OPINION – New year, new government and new hope: speech by President Xi Jinping and Macao's external dimension

The year 2024 ended on a positive note, with the visit of President Xi Jinping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (SAR) and to administer the oath of office to the new chief executive, Sam. Hou Fai and his government members. This was President Xi's third visit to the MSAR in this capacity, and the sixth overall, a remarkable show of appreciation for the region.

The vision he conveyed in his double speeches, the first during the welcome dinner offered by the RAS on December 19 and the second, on December 20, during the inauguration of the sixth term of the MSAR government, announcing its three expectations for the HKSAR, the four principles (also applicable to the HKSAR) for the continued success of the One Country, Two Systems policy, and the four hopes for the HKSAR, are the key to the future of this region. These speeches establish guidelines for its internal development, its relationship with China's national strategies and its engagement with the international community.

In particular, his call for Macau to remain open, diverse and tolerant in order to best fulfill its unique role as a bridge between China and the world will be remembered for many years as a defining moment, instilling clarity and direction to the political future of this region. development strategies and contributions to the national economy and security strategies. Hailing the successful implementation of the Macau-style One Country, Two Systems policy, he reinstated its value and longevity policy to remain for “a long time”, a statement which, made in 2024, indicates that it will ultimately extend beyond 2049. the duration of the fifty years of transition underway for the Macau Special Administrative Region.

President Xi's remarks on the contribution of the two SARs to China's global standing are novel and highlight the importance of their respective external dimensions and should be developed and fully utilized to achieve regional and national goals. In particular, it shows how Macau still has the potential to improve its international visibility: “making more friends around the world and acting as an important bridge for China's high-level opening-up”; “As a place where Chinese and Western cultures merge, Macao should promote international people-to-people exchanges, better introduce Macao and China to the world, and make the city an important window of exchanges between Chinese and Western civilizations”; strengthen ties with mainland China and the international community; improve global competitiveness; continue to improve its business environment, improve its legal systems such as civil and commercial laws; “maintain and stimulate the vitality of its market and attract more international resources. » These are some of the hopes expressed by President Xi in his speech on December 20.

The day before, when he was welcomed by outgoing Director General Ho Iat Seng, he shared his three expectations for the future of the Macau Special Administrative Region. Namely that Macau should adopt a broader vision, in particular by playing a more important role on the international scene; that it will embrace diversity and inclusion, striving to attract the best minds to join in building a better Macau, adding that anyone who supports One Country, Two Systems and loves Macau as home is a native having drunk from the Lilau fountain [a famous square in Macaus historical district]and a positive force contributing to the development of Macau; and, last but not least, that Macao will continue to move forward with determination, because the people of Macau never lack positive spirit, showing stronger determination and greater courage in reform and innovation.

In total, there are many guidelines, even directives, for the new government to proactively follow a path that, in the not-so-distant future, will de facto and timely resolve some of the outstanding concerns facing the business community responded through several channels. forums and seminars, such as those promoted by Business in Macau with the participation of local and international business leaders and academics.

As a result, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said in his first round of meetings after taking office, including a seminar with all sectors of society, that his government would strive to learn, promote and implement the spirit of President Xi's important speeches during his term. inspection tour in Macau. We hope that addressing some of the above-mentioned concerns of the business sectors will be among the priorities of the new government.

As the international environment becomes more and more complex, and the presidency of Donald Trump will only add to this complexity, let us also hope that this new year 2025 will surprise us with positive international news, including ending wars and ongoing wars. conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

Happy New Year 2025!