President Xi Jinping (right) administers the oath of office to Ho Iat-seng, the fifth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec 20, 2019. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MACAO - Ho Iat-seng was sworn in here on Friday morning as the fifth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, officiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In his speech at the ceremony, Xi on Friday extended cordial greetings to all the Macao residents on behalf of the central government and people of all ethnic groups in the country.

Xi made the remarks while addressing a gathering in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. 

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Congratulating the Macao CE and principal officials of the SAR government who were sworn in Friday, Xi said over the past 20 years, Macao had achieved the best ever rate of development in its history

Development 

Congratulating the Macao CE and principal officials of the SAR government who were sworn in Friday, Xi said over the past 20 years, Macao had achieved the best ever rate of development in its history. Xi pointed out how Macao's economy had grown by leaps and bounds since its return to the motherland with its per capita GDP soaring to the world's second highest.

Macao's efforts to appropriately diversify its economy delivered early results, Xi said Friday, citing flourishing emerging industries such as exhibition and convention, traditional Chinese medicine and special finance.

He urged Macao to focus on projects based on the region's conditions and well-conceived procedures to appropriately diversify its economy.

Macao should grasp the opportunity brought by the building of the Belt and Road and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Xi said.

The president attributed the achievements to the concerted efforts made by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government together with people from all walks of life, the support of the central government and the mainland, as well as the leadership of Ho Hau-wah and Chui Sai-on.

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The Chinese president thanked compatriots at home and abroad and foreign friends for caring for and supporting Macao's development.

One country, two systems

Xi said Macao compatriots have always had firm confidence in "one country, two systems" as he summed up Macao's key experience in successfully practising the principle.

Xi said the vitality and strength of "one country, two systems" will be fully evident as long as there is a firm belief in the principle and earnest practice of it.

President Xi Jinping administers the oath of office to principal officials of the fifth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec 20, 2019. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

He praised Macao compatriots for having taken forward the principle of "one country, two systems" in the correct direction. 

Xi said "one country" is the prerequisite for and basis of "two systems." Only by ensuring no distortion of the "one country, two systems" practice can the cause of "one country, two systems" be championed

Xi said "one country" is the prerequisite for and basis of "two systems." Only by ensuring no distortion of the "one country, two systems" practice can the cause of "one country, two systems" be championed. 

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He also said patriotism is the key factor in Macao's successful practise of the "one country, two systems".

Macao compatriots have a tradition of patriotism, as well as a strong sense of national identity, belonging and national pride, firmly consolidating the social and political foundation for "one country, two systems, Xi said.

Constitutional order

Xi lauded Macao for having firmly established a constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, and having improved its governing system since its return to the motherland in 1999. 

The Macao SAR had ensured that central authorities could exercise overall jurisdiction while accurately implementing a high degree of autonomy, Xi said.

Rights based on the law

Xi said Macao residents widely enjoyed rights and freedom enshrined in the law, as the Macao SAR had seen an orderly development of its democratic political system.

The Chinese president praised Macao for becoming one of the safest cities in the world, overcoming its previous notoriety, since its return to the motherland. 

Governance

The Chinese president called for steady efforts to strengthen institutions for the law-based governance of Macao and ensure that government decision making is well-conceived and public services are efficient. He called for further efforts to promote social harmony and stability in Macao.