'Cherished pearl' shines brightly in caring 'palm of the motherland'

Friday marked the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Over the past 25 years, thanks to the Chinese central government's strong support and the continuous efforts made by the Macao Special Administrative Region government and all sectors of society, the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics has achieved remarkable success.

The constitutional order of the SAR established by the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law has been firmly established, and by consistently adapting the "one country, two systems" framework to the actual local situation and the changes of the times, Macao has made comprehensive progress in all areas, and it has enjoyed rapid economic growth, and consequently a steady improvement in people's well-being.

On Wednesday afternoon, arriving in Macao to attend the anniversary celebrations, President Xi Jinping called Macao "a pearl on the palm" of the motherland, saying that over the past 25 years, the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics has demonstrated "great vitality and unique charm", and enabled the SAR to achieve success that has been widely recognized by the world.

With its per capita GDP around $70,000, Forbes Magazine listed Macao as the second-richest place in the world this year, behind Luxembourg. In 2023, Macao's gross domestic product reached 379.48 billion Macanese pataca ($47.38 billion), with an average annual growth of 4.9 percent since 1999. Over these years, a social security system covering the entire life cycle of local residents has been established in the SAR, and the average life expectancy of Macao residents has increased to 83.1 years.

Today, Macao has a solid institutional system to protect its national security, a harmonious social foundation, a stable development environment, a resilient development momentum, and greater international influence.

While faithfully implementing the principle of "Macao people governing Macao", the central government has unswervingly been giving the SAR its backing. This has been the cornerstone for Macao's economic development and enhancement in people's livelihoods and social stability. The SAR government's successful practice of "one country, two systems" over the past 25 years has provided a strong and stable foundation on which to work hand in hand with the central authorities, and together they have been able to propel Macao's remarkable economic and social development.

Macao can continue to inject new vitality into its development by using its own strengths to serve the needs of the country and by fully seizing the opportunities offered by the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The modernization road map for the nation unveiled in July promises to inject new vitality into Macao's pursuit of prosperity and development. Thanks to the special role it plays in the Belt and Road Initiative and the strong momentum of its integrated development with Guangdong province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the grand design for the development of the Greater Bay Area, the SAR's future prospects augur well.

Macao will undoubtedly forge ahead vigorously by fully leveraging the institutional advantages of the practice of "one country, two systems" and better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country, as President Xi called for.

Twenty-five years after its return to the motherland, Macao has a new historical opportunity, and fresh motivation and space to write another remarkable chapter in its storied history.