Xi hails success of 'one country, two systems' principle

President of MACAO Xi Jinping stressed on Friday the long-term adherence to the principle of “one country, two systems” and urged Macau to continue his efforts to diversify its economy, as he addressed a gathering celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to the motherland.

Addressing an audience of more than 1,000 people at a major sports stadium in Macau, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, hailed the huge success of the “one country” practice. two systems” with the characteristics of Macao in recent years.

“Macao's great achievements since its return to the motherland have proven to the world that the cause of “one country, two systems”, with its distinctive institutional strengths and strong vitality, is a good system that supports prosperity and prosperity at home. long term stability of Hong Kong and Macau,” he said.

Xi said it is a good system that serves the noble cause of building a stronger country and achieving national rejuvenation, and a good system that helps realize peaceful and peaceful coexistence. win-win cooperation between different social systems.

The values ​​of peace, inclusion, openness and sharing embodied in “one country, two systems” are common to China and the rest of the world and deserve to be jointly safeguarded, he added.

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Macau and its neighbor Hong Kong are China's two special administrative regions governed under the “one country, two systems” policy since China resumed sovereignty over them after long periods of Portuguese and British rule. respectively. This policy allows them to maintain their capitalist systems and lifestyles within socialist China.

As China enters a crucial period of Chinese modernization, Xi said the policy has entered a new stage and will further contribute to the development of Hong Kong and Macao as well as the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

John Lee Ka-chiuDirector-General of the HKSAR, said President Xi's speech reiterates his support for Hong Kong and Macao joining hands to drive future progress from a new and higher perspective, provides a very clear for future development and further illuminates the way. forward for both regions.

Friday, Sam Hou-faia 62-year-old former judge, was sworn in as chief executive of the Macau SAR for his sixth term, in a ceremony presided over by Xi.

LEARN MORE: Sam Hou-fai sworn in as Macau chief executive for sixth term

Speaking at the meeting, Xi urged the new Macao government to promote appropriate diversification of the local economy, improve governance efficiency, build a platform for higher opening level and safeguard social harmony and stability.

“It should be noted that the central authorities' decision to develop Hengqin aims to promote appropriate economic diversification in Macao and facilitate the lives and work of Macao residents,” Xi said, warning that sectors and projects deviating from this objective should be avoided.

Macau was once referred to as a “casino city” due to its dominant gaming industry, but this is changing as the city strives to appropriately diversify its economy.

Hengqin, located at the southern tip of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, and separated from Macao by a body of water, provides an important platform for promoting the proper and diversified development of Macao's economy.

Xi said Macao's role has been strengthened as a global tourism and leisure center, a platform for trade services and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and a base for exchanges and cooperation where culture Chinese is dominant and where various cultures coexist.

Stressing that Macao needs to position itself accurately and focus on priorities, Xi urged the region to cultivate new globally competitive industries and pool talents from around the world.

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According to Xi, Macao, as a “shining pearl on the coast of the South China Sea and a precious place of the great motherland”, has played a crucial role in history in facilitating trade between China and the rest of the world. .

For example, many Chinese classics were translated into foreign languages ​​in Macau and then introduced to the West, while a significant part of modern Western science, technology and culture was transmitted to the mainland through the region.

He called on Macao to continue to expand bilateral opening-up, promote cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, and actively participate in high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Almas Seitakynov, Consul General of Kazakhstan to Hong Kong and Macau, said Macau's increased involvement in the BRI would create more opportunities for his country's cooperation with the SAR and the mainland in many areas.

“We heard in the Chinese president's speech that Macao will pay special attention to the Belt and Road countries. We are ready, as I mentioned, to expand our cooperation,” he said.

Xi also encouraged Macao to make good use of its East-West meeting culture to promote international people-to-people exchanges, better introduce Macao and China to the world, and become a key portal for exchange and cooperation. mutual learning of Eastern countries. and Western civilizations.

Zhu Haisheng, secretary-general of the Macau Economic and Livelihood Alliance, said Macau not only preserves and perpetuates the essence of traditional Chinese culture, but also actively embraces and mixes elements of Western culture.

“Such cultural fusion not only enriches the lives of Macau people, but also elevates its global influence,” he said.

In his speech, Xi also highlighted the role of young people as the hope and future of Macau and an energetic force in building Macau and the country.

LEARN MORE: Xi highlights Hengqin's key role in diversifying Macau economy

The government and the whole society of the SAR should care more about young people and create better conditions for their development and growth, he said.

Xi expressed his hope that young people will set ambitious goals and make solid efforts to become the builders and successors of the “one country, two systems” principle.

Nina Si, secretary general of the Macau Chinese Students General Association, said Macau's youth are fully capable of helping the region diversify its economic development.

After completing his three-day visit to Macau, Xi left the SAR on Friday.