Patriots are needed to work for the SAR's future prosperity, says Zhang

The nation's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Tuesday said Macao's success lay in its perseverance with "One Country" while making full use of "Two Systems".

The National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) chairman made these comments to leaders and representatives from all sectors of the Macao Special Administrative Region on the second day of his three-day inspection visit to the SAR.

Zhang hoped Macao could cherish this successful experience and strive for an even better future by encouraging people to love the nation and the city.

Zhang noted Macao's success was built on its successful social system, legal framework, political foundations, economic base and cultural roots.

He said the Macao government and all sectors in the SAR had unswervingly upheld "One Country, Two Systems". Zhang said Macao people were administering the city with a high degree of autonomy authorized by the central government. This was the successful mechanism and legal base behind Macao's achievements, he explained.

"Each successive Macao administration has made developing the economy and improving people's livelihood its primary task. And Macao has always remained united, inclusive and pragmatic, without disputes," he noted.

"It has made good use of national development when focusing on economic development and improving livelihoods to create a good economic foundation for success," Zhang said.

But he warned that implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" was still at a crucial stage. It was only through consolidating these foundations that it could advance further, he added.

Therefore, Macao should strengthen patriotism and nurture talents to continue the success of "One Country, Two Systems", Zhang added.

He encouraged some 150 attendees to promote their love of the nation and Macao by visiting local schools. This would help young people better understand the nation's history and culture.

Zhang said a lack of talented people could stop patriotism being passed on to the next generation and could also affect the development of Macao. He urged patriotic people to help the youth in Macao to climb the social ladder and participate in the SAR's affairs.

Zhang also praised Macao for taking the lead in safeguarding national security by being the first SAR to legislate Article 23 of the Basic Law.

"One Country, Two Systems" is a pioneering experiment which needs to be advanced through implementation, explained Zhang.

In closing the 40-minute speech, he said the central government would spare no effort in supporting Macao's development.

With the support of central government and the motherland, Macao could seize opportunities to continue to successfully implement "One Country, Two Systems". It could also make a greater contribution in helping to rejuvenate the Chinese nation, concluded Zhang.

Contact the writers at stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

What he said

"I think the essential experience behind Macao's success lies in its perseverance of 'One Country' while making good use of the 'Two Systems'."

"Each successive Macao administration has made developing the economy and improving people's livelihood as the primary task. Macao has always remained united, inclusive, and pragmatic - without disputes. It has made good use of national development trends while focusing on economic development and improving people's livelihoods. This has ultimately created a good economic foundation for Macao's success."

"'One Country, Two Systems' is a pioneering experiment that needs to be advanced through practice; Macao has played an exemplary role in some aspects of this. It is worth special recognition that Macao has taken the lead in safeguarding the national security by being the first SAR to pass legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law."

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee

Zhang Dejiang (right), chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, shakes hands with representatives from all sectors of the Macao SAR after delivering a speech in Macao East Asian Games Dome on Tuesday. Zhang encourages some 150 attendees to promote their love of the nation and Macao to help young people better understand the nation's history and culture. Provided to China Daily

(HK Edition 05/10/2017 page3)