Full text of Xi's remarks at gathering for Macao SAR's 15th anniversary

Fellow Compatriots,

Dear Friends,

"One country, two systems" is a basic state policy. To firmly uphold this policy is vital to ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. It is also an important part of our endeavor to fulfill the Chinese dream of great national renewal. It conforms with the fundamental interests of the country and the nation, the overall and long-term interests of Hong Kong and Macao, and the interests of international investors.

To continue to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", we must stay committed to the fundamental purpose of "one country, two systems", jointly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. We must continue to govern Hong Kong and Macao and uphold the practice of "one country, two systems" according to law. We must both adhere to the one-China principle and respect the differences of the two systems, both uphold the power of the Central Government and ensure a high degree of autonomy in the SARs, both give play to the role of the mainland as the staunch supporter of Hong Kong and Macao and increase their competitiveness. At no time should we focus only on one side to the neglect of the other. This is the only way leading to sound and steady progress. Otherwise, a misguided approach from the beginning, just like putting one's left foot into the right shoe, would lead us to nowhere.

To continue to advance the cause of "one country, two systems" is the common mission of the Central Government, the SAR governments and people of all ethnic groups of the country, including compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao. No matter what difficulties or challenges we may encounter, they could never shake our confidence and resolve to uphold the principle and advance the practice of "one country, two systems".

Our motherland is at a crucial stage to complete the building of a society of initial prosperity in all respects, comprehensively deepen reform, and fully promote the rule of law. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), people of all ethnic groups in China are making concerted efforts to realize the two "centenary goals" (to complete the building of a society of initial prosperity in all respects when the CPC celebrates its centenary in 2021 and turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious when New China marks its centennial in 2049) and the Chinese dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation. Our motherland has experienced and is experiencing unprecedented, profound changes in various fields. We have substantially enhanced China's aggregate national strength, people's wellbeing, international standing and influence. Never in history have we been closer to the goal of the great renewal of the Chinese nation, and never in history have we had greater confidence and capability to realize this goal.

Today, every Chinese can travel around the world with greater confidence and pride, because standing behind us is a great and strong country with over 9.6 million square kilometers of land and over 1.3 billion people, a place all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation call their motherland.

To realize the Chinese dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the call of the times and the mission of the nation. Chinese people living in our age, wherever they are, have every reason to be proud of it and contribute their share to this cause. I am convinced that a more prosperous and stronger motherland will open up even brighter prospects of the development of Hong Kong and Macao.

As a line of Chinese poem reads, "The green lotus leaves stretch to the horizon and the lotus flowers look incredibly red in the sunshine." With the joint efforts of the Central Government, the SAR government and people from across sectors in Macao and with the vigorous support of people of all ethnic groups of the country, the practice of "one country, two systems" will have even greater success in Macao, and Macao, the beautiful lotus flower of the motherland, will blossom with even more splendid color.

Thank you.