Published on January 1, 2026
Source: Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
In his New Year address for 2026, President Xi Jinping stated: “Recently, I attended the opening ceremony of the National Games, and it was heartening to see the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao working together. We must steadfastly implement the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy, support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into the national development, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.” His heartfelt words convey deep care, firm support, and earnest expectations. The people of Hong Kong and Macao, like the rest of the nation, feel warmth, encouragement, and renewed confidence.
President Xi has always cared about the development of Hong Kong and Macao. During the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, he delivered a series of important speeches, profoundly summarizing the practical experience of "One Country, Two Systems" and scientifically outlining the development blueprint for this cause, providing guidance for the future of Hong Kong and Macao. At the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, President Xi specifically emphasized the need to deepen cooperation between these regions and highlighted the importance of Hong Kong and Macao integrating into and serving the national development.
Under President Xi's leadership, the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs) have lived up to expectations and united in their efforts. Over the past year, [Hong Kong SAR] Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and [Macao SAR Chief Executive] Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, along with the Hong Kong and Macao SAR governments, have united various sectors of society, faced challenges, and made progress. They have firmly upheld national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests, fully implemented the principles of “patriots governing Hong Kong” and “patriots governing Macao,” enhanced governance efficiency, and made significant strides in the economy, development, reform, and improving people's livelihoods. They have actively integrated into national development and continuously enhanced international competitiveness, propelling the construction and development of the SARs to new heights.
Hong Kong's economy has demonstrated strong resilience and vitality, with rapid progress in the Northern Metropolis development. The global financial center index ranks Hong Kong third in the world; the global competitiveness ranking has returned to the top three, and the talent ranking has jumped significantly to fourth globally and first in Asia. The Hang Seng Index rose by 27.8 percent in 2025, and the scale of IPOs on the Hong Kong stock market doubled year-on-year, ranking first globally. Nearly 10,000 companies from overseas or the Chinese mainland are based in Hong Kong, a historic high. In the first eleven months of 2025, Hong Kong attracted over 45 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent. The headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation (HKIMC) has been established in Hong Kong, and both the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the (UNIDROIT) have announced the establishment of offices in Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis is accelerating development through innovative means, and the Hong Kong section of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ) has officially opened.
Macao has made solid strides towards appropriate economic diversification, with accelerated quality improvements in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. Macau's per capita GDP remains among the world's highest. The tourism and leisure industry is recovering strongly, with 36.49 million inbound tourists in the first eleven months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 14.4 percent. Industries such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), modern finance, high tech, exhibitions, trade, culture, and sports are rapidly emerging. The scale of bonds listed or issued in Macau has surpassed one trillion patacas, and Macao has been recognized for three consecutive years as the “Best Conventions Destination (Asia).” Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, with a 15.7 percent year-on-year growth of Macao-funded enterprises in Hengqin as of the end of October and a 22.3 percent increase in Macao youth entrepreneurship. Over 25,000 Macao residents live in the cooperation zone, a year-on-year growth of 16.7 percent.
The improvement in the livelihood of people in Hong Kong and Macao has been significant, yielding impressive results. In Hong Kong, measures such as promoting “Light Public Housing” (LPH) have significantly shortened waiting times for public housing. The construction of “Community Living Rooms” has accelerated to improve the living environment for grassroots citizens. The implementation of minimum wage inspections every year and the elimination of the offsetting of mandatory provident fund payments have ensured better protection of workers' rights. The first traditional Chinese medicine hospital has opened, and several cross-border residential care homes for the elderly have been established. Hong Kong has been the region with the longest life expectancy in the world for 10 consecutive years. The regional governance system has been further improved, with district councils and care teams earnestly serving citizens. Macao continues to enhance its two-tier social security system, reform the wealth-sharing program, optimize public housing policies, and improve public medical services, providing better care and support for vulnerable groups.
The eighth Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong and Legislative Assembly elections in Macao have successfully concluded. Both SAR chief executives and governments have implemented various innovative measures to enhance election organization, publicity, and mobilization, decisively eliminating interference and sabotage by anti-China forces and external hostile forces against the elections, thereby thwarting attempts to “create chaos in Hong Kong through disasters.” All sectors of society actively participated in the elections, with candidates debating policies, making decisions based on capability, and competing for recognition based on their image. Civil servants led by example in voting, and voters, ranging from senior citizens over 90 years old to first-time voters who just reached the legal voting age, participated enthusiastically. The voter turnout rate exceeded that of the previous election, fully representing public opinion, and the newly elected legislative councilors have gained recognition from all sides. The two elections demonstrated the advanced nature of the new electoral system, marking a milestone for consolidating and developing high-quality democracy that aligns with the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and is consistent with the Constitution and Basic Law, and with the realities of Hong Kong and Macao.
The maintenance of national security in Hong Kong and Macao has been firm and strong, with severe penalties for criminal acts jeopardizing national security. The Hong Kong and Macao SARs have comprehensively and accurately implemented national security laws, faithfully fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities to maintain national security. Law enforcement and judicial personnel are fearless and resolutely prevent, stop, and punish activities and behaviors that endanger national security. The courts in the Hong Kong SAR have legally convicted anti-China figures like Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, strongly defending the rule of law and justice. External forces’ plots to undermine Hong Kong’s rule of law will inevitably fail.
Hong Kong effectively responded to and managed major fire incidents, demonstrating unity and resilience. In November 2025, a sudden fire in Tai Po severely impacted Hong Kong. President Xi placed great importance on the incident, immediately seeking updates on rescue efforts and casualties, offering condolences to the victims and killed firefighter, and calling for all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize damage and loss. The Hong Kong SAR government reacted quickly and conducted disaster relief work efficiently and professionally, with firefighter Ho Wai-ho tragically losing his life during rescue operations. All sectors of Hong Kong society came together, with people providing financial and physical support, exemplifying the generous goodwill of the community. Relevant central departments and localities across the country provided urgent assistance. Currently, all affected residents have been properly resettled, and various follow-up works are advancing in an orderly manner. United in purpose, love flows abundantly in Hong Kong, showcasing deep familial bonds that vividly illustrate the humanitarian spirit of “when one side is in trouble, support comes from all sides.”
The extraordinary journey of 2025 is worth remembering deeply, and the new hopes of 2026 inspire us to set sail. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has made top-level designs and strategic plans for the country’s economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, emphasizing the need to firmly implement the policies of “One Country, Two Systems,” “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,” “Macau people governing Macau,” and a high degree of autonomy, promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. The implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will bring significant opportunities for the development of Hong Kong and Macao.
We believe that in the new year, with the strong support of the central government and the Chinese mainland, the governments of Hong Kong and Macao will surely unite to lead all sectors of society to proactively align with the 14th Five-Year Plan, fully leverage the unique advantages and important roles of Hong Kong and Macao, better integrate into and serve the national development, and achieve better development and make greater contributions in the grand journey of advancing national strength and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through modernization!
End Item
N.B. This Chinese-language statement by the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council was released today on the website of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region. The English translation was arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily.
