Remarks by H.E. Le Yucheng Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs At the Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR
Chief Executive Chui Sai On,
CPPCC Vice Chairman Ho Hau Wah,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
I am delighted to join you for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I wish to offer warm congratulations on the 20th anniversary, and express sincere appreciation to the Macao SAR government and people of all sectors for your care for Macao's development and your support to the Commissioner's Office.
Twenty years ago, the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China was established, ushering in a new chapter in the history of Macao. Thanks to the care and support of the central government and the concerted efforts by the SAR government and all Macao compatriots, Macao has achieved rapid economic growth, steadily improved people's livelihood, and enjoyed social harmony and stability. The SAR has been making remarkable progress on all fronts. And "One Country, Two Systems" is showing strong vitality in Macao.
The last 20 years have seen Macao's economy growing by leaps and bounds and its people leading a more comfortable life. As one of the world's fastest-growing economies for many years, Macao's GDP reached MOP 444.67 billion last year, with a per capita GDP of US$83,000.
Macao's long-term mechanisms in five sectors of social security, housing, health-care, education and talent cultivation have been strengthened. Its law and order have been significantly improved. Its life expectancy is among the highest in the world. It is one of the safest cities and preferred tourist destinations, attracting 36 million tourist arrivals in 2018.
The last 20 years have seen Macao growing into an international metropolis with robust external exchanges. It is playing an active role as a World Tourism and Leisure Center and the Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. It is on course to become an exchange and cooperation base for the mainstream Chinese culture to co-exist and interact with other cultures.
Moreover, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are creating more opportunities for Macao's external exchanges. Today, Macao passport holders can travel to 144 countries and regions visa-free or with visa-upon-arrival, compared with only three such destinations at the beginning of its return to the motherland.
Macao is currently member of 120 international organizations, a big jump from 51 of two decades ago. The Secretariat of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee has moved to Macao, and a WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine was establised here. The city's Historic Center is now on the World Heritage List. And UNESCO has crowned Macao a Creative City of Gastronomy.
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
Macao's remarkable development achievements show that "One Country, Two Systems" is successful and right. As "One Country, Two Systems" provides the fundamental prerequisite and safeguard for stability, prosperity and greater development of Macao and Hong Kong, it must be firmly upheld and maintained. This is a shared responsibility and mission of the central government, the SAR governments and the entire Chinese people, including people in Macao and Hong Kong.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China(CPC), the Chinese nation is making big strides toward rejuvenation. This historical process promises Macao and Hong Kong an even brighter future.
At the same time however, some anti-China elements in the world do not want to see China's development, the success of "One Country, Two Systems", or a better life for the Chinese people. They resort to all possible means to stir up troubles on issues concerning Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Taiwan and others. Following the "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act", the House of Representatives of the US Congress passed the "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019" yesterday. This is another gross interference in China's domestic affairs. We express strong indignation and firm opposition. All Chinese people, including our compatriots in Macao, will get united as one, fight fearlessly, resolutely push back the meddling hands, firmly uphold the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and adamantly defend the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country.
We in the Foreign Ministry, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, will follow through General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thinking and instructions on Macao and Hong Kong affairs. We will do everything we can to safeguard "One Country, Two Systems", maintain stability and prosperity of Macao, and protect the interests and well-being of the Macao people.
We will fully and faithfully implement the principle of "One Country, Two Systems " and uphold the authority of the Constitution and the Basic Law. We will firmly guard against and thwart external interference in Macao and Hong Kong affairs and their separatist, subversive, infiltrating and destabilizing activities. We will firmly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country and the long-term prosperity and stability of two SARs.
We will fully leverage our diplomatic resources and strengths to facilitate Macao's exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world in the economic and trade area, finance, tourism and culture. We will support its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as its efforts to expedite its transition toward a relatively diverse economy. With all this, we look forward to Macao's new role, new progress and new input in grand blueprint of China's reform and opening-up.
We will continue to put the people at the center of our diplomacy, and introduce new measures to protect, serve and benefit our people. We will work to make it easier for people to travel with a Macao passport, and duly protect the safety and lawful rights and interests of Macao compatriots, businesses and institutions overseas.
We will continue to hold publicity and public diplomacy events to share with the world the success stories of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macao. We also hope to help the people of Macao, especially the younger generation, to learn more about the development and diplomacy of the country, so that the love for the motherland and Macao will be passed on from generation to generation.
Distinguished Guests,
Friends,
Over 90 years ago, Wen Yiduo, a patriotic poet, wrote the Song of the Seven Sons, expressing the strong aspiration of people in Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan for a united country. With Hong Kong and Macao back to the motherland, people in the two SARs have left behind the history of colonial rule, and stood high and proud with dignity and honor together with their brothers and sisters on the mainland.
Tremendous changes have happened in the past 20 years, and the journey shall continue rain or shine. The past two decades of struggle and glory have gone down in the annals of the SAR. We must cherish dearly what has been achieved, and get prepared to fulfill the greater responsibilities and loftier mission awaiting us. Today, the Chinese nation is embracing a great transformation from standing up and getting rich to becoming stronger.
Today's China is no longer the weak and poor country of a century ago that fell prey to bullying and humiliation. It has full confidence and capability to prevail over all challenges, crush every attempt to undermine the reunification of the motherland and national unity or to contain China's development and progress. No forces can ever stop China's historic process of rejuvenation toward a more prosperous and stronger nation.
Thank you.