Fellow compatriots,

Friends,

At a time when the new century is forthcoming, we are greeting the arrival of the first anniversary of the return of Macaoto the motherland.First of all, I would like, on behalf of the Central People's Government and all the nationalities in China, to express warm congratulations and good wishes to the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and all the residents in Macao.

The return of Macaoto the embrace of the motherland after experiencing many vicissitudes of life is the result of protracted tenacious struggles and hard work of the Chinese people and the victory of the great concept of "peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems" advanced by Mr. Deng Xiaoping. In the year since Macao's return to the motherland, the NSAR Government headed by Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah has been pragmatic and pioneering and led the broad masses of residents to overcome all kinds of difficulties and brought about many new heartening spectacles in Macao.Facts convincingly testfy that the policies of "one country, two systems", "the Macaopeople administering Macao" and "a high degree of autonomy" are completely correct and that the Macaopeople are perfectly capable of administering Macaowell.

In order to maintain a long-term prosperity, stability and development of Macaoand create a more beautiful future of Macao, I am putting forward the following hopes:

Firstly, the policy of "one country, two systems" should continue to be taken as the basic policy for handling Macaoaffairs."One country, two systems" is an overall concept.The word "one country" has two implications. One is that Macaois part of the motherland.The Macao Special Administration Region is directly under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government and enjoys a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law.The second implication is that the mainland of Chinais always the strong backing for the Macao Special Administrative Region.Whether in the past, the present or the future, Macaocannot do without the powerful support of the mainland.The reform, opening up and modernization drive of the mainland will bring more and more opportunities to the development of Macao.The economic recovery and growth in Macaosince its return to Chinahas been achieved through the joint efforts by people of all walks of life in Macaounder the leadership of the MSAR Government and with the support of the mainland.In future, the mainland will continue to give energetic support of the development of various undertakings in Macao.By "two systems", it means that the main body of the country sticks to practising the socialist system while Macaowill continue to practise its previous capitalist system and its way of life remains unchanged.The Central Government will not interfere with the affairs within the framework of the autonomy of the MSAR.This is a principle that must be always adhered to.The MSAR should conscientiously safeguard the authority of the Central Government and the national interests and should never allow a handful of people to carry out activities against the Central Government or for dividing the country.This is another principle that must also be always adhered to.Since its return to China, Macaohas done a lot of work to implement in an all-round way the policy of "one country, two systems".With the continuous accumulation of experiences, it will certainly do the work better and better.

Secondly, administering Macaoaccording to law should be persisted in.The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region has been formulated by the highest organ of state authority in accordance with the Constitution of our country with the extensive participation of the Macaocompatriots.It fully manifests the common desire and fundamental interests of the entire Chinese people including the Macao compatriots and is a national law for implementing the policy of "one country, two systems" in an all-round way.All departments of the Central Government, all local authorities and the people of all nationalities in Chinashould safeguard and observe the Basic Law.The Basic Law prescribes the basic political system, economic system and social system to be practised by the Special Administrative Region, the relationship between the Central Government and the Special Administrative Region and the rights and freedoms of the residents of the Special Administrative Region.Its legal status is higher than any other laws of the Special Administrative Region.People of all walks of life in Macaoshould conscientiously take the Basic Law as their own code of conduct.To act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law is an important guarantee for the long-term prosperity, stability and development of Macao.

Thirdly, the authority of the Chief Executive should be safeguarded, and the work of the Chief Executive should be supported.The MSAR Chief Executive is elected in accordance with the Basic Law and appointed by the Central Government.It is a manifestation of the exercise of democratic rights of the Macaocompatriots which has never happened in the history of Macao.It is prescribed in the Basic Law that the Chief Executive is accountable not only to the Special Administrative Region, but also to the Central Government, and that the Chief Executive is both the head of the Special Administrative Region and the head of the MSAR Government.The status of the Chief Executive bestowed by the Basic Law is lofty and the responsibility is heavy.The Central Government is satisfied with the governance of Mr. Ho Hau Wah.I hope that people of all walks of life in Macaowill conscientiously safeguard the authority of the Chief Executive and support and help the Chief Executive in implementing administrative policies.I also believe that Mr Ho Hau Wah will surely live up to the confidence and expectations of the Central Government and the public in Macao.

Fourthly, efforts should be made to create a favourable environment for the long-term prosperity, stability and development of Macao.Before the return of Macao, there was no peace in the public order there, which not only made local residents feel concerned, but also affected contiguous areas.Since its return to China, with the support of the Central Government, the MSAR Government has dealt powerful blows to various evil forces.As a result, the public order has improved obviously and the economy has turned for the better.The fairly stable social environment in Macaoat present should be treasured and protected by all.Both Macaoand the mainland should ensure that any thing that is unfavourable to the prosperity, stability and development of Macaowill be refused resolutely.Both the history of the development of mankind and the reality have testified that without a stable social environment, it is impossible to achieve economic prosperity and social progress.This truth applies to the mainland and to Macaoas well.In present-day society, the media exert great influence on the people.For this reason, the media are required not only to pay attention to the freedom of press, but also to social responsibility, and play an even more positive role in matters concerning the prosperity and stability of Macao, the interests of the country and the cardinal principles of righteousness of the nation.

Just like Hong Kong, Macaosince its return to the motherland has been confronted with problems of all kinds left over by the protracted colonial rule and the serious effects brought along by the Asian financial crisis.The achievements scored so far are hard won.Though the circumstances that exist in Hong Kongand Macaoare not exactly the same, I think the views mentioned above are applicable to both.I firmly believe that with the energetic support of the Central Government, the compatriots of all walks of life in Hong Kongand Macaocan certainly overcome the difficulties on the road of advance by making joint efforts and that the great cause of "one country, two systems" can certainly attain even greater successes.

When Macaoreturned to Chinalast year, I wrote an inscription: "usher in a new era for Macao", as my good wishes for Macaoat the advent of the new century.In the short period of one year, you have scored many achievements and made a good beginning.Nothing is easy at the beginning.A thousand-lijourney begins with the first step.I heartily wish you continuous progress, and I wish Macaocontinuously score new achievements in the new century.

Thank you all.