President Promises More Help for MacaoThe mainland has so far played a strong backing role in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and has provided support for Macao as it pursues its reform, opening-up and modernization drive, President Jiang Zemin said in Macao December 20."Macao cannot do without the vigorous support of the mainland. This has been true in the past and will continue to be so in the future." The economic recovery and growth in Macao since its return has been, in part, due to the unflagging supports of the mainland, he said. Jiang made these comments in a speech he delivered Wednesday morning at the celebration ceremony marking the First Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR at the Cultural Centre -- the same venue where the hand-over ceremony took place in 1999. In his speech, the president revealed four "expectations" he has for Macao, the fulfillment of which will ensure its long-term prosperity, stability, development and future. The four expectations could also apply to Hong Kong though Hong Kong is not the same in all aspects as Macao, Jiang said. In explaining his first expectation, he said the "one country, two systems" policy should continue to serve as the basic principle governing the handling of Macao's affairs. Under this concept, Jiang explained, the Central Government has agreed to permit the Macao SAR government running its capitalist economic system and maintaining the unique lifestyles of its residents.While being granted this freedom to look after its own affairs, Jiang said Macao SAR should do its part and take concrete measures in defence of China's national interests and the ultimate authority of the Central Government. As part of this effort, Macao should never allow anyone to stage any activities in the region that are detrimental to the government or that are aimed at splitting the country, he said. Jiang also stressed that efforts need to be made to ensure that Macao is administered in accordance with the law, adding that it is important to maintain the Chief Executive's authority and support his work. For his fourth and final expectation, the president highlighted the significance of creating a favorable social environment for long-term prosperity, stability and development in Macao. Jiang said the Macao SAR government has successfully dealt a number of heavy blows to socially disruptive elements. According to the president, this has resulted in the development of a "relatively more stable social environment" that needs to be preserved. "Everybody in China, whether in Macao or on the mainland, should refuse to do anything detrimental to prosperity, stability and development in Macao," he said. Jiang praised the people of Macao for having already made large strides in its desire for a good beginning. "A thousand-mile-long journey begins with the first step, though that first step is always difficult," the president said. SAR Chief Executive Ho Hau-wah, in his speech at the Cultural Centre, also encouraged Macao's residents to seize opportunities to boost the region's economic and social development. He claimed this should all be done in light of China's pending accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the development of China's western region and the implementation of the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05). Jiang will meet representatives from mainland organizations, administrators of mainland-funded enterprises, leaders of the People's Liberation Army troops in the Macao garrison, in addition to a number of SAR officials Thursday. In the afternoon, he will return to Beijing. Sources: chinadaily.com.cn |
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