Xi's four new hopes for Macao SAR's silver jubilee: What's different this time?
Appropriate economic diversification, higher-standard opening up, Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Xi's message to youth in Macao, etc
Hi all! It's Yifei here. This Friday marked the 25th anniversary of Macao's return from Portuguese to the Chinese administration. As usual, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
In China, anniversaries are often celebrated in increments of 5 or 10 years, with the 10th anniversary typically being marked with greater pomp and significance.
Though it may be a bit late, after doing a thorough analysis of President Xi's speech -- particularly the nuanced changes in his "四点希望 four hopes" for the SAR compared to those he outlined during the 20th anniversary five years ago -- I believe it’s worthwhile to share my thoughts and understandings on them.
[Note: I will begin by presenting my analysis and include the English translation by Xinhua in the appendix.]
A bit of history first.
（Photo: SCMP）
Exactly 25 years ago at midnight, the Chinese and Portuguese governments held a handover ceremony at the Macao Cultural Centre. The Portuguese flag was slowly lowered, while the flags of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Macao Special Administrative Region were raised. Jiang Zemin, the then president of the PRC, delivered a speech solemnly declaring Macao's return to the motherland, which ended centuries of Portuguese occupation.
Since 1999, Macao has been governed under the "one country, two systems" policy -- a unique arrangement that allows it to maintain its capitalist system and way of life within socialist China.
The concept was first proposed by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s to reunify the country, initially with Taiwan in mind. It was later implemented in China's two special administrative regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macao following their handovers from colonial powers in the late 1990s.
Without further ado, let's dive right into the analysis.
Generally speaking, President Xi’s speeches this year and five years ago are similar in length, each totaling around 3,400 words. However, when it comes to the section on the "four hopes," this year’s speech contains 1,366 words, compared to 935 words in the 2019 address. Given the significant increase in word count, I couldn’t help but wonder: what new elements or shifts are reflected in this expansion?
This is Xi's third time attending the Macao homecoming celebration. At each of these events, Xi has shared "four hopes" for Macao. Below is a comparison of those from 2019 and this year for easier reference:
The four hopes this year are:
着力推动经济适度多元发展。
Endeavor to promote appropriate economic diversification.
着力提升特别行政区治理效能。
Endeavor to enhance governance as a special administrative region.
着力打造更高水平对外开放平台。
Endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up.
着力维护社会祥和稳定。
Endeavor to maintain social harmony and stability.
The four hopes in 2019 were:
坚持与时俱进，进一步提升特别行政区治理水平。
Stay committed to keeping pace with the times and further enhance the governance of the Special Administrative Region.
坚持开拓创新，进一步推动经济持续健康发展。
Stay committed to innovation and further promote sustained and healthy economic development.
坚持以人为本，进一步保障和改善民生。
Stay committed to putting people first and further safeguard and improve people's livelihoods.
坚持包容共济，进一步促进社会和谐稳定。
Stay committed to inclusiveness and further promote social harmony and stability.
(Photo: Xinhua)
"Promoting appropriate economic diversification" has, noticeably, replaced "improving the governance of the SAR" as the central government’s primary expectation for Macao. Additionally, "endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up" appeared as a key expectation this year.
In 2019, the "four hopes" were basically centered around Macao, with the first focused on governance, the second on economic development, and the third and fourth addressing people's livelihoods and social issues.
This year, however, the "four hopes" no longer focus solely on Macao. The third point, on building itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up, specifically highlights Macao's role within the broader national context.
It is noteworthy that the remaining three points are reordered this year, with the economy now placed ahead of governance, unlike the order in 2019.
A More Proactive Tone
2024 version:
新一届澳门特别行政区政府要团结带领社会各界，抢抓机遇、锐意改革、担当作为，更好发挥“一国两制”制度优势，不断开创“一国两制”事业高质量发展新局面。在这里，我提4点希望。
The new government of the Macao Special Administrative Region should rally and lead the people of all walks of life in Macao in seizing opportunities, pressing ahead with reform, shouldering responsibilities and making greater contributions. This entails further leveraging the institutional strength of One Country, Two Systems and making new achievements in the high-quality advancement of the cause of One Country, Two Systems. Here, I wish to express four hopes for Macao.
