Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai delivered a speech during the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games in Guangzhou last night. The following is a slightly abridged version of his speech. The translation was arranged and edited by the Post.
Today, we gather in Guangzhou to jointly usher in the grand opening of the 15th National Games. At this moment of widespread attention, on behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the trust and support of the Central People’s Government, as well as to the General Administration of Sport of China, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as to all the athletes, staff, and volunteers who have devoted tireless efforts to this edition of the National Games. I convey my sincere thanks and highest respect!
The National Games is the highest-level and largest-scale comprehensive sporting event in our country, serving as an important platform to showcase our nation’s overall strength and to promote sporting exchanges and cooperation across all regions. This edition of the National Games is the first to be jointly hosted by the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao regions, representing a vivid practice in advancing the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area, demonstrating the strengths of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, and providing a significant opportunity for Macao to integrate into and serve the broader national development strategy. From preparation to execution, the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao have always worked with one heart and one direction, in close collaboration, fully leveraging institutional advantages and the power of regional cooperation, to deliver a National Games that is “simple, safe, and splendid”.
We have steadfastly upheld the conviction of “Bay Area United in Purpose, National Games Marching Together”, creating a stage for athletes to display their prowess and surpass themselves, presenting to spectators the vibrant, inclusive, and harmonious charm of the Greater Bay Area, and showcasing to friends at home and abroad the unique appeal of “Dynamic Macao” and the rich connotations of “one country, two systems”, thereby jointly amassing tremendous strength towards the great cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.
Here, I sincerely wish the 15th National Games every success! I wish all athletes continued outstanding achievements! We are full of confidence that, under the leadership of the Central Government, the tomorrow of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be even brighter, and the tomorrow of our great motherland will be even brighter!
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Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of China’s 15th National Games in Guangzhou last night. His Hong Kong counterpart, John Lee Ka-Chiu, also addressed the ceremony. – Xinhua
