Xi underscores 'one country, two systems' policy in Macao

Chinese President (L) Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan wave as they arrive at the international airport in Macao, south China, Dec. 19, 2014. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Friday noon to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, which falls on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]

In his first speech made upon arrival in Macao, President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of the "one country, two systems" policy and the Basic Law on Friday.

Macao will progress steadily on the right track, guided by the "one country, two systems" policy and the Basic Law, he told reporters at the Macao International Airport.

Xi left Beijing on Friday morning for Macao to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to the motherland.

On Saturday, Xi is expected to attend the inauguration of the fourth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The two-day visit came shortly after police in Hong Kong, another special administrative region, began to clear the final site of the "Occupy Central" protest, which started months ago as a misreading of Beijing's "one country, two systems" policy, and has hit Hong Kong's economy.

Xi is likely to meet Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying during his stay in Macao, Macao media reported.

Xi said at the airport that he was willing to visit local residents, review the development of the Macao SAR over the past 15 years with them and discuss plans for Macao's long-term development.

This is Xi's first trip to Macao since he became the top leader. He once visited the city in 2009 as vice-president.

On Dec. 20, 1999, the Chinese government regained sovereignty over Macao. Under the "one country, two systems", Macao has become one of the world's fastest-growing economies in recent years.