2019 version:
澳门特别行政区新一届政府和社会各界要站高望远、居安思危，守正创新、务实有为，在已有成就的基础上推动澳门特别行政区各项建设事业跃上新台阶。我在这里提4点希望。
The new government of the Macau Special Administrative Region, along with various sectors of society, should adopt a forward-thinking approach, remain vigilant in times of stability, uphold principles while fostering innovation, and take practical and effective measures to propel the development of various construction projects in the Macau SAR to new heights. Here, I wish to express four hopes for Macao.
I noticed that in the opening paragraph of the "four hopes" in 2019, four key phrases were used: "站高望远 taking a long-term perspective, 居安思危 staying alert to potential risks, 守正创新 upholding integrity while embracing innovation, and 务实有为 being practical and delivering tangible results."
This year, three phrases were used: "抢抓机遇 seizing opportunities, 锐意改革 pressing ahead with reform, and 担当作为 shouldering responsibilities and making greater contributions."
I think this shift is significantly obvious and obviously significant.
Five years ago, the emphasis was more on "stability and pragmatism," while now, with terms like "seize opportunities" and "press ahead," the tone is more proactive. This change reflects a shift in both tone and future direction, with a greater focus on encouraging innovation and reform in the SAR.
Economic Development Moved To the Top
2024 version:
第一，着力推动经济适度多元发展。要结合自身优势和资源禀赋，精准定位、聚焦重点，完善产业发展规划，加大政策支持和资金投入力度，着力培育具有国际竞争力的新产业。推动实现横琴粤澳深度合作区同澳门经济高度协同、规则深度衔接，各类要素跨境流动高效便捷；瞄准重点领域，推动特色产业发展形成规模，打造一批标志性、有带动效应的工程和项目。需要注意的是，中央决定开发横琴，目的就是促进澳门经济适度多元发展、便利澳门居民生活就业。这个定位要把握好，不能发展一些与这个定位不一致的产业项目……
First, Macao should endeavor to promote appropriate economic diversification. It should fully leverageits distinctive strengths and resource endowment, be clear about its role, focus on key sectors, improve development planning for relevant industries, and step up policy and funding support so as to cultivate internationally competitive new sectors. Efforts should be made to achieve greater economic synergy, more harmonized rules, and more efficient and convenient cross-boundary flow of various factors between Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Macao should focus on key areas, promote scaled development of its distinctive sectors, and launch landmark projects and programs that will have knock-on effects on other sectors. It should be noted that the Central Authorities' decision to develop Hengqin is aimed at promoting appropriate economic diversification in Macao and facilitating the life and work of Macao residents. This should be kept in mind, and sectors and projects that are not in line with this purpose should not be developed......
As early as in China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), "促进澳门经济适度多元发展 Promoting Macau's appropriate economic diversification“ was noted.
Ieong Tou Hong, a member of the Executive Council for the fifth-term government of the Macao SAR and a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Macau in 2005, articulated the concept of "promoting appropriate economic diversification in Macau" 20 years ago, stressing that the key to achieving moderate diversification is to identify Macau’s unique advantages.
On Nov. 1 last year, Macau SAR released《澳门特别行政区经济适度多元发展规划（2024-2028年）》Development Plan for Appropriate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028), the first systematic industrial development plan issued in the region.
-- The document outlines the "1+4" strategy for appropriate economic diversification. The "1" focuses on developing Macao's industries of tourism and leisure, with the goal of establishing Macau as a world-class tourism and leisure center. The "4" refers to the continued promotion of four key industries: big health, modern finance, new and high technologies, conventions and exhibitions, and culture and sports, based on the city's appropriate economic diversification strategy.
