President Xi meets Macao principal officials, heads of legislative, judicial organs

MACAO, Dec. 19 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday appreciated efforts made by principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) to promote socioeconomic development, prosperity and stability in Macao.

When meeting with principal officials of the SAR government, and heads of the SAR's legislative and judicial organs, Xi, on behalf of the central government, commended their unremitting efforts in the establishment and development of the SAR.

The officials have earnestly implemented the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law of Macao, Xi said.

Noting that most of the officials will no long hold their posts after the inauguration of the new-term government on Saturday, the president said their successors need to be inspired to advance the cause of "one country, two systems."

He hoped they will continue to support the chief executive and the SAR government in governing according to law and contributing to the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao.

Xi arrived here on Friday to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fourth-term government of the Macao SAR scheduled on Saturday.