President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau yesterday afternoon, describing Macao as “a pearl in the palm” of the motherland and expressing confidence in its promising future.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will attend a gathering celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) yesterday. He will also inspect the MSAR.
At Macau International Airport, the local police force band played lively welcome tunes. Dragon and lion dancers filled the air with joy. Hundreds of people including children and representatives from various sectors waved the national flag, the flag of the MSAR and flowers, expressing their warm welcome.
At around 4 p.m., Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, stepped out of the cabin of the special plane and waved to the cheering crowd.
“Every visit to this beautiful place has been very delightful for me,” Xi said in a brief speech at the airport.
Over the past 25 years, the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macau characteristics has achieved success widely recognized by the world, showcasing great vitality and unique charm, Xi said.
“This is the glory of Macau residents and the pride of all Chinese people,” he said.
On behalf of the central government and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, he extended sincere greetings and best wishes to all Macau residents, adding that Macau’s development and the well-being of Macau residents have always been on his mind.
Xi said he will have extensive and in-depth exchanges with friends in Macau on the region’s development during the visit.
He expressed the belief that Macau will create an even brighter future by fully leveraging the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems,” working hard and actively promoting innovation.
The MSAR is brimming with cheerful vibes in the days leading up to the 25th Anniversary of its return to the motherland. Anniversary-themed posters and floral decorations adorn popular sites such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s, while the national flag and the MSAR flag flutter along the streets.
“Meeting President Xi again up close, I was extremely excited,” said Jiang Lai Peng, a student from Kao Yip Middle School who also participated in the welcoming ceremony for President Xi’s Macau visit five years ago. “His attention to and care for Macau have deeply touched and inspired me and my classmates.”
Ho Kuok Tou, founder and CEO of an artificial intelligence (AI) firm present in both Macau and the mainland, said he is full of expectations for the future development of Macau.
“I hope the people of Macau will continue to work hard and actively integrate into the overall national development,” he said. – Xinhua, MPD
