President says Ho tackled challenges, made hard-won achievements in deepening prosperity

President Xi Jinping on Dec 18 acknowledged the work of the fifth-term Macao Special Administrative Region government and its Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng in consolidating the city’s prosperity and stability, expressing hope that the outgoing chief executive will continue contributing to the practice of “one country, two systems”.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Ho in Macao shortly after his arrival in the city to attend a gathering marking the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and the inauguration of the SAR’s sixth-term government.

The president praised Ho’s tenure over the past five years, saying that he has tackled challenges head-on and made hard-won and pragmatic achievements.

Ho has led the SAR government to fully and faithfully implement “one country, two systems”, safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and successfully overcome the severe challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi said.

Ho and the SAR government also made efforts in promoting the moderately diversified economic development of Macao, achieving new progress in various fields, and consolidating as well as advancing Macao’s prosperity and stability, the president noted.

Xi said that he hopes Ho will support the new chief executive and the SAR government in their law-based governance, and make new contributions to the practice of “one country, two systems” and the development of Macao and the nation.

Extending a warm welcome, Ho said he was sincerely grateful to Xi and the central government for the trust in and support for him.

With the strong support of the central authorities, the Macao SAR government united various sectors to deal with COVID-19 and pushed for new progress in the development of the SAR, Ho said. He also pledged support to the new SAR administration in exercising law-based governance.

Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, Macao has achieved all-around development and continuously integrated into national development.

Once a quiet coastal town, Macao has been transformed into one of the wealthiest cities in Asia. Its gross domestic product increased from 51.9 billion patacas ($6.23 billion) in 1999 to 379.5 billion patacas in 2023.

In the first three quarters of this year, its GDP topped 301 billion patacas, up 11.5 percent year-on-year. In 1999, only 7 million travelers visited the city, while the number surged to 32.5 million as of Dec 7.

At the airport on Dec 18, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by hundreds of young people and representatives of the public, who flanked the red carpet waving the national and regional flags as well as colorful bouquets. The Macao police force band played lively welcome tunes. Dragon and lion dance filled the air with joy.

In his address, Xi described Macao as “a pearl on the palm” of the motherland and expressed the belief that Macao will create an even brighter future by fully leveraging the institutional advantages of “one country, two systems,” working hard and actively promoting innovation.

On behalf of the central government and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, Xi extended sincere greetings and best wishes to Macao’s residents, and said that Macao’s development and the wellbeing of its residents is always on his mind.

Representatives from various sectors in Macao said that President Xi’s visit to Macao is a testament to the central government’s care and support for the city.

Cheung Kin-chung, a Macao legislator and chairman of China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd, said Xi’s visit to Macao shows the central government’s unwavering care and support for the region.

This visit is of great significance as it is an encouragement to Macao residents and an affirmation of the prosperity and stable development of the SAR, Cheung said.

Liang Yulin, an office worker who has resided in the city for a decade, expressed his great gratitude for Xi’s care and support for Macao.

He said that the SAR has experienced significant transformation in the last five years, believing that President Xi could gain more insights into the city through his inspection tour.

Duarte Alves, president of the General Assembly of the Macanese Youth Association, said it is a great honor to have Xi visit Macao for a gathering to mark such an important date. “Macao today is a result of the vision of the country’s leaders for decades and we, as people in Macao, are very proud,” he said.

Local people also said that Xi’s address at the airport upon his arrival was a heartfelt wish for Macao, which would not only provide momentum but also guide the direction of the SAR’s development.

Wong Ho-ian, a student of Escola Choi Nong Chi Tai, who stood near the podium when Xi was delivering his speech, held a bright yellow “pearl” in her hands — a prop she used during the dragon and lion dance performances held to welcome the president and his wife.

“Although I’m only a high school student, I have learned a lot about how the motherland has supported Macao’s development. I was very happy to hear him say that Macao is like ‘a pearl on the palm of the motherland’,” Wong said, adding that the way Xi described the city struck a chord with Macao’s residents.

Kou Kam-fai, principal of Pui Ching Middle School Macau, said that Xi likened Macao to “a pearl on the palm” of the motherland in his speech, which shows the president’s deep care for the city and its residents.

Under the policy of “one country, two systems”, Macao has achieved outstanding milestones across multiple sectors over the past 25 years, Kou said. He said he hopes that the city can achieve further advancement by prioritizing the well-being of its residents.

Wong Kit-cheng, a lawmaker in Macao, said that Xi’s visit represents the central government’s best wishes for the SAR.

Wong, who also serves as the vice-president of the Women’s General Association of Macao, said the president’s arrival will set a clear path for Macao’s development in the new era and the work of the new SAR government. “It also reflects the central government’s high attention to Macao’s sustained prosperity and stability,” she said, adding that the motherland has always been a strong supporter of Macao.

Xiang Liqun, a 27-year-old design graduate from the City University of Macau, said that Xi’s speech reaffirmed the principle of “one country, two systems”, which encouraged her a lot.

Xiang said that she deeply appreciates the stability and growth fostered by this policy.

Contact the writers at mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn