Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech during the celebration gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in Macao SAR of south China on Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Sunday that the cause of "one country, two systems" is an important part of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, stressing that "the great motherland is always a strong back-up force for the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao."

    Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering an important speech at the celebration gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

    The advance of the great cause of "one country, two systems" calls for the joint efforts of the central government, the governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR as well as people of all circles, the president noted.

    The central government will remain firmly committed to the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy.

    The central government will continue to act in strict accordance with the basic laws of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR and give full support to the chief executives and governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR in their governance according to law, he said.

    The president pledged that all policies adopted by the central government on Hong Kong and Macao always adhere to the principles of benefiting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, the improvement of the livelihood of all residents in Hong Kong and Macao as well as benefiting the common development of Hong Kong, Macao and the country.

    Before his speech, the president administered the swearing-in ceremony of the Macao SAR Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, principal officials of the SAR government and members of the Executive Council.

    The return of Macao to the motherland fulfilled the common aspiration of the people of all ethnic groups of the nation, including the Macao compatriots, said Hu.

    The event opens a new chapter in the history of Macao and is an important milestone in the development of the Chinese nation, he noted.

    Hu said that the past decade after Macao's return to the motherland witnessed the successful practice of "one country, two systems" in Macao, the smooth implementation of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the constant progress made by Macao people of all circles in pursuing a development road that conforms to Macao's realities.

    "Important inspiration can be obtained by reviewing the uncommon process of the past decade since Macao's return to the motherland," said Hu.

    First of all, it is imperative to have a full and correct understanding and implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, he said, noting that the key is to realize the most extensive unity under the banner of loving the motherland and loving Macao.

    Hu noted that "one country, two systems" is a complete concept, with "one country" closely linked with " two system."

    On the one hand, the existing social and economic system and the way of life in Macao must be maintained, and on the other hand, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the country must be safeguarded, and meanwhile, the socialist system practice in the main body of the country must be respected, the president noted.

    Hu said that it is imperative to safeguard the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the Macao SAR and fully protect the master status of the Macao compatriots, but it is also imperative to respect the power endowed upon the central government by laws, and to firmly oppose any external forces in their interference in Macao's affairs.

    Early this year, the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR passed smoothly, a move Hu said fully reflects the strong sense of responsibility of the Government, Legislative Assembly and people of all circles of the Macao SAR to safeguard national security and interests.

    "The move also provides a strong guarantee for Macao's long-term stability," said the president.

    "As long as the compatriots of Macao unite under the banner of loving the motherland and loving Macao, they will be able to lay a solid political foundation for Macao's long-term prosperity and stability," said Hu.

    The president said that it is also imperative to act in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, to focus on development, to maintain social harmony and stability and to cultivate talents.

    The compatriots of Macao are not only master of the Macao SAR but also the country, said Hu.

    Since its return to the motherland, Macao has obtained endless power of development and increasingly more opportunities of development from the fast development of the mainland, and shared the dignity and glory of the great motherland on the international arena, said Hu.

    The president said that people of all ethnic groups of the country will not forget the important contribution made by the compatriots of Macao to the country's reform and opening-up, socialist modernization drive and the great cause of reunification of the motherland in a peaceful manner.

    "We firmly believe that like the great motherland, Macao will enjoy a better tomorrow," said Hu.

Anniversary celebration gathering, third-term gov't inauguration held in Macao 

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The celebration gathering marking the10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) were held here Sunday.

    President Hu Jintao, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (CPC) of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the ceremony, where Macao SAR Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On and principal officials of the SAR government were sworn in.  Full story

Fernando Chui sworn in as Macao's chief executive

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) administers as Fernando Chui Sai On (L) is sworn in as the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive in Macao SAR of south China on Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Chui Sai On was sworn in as the Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive here Sunday morning.

    The swearing-in ceremony was administered by President Hu Jintao. Full story

Hu urges central gov't officials in Macao to further advance "one country, two systems"

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met Sunday with officials of the central government and mainland institutions stationed in Macao, urging them to further advance the practice of "one country, two systems" in the special administrative region.

    "Macao has made outstanding achievements and accumulated valuable experience since its return to the motherland a decade ago," said Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Full story

Hu Jintao reviews PLA garrison troops in Macao

Chinese President Hu Jintao, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviews the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)on Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Song Zhenping) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao inspected the People's Liberation Army garrison troops in Macao Sunday, praising them for their important role in maintaining Macao's prosperity and stability.

    Following a solemn military review, Hu, also general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the garrison's history museum and chatted with soldiers. Full story

President Hu pins hope on Macao officials for good governance and development

Chinese President Hu Jintao(front C) poses for photos with principal officials of the third-term SAR government and members of Macao's Executive Council in Macao, Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao said Sunday morning that he hoped the principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) could do a good job in administering, building and developing Macao under the leadership of Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On and by closely relying on the Macao people.

    The president expressed the hope when meeting with the principal officials of the executive, legislative and judicial organizations of Macao on the sidelines of the 10th anniversary celebration gathering of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the SAR's third-term government. Full story

"One country, two systems" successful in Macao: President Hu

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with representatives from various walks of life in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of south China on Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Fan Rujun) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao said Sunday the practice of "one country, two systems" was successful in Macao, vowing to stick to the "correct road."

    In a meeting with representatives of different circles in Macao, Hu said the development and progress since Macao's return to the motherland ten years ago showed Macao compatriots had the wisdom and ability to manage and develop Macao.

President Hu: central gov't firmly committed to "one country, two systems"

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers an important speech at the evening dinner held by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government in Macao SAR in south China on Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Song Zhenping) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated here Saturday that the central government will remain firmly committed to the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy.

    Hu made the remarks at a dinner in his honor by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. Full story

President Hu: "one country, two systems" successful in both HK and Macao

Chinese President Hu Jintao(R) shakes hands with Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) in Macao SAR in south China on Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Saturday that "one country, two systems" had been successfully implemented in both Hong Kong and Macao since their return to the motherland.

    "The two special administrative regions have accumulated rich experience in the regard, and can learn from each other and make progress together," said the president when meeting with Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and principal officials of the Hong Kong SAR government. Full story

President Hu visits family in Macao

Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd R) visits local resident Leong Chi Sam's home in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in south China on Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is in Macao to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary ofthe city's return to the motherland, paid a visit to a local family on Saturday afternoon.

    "Today I'm here to be a guest of your family," said Hu as soon as he entered the door and shook hands with Leong Chi Sam, the 64-year-old father of the family. Full story

President Hu inaugurates Macao Science Center

Chinese President Hu Jintao (1st L, front) visits Macao house waste treatment center in Macao Special Administrative Region in south China on Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Song Zhenping) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao cut the ribbon to open the Macao Science Center on Saturday, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

    Hu unveiled a memorial of the center and then cut the ribbon for the unique structure together with Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Full story

President Hu arrives in Macao for 10th anniversary celebrations

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Macao on Saturday at about 12:00 p.m. by special plane to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.

 

Chinese President Hu Jintao(L) waves upon his arrival at Macao International Airport in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in south China Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) Photo Gallery>>>

    Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, will also attend the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Full story

Special report: 10th Anniversary of Macao SAR