The Haojiang River is overflowing with colors, and lotus flowers are blooming. In the critical period of comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese path to modernization, we usher in the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
This is a glorious day for Macau and all Chinese people. 25 years ago, the Chinese government resumed sovereignty over Macau, and the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China was established. The weathered wanderers finally returned to the embrace of their motherland, ushering in a new era of history. Over the past 25 years, with strong support from the central government and the mainland of China, the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region and various sectors of society have continued to strive, and the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macao's characteristics has been universally recognized as successful. The constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region established by the Constitution and the Basic Law of Macao has been firmly established, and Macao's various undertakings have made comprehensive progress. Its international influence has significantly increased, and the Macao Special Administrative Region, standing on the coast of the South China Sea, is more vibrant. The "Lotus of the Prosperous Era" of the motherland is shining with unprecedented brilliance.
Twenty five years of vigor and vitality, twenty five years of spring blossoms and autumn fruits. After returning to the motherland, Macau entered a period of the fastest development speed, highest development quality, and strongest sense of happiness among residents in history. From the formulation and implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security to the successful completion of the revision of the Law on Safeguarding National Security, the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security have been improved, further consolidating the institutional foundation for safeguarding national security. In 2023, Macau's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will reach 379.48 billion Macau Patacas, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9% since 1999; The per capita GDP is 559000 Macau patacas, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. Moderate and diversified economic development is accelerating, and the industrial structure is gradually optimizing. Fully implement 15 years of free education from kindergarten to high school, and continuously improve the quality of education. We have established a livelihood security system that covers the entire life cycle and all aspects of life. The level of medical security has been continuously enhanced, and the average life expectancy of residents is 83.1 years, ranking among the top in the world. In today's Macau, the defense of national security is more solid, the social foundation of patriotism and love for Macau is more consolidated, the overall social situation is harmonious and stable, the development momentum is more resilient, and the international reputation and influence have significantly improved.
Direction determines the future, and the path determines destiny. In the 25 years since its return to the motherland, the reason why Macau has been able to write a brilliant chapter in the successful practice of "One Country, Two Systems" is fundamentally due to the four important experiences summarized by President Xi Jinping: always maintaining confidence in the "One Country, Two Systems" system, always accurately grasping the correct direction of "One Country, Two Systems", always strengthening the mission and responsibility of "One Country, Two Systems", and always building a solid social and political foundation for "One Country, Two Systems". Over the past 25 years, the central government has comprehensively, accurately, and unwaveringly implemented the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Macao people governing Macao", and a high degree of autonomy, adhered to the rule of law in Macao, maintained the constitutional order of the special administrative region determined by the Constitution and the Basic Law, implemented the central government's comprehensive governance power, implemented the principle of "patriots governing Macao", fully supported the unity and leadership of the Chief Executive and the SAR government in various sectors of society, seized the historical opportunities brought by national development, and continuously promoted the successful practice of "One Country, Two Systems" with Macao characteristics.
Backed by the motherland, there is strong confidence, and integrated into the overall situation, there is surging motivation. Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, Macau has enjoyed mutually beneficial cooperation and common development with the mainland, serving the needs of the country with its own strengths, making contributions to promoting regional coordinated development, advancing national reform and opening up, and modernization construction, and achieving greater and better development of Macau through deep integration into the overall development of the country. Macao fully participates in and contributes to the construction of the "the Belt and Road", actively participates in the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, practically strengthens the construction of "one center, one platform, and one base", vigorously promotes the construction of the Hengqin Guangdong Macao in-depth cooperation zone, consolidates and expands cooperation and contacts with Portuguese speaking countries, takes a greater role in promoting moderate and diversified economic development, and constantly enhances Macao's function of unblocking the domestic circulation and connecting domestic and international double circulation. The central government has always been concerned about the development and progress of Macau. The "Mainland and Macau Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" and related supplementary agreements have effectively stimulated Macau's economic development. Cross border major infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge have provided more convenient channels for Macau's internal and external connections. The "Overall Plan for the Construction of the Hengqin Guangdong Macau Deep Cooperation Zone" has injected strong momentum into Macau's economic development. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made a systematic deployment to further comprehensively deepen reform and promote Chinese path to modernization, stressed the need to give play to the advantages of the "one country, two systems" system, and improve the mechanism for Hong Kong and Macao to play a better role in the country's opening up. This has pointed out the direction for Macau to forge ahead and stride forward, providing new historical opportunities.
Macau is good, our motherland is good; If the motherland is good, Macau will be better. The successful practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Macau strongly proves that "One Country, Two Systems" is a good system that conforms to the fundamental interests of the country and the nation, and conforms to the fundamental interests of Macau. Its strong vitality and enormous superiority are increasingly evident; The vast number of Macao compatriots have the wisdom, ability, and methods to manage, build, and develop Macao well; The great motherland has always been a strong backing for Macao, and the increasing prosperity of the motherland constantly injects new vitality into the prosperity and development of Macao.
Although Macau is small, it plays a unique role in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems". Looking towards the future, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the central government will continue to comprehensively, accurately, and unwaveringly implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Australian people governing Australia", and a high degree of autonomy, ensuring that there will be no changes or deviations. We firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the central government, the Macao SAR government and Macao compatriots are prepared for danger and plan for the long term. By better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country, enhancing public governance capabilities and governance levels, accelerating moderate and diversified economic development, vigorously improving people's livelihoods, we will be able to promote the comprehensive development of various undertakings in Macao. We firmly believe that with the great motherland as a strong backing, the new Chief Executive and the new Special Administrative Region Government will be able to unite and lead all sectors of Macau society, truly work together, uphold integrity and innovation, take responsibility and strive for progress, and achieve good results. We firmly believe that as long as we fully leverage the institutional advantages of 'One Country, Two Systems', dare to strive and innovate, Macao will definitely create a better tomorrow.