China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Tuesday lauded the success of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) since its return to the motherland more than 17 years ago, calling on the SAR to make redoubled efforts to achieve even greater progress.
Zhang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said the basic experience behind the SAR's success lies in its adherence to the fundamentals of "one country" while making appropriate use of "two systems."
Zhang made the comments here at a symposium which was attended by more than 150 representatives from all walks of life in the SAR. He called on the SAR to be always committed to fully and accurately comprehending and implementing the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law, and keep in mind the bigger picture.
Macao should, from an overall and long-term perspective, carry forward the mainstream values of loving the country and Macao, support law-based governance by the chief executive and the SAR administration, fully make use of the central government's preferential policies for Macao and give full play to its unique advantages, he said.
Zhang noted that President Xi Jinping came to Macao in December 2014 to attend celebrations for the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and delivered a series of important speeches, which have charted the course for the practicing of "one country, two systems" as well as the development of various undertakings in the SAR.
He called on the representatives to continue to deeply comprehend and implement President Xi's instructions and make their due contributions to maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the Macao SAR.
He said Macao should sum up and cherish the successful experience of the SAR's development, further accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law. Macao should firmly grasp such core factors as "one country" is the prerequisite and base of "two systems," earnestly implement the central government's overall jurisdiction over the SAR and the SAR's administration-led system so as to ensure the smooth operation of the system.
When Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, went to Beijing last December to report to the central government on his work in 2016, President Xi said to him that the Macao SAR had set an example in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law, as well as safeguarding national security and unity.
Zhang said that President Xi's remarks are not only affirmation of, but also encouragement to the Macao SAR government and all walks of life here.
The central government has always attached importance to and supported Macao's development, Zhang said, adding that "one country, two systems" is a pioneering undertaking and needs to move forward through constant exploration in practice.
The top legislator expressed the belief that with the strong support from the central government and the mainland, and under the leadership of the SAR's chief executive and the SAR government, Macao compatriots will make greater achievements in the future.
Zhang arrived in the Macao SAR on Monday for a three-day inspection.
