and we, as Macau residents, are very proud of it,” he said.