MACAO - President Xi Jinping on Thursday commended the Macao Special Administrative Region for its achievements over the past five "extraordinary" years.

Xi made the remarks while addressing a welcome dinner held by the SAR government on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Against the background of accelerating global transformation not seen in a century and the once-in-a-century pandemic, the fifth-term SAR government has rallied and led the people of all sectors in Macao to rise to the challenges, made results-oriented efforts, ensured a steady economic recovery and achieved progress in all undertakings, Xi noted.

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Over the past five years, Macao has made new progress in appropriate economic diversification, and reached a new level in improving people's well-being, Xi said.

Macao's political and social foundation, rooted in love for the Chinese nation and love for Macao, is more solid and stronger, and its international influence and visibility have risen significantly, he added.

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The remarkable achievements are attributable to the full and faithful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy, to the vigorous support of the central government and the mainland, and to the active involvement of the international community, Xi noted.

They are also the result of the hard work and all-out efforts of people of all sectors in Macao united under the leadership of the Macao SAR government, he added.

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President Xi Jinping also said that the executive, legislative and judicial organs of the Macao SAR have comprehensively, accurately and unwaveringly implemented the "one country, two systems" policy.

When meeting with officials of the three organs, Xi said they have performed their duties pragmatically and effectively headed by Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng over the past five years.  

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is in Macao for the anniversary celebrations, the inauguration of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and an inspection tour of the SAR.