Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and his wife Peng Liyuan wave as they arrive at the international airport in Macao, south China, Dec 19, 2014. (LAN HONGGUANG / XINHUA)

MACAO — Chinese President Xi Jinping said the central government and the Chinese people are proud of the achievements and progress of Macao in the past 20 years.

We will join hands to draw the blueprint for Macao's future development

Xi Jinping, Chinese president 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks after arriving in Macao on Wednesday afternoon.

"I am very happy to come to Macao again. In October, we held a grand celebration for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland is another major event," Xi said while speaking to reporters at Macao's airport.

ALSO READ: President Xi meets with Macao's new chief executive

Xi also extended warm congratulations and best wishes to the Macao compatriots.

"It is worthwhile to sum up the experience and characteristics of Macao in faithfully implementing 'one country, two systems'," he said while addressing media at Macao's airport.

"We will join hands to draw the blueprint for Macao's future development," Xi said.

The president is expected to attend a gathering celebrating the 20th anniversary of Macao's return and the inauguration ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday. He will also inspect the Macao SAR.

"During my stay, I expect extensive exchanges with people from all walks of life in Macao over matters of common concern," he said.

The president also met with outgoing Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai-on, saying the central government fully acknowledged his work during his 10 years as the chief executive.

President Xi said the central government fully acknowledged outgoing Chief Executive Chui Sai-on's work during his 10 years as the chief executive

Xi, during the meeting, said Chui has led the SAR government to fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems," and strictly abide by the Constitution and the Basic Law to govern the SAR in a steady and pragmatic manner over the past decade, making a great number of new achievements, and consolidating and promoting prosperity and stability in Macao.

"The central government fully acknowledges your work," Xi told Chui.

The president expressed the hope that Chui will continue to care about the development of the country and Macao, actively support the new chief executive and the SAR government in their law-based governance, and continue to make contributions to the practice of "one country, two systems."

READ MORE: Xi to attend Macao's 20th return anniversary celebration

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by Chui and his wife Fok Wai Fun as they arrived at the airport of Macao on Wednesday. Two Macao pupils presented bouquets to them.

Hundreds of young people and members of the public welcomed the president, waving the national and SAR flags and flowers.

Ho Hau-wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Ho Iat-seng, the incoming chief executive of the Macao SAR, also attended the airport welcome ceremony.