On the morning of January 9, the Chinese Association for Hong Kong and Macao Studies (CAHKMS) held a special seminar in Beijing on “Studying and Implementing the Spirit of President Xi Jinping’s Important Speeches at the Meeting Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Macao’s Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Sixth Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region” in Macao on December 20, 2024.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office (HKMWO) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council, attended the seminar and delivered a speech.
Xia said that President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), as well as his inspection of the MSAR, has greatly enhanced the confidence of Hong Kong, Macao and the international community in the institutional advantages and development prospects of “One Country, Two Systems”. It has greatly inspired the new MSAR government to open up new horizons for development and continuously create new glories, and has greatly inspired all sectors of Hong Kong and Macao society to promote better development in Hong Kong and Macao and make greater contributions to the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation.
President Xi Jinping delivered several important speeches, highly affirming the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macao characteristics, profoundly summarizing the practical experience of “One Country, Two Systems”, scientifically drawing up the blueprint for the development of “One Country, Two Systems”, and solemnly declaring to the world the comprehensive, accurate and unswerving implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”. “The firm stance of the policy provides a guide for the future development of Hong Kong and Macao, and provides a fundamental guideline and action guide for doing a good job in Hong Kong and Macao work in the current and future period. It is of great milestone significance in the development of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Xia said that President Xi important speeches looked back at the tremendous changes in Macao and used the brilliant achievements made in the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” to eloquently prove to the world that the good system of “One Country, Two Systems” has strong vitality. President Xi stressed that “the brilliant achievements made by Macao since its return to the motherland have proved to the world that ‘One Country, Two Systems’ has significant institutional advantages and strong vitality. It is a good system to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, and it is a good system to serve the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
‘A good system to be upheld for a long time’
A good system is one that enables peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation among different social systems and must be upheld for a long time. We must deeply understand its spiritual essence and rich connotations. This good system is good because it conforms to the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macao and is wholeheartedly supported by the residents of Hong Kong and Macao. It conforms to the fundamental interests of the country and the nation and is strongly supported by more than 1.4 billion people of the motherland. It conforms to the interests of investors from all countries and is supported by the international community.
Xia Baolong said that President Xi’s important speeches were based on the broad context of time and space, and clearly put forward the value concepts of peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing embodied in the “One Country, Two Systems”, which greatly demonstrated the contemporary and global significance of the “One Country, Two Systems”. President Xi pointed out that “the values of peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing embodied in ‘One Country, Two Systems’ belong to China and the world, and are worthy of joint protection.” This important statement profoundly reveals the contemporary and global significance of “One Country, Two Systems”, provides Chinese wisdom and solutions for promoting global governance, further demonstrates the appeal of “One Country, Two Systems”, and is a major contribution to human political civilization.
‘Embracing all rivers’
“Peace” means valuing peace, coexisting in harmony, and resolving disputes and differences through consultation and dialogue. This is the inherent meaning of “One Country, Two Systems”.
“Inclusiveness” means embracing all rivers and being tolerant, and fully respecting institutional differences and diverse characteristics. This is an inevitable requirement of “One Country, Two Systems”.
“Openness” means embracing the world, moving forward hand in hand, and constantly injecting new vitality into economic and social development. This is a distinctive feature of “One Country, Two Systems.”
“Sharing” means win-win cooperation, mutual benefit and reciprocity, and the sharing of institutional dividends and development achievements. This is the result of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”.
The ‘four principles’ must be grasped
Xia also said that President Xi’s important speeches connect the past, present and future, profoundly reveal the practical laws of “One Country, Two Systems”, and open up a new realm of “One Country, Two Systems” theory in the new era. President Xi’s important speeches, based on the practical experience of Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland, succinctly summarized the four principles that must be grasped to continue to promote the steady and long-term practice of “One Country, Two Systems”, and scientifically answered major theoretical and practical issues of “One Country, Two Systems”. These important statements further enrich and develop the “One Country, Two Systems” theory and elevate the understanding and grasp of the practical laws of “One Country, Two Systems” to a new historical height.
