MACAO - Bian Lixin, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), on Thursday pledged to carry out diplomacy for the benefits of Macao and fully support the SAR in expanding its international communication and cooperation.

Speaking at a reception marking her assumption of office, Bian thanked various sectors of the SAR for their long-standing support for Macao-related foreign affairs work. She said the commissioner's office will align with the objectives of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, strengthen national security safeguards, assist in hosting the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, promote international cooperation in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and facilitate appropriate economic diversification.

She also pledged efforts to help Macao's youth broaden their international vision, better present Macao's stories and the values embodied in "one country, two systems," and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Macao residents overseas.

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Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Sam Hou-fai welcomed Bian to her new post, saying the SAR government will leverage Macao's strengths in connecting the mainland and the world and in fostering exchanges between Chinese and Western cultures, further expand two-way opening-up, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries.

He expressed hope that the commissioner's office will continue to support the SAR in enhancing its international competitiveness and influence.

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In January, China's central government appointed Bian as commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR, replacing Liu Xianfa.