Xi said that Macao's role has been strengthened as a world tourism and leisure center, a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and a base for exchanges and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.

Stressing that Macao should position itself accurately and focus on the priorities, Xi urged the region to cultivate new industries with global competitiveness and pool talent from all over the world.

According to Xi, Macao, as "a shining pearl on the coast of the South China Sea and a treasured place of the great motherland", has played a crucial role in history in facilitating exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

For example, many Chinese classics were translated to foreign languages in Macao and then introduced to the West, while a significant amount of Western modern science, technology and culture has been transmitted to the mainland through the region.

He called on Macao to keep expanding two-way opening-up, promote cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries and actively participate in high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Almas Seitakynov, consul general of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macao, said Macao's deepening involvement in the BRI will create more opportunities for his country's cooperation with the SAR and the mainland in many areas.

"We heard from the Chinese president's speech that Macao will give a focus for Belt and Road countries. We are ready, as I mentioned, to develop our cooperation," he said.

Xi also encouraged Macao to make good use of its East-meets-West culture to promote international people-to-people exchanges, better introduce Macao and China to the world, and build itself into a key portal for the exchange and mutual learning of Eastern and Western civilizations.

Zhu Haisheng, secretary-general of the Macau Economic and Livelihood Alliance, said that Macao not only preserves and carries forward the essence of traditional Chinese culture, but also actively embraces and blends elements of Western culture.

"Such cultural fusion not only enriches the life of Macao's residents but also elevates its global influence," he said.

In his speech, Xi also stressed the role of young people as the hope and future of Macao and an energetic force in building Macao and the country.

The government and the whole society of the SAR should care more about young people and create better conditions for their development and accomplishment, he said.

Xi expressed his hope that the young people will set lofty goals and make solid efforts to be the builders and successors of "one country, two systems".

Nina Si, secretary-general of the General Association of Chinese Students of Macau, said that young people in Macao are fully capable of helping the region to diversify its economic development.

After wrapping up his three-day visit to Macao, Xi left the SAR on Friday.