‘Organically unified’
“Adhere to the basis of ‘One Country’ and make good use of the advantages of ‘Two Systems’” is the correct direction that must be firmly grasped to promote the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”. “One Country” and “Two Systems” are organically unified. “One Country” is the root and basis of “Two Systems”, and “Two Systems” make “One Country” richer and more exciting. “Maintaining high-level security and promoting high-quality development” are two major tasks that must be coordinated to advance the practice of “One Country, Two Systems.” Combining safety, the top priority, with development, another priority, is very realistic and targeted. We must be unwavering in maintaining security and unwavering in focusing on development; both are indispensable. “Give full play to unique advantages and strengthen internal and external connections” is the functional role that must be consolidated and enhanced to advance the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”. Hong Kong and Macao must ensure both internal and external connections, maximize the benefits of the “One Country, Two Systems” system, polish the international brands of Hong Kong and Macao, and demonstrate greater achievements on the international stage. “Promoting core values and promoting inclusiveness and harmony” is the political and social foundation that must be continuously consolidated to advance the practice of “One Country, Two Systems.” In the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”, we must promote the core values of loving the country and Hong Kong, loving the country and loving Macao, and at the same time, seek common ground while reserving differences, enhance exchanges and integration of diverse cultures, unite all forces that can be united, and form a broader unified support for “One Country, Two Systems” at home and abroad.
Xia also said that President Xi’s important speeches provide guidance for the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, have important guiding significance for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and will surely continue to enrich the new practice of the development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause. In his important speeches, President Xi specifically reiterated the original intention of developing Hengqin, emphasizing that the central government decided to develop Hengqin with the aim of promoting the appropriately diversified economic development of Macao and facilitating the lives and employment of Macao residents. This positioning must be grasped well, and we must not develop anything inconsistent with this positioning.
We must deeply understand the important statement about the “three things to look at” (namely, the effectiveness of the development and construction of the in-depth cooperation zone should be tested by whether there are concrete measures and results in promoting the appropriate diversification of Macao’s economy and facilitating the lives and employment of Macao residents; it depends on whether new institutional achievements have been made in leveraging the advantages of the “Two Systems” and promoting the connection of rules and mechanisms between the two places; it depends on whether the construction of market integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has been promoted through the integration of Hengqin and Macao, and we need to see whether the integration of Hengqin and Macao has played a pioneering role in promoting the market integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and also has grasped the positioning and role of Hong Kong and Macao in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area). We must deeply understand the important discourse on resolutely carrying out reforms and focusing on tackling tough problems, and push Hong Kong and Macao to make greater contributions in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We must deeply understand the important discourse on maintaining strategic determination and persisting in long-term efforts, and support Hong Kong and Macao in participating in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with more pragmatic measures.
Xia also said that President Xi’s important speeches clearly put forward the important mission of practicing “One Country, Two Systems” in the new era, and earnestly expressed the hope that the SAR government would seize the opportunity, forge ahead with reforms, and take responsibility, which will play a strong role in continuously creating a new situation of high-quality development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause.
In his important speeches, President Xi Jinping clearly pointed out that “achieving better development of Hong Kong and Macao and making greater contributions to building a strong country and national rejuvenation is an important mission in the practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in the new era.” This important statement marks the contemporary coordinates of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” on the historical scroll of comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization, and is full of earnest expectations for Hong Kong and Macao.
Xi’s ‘three expectations’ and ‘four hopes’
President Xi put forward “three expectations” and “four hopes” for the MSAR government and all sectors of society. These important instructions also apply to Hong Kong. We hope that the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao SARs and all sectors of society will bear in mind the instructions, follow the trend of the times, take the initiative to identify, respond to and seek changes, better leverage the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”, strengthen mutual learning, exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and Macao, and constantly open up Hong Kong and Macao. Macao is developing new horizons. We must facilitate the important discourse on promoting the economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, and focus on the economy, development and construction; we must facilitate the important discourse on improving the governance efficiency of the MSAR, and make great efforts to build an efficient and effective service.
We must facilitate the important discourse on building a higher level of opening-up platform and continuously strengthen the international advantages and characteristics of Hong Kong and Macao; we must facilitate the important discourse on maintaining social harmony and stability and unite and gather all sectors of society. We will use our strength to build a better Hong Kong and Macao.
Xia finally said that President Xi’s affectionate exhortations will surely motivate and inspire all Hong Kong and Macao residents to forge ahead with determination and work hard, and will inject strong impetus for Hong Kong and Macao to fly higher, go further and achieve better development. With the strong support of the great motherland, the united efforts of the SAR governments and all sectors of society, and riding on the mighty east wind of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, Hong Kong and Macao will surely create new glories and write new legends.
The translation of the unabridged statement provided by the HKMWO and HKMAO has been arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily. The heading and subheadings have been added by the Post. Parts of the text have been boldfaced by the Post for emphasis.
