Twenty-Five Years of Prosperity
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Macao on Wednesday to join celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region’s (SAR) return to China. Stepping off a special plane, President Xi referred to Macao as “a pearl on the palm” of the motherland, highlighting the city’s remarkable growth and development over the past quarter-century.
Economic Transformation
Since its return in 1999, Macao has transformed into one of Asia’s wealthiest cities. The region’s GDP in 2023 reached 379.5 billion MOP (approximately $47.5 billion), a sevenfold increase from 1999. This significant growth reflects Macao’s successful integration into the national development strategy and its embrace of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.
Strengthening Ties with the Chinese Mainland
Over 2.8 billion trips have been made between Macao SAR and the neighboring city of Zhuhai since 1999, illustrating the deepening connections. The number of checkpoints between the two regions has expanded from two to seven, facilitating greater movement and cooperation.
The Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, established in 2021, serves as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Hosting nearly 6,500 Macao-invested enterprises, the zone exemplifies the successful collaboration and shared prosperity between Macao and the Chinese mainland.
A Vision for the Future
During his visit, President Xi is expected to engage in extensive discussions with Macao residents and officials. “I believe that Macao will create an even brighter future by fully leveraging the institutional advantages of ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ working hard, and actively promoting innovation,” he stated at the airport.
President Xi will attend the official gathering celebrating the anniversary and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR on Friday. His visit underscores the central government’s support for Macao’s continued prosperity and its role within the broader national development framework.
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China's 'pearl': Xi arrives in Macao SAR for anniversary celebration
cgtn.com
