The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, delivers a speech at a reception hosted by the Macao SAR Government to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that Macao had become a hotspot for demonstrating successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle.
The principle’s successful implementation in Macao illustrated that the “One country, two systems” principle was absolutely feasible, workable and supported by the people, he added.
Mr Chui delivered a speech at a reception hosted by the Macao SAR Government to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The reception was held this afternoon at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, with approximately 950 guests.
The People’s Republic of China was established on 1 October 1949, 70 years ago. Thanks to the strong leadership of the Central People’s Government, all the people of China had joined forces to strive unremittingly for wealth and prosperity, and accomplished world-renowned success in continuously enhancing people’s sense of satisfaction, happiness and peace, Mr Chui said.
This year would mark the 20th anniversary of Macao’s reunification with the motherland. Throughout the past two decades Macao had benefitted from – and made use of – the advantages of rapid national development, in order to achieve faster, better-quality growth, he said,
Macao’s comprehensive implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle, including “Macao people governing Macao” and the enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy, had demonstrated to the world a successful implementation of “One country, two systems” with Macao characteristics, said the Chief Executive.
The most invaluable lesson from the successful implementation of the principle of “One country, two systems” was the persistent adherence to the “one country” principle while taking advantage of the “two systems” model, he added.
In his speech, Mr Chui reviewed Macao’s effort over the past 10 years in relation to promoting adequate economic diversification, including seizing opportunities arising from the “Belt and Road” initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. These efforts also involved advancement of Macao’s strategic positions – as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperationservice platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies).
The past decade had also seen significant economic growth in Macao, with: the unemployment rate maintained at, or below, 2 percent; median monthly income increased to 20,000 patacas; and sound management of public finances.
The SAR Government mainly invested its revenues into improvement of people’s livelihoods and community development, Mr Chui said. The SAR Government’s input on education, healthcare and social security had increased from 13 billion patacas in 2009 to more than 37 billion patacas in 2018. Six long-term livelihood mechanisms had been advanced, to enhance people’s well-being and share the fruits of economic development.
The current complex and volatile international situation would bring both challenges and opportunities, Mr Chui said. The SAR Government was paying close attention to changes in the economic environment, and had made preparations to launch local countermeasures if necessary, in order to ensure continued stable progress of all industries in the Macao SAR.
Mr Chui also mentioned the SAR Government’s “proceed in parallel” strategy – i.e., strengthening its capabilities and fostering regional cooperation effort – in order to accelerate the city’s adequate economic diversification and take advantage of the city’s positioning and functions in national economic development and opening up.
Mr Chui went on to note that this year would also see a change of administration in the Macao SAR, following the successful completion of the Fifth Chief Executive Election.
The current administration was committed to supporting the formation of the new administration, to ensure a smooth handover. Mr Chui called on all sectors in the community to extend to the fifth-term Chief Executive and the new administration their ongoing support in accordance with the law, while upholding Macao’s splendid tradition of being patriotic, inclusive, and practical yet also proactive.
