Poster: Macao writes new chapter in successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems with Macao characteristics

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday delivered a speech at a welcoming dinner hosted by the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Macao has written a new chapter in the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems with Macao characteristics, Xi noted.

These remarkable achievements of Macao over the past five years 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 said.

They are 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, Xi pointed out.

Here are the highlights of the speech.

-- Macao has made new progress in appropriate economic diversification. With the gaming industry developing in a healthy and orderly manner in accordance with the law, Macao, as a world-class tourism and leisure center, continues to offer new services, and major emerging industries are booming. Macao has taken an active part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Hengqin-Macao integration is deepening, as the In-Depth Cooperation Zone goes into closed customs operation, and the levels of physical connectivity of infrastructure and institutional connectivity of rules increase. Macao's cooperation with the mainland in science and technology is also deepening and expanding. The successful launch and smooth operation of "Macao Science 1" satellites is just one example. Today's Macao enjoys a stronger foundation and broader space for economic development. It is on an ever-widening path of shared development and common prosperity along with the mainland.

-- Macao has reached a new level in improving people's well-being. To meet the practical needs of its residents, Macao has increased spending on improving the people's well-being and taken solid steps on the ground to deliver tangible benefits to residents in areas that directly impact their lives, including housing, health care, education, and elderly care. The apartments for senior citizens and the Macao New Neighborhood project are completed. The Macao Bridge is open to traffic. The quality of basic education continues to improve, and the sector of higher education is making steady progress. The region-wide application of e-government is on a fast track and the efforts to build Macao into a more livable city are intensifying. Local residents enjoy remarkably greater comfort and convenience. With public well-being better secured and social undertakings making all-round progress, Macao today has become a pleasant and favorable place to live and work in.

-- Macao's political and social foundation, rooted in love for the Chinese nation and love for Macao, is more solid and strong. The laws and institutional mechanisms of the Macao SAR for safeguarding national security are improved. Elections of the seventh Legislative Assembly and the sixth-term Chief Executive have been held smoothly. Macao residents' rights, including democracy, human rights and freedoms, remain fully guaranteed. The Macao SAR has strengthened its public education of the Constitution, the Basic Law, the national conditions and history, and the national security. As a result, people of all sectors now have a stronger sense of national identity and cherish deep feelings for our nation as much as they love their family. People of all ethnic communities live in amity, and cultural events are colorful and numerous. In Macao today, more than ever, the love for the Chinese nation and the love for Macao have become a stronger theme in a multicultural symphony that features coexistence and co-prosperity.

-- Macao's international influence and visibility have risen significantly. Solid progress has been made in establishing Macao as "One Center, One Platform, One Base." The Center for Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation Between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries has been inaugurated, and Macao's exchange and cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries are closer. Macao has deepened cooperation with countries and regions participating in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and established friendly ties or twinning relationships with more cities. It has also maintained stable economic and trade ties with more countries and regions. Macao has been awarded the Culture City of East Asia and the Best Convention City (Asia). Its international competitiveness and influence has been enhanced.