The website of People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), quoted on Tuesday a report by national broadcaster CCTV about the upcoming 25th Anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland. The report includes remarks by President Xi Jinping concerning the anniversary, which will be celebrated next Friday, December 20.
This is the unabridged CCTV report* headlined “With Macau at heart, President Xi’s words speak directly to people’s hearts”.
“This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Macau ‘s return to the motherland. Over the years, President Xi Jinping has always been concerned about the well-being of Macau compatriots and the development of Macau. He has left many touching stories and affectionate words full of affection for Haojiang [Macau’s ancient name], full of ardent expectations for Macau to continue to promote the successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Highly rated
Macau has adhered to the foundation of ‘One Country’ and made good use of the benefits of ‘Two Systems’. In recent years, Macau has achieved many amazing achievements:
In 2023, Macau’s GDP reached 379.48 billion patacas. The 25 years after the handover have been the period of fastest development and highest quality in Macau ‘s history.
In 2023, about 28.213 million tourists entered Macau, with an average of 77,000 visitors per day. The [concepts of] “Creative City of Gastronomy” and “Best Asian Conference City”... Macau ‘s “Golden Business Card” as an international metropolis becomes brighter and brighter.
In recent years, the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone has continued to activate new momentum and expand new space for Macau’s development. As of July this year, the total number of Macau companies in the cooperation zone reached 6,365, an increase of 37.27 percent from three years ago.
Over the past 25 years, Macau’s governance system has been increasingly improved, its economy has grown rapidly, people’s livelihoods have continued to improve, social harmony and stability, as well as multiculturalism, have complemented each other, demonstrating to the world the successful practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ with Macau characteristics. President Xi Jinping spoke highly of this.
Affectionately concerned
After Macau ‘s return to the motherland, while achieving leapfrog economic development, residents’ sense of gain and happiness has continued to increase. In recent years, President Xi Jinping has responded to letters from children, retired people, university teachers and students in Macau, conveying care and high hopes, which moved everyone deeply and inspired them.
Fully affirmed
The fine tradition of patriotism and love for Macau has always flowed in the blood of Macau compatriots.
Today, places such as the ‘Feeling Love for One’s Family and One’s Country Pavilion’ and the ‘Loving the Country, Loving Macau Education Base’ for Young People enrich students’ diverse learning experiences about the history of the country and Macau.
Eager expectations
On November 1, when meeting with the Chief Executive-designate of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Sam Ho Fai, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the central government will continue to comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement the policies of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, ‘Macau people governing Macau’ and ‘high degree of autonomy’ to ensure that they will not change.
This adds the strongest confidence to the successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Macau and its long-term stability, and injects inexhaustible impetus into Macau ‘s integration into the overall development of the country. Looking to the future, Macau will definitely be better tomorrow!”
*Translation arranged by the Post
President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses a symposium on the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in Beijing on December 2. – Xinhua
