Let’s work together to seek new development and welcome the 25th anniversary of our return to the motherland
Dear Residents and Friends
Hello everyone! The years go by and the seasons regenerate. We are about to usher in 2024. At this wonderful moment of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, on behalf of the Macau Special Administrative Region [SAR] Government and in my own name, I would like to extend my New Year blessings to all residents and all friends at home and abroad who care about and support the development of Macau.
2023 is an unforgettable year and a productive year. We have worked together to accelerate economic recovery and development; we have forged ahead to promote new progress in various fields; we have worked together to achieve long-term prosperity and stability for the Macau SAR. Over the past year, we have performed our duties conscientiously and proactively, actively seized the opportunities of post-[COVID-19] pandemic recovery, achieved rapid economic recovery, maintained social harmony and stability, the main economic indicators have been stable and improving, and the confidence of all sectors of society has continued to increase. Over the past year, we have kept pace with the times and acted pragmatically.
We have strengthened the maintenance of national security, continuously improved the electoral system, steadily advanced appropriately diversified economic development, achieved significant results in measures to improve people's livelihoods, continued to improve public service levels, and expanded regional cooperation and international exchanges in an orderly manner. Over the past year, we have been prepared for danger in times of peace, acted steadily, safeguarded the overall situation of Macau, built the Hengqin Macau-Guangdong In-depth Cooperation Zone well, and led the development of Macau to a new level.
Looking back on this year, the new progress and new situation achieved in various undertakings of the Macau SAR are inseparable from everyone's hard work and joint efforts. Here, I would like to pay tribute to every worker and participant from all walks of life!
Recently, the State Council approved the "Master Development Plan for the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone", and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress reviewed and approved the decision to authorise the Macau Special Administrative Region to exercise jurisdiction over the relevant land and sea areas southeast of Gongbei Port [border checkpoint] in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province.
This series of major measures has injected strong impetus into Macau's appropriate economic diversification and long-term sustainable development, and is of great significance to enriching the practice of "One Country, Two Systems", promoting Macau's long-term prosperity and stability, and its integration into the overall development of the country. The Macau SAR government sincerely thanks the Central People's Government for its care and support!
2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to the motherland, and the year when the In-depth Cooperation Zone achieves its first-stage development goals. The Macau SAR Government will fully mobilise the enthusiasm and creativity of all sectors of society, work together to carefully plan and organise, and host a series of major celebrations in a festive, lively, solemn and simple manner, comprehensively demonstrating the great achievements and broad prospects of "One Country, Two Systems" and vividly demonstrate Macau’s unique status and significant advantages, and further enhance the international community’s confidence in Macau.
The Macau SAR government will unite and lead all residents to conscientiously implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's series of important speeches and the strategic implementation of the report by the 20th National People's Congress, comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Macau people governing Macau" and a high degree of autonomy, and fully implement the principle of "Macau governed by patriots".
We must adhere to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macau characteristics, seize the historic opportunities brought about by the development of the country, and strive to create a new situation for the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macau characteristics. We will make every effort to maintain national security and social stability, remain vigilant at all times, proactively identify deficiencies, effectively strengthen the configuration, and build a solid national security barrier. Efforts will be made to consolidate the positive momentum of economic recovery, actively and effectively implement the "1+4" plan, and promote substantial new progress in appropriately diversified economic development. We are committed to the development of Hengqin and work together with all parties to keep in mind the original intention and accelerate the realization of the first phase of the In-depth Cooperation Zone Development Master Plan. Efforts should be made to improve governance capabilities and administrative efficiency, brainstorm ideas, select talents, strengthen cooperation, and make greater achievements in solving the deep-seated contradictions and problems that restrict Macao's social and economic development.
Go all out to develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, promote harmony, increase efforts to attract talents, strengthen the force of loving the motherland and Macau, accelerate integration into the overall national development, strengthen foreign exchanges and cooperation, and welcome the 75th anniversary of the founding of the New China and the return of Macau to the motherland with new development results.
On the 75th anniversary of the motherland [People's Republic of China], we will make new and greater contributions to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernisation!
Dear Residents and Friends:
The most important thing is simplicity, hard work is the key. In the new year, opportunities and challenges will coexist. The motherland has always been the strong backing for Macau to maintain long-term prosperity and stability. I believe that with the strong leadership and strong support of the Central People's Government and the concerted efforts and hard work of its residents, Macau will be even better and more glorious in 2024! Let us work together to strengthen our confidence and forge ahead!
The New Year's bell is about to ring. Let us welcome the arrival of 2024 with confidence and expectation!
I wish our great motherland prosperity!
I wish the Macau SAR prosperous development!
I wish everyone progress, happiness and health in the New Year!
Macau, December 31, 2023
N.B. Translation by The Macau Post Daily. Words within square brackets added by The Macau Post Daily.
Caption: Undated file photo of Macau SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng provided by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) today
