Macao a tale of opportunities and new achievements

The Government Work Report on Wednesday reiterates that we must fully and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and support Hong Kong and Macao in promoting economic development, improving living standards, enhancing international exchanges and cooperation, better integrating into the overall national development and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.

The year 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Since then China has grown from a poverty-stricken agricultural society to the world's second-largest economy; from a country with inadequate supply of food and clothing to a moderately well-off society in all respects. Today, the advancement of Chinese modernization is unfolding a brighter future, guiding the Chinese nation toward realizing rejuvenation.

The year 2024 also marked the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. To mark the occasion, multiple celebratory events were held in the city. In particular, President Xi Jinping's inspection tour to the Macao Special Administrative Region to attend the celebrations, and his speeches affirmed the remarkable development achievements Macao has made in the 25 years.

President Xi proposed "three expectations" and "four hopes" for Macao, encouraging the city to leverage its unique advantages to improve internal and external connectivity, adopt a more open and inclusive approach to development, enhance its global influence, and further contribute to national development and national rejuvenation. His care for and expectations from Macao have encouraged all sectors of the SAR to contribute more to regional and national development, and boosted the international community's confidence in the advantages and prospects of "one country, two systems".

President Xi said that Macao has played an important role in and made unique contributions to national development during different periods. On the other hand, the central government has reinforced its support for the development of Macao's "one center, one platform, and one base", and has been encouraging it to help advance the Belt and Road Initiative.

With the number of its "sister cities" and "circles of friends" growing, Macao has been earning new monikers including the "city of gastronomy", "city of culture" and "city of events". Thanks to the increasing exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries, Macao's global status and influence have greatly improved. In fact, Macao has developed into a global hub connecting China and the rest of the world, and an important bridgehead for the country's high-level opening-up.

This year is the final year of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the first year of the new Macao SAR government. Currently, all sectors of the SAR are diligently studying and implementing the proposals President Xi made in his speeches during his inspection tour to Macao.

Entering a new era as an important bridgehead for the country's high-level opening-up, Macao is looking forward to a brighter future. As the only region in the world where Chinese and Portuguese are official languages, Macao is a model of harmonious coexistence and integration of different civilizations. The city has been endeavoring to build "one center, one platform, and one base", while playing a key role in promoting economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

We believe Macao will be able to further leverage its unique advantages to improve internal and external connectivity, and synergize diversified sectors including high-tech, tourism, traditional Chinese medicine and finance through more exchanges and interactions with external parties, and develop a world-class business environment.

The SAR will also be able to improve its external cooperation mechanisms, and combine the strength of all its sectors, including expatriates, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other cities, as well as Portuguese-speaking and Southeast Asian countries, to attract more foreign investments, boost and diversify its economic development, and transform itself into an international hub to pursue an even brighter future.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao will adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as its guide, help implement the proposals of President Xi, better safeguard national security, support the SAR's chief executive in governing according to the law, help the region expand its external exchanges and cooperation, and facilitate the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin so it attracts more foreign investment.

We firmly believe that with the guidance of President Xi, the backing of the central government and the joint efforts of the SAR government and all sectors of its society, Macao will be able to seize the new opportunities created by the country's high-quality development and high-level opening-up, open up new horizons and make new achievements.

The author is the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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