Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Foreign Ministry Commissioner in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Wang Dong has urged people in Macau to "ride the wind and plough the waves", and move forward with determination.
Wang made the appeal in her Lunar New Year message on the eve of the Chinese New Year last Thursday, quoting an ancient Chinese saying that urges people to be ambitious and unafraid.
"On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Ox, on behalf of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the MSAR, I would like to convey my best wishes to our fellow Macau residents," she said.
In her message, Wang pointed out that the process of human development has been impacted by the COVID-19 menace since early last year. "The world has entered a period of turbulent change," Wang warned.
"Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the whole country is united, taking the lead in controlling the epidemic, taking the lead in anti-epidemic cooperation, taking the lead in resuming work and production, taking the lead in resuming economic growth...," the acting commissioner said. She underlined that the nation's satisfactory response to the pandemic is world-renowned and its success will go down in history.
Wang also noted that last year the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded 100 trillion yuan for the first time and "great historic achievements were attained in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, a crucial victory was achieved in the decisive battle against poverty, and the achievement of the first-centenary goal is in sight."
The "Two Centenaries" is a set of goals advanced by Communist Party of China (CPC) General Secretary Xi Jinping in 2012. The first goal is to achieve a "moderately well-off" society in 2021, marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).The second goal is for China to be a strong and "modern socialist country" in 2049, marking the centenary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Wang pointed out that the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC last year was a success, and that the nation has reached a new development stage and is "implementing a new development concept, building a new development pattern, and embarking on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country."
Under the strong leadership of the central government and with the mainland's strong support, as well as due to the joint efforts by the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government and the general public, "Macau’s epidemic prevention and control has achieved significant strategic results, the economy has gradually recovered,and the overall social situation has been stable, which vividly elucidates Macau’s own characteristics of the 'One Country, Two Systems'," principle, Wang said, adding that "the profound connotation of the successful practice fully demonstrates the strong vitality of 'One Country, Two Systems'."
"In 2020, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics was affectionate, righteous, vigorous, and conscientious," Wang said. She emphasised that on the diplomatic front China has taken the initiative to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with a global approach in a highly responsible manner.
Wang pointed out that China fully participates in epidemic prevention and control across the world, actively promotes international anti-epidemic cooperation, and promotes the establishment of a global public health community.
"We simultaneously fight against a political virus and firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, development interests and national dignity.
"We stand on the right side of history, expand opening up and mutually beneficial cooperation, firmly adhere to multilateralism, inject strong confidence in the recovery and growth of the world economy, provide strong support for the stability of the international situation, and promote the deepening and solidification of a community with a shared future for mankind," Wang said.
She also pointed out that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.
"A century of great cause is just a prologue. Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping, an affectionate and responsible China will surely deliver more warmth to the world and bring more confidence and hope for the common development and prosperity of all countries," Wang said.
Wang also said that her office will continue to "fully and accurately" implement the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy, and firmly support the MSAR chief executive and government in accordance with the law.
Wang also said that her office will continue to firmly support the MSAR government in actively carrying out its foreign exchanges, apart from resolutely opposing external forces' interference in Macau's internal affairs, promoting the great practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macau, and making new contributions to the realisation of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
