MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Monday that facts have proved that the great socialist motherland has always been a reliable backing to Macao's development. 

Related:

Hu Jintao: "one country, two systems" successful in Macao Flag-hoisting ceremony marks 5th anniversary of Macao's return Macao celebrates 5th return anniversary Hu visits Macao for 5th return anniversary President Hu meets with Macao chief executive President Hu visits school, family in Macao Hu: "One country, two systems" is guarantee for Macao's long-term prosperity President Hu tours Macao's historical sites President Hu attends inauguration ceremony of Macao bridge President Hu arrives in Macao for 5th anniversary celebrations

    Hu made the remarks while attending the celebrations of the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao SAR.

    The president said that the past five years have also witnessed increasingly close ties between the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the mainland of China.

    The central government attaches great importance to Macao's development, and gives all-out support to its closer exchanges and cooperation with the mainland in all fields, said the Chinese president.

Edmund Ho Hau Wah (L), chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), is sworn into office in front of Chinese President Hu Jintao during a celebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the second-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Macao, south China, on Dec. 20, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Lan Hongguang)

    New policies and measures, including the launching of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between the mainland and Macao, allowing individual citizens from certain mainland regions to travel to Macao, establishing the Zhuhai-Macao cross-border industrial zone, and promoting the cooperation between Guangdong Province and Macao and in the Pearl River Delta have added greater vitality and a broader horizon to Macao's development, the president said.

    Hu said that meanwhile, the sense of belonging to the Chinese nation has been further enhanced among Macao compatriots.

    With the support of the central government, Macao's external relations, particularly with Portuguese-speaking countries and the European Union, have been further expanded, thus maintaining Macao's status as an international city, he added.

Enditem