MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's Macao Special Administrative Region has seen a bright decade since its establishment: its economic output tripled thanks to the liberalization of its gaming industry, and public security remained sound after 1999.

    Its fast development is continuing.

    The SAR Basic Law and the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy are the guarantee for Macao's achievements.

    Macao's gross domestic product hit 171.87 billion patacas (22 billion U.S. dollars) in 2008. The number of residents increased to about 550,000 at the end of last year. Its land area has risen to 29.2 square kilometers.

    President Hu Jintao said Sunday concerted efforts made by all Macao people had contributed to the SAR's development.

    The city is poised for a better future:

    -- The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020), announced by the Chinese government last January, calls for building Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong into a large city area with strong global competitiveness. Macao has its unique position therein.

    The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, construction of which has started, will be a boost to the area's joint development.

    A more prosperous and stronger mainland will also inject new vigor into Macao.

    -- Talents provide a strong support for Macao. Construction of anew campus of the University of Macao, covering an area 21.8 times that of the current one, began Sunday. More graduates from the prestigious university in Macao will help keep the city dynamic.

    But difficulties remain, as new uncertainties have been emerging from other parts of the world and Macao is too heavily reliant on the gambling business, which made up more than 80 percent of the SAR's fiscal income in 2008.

    "In the next five years, we shall actively promote the diversified development at an appropriate level," said Fernando Chui Sai On, who was sworn in as Macao's third-term chief executive on Sunday.

    While enhancing the regulation on the gaming industry, "we will also put emphasis on convention, exhibition, logistics, cultural and creative industries and the upgrade and transformation of traditional industries," he noted.

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

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

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: "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