Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has told this morning's National Day reception marking the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that the nation is the source of solid support for the special administrative region's stability and harmony.

According to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), Ho noted that Macau has been encountering profound changes and a pandemic unseen in a century. After experiencing the turmoil of the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, Macau people have become even more aware of the fact that Macau and the Chinese mainland have been sticking together through thick and thin, Ho said.

The National Day reception was hosted by the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in Praia Grande. The reception was attended by about 1,100 guests, the statement said.

Ho detailed a raft of milestones achieved so far this year by the country, namely the great success of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games, the accomplishments of the Shenzhou 13 and Shenzhou 14 crewed missions to space, and the launch of the nation's third aircraft carrier.

Thanks to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the unremitting efforts of all citizens, the country has accomplished successes that have amazed the world, Ho underlined, adding that later this month the 20th CPC National Congress will take place in Beijing, marking a new stage of development for the Chinese people.

The nation has continued to serve as the solid support for Macau's stability and harmony, Ho said, pointing out that President Xi Jinping and the central government have always taken a keen interest in Macau's development and fully supported the special administrative region in its COVID-19 prevention and control work, its economic development, its improvement of people's livelihoods, and its facilitation of harmony in the community.

In his address, Ho also mentioned a recent meeting held by Vice Premier Han Zheng about Macau's development plans. Han stressed, Ho underlined, that the central government will give its full support to infrastructure construction, as well as to major projects to support people’s livelihoods, appropriate economic diversification, and the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

In addition, according to the recent Ho-Han meeting by video link, a string of beneficial policies and measures – such as the resumption of electronically-issued permits for travel to Macau, as well as of tour groups from mainland China to Macau, support for the Macao Light Rapid Transit (LRT) East Line project and the expansion of the runway of the local airport – will be in place to promote the recovery of Macau's economy and to support people's livelihoods.

Ho stressed that it has been proven that the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle has closely aligned with the fundamental interests of the country and its people, as well as the fundamental interests of Macau. The principle is fully supported by the compatriots from the mainland and Macau, and it also recognised by the international community, Ho said.

At present, Macau is experiencing a critical period of opportunities for transformational development, while the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" principle has entered a new stage, said Ho, who pledged that the local government will fully uphold the principles of “One Country, Two Systems” and “Patriots Governing Macau”, and maintain Macau's long-term stability and prosperity. The MSAR government will always keep in mind that upholding the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests are the underlying elements of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, Ho said.

Having faced a raft of pandemic-related challenges with the care and full support of the central government, the MSAR government has always adhered to the general principle of “dynamic zero-COVID-19” to tackle and overcome the pandemic, Ho said, adding that the local government has also launched a host of measures to secure employment, stabilise the economy, and to support people’s livelihoods, thereby relieving hardships.

In terms of Macau's COVID-19 prevention and control measures, especially during the latest outbreak that was confirmed on June 18, the local government and all the people in Macau joined hands to support the anti-epidemic measures, so that stability was maintained and risk of infection was quickly subdued, Ho said. On behalf of the local government, Ho expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and support of all Macau people.

While fighting pandemic-related challenges, and relieving livelihood hardships, the MSAR government sad spared no effort in promoting Macau's appropriate economic diversification, Ho said, adding that Macau launched earlier this year a public tender for gaming concessions, aiming to promote the sound and sustainable development of the gaming industry.

The local government will take this opportunity to intensify efforts to promote the development of the tourism industry's non-gaming attractions, and also motivate further diversification of the economy in various areas such as tourism, health and wellness services, as well as conferences and exhibitions, Ho stressed.

In particular, Ho said, Macau will explore overseas markets with the aim of attracting more foreign tourists, thereby speeding up Macau's development as a world centre of tourism and leisure.

The chief executive also underlined the local government's ongoing effort to promote the development of industries including modern financial services, high tech, big health, conferences and exhibitions, commerce and trade, and culture and sports.

Ho also said that Macau will continue implementing effective epidemic prevention and control measures, as well as speed up Macau's economic recovery, expedite appropriate economic diversification, strengthen the momentum for economic development, and continuously improve people's livelihoods.

In his National Day address, Ho also underlined that the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin has opened a new development chapter, with remarkable results having been achieved thanks to the concerted efforts made during the past year by Guangdong and Macau.

The zone was set up by the two sides about a year ago.

Ho said that positive changes have taken place in the zone, ranging from institutional mechanisms to ways of thinking, as well as from the integration of people's livelihoods to the momentum of development. The zone's Macau-related elements in Hengqin have been strengthened, with the goal of serving Macau, and the path of economic diversification has become clearer, Ho said.

Ho called for continued adherence to the fundamental reasons for developing the zone. There should be, according to Ho, even greater efforts to explore opportunities in a creative manner, achieve new breakthroughs, open up new horizons; accelerate the integration of Hengqin and Macao, pragmatically implement policies, and explore innovations in mechanisms and systems. Pressing ahead with the zone's development will lead to a new stage in Macau's ongoing process of achieving appropriate diversification, in turn making breakthroughs and achieving substantial results that will demonstrate the vitality of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years has posed great challenges to Macau's economy and civil society, but the fundamental upward trend of long-term economic development has not changed, Ho stressed.

With the strong support of the central government, Macau will definitely be able to make better use of its unique advantages, while continuing to take the initiative in developing the local economy, promoting appropriate economic diversification and improving people's livelihoods, all with the aim of creating a new horizon, Ho said.

Ho quoted President Xi as saying that history and reality show that a social revolution often requires a long historical process to achieve final victory. Only by looking back at the way we have travelled, comparing others’ paths, and looking at the way forward, can we deeply and accurately see the issues at stake, Ho said.

Facing changes in the world, in these times, and in history, means all of us need to face up to the difficulties and strengthen our confidence, Ho said, adding that the local government will continue its firm implementation of the "One Country, Two systems" principle, while striving for success in writing a new chapter for the principle, as well as seeing Macau make its due contribution to welcoming the successful organisation of the 20th CPC National Congress and realising the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

The guests at the reception included Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Edmund Ho Hau Wa; Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR Director Zheng Xincong; former MSAR chief executive Fernando Chui Sai On; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the MSAR Liu Xianfa; Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macau Garrison Sun Wenju; Legislative Assembly President Kou Hoi In; and Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Sam Hou Fai.

In the morning, the Chief Executive and around 570 guests attended a National Day flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square in Zape.

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng addresses this morning's National Day reception at the Forum Macao complex. – Photo: GCS