2019 version:
二是坚持开拓创新，进一步推动经济持续健康发展……要积极对接国家战略，把握共建“一带一路”和粤港澳大湾区建设的机遇，更好发挥自身所长，增强竞争优势。当前，特别要做好珠澳合作开发横琴这篇文章，为澳门长远发展开辟广阔空间、注入新动力。
Second, Macao should stay committed to innovation and further promote sustained and healthy economic development.......Macao should actively align itself with national strategies, seize the opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and leverage its strengths to enhance competitive advantages. Currently, special attention should be given to the development of Hengqin in order to create broad space and inject new momentum into the long-term development of Macao.
The word "横琴 Hengqin" is noted both in 2019 and this year.
In 2021, the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin was officially established. [Hengqin is an island located near Macau, on the south side of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.]
Hengqin Island has a total area of 106.46 square kilometers, more than three times the land area of Macau. The closest distance between the two places is only 187 meters.
In 2019, the speech briefly mentioned, "Currently, special attention should be given to the development of Hengqin in order to create broad space and inject new momentum into the long-term development of Macao."
However, this year’s speech devotes more than half of its primary "hope" to Hengqin, and the statement is also much more specific, calling for the development of "特色产业 distinctive industries" in Hengqin.
In 2023, the State Council approved the "《横琴粤澳深度合作区总体发展规划》Overall Development Plan For the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin."
This plan refines the focus on four new distinctive industries: 科技研发和高端制造 scientific innovation and high-end equipment manufacturing, 中医药等澳门品牌工业 traditional Chinese medicine, 文旅会展商贸 cultural tourism, exhibition and trade, as well as 现代金融产业 modern finance.
Therefore, the message here is clear: the aforementioned four distinctive industries are encouraged for stronger development, while those that do not align with these priorities should not be pursued.
As a traditionally service-oriented city, while pursuing economic diversification, it is clear that scientific innovation and technological R&D remain key priorities for Macau. On Thursday, President Xi, accompanied by Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng, visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), the only university he visited during this trip.
By the way, last month, China announced new policies enabling residents of Zhuhai in Guangdong, the economic powerhouse province, to make more frequent visits to neighboring Macao.
-- From Jan. 1, 2025, permanent residents of Zhuhai City will be able to apply for a "one trip per week" permit for Macao. Under the policy, they can visit Macao once per calendar week, with a maximum stay of seven days per trip.
-- Also starting Jan. 1, 2025, permanent residents and residence permit holders in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will be eligible to apply for multi-entry permits to Macao, enabling unrestricted visits for up to seven days per stay within a one-year validity period.
Higher-standard Opening Up
2024 version:
第三，着力打造更高水平对外开放平台。要立足“一中心、一平台、一基地”定位，健全在国家对外开放中更好发挥作用的机制，主动对接国家重大战略，不断提升国际竞争力。要进一步加大双向开放力度，促进同葡语国家全方位互利合作，积极投身高质量共建“一带一路”，扩大国际“朋友圈”，打造国家高水平对外开放重要的桥头堡。持续优化营商环境，完善民商事等法律制度，培育和激发市场活力，吸引更多国际资源。用好中西荟萃的文化优势，促进国际人文交流，讲好澳门故事、中国故事，打造中西文明交流互鉴的重要窗口。
Third, Macao should endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up. With its development position as "One Center, One Platform, One Base," Macao should enhance mechanisms through which it can better play its role in China's opening up, take steps to align with major national strategies and continue to enhance its global competitiveness. It should further step up two-way opening, facilitate all-round mutually-beneficial cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, play an active role in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make more friends across the world, and act as an important bridge for China's high-standard opening up. Macao should continue to improve its business environment, improve its legal systems such as the civil and commercial laws, nurture and fire up its market vitality, and attract more international resources. As a place where Chinese and Western cultures merge, Macao should promote international people-to-people exchanges, better present Macao and China to the world, and turn the city into an important window of exchanges between Chinese and Western civilizations.
2019 version:
四是坚持包容共济，进一步促进社会和谐稳定……要发挥澳门中西文化荟萃的优势，助力国际人文交流，促进世界文明互鉴。
Fourth, Macao should stay committed to inclusiveness and further promote social harmony and stability......As a place where Chinese and Western cultures merge, Macao should harness the advantages of Macao's blend of Chinese and Western cultures, contribute to international cultural exchanges, and promote mutual learning among civilizations worldwide.
