Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said on Friday that Macau people have safeguarded, on their own initiative, the “insurmountable line” of opposing political chaos, based on their “excellent tradition” of loving the motherland and their hometown.
Ho made the remarks in a speech at the Spring Festival reception at Macau Tower hosted by the local Central People’s Government Liaison Office.
The chief executive underlined as the “most satisfactory” situation in Macau last year that all segments of civil society remained united in their patriotic approach towards defending Macau’s stability during the “turmoil” affecting other neighbouring regions. He refrained, however, from singling out the unrest in Hong Kong which has been hit by over seven months of violent anti-government protests, riots and vandalism.
Ho also said that 2019 was a “crucial year” for Macau, considering the “great honour” of President Xi Jinping’s visit and his participation in last month’s ceremony that marked the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland. He also underlined the significance of the important speeches that Xi delivered during his inspection visit.
Ho also emphasised the important launch of the central government’s Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) last year that “is providing Macau with unprecedented opportunities for its prosperity and the adequate and diversified development of its economy.”
Ho, who took office on December 20, also reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the public administration with the aim of ensuring clean and “highly efficient” governance “serving the people”.
According to the Macau Post Daily, the chief executive also underlined his government’s commitment to safeguarding the central government’s overall jurisdiction over Macau and defending the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
