On December 20, 1999, the Macao Special Administrative Region was officially established, marking that Macao finally returned to the embrace of the motherland after a century of vicissitudes. Today, Macao’s return has gone through a glorious 25-year journey. In the past 25 years, under the guidance of the “one country, two systems” policy, Macao has achieved remarkable achievements, achieved sustained economic prosperity and comprehensive social progress.
Macao has been a Chinese territory since ancient times, but due to historical reasons, it was once occupied by Portuguese colonists. However, the Chinese people have never given up their sovereignty claims over Macao. With the founding of New China and the deepening of reform and opening up, China’s comprehensive national strength has continued to increase, creating favorable conditions for Macao’s return. In June 1986, delegations from the Chinese and Portuguese governments held talks in Beijing on the Macao issue, and formally signed a joint statement on the Macao issue in Beijing in April 1987. This statement laid a legal foundation for Macao’s return.
On December 20, 1999, the Macao Special Administrative Region was established and the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region came into effect. The Macao Special Administrative Region enjoys a high degree of autonomy, implements the capitalist system, and maintains its original lifestyle. At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government also actively fulfills its responsibilities to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. Under the guidance of the “one country, two systems” policy, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has continuously promoted reform and development in the fields of economy, politics, culture and society, and has achieved remarkable results.
In terms of economy, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government actively promotes moderate economic diversification, strengthens regional cooperation, and expands the international market. The Macao Special Administrative Region has become one of the world’s well-known tourism and leisure centers, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit. At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region has also actively developed emerging industries such as exhibitions, traditional Chinese medicine, and cultural creativity, injecting new impetus into the continued prosperity of the economy. In the financial field, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has also actively promoted the reform and development of the financial industry, strengthened financial supervision and risk prevention, and provided strong guarantees for the financial stability and security of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
In terms of politics, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government actively implements the “one country, two systems” policy to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government exercises a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the law, actively promotes the construction of democracy and the rule of law, and safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of residents. At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has also actively participated in international affairs and regional cooperation, and has made positive contributions to maintaining regional peace and stability.
In terms of culture and society, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has actively promoted the integration and inheritance of Chinese and Western cultures, and strengthened the protection and utilization of cultural heritage. The Macao Special Administrative Region has rich cultural heritage and tourism resources. These precious cultural heritages are not only an important wealth of the Macao Special Administrative Region, but also a common cultural heritage of all mankind. At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has also actively promoted reforms and developments in education, medical care, social security and other fields to improve the living standards and happiness of residents.
Looking to the future, the Macao Special Administrative Region will continue to promote reforms and developments in the fields of economy, politics, culture and society under the guidance of the “one country, two systems” policy. At the same time, the Macao Special Administrative Region will also actively participate in national development strategies and regional cooperation, and contribute its own strength to the realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We believe that with the joint efforts of all Macao residents, the future of the Macao Special Administrative Region will definitely be better!
The 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to China is an important milestone, marking the brilliant achievements Macao has made under the guidance of the “one country, two systems” policy. Looking to the future, we expect the Macao Special Administrative Region to continue to write a more glorious chapter with the joint efforts of all Macao residents!