Compared to 2019, where there was only a brief mention of "promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning," this year’s third "hope" specifically calls for a "higher-standard platform for opening up." It dedicates an entire paragraph to emphasizing that Macao should play a more proactive role in promoting exchanges and opening up. This shift highlights a stronger focus on Macau’s role in advancing international engagement and cooperation.
"一中心、一平台、一基地 One Center, One Platform, One Base" refers to 世界旅游休闲中心 a world center for tourism and leisure, 中国与葡语国家商贸合作服务平台 a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and 以中华文化为主流、多元文化共存的交流合作基地 a base for cultural exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.
"健全在国家对外开放中更好发挥作用的机制，主动对接国家重大战略 Macao should enhance mechanisms through which it can better play its role in China's opening up, take steps to align with major national strategies."
This reminds me of a newsletter I wrote with Jiang Jiang just a week ago on China's annual Central Economic Work Conference. One of the key points we touched on was "expanding high-standard opening up."
扩大高水平对外开放，稳外贸、稳外资。
Efforts should be made to expand high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable.
Both the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Central Economic Work Conference mentioned expanding high-standard opening up this year.
I'm sure anyone who has been following these events can feel the shift towards even greater global engagement.
Youth Is the Future
2024 version:
第四，着力维护社会祥和稳定。当前澳门形势总体稳定，但内外环境正在发生深刻变化。要居安思危、未雨绸缪，着力防范各种风险，坚定维护国家安全和澳门稳定。促进政府治理同社会调节、市民参与良性互动，引导和规范社团发展，筑牢基层治理根基。始终坚持以人民为中心，解决好广大居民最关心最迫切最现实的问题，创造更多更好的发展机会，营造更加公平的社会环境，不断实现居民对美好生活的向往。
Fourth, Macao should endeavor to maintain social harmony and stability. Macao now enjoys overall stability, but the domestic and international environment is undergoing profound changes. Macao should be mindful of potential perils, guard against them, forestall risks, and firmly safeguard both national security and Macao's stability. It should see that government's governance, society's self-regulation and citizen's participation reinforce each other. It should guide and better regulate the development of social organizations, and consolidate the foundation of community-level governance. Macao should always put people above everything else, resolve the most practical and pressing problems that are of the greatest concern to them, create more and better opportunities for development, foster a fairer social environment, and make continuous efforts to meet people's expectation for a better life.
青年是澳门的希望和未来，是建设澳门、建设国家的有生力量。这两天，我接触了不少澳门青年朋友，他们有的成为特别行政区优秀管治人才，有的在创新创业道路上取得骄人业绩，有的在教学科研岗位上一展风采，有的在国际舞台上演绎人生。特别行政区政府和社会各界要更加关爱青年，为他们成长成才、施展抱负创造更好环境和条件。希望广大青年心系澳门、心系国家，志存高远、脚踏实地，当好“一国两制”事业的建设者和接班人，让青春在建设强大祖国和美好澳门的广阔天地中绽放光彩。
The young people are the hope and future of Macao. They are also a vibrant force in building Macao and building China. Over the last couple of days, I have met many young people in Macao. Some of them display talent of the governance of the SAR, some have made remarkable entrepreneurial achievements, some are brilliant teachers and researchers, and some are pursuing international careers. The Macao SAR Government and people should care about the young and create a better environment and conditions for them to bring out their best. To the young people in Macao, I hope you will keep the city and the motherland close to your heart, set ambitious goals, take solid steps, advance and carry forward the cause of One Country, Two Systems, and thus realize your potentials by fully engaging in endeavors to build a great motherland and a beautiful Macao.
