Leader asks people to unite, stay true to aspirations and help SAR develop

Fernando Chui Sai-on, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, vowed on Wednesday that the region would forge ahead with the vision presented at October's 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and actively push forward the implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy.

Chui made the remark at a reception celebrating the 18th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

"The report delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the 19th CPC National Congress set the direction for Macao's development," he said, as the Party has made upholding "one country, two systems" part of the basic policy to carry out Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It has also given full support to Macao's integration into the nation's overall development.

Chui said the SAR will actively participate in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Reviewing Macao's development over the past 18 years, Chui attributed Macao's long-term stability and prosperity to the central government's unwavering support, and the solid guarantee provided by the Constitution and the SAR's Basic Law.

In particular, Chui expressed gratitude to the People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison, central government organizations in Macao and other provincial and municipal governments on the Chinese mainland, for their disaster relief assistance after Typhoon Hato, one of the strongest the region had ever experienced.

Hato hit Macao on Aug 23, killing 17 people and causing major damage to the city.

Chui said the SAR government is working on improving the city's emergency mechanism and establishing regulations for disaster prevention and mitigation.

He called on all social sectors in Macao to unite, stay true to their original aspirations and carry forward their love for the country and city, to help Macao develop into a more advanced society.