Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai attended today a reception to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by the PLA Macao Garrison at its barracks in Taipa.
In his address, he stated that the PLA Macao Garrison has consistently and resolutely implemented the decisions and instructions of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.
By strictly adhering to the Basic Law of the MSAR, the Garrison Law, and relevant legislation, the Garrison has faithfully fulfilled its defence duties. It stands as a “great wall of iron" safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and serves as a "stabilising force" ensuring the prosperity and stability of Macao, Sam said.
Sam noted that the glorious history of the PLA is a magnificent epic written in iron, blood, and glory. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has always demonstrated an iron will, a fearless spirit, and exceptional capabilities, overcoming hardships and defeating formidable enemies to forge an immortal monument of successive victories. These illustrious achievements are forever engraved upon the vast landscapes of our motherland and deeply imprinted in the hearts of the more than one billion Chinese people.
Sam pointed out that the PLA Macao Garrison, with its strict discipline, exemplary conduct, and a spirit of love for Macao and its people, has guarded the territory, trained for combat, engaged in disaster relief, and contributed to public welfare. It has always breathed the same air, shared the same fate, and remained closely connected with the people of Macao. This profound friendship, thicker than water, has earned the trust and admiration of the vast majority of Macao residents and has become the most vivid and powerful reflection of the successful implementation and long-term stability of "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Macao.
He noted that this year also marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army's Long March.
“While we commemorate and pay tribute to the monumental achievements written in the blood of our revolutionary predecessors, we must also be keenly aware that every generation has its own mission and journey. There can be no high-quality development without high-level security, and there can be no national peace without a strong national defence”, Sam said, adding that in order “to carry forward the great spirit of the Long March on the new journey of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, we must firmly implement the principle of "patriots governing Macau", safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and unite all sectors of society to forge ahead, overcome difficulties, and jointly create a better future”.
Sam emphasised that the MSAR Government is uniting and leading all sectors of Macao society in diligently studying and implementing the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speech delivered at the recent conference celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, striving to open a new chapter for the high-quality development of the "One Country, Two Systems" cause.
Sam also said that the MSAR Government will officially release its 3rd Five-Year Plan next month. The period from 2026 to 2030 will be a critical stage for Macao to deeply implement the spirit of President Xi’s series of important speeches and instructions as it moves towards high-quality development, Sam stressed.
The MSAR Government will unswervingly implement the overall national security concept and, as always, work in unison and close cooperation with the PLA Macao Garrison to build an impregnable fortress for national security and social stability, Sam said. Furthermore, he emphasised, it will unite and lead the public to internalise and externalise the core values of loving the country and loving Macao, consolidate immense strength, and fully promote the implementation and effectiveness of the 3rd Five-Year Plan.
“By leveraging Macao’s unique advantages and positioning, we will contribute our wisdom and strength to the nation’s modernisation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, Sam concluded.
N.B. Statement released by the Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS) today. Translation from Chinese, arranged and edited in English by The Macau Post Daily.
Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai addresses today's reception marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). - Photo: Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS)
