New Year Address stresses President Xi’s ‘affectionate concern’ for Macau
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai vowed yesterday “setting sail on a new journey in unity” and “striving for a new chapter in solidary” in his 2025 New Year Address released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) in Chinese, Portuguese and English yesterday evening.
The following is the unabridged text* of his first New Year Address, which he delivered 12 days after having been sworn in as the Macau Special Administrative Region’s (Macau SAR) chief executive by President Xi Jinping on December 20 at the Macau East Asian Games Dome in Cotai:
Dear fellow residents, friends,
Greetings to you all!
Every new year brings new beginnings and possibilities. 2025 is just around the corner, at this wonderful moment as we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, on behalf of the Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region, I would like to extend my heartfelt new year greetings to all fellow residents, as well as friends at home and abroad who support and attach great importance to the development of Macau.
The year 2024 has great and profound significance for Macau. President Xi Jinping visited Macau, attended the Celebration Ceremony for the 25th Anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony for the Sixth-term Government of the Macau SAR, and inspected the Macau SAR. President Xi concluded that we must observe “Four Principles” as we further advance the successful implementation of the cause of “One Country, Two Systems”, raised “Three Aspirations” for the future development of the Macau SAR, “Four Hopes” for the new-term Government and “Four Expectations” for the officials of the executive, legislative and judicial organs. President Xi’s important speeches and directives will be our firm stewardship as we forge ahead with stronger steps of determination. President Xi’s affectionate concern and genuine expectations are heart-warming and encouraging; they also serve as a strong impetus for us to keep our spirits high.
Over the past 25 years, with staunch support from the mainland, we firmly implemented the principles “One Country, Two Systems”, “Macau people administering Macau” and a high degree of autonomy, firmly ensured order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, steadfastly upheld national sovereignty, security and development interests, adhered to the core spirit of patriotism for the country and Macau, constantly advanced people’s livelihoods, continuously improved people’s wellbeing. As Macau develops together with the motherland, the path of shared prosperity is getting broader. Macau has achieved the best ever development in its history, it has presented to the world the strong vitality and distinctive strengths of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.
When drinking water, one should not forget its source. We have learnt by heart that the “One Country, Two Systems” principle is the greatest strength of Macau. We need to uphold national sovereignty, security and development interests, which is the most important principle of the “One County, Two Systems” cause. Only with the roots deep in the soil can the leaves be lush, only with the roots strong can the branches flourish. The stronger is the principle “One Country”, the more distinctive is our strength “Two Systems”. We must uphold our sense of “One Country”, safeguard the “One Country” principle in order to ensure that the “One Country, Two Systems” principle is not changed or distorted.
The present world is a world of change. Profound changes are taking place in the international environment; the world is experiencing rapid changes. There are abundant new opportunities and new challenges. At present, our country is undergoing rapid and unstoppable development. Macau is going through a transition from recovery to a new stage of high-quality development. Our future is promising. Not only must we stand firm with the institutional strength empowered by the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, forge ahead on this path with steps of determination, we must also be aware of changes, adapt to changes with a scientific mentality, make changes proactively, seize opportunities, and stay committed to innovation.
The year 2025 marks the beginning of the sixth-term Government. The SAR Government will lead people from all walks of life to study well the directives and spirit of the series of speeches made by President Xi Jinping and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, better leverage the institutional strength of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, take the initiative to reform and innovate, shoulder new missions, and compose a new chapter. We will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, ensure social harmony and stability; exert more effort to advance appropriate economic diversification; integrate the concept of law-based governance and responsibilities to enhance the overall governance of the SAR and build a service-orientated government with high efficiency; stay committed to taking the people-orientated approach, ensure public wellbeing and improve people’s livelihoods; build an open platform with better qualities, be more involved to serve and integrate with our country’s development paradigm; expedite the construction of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin with better and improved concepts and methods; stay dedicated to realising the goal to brand the city as law-based Macau, vibrant Macau, cultural Macau, blissful Macau.
Fellow residents, friends,
Victory is ensured when people pool their strengths; success is secured when people put their heads together. Macau is a pearl on the palm of the motherland, the bright future of Macau will be created with our concerted efforts. The new-term Government will take a humble attitude to listen to the precious comments and suggestions from all sectors of the society. With practical hard work, we will keep up the momentum and work together, elevate our confidence for future development. I believe that with the strong leadership of the Central People’s Government, staunch support of the mainland, and the united efforts from all sectors of the society and the general public, the future of Macau will surely be more brilliant and splendid!
As we set sail on a new journey in unity and strive for a new chapter in solidarity, we will break new ground for the high-level development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause. We will compose a new and vibrant chapter of the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle!
I wish our great country prosperity and harmony!
I wish the Macau SAR vibrancy and stability!
I wish everyone happiness and good health in the new year!
*The spelling of the text has been adjusted to the Post’s house style.
President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Sam Hou Fai, who was just sworn in as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) at the Macau East Asian Games Dome in Cotai on December 20. – Xinhua
