On February 3, the newly appointed Commissioner Bian Lixin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, paid a courtesy call on Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai.

Commissioner Bian Lixin said that the appointment is a glorious mission as well as a great responsibility. She said that the tremendous achievements Macao has made in its economic and social development over the past 26 years since its return to the motherland fully demonstrate the institutional strengths and strong vitality of the "one country, two systems" principle. The Commissioner's Office will firmly implement the instructions of the Central Government on diplomacy and Macao-related work, build a solid barrier for safeguarding national security, earnestly practice the mission of "diplomacy benefiting Macao" and "diplomacy for the people", fully support Macao's external exchanges and cooperation, and create favorable external environment for the long-lasting prosperity and stability of Macao.

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai warmly welcomed Commissioner Bian Lixin to assume office, and appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commissioner's Office for the guidance and support for SAR's external affairs in various fields. He stated that the SAR government is ready to further strengthen communication and coordination with the Commissioner's Office for the sake of resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, better leveraging Macao's connectivity with both the mainland and the world, expanding exchanges and cooperation between Macao and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries as well as neighboring countries and regions, and continuously advancing the great cause of “one country, two systems”.