Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a vice-chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, says that the consolidation of the “One Country” component will enable Macau’s “Two Systems” advantages to manifest itself even more.
Li, the first-ranking vice-chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee, which has 14 vice-chairpersons, made the remarks when delivering a keynote speech during a ceremony on Friday morning commemorating the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Basic Law.
MSAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and Macau Basic Law Promotion Association (ADLBM) Chairman Liu Chak Wan also delivered speeches during Friday’s ceremony at the Services Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) in Nam Van, also known as Forum Macao complex.
In addition to Li, Ho and Liu, six other prominent guests also officiated at Friday morning’s ceremony, which started at 10 a.m., namely Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the MSAR’s first chief executive and now a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Fernando Chui Sai On, a former chief executive of the MSAR, i.e., Edmund Ho’s successor and Ho Iat Seng’s predecessor; Shen Chunyao, who heads the Legislative Affairs Commission, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law Committee, and MSAR Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee; Wang Linggui, a deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office; He Xin, a deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee; and Zheng Xincong, the director of the Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the MSAR.
Around 1,000 guests attended Friday’s ceremony, which was hosted by the MSAR government, such as senior local officials, central government officials posted to Macau, representatives from the Guangdong provincial government, NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members from Macau, local lawmakers, some members of the then committee tasked with drafting the MSAR Basic Law, representatives from local community associations, representatives from local media outlets, and students.
The MSAR Basic Law was passed by the NPC on March 31, 1993 and promulgated by the nation’s then president Jiang Zemin in Beijing later that day. The MSAR’s highest law took effect on December 20, 1999 when the MSAR, which succeeded the city’s temporary Portuguese administration, got off the ground.
Delivering his keynote speech, Li said that since its implementation starting in December 20, 1999, the Macau Basic Law, together with the nation’s Constitution, has formed the MSAR’s constitutional foundation, defined the MSAR’s constitutional order, and provided all-round legal guarantee for the development of various causes in Macau.
Basic rights, freedom, democratic development
Li said that since Macau’s return to the motherland, Macau residents have enjoyed a wide range of basic rights and freedoms, which are fully protected by the Constitution, the Basic Law and Macau’s local laws. In addition, Li said, Macau compatriots have been able to participate in the management of state affairs through multiple channels.
Li said that before the establishment of the MSAR, Chinese people in Macau had “almost” no political rights when the city was under Portuguese administration. Since Macau’s return to the motherland, Li said, the central government and the MSAR government have unswervingly been pushing ahead with the development of Macau’s democratic political system in an orderly manner in compliance with the Basic Law and rules listed in decisions made by the NPC Standing Committee concerning the development of Macau’s political system.
Li said that the development of the MSAR’s democratic political system has fully embodied the political principles of broad representation and balanced participation.
Good economic prospects
Li said that since its return to the motherland, Macau had been experiencing rapid economic growth for 20 years. Although Macau’s economy had temporarily been facing difficulties for the past few years resulting from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Li said, the city’s good prospects for economic development have not been affected.
With the central government’s policies favourable for Macau’s development as well as the MSAR government’s measures easing residents’ financial difficulties in place, the city’s economic recovery will come soon, Li said.
Li also underlined the MSAR’s significant social development since its establishment, such as social welfare, education, public health, and public housing. In addition, Li said, Macau has become one of the safest cities in the world.
Moreover, Li also underlined Macau’s much closer ties and exchanges with the mainland and the world since the MSAR’s establishment.
Li’s 6 requirements for Basic Law’s good implementation
Li, one of the 24 CPC Central Committee Political Bureau members, said that implementing the MSAR Basic Law is significant to writing new chapters for the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in Macau.
Li raised six requirements for the good implementation of the MSAR Basic Law.
Firstly, Li said, Macau needs to fully and accurately grasp the connotation and essence of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. To achieve this, Li said, the core is to accurately grasp the correct relationship between “One Country” and “Two Systems”
In this context, Li said, the “One Country” component should be understood from three aspects. From the first aspect, the MSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the MSAR is a local administrative region directly under the Central People’s Government, Li noted.
From the second aspect, Li said, the “main body” of the nation implements the socialist system, as socialism is the nation’s fundamental system stipulated by the Constitution.
From the third aspect, Li said, the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC.
According to Li, the “Two Systems” component means that while the “main body” of the nation implements the socialist system, certain regions in the country are allowed to follow the capitalist system.
Consequently, Li said, “One Country” is the prerequisite and foundation for implementing “Two Systems”, which is subordinate to, and derived from “One Country”.
Li said that the MSAR’s administrative, legislative and judicial organs, as well as all residents and community associations should take the initiative to respect and safeguard the nation’s fundamental system.
Li underlined that the more the “One Country” principle is consolidated, the more Macau’s advantages from “Two Systems” will manifest themselves.
Secondly, Li said, Macau needs to fully understand that the Constitution and the Macau Basic Law together form the MSAR’s constitutional foundation.
Li pointed out that the MSAR Basic Law was drawn up in compliance with the Constitution. Therefore, the Constitution is the “parent law” to which the Basic Law is subordinate, Li said.
Thirdly, Li, said, Macau needs to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
Li said that the MSAR’s administrative, legislative and judicial organs should ensure the effective implementation of Macau’s national security law as well as other local laws and regulations concerning the protection of national security.
Fourthly, Li said, Macau needs to constantly improve its system concerning the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Li said that the MSAR needs to establish a mechanism that ensures the effective implementation of the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the MSAR.
Fifthly, Li said, Macau needs to ensure the implementation of the “patriots governing Macau” principle. Only if the MSAR’s political power is held by patriots, will the “One Country, Two Systems” principle be fully and accurately implemented, Li said.
Sixthly, Li said, the MSAR government needs to constantly push ahead with its drive to integrate Macau’s development into the nation’s overall development.
Li said that Macau should grasp precious opportunities with the aim of achieving further development in its process of participating in the nation’s modernisation.
Ho Iat Seng raises 6 points
Meanwhile, Ho Iat Seng raised six points for the continuous implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.
Firstly, Ho said, Macau needs to firmly safeguard the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the MSAR.
Secondly, Macau needs to strongly promote its economic diversification and high-quality development, Ho said.
Thirdly, Macau needs to continue to implement its executive-led system of governance, Ho said.
Fourthly, Macau needs to constantly improve the population’s living conditions.
Fifthly, Ho said, the MSAR government needs to firmly implement the “patriots governing Macau” principle.
Sixthly, Macau needs to make good use of its advantages with the aim of better integrating its development into the nation’s overall development.
Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), delivers a keynote speech at a ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) at the Forum Macao complex in Nam Van. – Xinhua
MSAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng addresses Friday’s ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law at the Forum Macao complex in Nam Van. – Xinhua
