The local government held a reception to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) on Monday.
In his speech, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said that the MSAR will continue to improve its legal system and implementation mechanism for safeguarding national security, in order to ensure Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability. At the same time, the government will continue to advance a string of development and construction projects, based on the interests of the population.
The reception was held this morning at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in Nam Van. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Fu Ziying, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Liu Xianfa, commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau, Xu Liangcai, commander of the local garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kou Hoi In, president of the Legislative Assembly, Sam Hou Fai, president of the Court of Final Appeal (TUI), members of the Executive Council, legislators, local government officials, local deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), members of the CPPCC and community leaders were among the about the 940 guests.
The chief executive also said in his speech that looking back on the outgoing year, under the care and guidance and strong support of the central government, the MSAR has earnestly implemented the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches and instructions, and fully and accurately implemented the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Macau People Administering Macau”, and the MSAR’s high degree of autonomy.
Ho Iat Seng underlined that Macau has fulfilled its constitutional responsibilities, safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, firmly implemented the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Macau” and successfully completed the election of the seventh Legislative Assembly, earnestly implemented the central government’s Macau-related policies and actively promoted the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, actively connected Macau with the national “14th Five-Year Plan” and launched the MSAR’s second five-year plan, coordinated COVID-19 prevention and control measures and economic and social recovery and development, and vigorously promoted people’s livelihoods and the overall economy. Ho pointed out that Macau’s development momentum has gradually stabilised and improved.
The chief executive also said that in the process of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting economic recovery in 2021, all sectors of civil society and the general population have always actively cooperated with and supported the MSAR government. They have fully promoted the fine tradition of helping each other while in the same boat, taking into account the overall situation, and watching and helping each other, thereby demonstrating selfless dedication and self-improvement while facing adversity. Ho said that the united spirit of fighting the epidemic is a valuable force that inspires Macau to continue to face challenges and overcome difficulties.
Looking forward to the new year, Ho pledged that Macau will firmly implement the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Macau people administering Macau” and the MSAR’s high degree of autonomy, and earnestly safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and further improve the legal system to safeguard national security.
Ho said the MSAR will also continue to implement mechanisms to continuously enhance national awareness and patriotism among the majority of Macau’s residents to ensure its long-term prosperity and stability.
Ho also said that the local government will effectively implement the goals and tasks of his 2022 Policy Address and second five-year plan, in accordance with the policy of “preventing the epidemic, stabilising economic recovery, protecting people’s livelihoods, promoting diversity, strengthening cooperation, and seeking development”.
Ho said the policy aimed to strengthen the government’s epidemic prevention and control system, promote Macau’s stable economic recovery, continue to optimise people’s livelihoods, solidly promote the development of the Guangdong-Macau in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, accelerate the appropriate diversification of the economy, and better integrate Macau into the overall national development.
The chief executive pointed out that the great achievements of the country’s development and the bright prospects for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, especially the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee, comprehensively summarised the major achievements and historical experience of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past century, which has deeply encouraged the majority of Macau’s residents. Residents’ sense of identity with the Communist Party of China, their sense of belonging to the great motherland, and their pride of being Chinese has been further enhanced, and they are more confident in unswervingly taking the successful path of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Finally, on behalf of the SAR government, Ho expressed his respect and sincere thanks to the central government and the central government entities based in Macau, which fully support the MSAR’s development, as well as to people from all walks of life and residents who care about Macau and its development, and to all public servants who are dedicated to their duties.
The MSAR government on Monday also held a flag-raising ceremony in Golden Lotus Plaza. About 520 government officials and guests attended the solemn event, including a delegation of the nation’s top Olympic athletes who arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng addresses Monday morning’s reception hosted by the local government in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. Photo: GCS
A solemn flag-raising ceremony marking the 22nd anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland is held at the Golden Lotus Square in Zape on Monday. – Xinhua