2019 version:
三是坚持以人为本，进一步保障和改善民生。要坚持发展的目的是为广大市民创造更加美好的生活，采取更加公正、合理、普惠的制度安排，确保广大市民分享发展成果。要结合发展需要和市民需求，加强交通、能源、环保、信息、城市安全等公共基础设施建设，改善市民生活环境，提升市民生活品质。要积极回应市民关切，着力解决住房、医疗、养老等方面的突出问题，更加关注对弱势群体的帮助和扶持。要不断提高教育水平，打造高标准教育体系，为青少年成长成才创造更好条件。
Third, Macao should stay committed to putting people first and further safeguard and improve people's livelihoods. The goal of development should be to create a better life for the citizens, adopting fairer, more reasonable, and inclusive policies to ensure that all citizens share in the benefits of progress. In line with the needs of development and public demands, efforts should be made to strengthen the construction of public infrastructure, including transportation, energy, environmental protection, information, and urban safety, to improve the living environment and quality of life for citizens. Macao should actively respond to citizens' concerns, focusing on addressing pressing issues such as housing, healthcare, and elderly care, while giving greater attention to supporting vulnerable groups. Additionally, efforts should be made to continuously improve the education system, build a high-standard educational framework, and create better conditions for the growth and success of young people.
The differences are quite noticeable. In 2019, the section on social welfare and people's livelihoods was more specific, addressing issues such as the construction of public infrastructure like transportation, energy, and environmental protection, as well as concerns about housing, healthcare, elderly care, and support for vulnerable groups. This year, the focus is more general, with a broader view of Macau within the context of national stability and development.
One particularly noteworthy change is that in 2019, the speech mentioned youth education and development in just a single sentence, while this year, an ENTIRE paragraph was dedicated to emphasizing that young people are the hope and future of Macau and also the builders and successors of the cause of One Country, Two Systems.
Full-text readout of the address published by Xinhua:
Address at the Meeting Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland and the Inaugural Ceremony of the Sixth-Term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region
December 20, 2024
Xi Jinping
My Fellow Chinese,
Dear Friends,
Today, we are meeting here on this solemn occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and to hold the inauguration of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). At the outset, on behalf of the Central Government and people of all ethnic groups across China, I wish to extend cordial greetings to all Macao residents. I extend warm congratulations to Mr. Sam Hou Fai, the newly inaugurated sixth-term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, and to principal officials and members of the Executive Council of the sixth-term Macao SAR government! I also express heartfelt appreciation to all fellow Chinese, both at home and overseas, and foreign friends for their longstanding commitment to and support for the cause of One Country, Two Systems and Macao's prosperity, stability and development!
Macao is a shining pearl on the coast of the South China Sea and a treasured place of the great motherland. It was from here that the first group of Chinese students went to study overseas. It was here that many Chinese classics were translated into foreign languages and introduced to the West. It was also through Macao that a lot of Western modern science, technology and culture were introduced to the Chinese mainland. Across different stages of China's history, Macao has played an important role and made unique contributions.
My Fellow Chinese,
Dear Friends,
Over the past 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland, with the strong support of the Central Government and the mainland of the country, the Macao SAR Government has led the people of all walks of life in forging ahead in unity, achieving an enormous success in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems with distinctive Macao features. Macao has undergone earthshaking transformation, and its international standing has increased significantly.
-- The systems for implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems have kept improving, and national sovereignty, security and development interests have been effectively safeguarded.
The legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security are well in place in Macao. This ensures both the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over Macao and a high degree of law-based autonomy in the city. The executive, legislative and judicial bodies of Macao perform their respective functions and responsibilities. The executive-led system functions smoothly, and the constitutional order of the SAR, based on the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, is ensured. The principle of patriots administering Macao is fully implemented, Macao's democracy is improved, and Macao residents enjoy more extensive rights and freedoms than in any other time in history. The political and social foundation of the policy of One Country, Two Systems has been further consolidated.
-- Economic and social development has seen a historic leap, and residents enjoy a much stronger sense of gain, happiness and security. Macao has pursued economic growth and development with unremitting efforts. It has improved the city's business environment, boosted the law-based, healthy and orderly development of the gaming industry, and promoted economic diversification. Macao withstood the challenging tests of the SARS epidemic, the international financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has maintained the momentum of long-term steady development. In 2023, Macao's GDP was seven times that of its pre-return period, and its per capita GDP was among the highest in the world. Macao has taken the initiative to integrate into the overall national development. It has actively participated in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and it has made solid gains in building the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. All this has greatly expanded the space for its development. Macao exercises people-centered governance. It has made remarkable progress in employment, housing, education, medical services, social security and other social programs, and put in place a system of social security that covers the entire cycle of life and all areas of life. As a result, Macao has maintained its long-term social harmony and stability.
