Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) should continue to steadily implement the "One Country, Two Systems" policy with its own characteristics in the long term, a Macao SAR member said on Monday at the annual session of China's top political advisory body.
Ho Teng Lat, also the president of the social services organization Women's General Association of Macao, said at a conference of the third session of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) that despite initial successes in the implementation of the policy since Macao SAR returned to the motherland, there are still challenges ahead.
The Macao SAR member pointed out that first of all, Macao SAR, as a highly open international city, is inevitably susceptible to the influence of the complex international situation, especially that of the previous demonstration in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition bill.
It has sounded an alarm for Macao SAR in terms of safeguarding the national security as well as the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, she said.
Other challenges include the need to diversify its economic structure and bring in and cultivate more talent to increase its overall competitiveness, she added.
Addressing the challenges, the CPPCC member proposed suggestions for improvements in four ways based on the speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the assembly marking the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China last year.
Ho said that Macao compatriots should maintain their confidence in the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, keep solidifying the socio-political basis, and take advantage of the system to join the national trend of development and a prosperous Macao SAR.
Moreover, the SAR should also participate in more joint activities with the Chinese mainland and closely intertwine its fundamental interests with the national interests, the adviser said.
"We firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the central government and the support of the Chinese mainland," Ho said, together in one, the Macao SAR compatriots will be able to "continue to successfully carrying out the Macao SAR-specific 'One Country, Two Systems' steadily in the long term."
