Noted Figures Proud of Macao SAR's DevelopmentWell-known figures here said that they are proud of Macao's stable political and social situation and steady economic development since China resumed the exercising of sovereignty over the region on December 20, 1999.They said that Macao people, speaking highly of the improving situation, are expecting a brighter future for Macao. "The Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) has successfully implemented the policy of 'one China, two systems' and has entered a new swift development period while maintaining the region's original characteristics," said Iat Seng Ho, executive director and general manager of Ho Tin Industrial Co., Ltd. Ho said that the achievement is enough to make all local residents feel proud. Local people have enthusiastically begun to build a new Macao ever since the return of the region to China, making Macao residents the masters of their own affairs, according to Ho. The Macao SAR, Ho said, has made a stable and sound start with the policies of "one country, two systems", "Macao people administering Macao", and a high degree of autonomy are fully implemented. Ieong Wan Chong, member of the Independent Commission for Recommending Judges for the Macao SAR, said that the Macao economy has stepped out of the recession, caused by the Asian financial crisis and a dwindling local market demand. Ieong said that the improvement in the economy is best indicated by growth in areas like exports and tourism. Official statistics show that exports from Macao increased by 14.7 percent on a yearly basis during the first three quarters of the year, while the number of tourists to the region surged 56.6 percent in the January-June period. Ieong attributed the upward trend in the local economy to the economic resurgence in the Asia-Pacific region and the remarkable improvement of public security in Macao. He expressed confidence in the prospects of Macao's economic development, saying that the Macao SAR government's policies focusing on a steady development have laid a sound foundation. Lao Ngai Leong, chairman of Cang Shi Com. Enterprise (Group) Co. Ltd., said that economic exchanges and cooperation between Macao and the interior areas of China have greatly increased this year, providing many more business opportunities for both sides. There has also been a growth in personnel, cultural, and scientific and technological exchanges, which have produced favorable results in Macao, Lao said. The steady economic development in the interior areas and the implementation of the national strategy to develop western China have brought about new chances for Macao business people as well, Lao added. |
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