-- Macao has continuously expanded external cooperation and its development position as "One Center, One Platform, One Base" has grown steadily. Macao maintains stable economic and trade ties with over 120 countries and territories, and it is a member of over 190 international organizations and institutions. Many foreign investors do business in Macao, contribute to its development and share in the fruits of its growth. As the only place in the world with both Chinese and Portuguese as its official languages, Macao is an important platform for promoting business ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Historic Center of Macao, a World Heritage site full of attractions, draws tourists from both the country and around the world. Reputed as a city of good food, rich culture, and festive events, Macao also boasts signature activities including the Macao Grand Prix and the Macao International Music Festival. It is a city where cultures and arts from across the world mingle. Macao stands out as a base for cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the world; it is a living example of harmonious coexistence and integrated development of different civilizations.
My Fellow Chinese,
Dear Friends,
The great achievements of Macao since its return to the motherland have proven to the world that the cause of One Country, Two Systems, with its distinctive institutional strengths and strong vitality, is a good system that sustains the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. It is a good system that facilitates endeavors to build China into a great country and achieve national rejuvenation, and it is a good system for ensuring peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit between different social systems. So we must stay committed to this cause. The values embodied in the cause of One Country, Two Systems, namely, peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing, are relevant to not only China but also the whole world. These values should be cherished by us all.
Developments in Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland tell us that to sustain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao and further advance the cause of One Country, Two Systems, it is imperative to observe the following four principles. First, we should stay committed to the fundamental policy of One Country and fully deliver the benefits of Two Systems. We should place our country's sovereignty, security and development interests above everything else; we should implement the overall jurisdiction of the Central Authorities; and we should not deviate from this commitment under any circumstance. At the same time, we should respect the differences between the two systems, fully ensure a high degree of autonomy of the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy.
We should see that this policy is not changed, deviated from, bent or distorted. Second, we should ensure high-standard security and pursue high-quality development. Security underpins development, and development, in turn, ensures security. We must remain firm in both safeguarding security and promoting development. We should cherish the hard-won peace and stability we enjoy today, focus our energy on growing the economy and pursuing development, and continue to create new growth drivers and build new strengths. Third, we should leverage the unique strengths of Hong Kong and Macao and reinforce their connectivity with both the mainland and the world. Hong Kong and Macao should be more open and inclusive, expand international linkages, and raise their global standing and appeal, so that the reputation of Hong Kong, China and Macao, China as international metropolises will grow stronger. Hong Kong and Macao should fully align themselves with the national development strategies, accelerate integration into China's overall national development, and better play their role as bridges in ushering in a new development paradigm. Fourth, we should carry forward our core values and boost inclusiveness and harmony. It is imperative to live by the core values of loving the country and Hong Kong and of loving the country and Macao, enhance exchanges and integration of diverse cultures, and rally full public support at home and abroad to create the greatest synergy in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems.
My Fellow Chinese,
Dear Friends,
The present and the near future constitute a critical period for our endeavor to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, and we have entered a new stage in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems. In the new era, the cause of One Country, Two Systems aims to deliver better development for both Hong Kong and Macao and enable the two regions to further contribute to China's development and renewal of the Chinese nation. The new government of the Macao Special Administrative Region should rally and lead the people of all walks of life in Macao in seizing opportunities, pressing ahead with reform, shouldering responsibilities and making greater contributions. This entails further leveraging the institutional strength of One Country, Two Systems, and making new achievements in the high-quality advancement of the cause of One Country, Two Systems. Here, I wish to express four hopes for Macao.
