Hong Kong, Macau Don’t Need Foreign Interference, China's Xi Says

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday hailed the rapid socioeconomic development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) since its return to China in 1999.

In addressing a gathering in Macao to mark the 20th anniversary of the region's return to the motherland, Xi said that the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region 20 years ago opened a new era in Macao's history, and the city has achieved the best ever development in history since then.

"Over the past 20 years, with the great support from the Central Government and the mainland, and under the leadership of the two Chief Executives, Ho Hau Wah and Chui Sai On, the Macao SAR government and people of all circles in the Macao Special Administrative Region have made concerted effort to create the best development period in the city's history, and have written a brilliant chapter of the successful practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy with Macao characteristics," Xi said.

Since Macao returned to the motherland in 1999, Xi said, the constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR has been consolidated with the governing system constantly improved.

Macao's executive, legislative and judicial bodies have fulfilled their duties strictly in accordance with the law, properly handled the mutual relations, and consciously upheld the authority of the Chief Executive to ensure the smooth functioning of the executive-led system with the Chief Executive at the center, Xi said.

He said that the Macao residents widely enjoy law-based rights and freedom, as the Macao SAR has seen an orderly development in its system of democracy.

The president recalled that Macao's economy has grown by leaps and bounds since its return to the motherland, with its per capita GDP soaring to the world's second highest.

Macao's efforts to appropriately diversify its economy have delivered early results, Xi said.

"Macao's efforts to appropriately diversify its economy have delivered early results. Emerging industries such as exhibition and convention, traditional Chinese medicine and special finance are flourishing in Macao. The city has also made positive progress in jointly building the Belt and Road and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The people's wellbeing has been significantly improved, with a series of policies including free education, free healthcare and a two-tier social security system benefiting the whole society. Macao residents have a growing sense of fulfillment and happiness," he said.

Stressing Macao's social stability and harmony, Xi said Macao has become one of the safest cities in the world since its return to the motherland, by swiftly tackling security problems that existed before the return.

Close communication has been maintained between the government and the residents, as well as among different walks of life and ethnic groups in Macao, where the Chinese culture has been carried forward and coexisted with other cultures to prosper, Xi said.

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