Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has praised the local garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for its commitment to engaging in diverse interactions with Macau’s civil society while comprehensively fulfilling its defence duties and responsibilities for the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
Sam made the remarks while delivering a speech during a reception hosted by the local PLA garrison on Friday in celebration of the 98th anniversary of the PLA.
In addition to Sam, the reception, held at the garrison’s barracks in Taipa, was also attended by PLA Macau Garrison Commander Yu Changjiang and Commissar Lin Qinghua, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Vice Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the MSAR Director Zheng Xincong, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, Macau Legislative Assembly (AL) President Kou Hoi In, and Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Song Man Lei.
Noble ideals and firm convictions
In his speech, Sam said that for the past 98 years, the glorious and great PLA has always upheld its noble ideals and firm convictions, kept pace with the times, and pursued innovation, while maintaining its fine traditions and exemplary conduct. Growing while addressing challenge, innovating while upholding its heritage, and developing through the pursuit of new causes, Sam said, the PLA has kept pace with the progress of the nation and the development of the people, achieving great historical feats and becoming a steadfast force in safeguarding world peace.
Sam noted that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the PLA has focused on realising the goal of developing a strong military where it will build the people’s forces into world-class forces that obey the Party’s command, can fight and win, and maintain excellent conduct, while continuously opening up new frontiers in the modernisation of national defence and marching confidently towards its centennial military development goal.
Sam said that as a heroic unit within the PLA, the local garrison has, since its deployment in Macau, resolutely safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests. The local garrison has fully and accurately implemented the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Macau people governing Macau”, and high degree of autonomy, strictly adhered to the Macau Basic Law, the Garrison Law, and other relevant laws, and comprehensively fulfilled Macau’s defence duties and responsibilities, Sam said.
Sam also praised the local PLA garrison for fully supporting the governance exercised by the MSAR government, actively engaging in diverse interactions with Macau’s civil society, and strengthened patriotic education campaigns among young local people, which, he said, has bolstered confidence in and provided a strong safeguard for the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics, and has earned widespread praise from Macau compatriots and genuine respect from all sectors of civil society.
Sam noted that this year marks the inaugural year of the current-term MSAR government and also the significant historical milestone of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Sam underlined that the MSAR government is uniting all sectors of civil society to pursue reform and progress under a governance path seeking to advance appropriate economic diversification, improve residents’ well-being, enhance governance, and integrate Macau’s development into the nation’s overall development.
At the same time, Sam said, the MSAR government has established a cross-departmental task force to organise various commemorative activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, aiming to promote patriotism and the spirit of the great war of resistance among Macau compatriots, particularly the younger generation.
New stage of ‘One Country, Two Systems’
Sam said that currently, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, where Macau’s internal and external environments are undergoing profound and complex changes, while the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle has also entered a new stage, the chief executive said.
Sam pledged that the MSAR government will continue to maintain close ties and collaboration with the local PLA garrison, uniting and leading Macau compatriots to cherish and safeguard the hard-won stability and harmony. With integrity, innovation and determination, Sam said, the local government will write new chapters in the high-quality development of the cause of “One Country, Two Systems” and remain steadfast in contributing to the great cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.
Also delivering a speech, PLA Macau Garrison Commander Yu Changjiang underlined that since the stationing of the garrison in Macau in December 1999, it has earnestly implemented the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and adhered to the Macau Basic Law and the Garrison Law.
Yu underlined the local PLA garrison’s determination, progress and enhanced mission capabilities, aligning with the centenary goal of robust army building. With a renewed fighting spirit and solid work ethic, Yu said, the garrison will strive for a new era of comprehensive development.
Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macau Garrison Commander Yu Changjiang (from left to right), Legislative Assembly (AL) President Kou Hoi In, Central People’s Government Liaison Office Director Zheng Xincong, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Vice Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Song Man Lei, and PLA Macau Garrison Commissar Lin Qinghua offer a toast during Friday’s reception marking the 98th anniversary of the PLA at the garrison’s barracks in Taipa. – Photo: GCS
