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Chinese president hails close ties between motherland, Macau

Source: Xinhua | December 20, 2014, Saturday | Online Edition

CHINESE President Xi Jinping said here Saturday that Macau compatriots have gained a growing sense of identity and belonging with the motherland, 15 years after the region's return to China.

Xi told a celebration gathering that the close national bond of "blood being thicker than water" is becoming ever stronger.

"Love for the motherland and love for Macau has become a prevalent value in Macau society," he said.

In the meantime, said the president, Macau, as a historical city where Chinese and Western cultures meet, displays a unique charm that belongs to a culture typical of Southern China, yet with a distinctive European touch.

"Here, communities from various ethnic backgrounds live in harmony and help and learn from each other," said Xi.

"Together, they present to the world a dynamic Macau beaming with vitality."

Xi also pointed out that the Macau people have been making vigorous efforts to implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and have achieved fruitful results.

"Over the past 15 years, with the strong support of the central government and the mainland, and under the leadership of the chief executive and the government of the Special Administrative Region (SAR), people from various sectors in Macau have united as one," said the president.

Macau is having increasingly closer exchanges and cooperation with the mainland and continuing to make its unique contribution to the reform, opening-up and modernization drive of the motherland while sharing the opportunities and benefits brought by development of the mainland, the president noted.

Xi said Macau has enjoyed orderly progress in democracy, fast economic growth, rising living standards, and social harmony and stability since its return to the motherland 15 years ago.

"The constitutional order of the Macau SAR, as prescribed by the constitution and the Basic Law, is respected and upheld," said the president.

He said the central government's overall governing power is effectively exercised while the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the Macau SAR is fully guaranteed.

Xi, hailing the remarkable achievements Macau has scored since its return, said it makes not only Macau residents but also people of all ethnic groups in China proud.

"The valuable experience gained by Macau along the way should be cherished and remembered by Macau compatriots and people of all ethnic groups in the entire nation," said the president.

He highlighted the importance of full, correct understanding and implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems."

The president said the implementation of the principle must strictly abide by the Basic Law, focus on economic growth and people's wellbeing, uphold inclusiveness and mutual assistance, and promote broad unity under the banner "love the country, love Macau."

"The implementation of 'one country, two systems' will make steady and continuous progress along the right track and Macau will have a better future," said Xi.

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