First, Macao should endeavor to promote appropriate economic diversification. It should fully leverage its distinctive strengths and resource endowment, be clear about its role, focus on key sectors, improve development planning for relevant industries, and step up policy and funding support so as to cultivate internationally competitive new sectors. Efforts should be made to achieve greater economic synergy, more harmonized rules, and more efficient and convenient cross-boundary flow of various factors between Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Macao should focus on key areas, promote scaled development of its distinctive sectors, and launch landmark projects and programs that will have knock-on effects on other sectors. It should be noted that the Central Authorities' decision to develop Hengqin is aimed at promoting appropriate economic diversification in Macao and facilitating the life and work of Macao residents. This should be kept in mind, and sectors and projects that are not in line with this purpose should not be developed. Macao should more actively take part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, pool quality resources and deepen coordinated development. It is also important for Macao to advance integrated development of education, technology and talent and do more to attract and nurture talent of various types so as to turn itself into a magnet attracting high-caliber talent from across the world.
Second, Macao should endeavor to enhance governance as a special administrative region. Macao should, with a commitment to advancing law-based governance and shouldering responsibilities, better respond to the needs of its economic and social development, improve its institutions, laws and regulations, deepen public administration reform, improve organizational structure, update its approach to and improve its way of governance. It should strengthen coordination at the macro level, and foster a well-functioning and effective service-oriented government, so as to unleash the tremendous vitality and development potential of the society. Macao should improve mechanisms that advise on public policies to increase the level of sound, democratic and law-based decision-making. Macao should strengthen coordinated lawmaking mechanism between the government and the Legislative Assembly. It should strictly exercise fair administration of justice, improve the judicial system, enhance judicial efficiency, and uphold the rule of law. Macao should advance reform of its civil service management system, strengthen its governance team, and improve the system for integrity management and oversight.
Third, Macao should endeavor to build itself into a platform for higher-standard opening up. With its development position as "One Center, One Platform, One Base," Macao should enhance mechanisms through which it can better play its role in China's opening up, take steps to align with major national strategies and continue to enhance its global competitiveness. It should further step up two-way opening, facilitate all-round mutually-beneficial cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, play an active role in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make more friends across the world, and act as an important bridge for China's high-standard opening up. Macao should continue to improve its business environment, improve its legal systems such as the civil and commercial laws, nurture and fire up its market vitality, and attract more international resources. As a place where Chinese and Western cultures merge, Macao should promote international people-to-people exchanges, better present Macao and China to the world, and turn the city into an important window of exchanges between Chinese and Western civilizations.
Fourth, Macao should endeavor to maintain social harmony and stability. Macao now enjoys overall stability, but the domestic and international environment is undergoing profound changes. Macao should be mindful of potential perils, guard against them, forestall risks, and firmly safeguard both national security and Macao's stability. It should see that government's governance, society's self-regulation and citizen's participation reinforce each other. It should guide and better regulate the development of social organizations, and consolidate the foundation of community-level governance. Macao should always put people above everything else, resolve the most practical and pressing problems that are of the greatest concern to them, create more and better opportunities for development, foster a fairer social environment, and make continuous efforts to meet people's expectation for a better life.
The young people are the hope and future of Macao. They are also a vibrant force in building Macao and building China. Over the last couple of days, I have met many young people in Macao. Some of them display talent of the governance of the SAR, some have made remarkable entrepreneurial achievements, some are brilliant teachers and researchers, and some are pursuing international careers. The Macao SAR Government and people should care about the young and create a better environment and conditions for them to bring out their best. To the young people in Macao, I hope you will keep the city and the motherland close to your heart, set ambitious goals, take solid steps, advance and carry forward the cause of One Country, Two Systems, and thus realize your potentials by fully engaging in endeavors to build a great motherland and a beautiful Macao.
My Fellow Chinese,
Dear Friends,
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. At its Third Plenary Session, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made a systematic decision to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The cause of building China into a great country is being advanced across the board, with bright prospects unfolding. The Chinese nation is marching toward its great rejuvenation in unstoppable strides. I am convinced that with the full, faithful and resolute implementation of the policy of One Country, Two Systems, with the concerted effort of the Macao SAR Government and all sectors of its society, and with the strong support of the great motherland, Macao will surely open up a new horizon and achieve new advances in development, and make even greater contribution to building a great country and moving toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization