Honorable Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the MSAR,
Mr. Ho Hou Wah, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,
Mr. Zhang Rongshun, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in MSAR,
Senior Colonel Liu Yunjun, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison,
Mr. Kou Hoi In, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the MSAR,
Mr. Sam Hou Fai, President of the Court of Final Appeal of the MSAR,
Mr. Le Yucheng, Deputy Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Mr Huang Liuquan, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,
Mr. Zhang Hu, Deputy Governor of Guangdong Province,
Mr. Xie Feng, Commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR,
Mr. Lu Shumin and Mr. Hu Zhengyue, Former Commissioners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the MSAR,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR.
2019 is a landmark year in the course of development of China and the Macao SAR. Two months ago, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and shared the pride of a strong and prosperous China. In another two weeks, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the MSAR and applaud the progress made in practicing “one country, two systems” in the MSAR.
20 years ago, with Macao’s return to the motherland and the establishment of the MSAR, the Chinese people took a solid step in the great cause of national reunification and rejuvenation. From then on, the people of Macao become the true masters of this piece of land and usher in a brilliant future. Macao, the once ancient transportation hub between the East and the West, has been an important two-way bridgehead in China’s reform and opening up with great vitality.
The Commissioner’s Office, established on the same day as the MSAR, has engaged in the same endeavor with the Macao people and witnessed the strong vitality of “one country, two systems” with Macao features.
Over the past two decades, we have been diligently implementing the policies of “one country, two systems” and major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Guided by the instructions and deployment of the Chinese Central Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commissioner’s Office has been fully and faithfully implementing the policies of “one country, two systems”, firmly upholding the authority of the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law, and working hand in hand with the MSAR government and people from all sectors to embark on the path of international exchanges which serve the needs of our country and bring into full play the advantages of the MSAR.
Over the past two decades, we have been resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests as well as Macao’s enduring peace and stability. The Commissioner’s Office has been supporting the MSAR to make more friends while opposing the interference of any external forces in the Macao affairs, never allowing any anti-China black hands to touch this treasured land of lotus.
Over the past two decades, we have been vigorously promoting the MSAR’s international exchange and cooperation. The Commissioner’s Office supports the MSAR’s construction of “One Center, One Platform and One Base”, facilitated Macao’s involvement in international cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, and built a trilateral cooperation platform between the MSAR, other provinces of China and neighboring countries. We help the MSAR government in exchanges with its sister cities and actively introduced international conventions, exhibitions as well as cultural and sports events to Macao. Macao is currently member of 120 inter-governmental organizations, compared with 51 in the past, demonstrating its increasing coverage and depth of external engagements.
Over the past two decades, we have been earnestly protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Macao compatriots overseas. MSAR passport holders are now granted visa-free access or visas on arrival in 144 countries and regions, compared with just 3 in the past. Macao people are finding it more convenient to travel abroad. The Commissioner’s Office has been actively providing services to Macao enterprises and people “going global”, continuously enhancing the coordination mechanism of consular protection, so that the Macao people could feel the care of their motherland when travelling abroad.
Over the past two decades, we have been working to advocate patriotism and love for Macao. We have organized the “Macao Youth Diplomatic Knowledge Contest” for 10 consecutive years, attracting participation of tens of thousands of young people. We have also launched a series of activities such as “Open Day”, “Young Diplomats on Campus”, “Consular Protection Briefing on Campus” and “International Law Lectures on Campus”, all of which have brought the Macao compatriots closer to Chinese diplomacy and Macao-related diplomatic work so as to foster greater patriotism and a stronger sense of national identity among the people in Macao.
Since the Commissioner’s Office was established 20 years ago, we have performed our functions in full accordance with the fundamental rules of Chinese Constitution and the Macao Basic Law and pushed ahead for new progress in Macao-related diplomatic work. In the face of a changing international environment, China has thrived in national development and Macao has taken on a new look. The Macao-related diplomacy has made due contribution to the success of the practice of “one country, two systems”, played a positive role in maintaining lasting prosperity and stability in Macao, and explored new approaches in conducting major-country diplomacy with distinctive Chinese features.
The reason why Macao-related diplomatic work has made important progress lies primarily in the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee. In particular, since the 18th CPC Congress, under the guidance of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, with the leadership of the Party Committee of of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have continuously improved the institutions and mechanisms in Macao’s external affairs within “one country, two systems” and have broken new ground in both diplomatic theory and practice.
We cannot achieve the progress in Macao-related diplomatic work without the strong support of the MSAR government and all sectors of the Macao society, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Guangdong Province as well as relevant ministries and provinces. Hereby I would like to express, on behalf of my colleagues of the Commissioner’s Office, our sincere gratitude to you all!
Distinguished guests,
Dear Friends,
With the practice of “one country, two systems” entering its third decade, both China and the MSAR are reaching a new historical starting point. Macao-related diplomacy will, bearing in mind its responsibility, continue to fully and faithfully implement the policies of “one country, two systems”, “the people of Macao governing Macao”, and a high degree of autonomy for the region, properly deal with external risks and challenges to eliminate any potential disruptive factors in the cause of “one country, two systems” of Macao features. We will keep in mind both our internal and international imperatives and provide assistance for Macao’s external exchanges of higher standards. We will observe the purposes of “diplomacy for Macao, diplomacy for the people” and continue to provide protection for Macao people travelling abroad.
The people of Macao are writing a brand new chapter in history. Macao, the land of lotus flowers looks more and more beautiful. Going forward, the Commissioner’s Office will resolutely implement the spirit of the 19th CPC Congress and its 4th plenary session and strictly follow the instructions of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make new progress in Macao-related diplomatic work. We will work hard to advance the practices of “one country, two systems” and major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and make further contributions to the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation！
Thank you！