Xi hails Macau's achievements

President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a welcome banquet at the Macau East Asian Games Dome on Thursday evening, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. (Feng Yongbin/Chinese Daily)

President Xi Jinping on Thursday congratulated Macau for its remarkable achievements over the past five years despite extraordinary challenges, saying the special administrative region possesses the opportunities and capabilities to achieve greater successes with strong support from the motherland.

Xi, who is on the second day of his third visit to the region as Chinese president, said at a welcome banquet that Macao's progress was the result of the hard work and all-round efforts of people from all countries. the sectors united under the leadership of the SAR Government.

These achievements are attributable to the full and faithful implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy, the vigorous support of the central government and the mainland, as well as the active involvement of the international community, a- he indicated.

President Xi Jinping addresses a welcome dinner hosted by the Macao Special Administrative Region government on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, in Macao, Dec. 19, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua )

“I fully believe that with the strong support of the great motherland and through solid and hard work, the Macao SAR will build on its achievements to make another leap and achieve greater successes,” said Mr. . Xi in front of an audience of more than 600 people. including Sam Hou-fai, new director general of the Macau SAR, who will be inaugurated on Friday.

Noting that the past five years have been extraordinary in Macao's development history, given the global transformation and the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said people from all sectors of Macao have risen to the challenge. challenges, deployed results-oriented efforts, ensured economic recovery and made progress in all areas.

Last year, propelled by the strong recovery in tourism, Macau's economy grew 80.5 percent year-on-year. In the first three quarters of this year, Macau's GDP grew 11.5 percent year-on-year to 301 billion patacas ($38 billion), according to data from the Macau Statistics and Census Department.

Highlighting the SAR's new progress in appropriate economic diversification, Xi said the region now enjoys a more solid foundation for economic cooperation and its international influence has increased significantly.

Xi praised the SAR government for taking concrete steps to provide tangible benefits to residents in areas that directly impact their lives, including housing, health care, education and personal care elderly.

“Thanks to better public welfare and advancing social initiatives at all levels, Macau has today become a pleasant and supportive place to live and work,” he said.

Xi expressed hope that Macau would proactively align itself with national development strategies and seek to play a greater role on the international stage. He also expressed hope that Macao will uphold the underlying values ​​of love for the Chinese nation and love for Macao while demonstrating greater openness, greater inclusiveness and great solidarity.

“The Macao people never lack positive spirit,” Xi said, urging the SAR to show greater determination and courage in reform and innovation.

Performers sing and dance at Macau's East Asian Games Dome on Thursday during a gala event marking the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to the motherland. (Feng Yongbin/Chinese Daily)

Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng said in his welcome speech that Macao has always been the apple of the motherland's eye, which is the strongest supporter of prosperity and stability of the region.

“As a member of our motherland’s extended family, we must shoulder our responsibilities and innovate as we embark on a new journey in a new era,” Ho said.

Stephen Morgan, rector of Saint Joseph's University of Macau, who attended the banquet, said President Xi's visit to Macao on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his return to the motherland gives the region high visibility national and international.

Morgan, who has lived in the city for almost seven years, said he has seen how well the “one country, two systems” agreement works for the benefit of the people of Macau as well as the people of the Guangdong- Hong Kong-Macau. Greater Bay Area.

“I hope that President Xi's visit to Macao and the inauguration of the sixth term of the Macao SAR government will mark an exciting new phase in the city's history,” he said.

Ho Chi-un, deputy director of the Macao Ethnic Minority Friendship Association, said the social prosperity and stability of the SAR are proof of the successful practice of the “one country, two systems” principle.

“We believe that in the days to come, Macao will pave the way for a better future within our motherland and write a new chapter in the successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems” with the characteristics of Macao,” Ho Chi-one said in a notice published Thursday in a local newspaper.

After the welcome banquet, Xi attended a gala marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.

(Web Editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)