Macau held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to mark the 24th anniversary of its return to the motherland.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said at a reception that the local government will unite and lead various walks of the society to seize historical opportunities brought by the country’s overall development, continuously advance the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics, and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland in 2024 with new achievements.
Ho recalled how the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) in the outgoing year continuously improved its legal system and enforcement mechanisms on safeguarding national security, stepped up the management of the gaming industry in accordance with the law, compiled Macau’s first comprehensive and systematic development plan on appropriate economic diversification, and made new achievements in advancing building of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
The MSAR government also continuously expanded its exchanges and cooperation with the outside world, achieved rapid economic recovery, and maintained social harmony and stability, Ho said.
In the coming year, the local government will firmly safeguard national security and social stability, and speed up the implementation of major tasks and projects listed in its economic diversification plan to develop Macau into a World Tourism and Leisure Centre and develop its priority industries of “big health”, modern finance, high tech, and exhibitions and conventions, as well as culture and sport, Ho noted.
Efforts will also be made to speed up the building of the cooperation zone in Hengqin, promote high-quality economic development, fully leverage Macau’s advantages to better integrate itself into overall national development, Ho said.
Over 1,000 guests attended the reception, including Edmund Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, and Liu Xianfa, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the MSAR.
Prior to the reception, around 520 government officials and other guests attended the flag-raising ceremony in Zape.
Macau reverted from Portuguese to Chinese administration on December 19, 1999. The MSAR was established on the following day.
- Xinhua, MPD
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng delivers a speech at a reception marking the 24th anniversary of the establishment of the MSAR, at the Forum Macao Complex yesterday. – Photo: Xinhua
