GOOD SYSTEM
The concept of "one country, two systems" was first proposed by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s to reunify the country, initially with Taiwan in mind. It was later implemented in Hong Kong and Macao following their handovers from British and Portuguese rule in the late 1990s.
Xi said "one country, two systems" is a good policy that helps maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, serves the noble cause of building a stronger country and achieving national rejuvenation, and promotes peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between different social systems.
He urged the new government of the Macao SAR to better leverage the institutional advantages of "one country, two systems" and open up new prospects for the cause's high-quality development.
During his three-day stay, Xi visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Located in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, Hengqin is separated from Macao by a narrow stretch of water. The zone, about three times the size of Macao, was established in 2021 to develop industries such as high-end manufacturing, traditional Chinese medicine, financial services, and cultural tourism, helping Macao reduce its over-dependence on the gaming sector.
"Macao plus Hengqin" is becoming a new model for enriching the practice of "one country, two systems" and a new high ground for advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Xi said.
As Carlos Cid Alvares, president of the Macao Delegation of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aptly pointed out, "Macao may be small, but the potential of the Greater Bay Area is huge."
"So I never talk about the 700,000 residents in Macao," he said. "I talk about 80 million people in the Greater Bay Area."
Macao will surely open up new horizons for development and continue creating new glories, as long as the policy of "one country, two systems" is comprehensively, accurately, and unwaveringly implemented, Xi said on Friday.
NEW GLORY
On Friday, Xi expressed his expectations for the newly inaugurated government, calling on it to promote the appropriate diversification of the local economy, improve governance efficiency, build a platform for higher-level opening up, and safeguard social harmony and stability.
He also called on young people in Macao to assume the role of builders and successors of the cause of "one country, two systems."
Xi said he met many outstanding young people during his stay in Macao, including government workers, entrepreneurs and teachers.
Visiting the Macau University of Science and Technology on Thursday, Xi had a cordial exchange with the faculty, students and researchers there. Lai Iat Him, a freshman, said he was excited to meet Xi in person. "It was a real inspiration for me hearing what he said, and we, as young people in Macao, should dream big, work hard to realize our goals, and contribute to our country," Lai said.
Sam Hou Fai said in his inaugural speech that he felt a great sense of responsibility and honor for the mission.
"With the staunch support of the motherland and the collective efforts of Macao's people, we have the confidence and capability to make Macao, 'a pearl on the palm' of the motherland, even more brilliant and shining," Sam said.
Friday's ceremony was also attended by senior officials including Cai Qi, as well as Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, and former Macao SAR Chief Executives Chui Sai On and Ho Iat Seng.
