President Xi celebrates 15th anniversary of Macao’s return to China

World Today

In this photo provided by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and his wife Peng Liyuan, center right, wave as they arrive at the international airport in Macau, south China, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. Chinese President Xi is in Macau to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of its return to China which falls on Saturday, Xinhua reported. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Cheong Kam Ka) NO SALES

Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled Macao for the 15th anniversary of its return to China from Portugal. Xi addressed a welcoming dinner hosted by the region’s government. CCTV News’ Yang Zhao reported this story from Macao.

Xi offered the continued backing of the central government and promised to confer two giant pandas Macao.

“I am convinced that under the leadership of the Chief Executive and the government of Macao, people from all walks of life will be united as one and make continued efforts to write an even more brilliant chapter in the story of Macao,” he said.

During the welcoming dinner, Xi remarked that Macao’s great economic and social achievements over the past 15 years had been possible thanks to its correct implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems” and of the Basic Law of China. He said the comprehensive reforms being implemented across the mainland in its effort to build a prosperous society have provided tremendous opportunities for Macao’s development.

He called on the people of Macao to make use of these opportunities from the mainland and strive to achieve sustained and sound economic and social development. Xi also encouraged people of Macao to work side by side with people in other parts of China to make new and greater contributions to the realization of the Chinese dream of rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

The Chinese President also expressed his belief that under the leadership of the chief executive and government of the Macao SAR, the people from all walks of life in Macao would be united as one and make continued efforts to write an even more brilliant chapter in the story of the region.