Happy Changes to Macao after Return to Motherland: Official

After Macao returned to the motherland on December 20, 1999, the Macao SAR government, with Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah at the ahead of the Macao people, has been adhering to the principles of "One country, two systems" and "Macao people governing Macao". Working hard and making big strides ahead, they have achieved remarkable success in various social fields. Director Wang Qiren with the Liaison Office of the Macao SAR government made the remarks at a meeting of Macao SAR Preparatory Committee held Wednesday to mark the coming 5lth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Successes made in Macao are mainly in six aspects, Wang said. First, all administrative, legislative and judicial departments have been run smoothly. As a result of various policies being implemented in an active cautious manner "steady advances have been made and a solid foundation has been laid for Macao's development". Second, Maocao's public security has been greatly improved. Third, a series of economic policies adopted have begun to bring about a rising economy in Macao. Fourth, people in Macao are taking an active part in running state affairs. With deputies chosen to represent at the National People's Congress since this year, Macao SAR has come to have an independent delegation of its own to attend the Third Session of the Ninth NPC. Fifth, the Chief Executive has paid successful visits to many European and Asian countries, showing a new image of Macao, a Macao to have greater ties forged with inland economy, sci-tech, culture, education, and sports. Sixth, with Macao's capitalist system kept, things have remained all the same and happiness reigns with the life and lifestyles of people of different ethnicity in Macao.

All in all, facts have fully testified to the correctness of Deng Xiaoping's concept of "One country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao", Macao practicing a high degree of autonomy and the great vitality of the Basic Law instituted on Macao. It goes without saying Macao has entered on a new stage of self-government and independent development after founding of the SAR and that people in Macao have the ability and means to run their own affairs well and build a new Macao.



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