Macao's Return Sees Good Beginning As New Atmosphere Prevails ThereFollowing are excerpts of a report written by Our Staff Reporter Wang Rongjiu on the great change taken place in Macao over the past six months since its return to the motherland.On the afternoon of June 15, the Committee for the celebrations of Macao's return to the motherland, to be carried out by people of various circles in the region, transmitted the surplus of the activity funds and archives to relevant departments and institutions, at the same time, the committee's famous-brand closing ceremony was held. Just as Mr Ma Man Kei, chairman of the said committee, has pointed out that the committee has fulfilled its historical mission, but the success achieved by the Macao compatriots will go down in history. Half a year has passed since Macao's homecoming. During this period, Macao compatriots and residents of various circles, under the leadership of the government of SAR headed by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, have gained achievements that command the admiration of the world's people. Mr Ma Man Kei says facts have proved "Macao people have the ability to do great things". In only half a year, Macao compatriots have made the great principle of "one country, two systems" shine more brightly. When asked about what is the greatest change, Macao people unanimously said it is mental outlook and the bearing of being masters of their own affairs. Now everybody is, in the manner of being masters, concerned with the affairs of SAR and contributes their strength to the construction of the region. People will not forget that when the Chief Executive published his first copy of administrative program, countless people were studying it and thinking it over carefully, they put forward their opinions and suggestions and finally made the administrative program more conform to Macao's reality and practicable. Many people also advanced their ideas and methods for the region's construction and development and for solving the economic and social problems left over from history. Edmund Ho Hau Wah indicated he was deeply moved by the spirit displayed by Macao people as masters after Macao's return. A special regional government which is clean and honest and operating with high efficiency is vitally important to implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle and to the successful construction of the special administrative region. After "change in the play of roles", the spirit of acting as masters has become the main melody among the ranks of public servants. In the past half year, the transparency of the SAR government's work was very high, and the degree of democratization and openness was unprecedented and unmatched. According to a local official in charge of economy and finance, the operation of the SAR government is smooth and various fields of work are being carried out effectively. He pointed out that after six months' efforts, the weak position of the tourist industry had been reversed, the number of tourists to Macao and the value of their consumption in the region had both increased. Statistics show that in April the number of tourists to Macao was up by 13.7 percent over last year's same period. He added that the real estate industry is one of Macao's four major economic pillars, the local government is trying from various aspects to improve Macao's investment environment and is working hard to revive the real estate industry, so as to promote Macao's economic development and prosperity. The problem of social security that has all along plagued Macao's social life and economic development has taken an obvious turn for the better over the past six months since Macao's homecoming, residents generally feel satisfied with this improvement. The merger and reorganization of the social security police and the judicial police squads is under way, and the construction and rectification of the police force is being stepped up. The formation of customhouse is near completion. Efforts to crack down on crimes are being intensified, the rate of cracking criminal cases is being raised. After Macao's return, the "one country, two systems" principle is being implemented in various fields, the entire social activity is being carried out as usual. After Macao's homecoming, the original activities, such as art festival, music festival and international dragon boat race, have been held as before and in a better way. Over the past half year, the cultural life of Macao people was indeed varied and colorful. There have been constant high-level theatrical performances, and various top-level artistic exhibitions have been held one after another, no wonder it is said that after return, Macao people have been lucky enough to have seen so many rare and beautiful performances and exhibitions. In mid-May, Edmund Ho Hau Wah went abroad on visits for the first time in the capacity as chief executive of the Macao SAR. During his visits to Portugal and France, he was given high standard receptions. His successful visits have demonstrated to the world people the successful practice of the "one country, two systems" principle, and displayed the real image of "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy for the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China. The lack of social security and economic glides were the two major outstanding problems existing before Macao's return, the then Macao-Portuguese government could do nothing about them. Problems accumulated over history cannot be resolved immediately after Macao's homecoming. Edmund Ho Hau Wah has repeatedly indicated that he would definitely be able to lead the SAR government to first solve the problems to the general concerns of the people, but it would take time to do so. In an effort to revive Macao's economy, this year the SAR government will accelerate the pace of undertaking several large public projects, and at the same time examine and approve private projects as quickly as possible, so as to push forward economic growth and solve unemployment and other social problems. The Macao people have the ability both to realize steady transition and smooth homecoming, and to properly solve the problems left over by history and successfully build up the Macao Special Administrative Region, thereby writing a new chapter on the successful practice of the principle of "one country, two systems". In this March when the NPC session and the CPPCC session were being held, President Jiang told the Macao deputies to the National People's Congress that Macao had made a good start since its return to the motherland. This view is shared by many local officials. |
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