Envoy praises formula behind Macao's success

Macao is a great success in the implementation of "one country, two systems", a principle whose successful practice has brought about "precious opportunities" for other countries, including the United States, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said on Thursday in Washington.

Macao has put China's Constitution and the Basic Law into "full and faithful" practice and struck a proper balance between upholding the power of the central government and ensuring the high degree of autonomy of the Special Administrative Region government, Cui said at a reception marking the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the Chinese motherland, which falls on Friday.

Since 1999, five elections have been held for the Chief Executive, and six for the Legislative Assembly of Macao. The legislature, the executive branch and the judiciary fulfill their duties according to the Basic Law, Cui said.

"Hong Kong and Macao host thousands of American companies and tens of thousands of American citizens," the envoy said.

The wide international community, including many Americans, supports the policy of "one country, two systems", and they are all "stakeholders" in the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, Cui said.

He again warned "some forces" in the US who have "kept meddling in Hong Kong in clear interference in China's internal affairs".

He said the Chinese government stands firm on implementing "one country, two systems", and no attempt that goes against the trend of the times or the will of the people will ever prevail.

Macao has become a booming city with stellar economic performance since the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty 20 years ago, Cui told a hall of more than 500 attendees, including diplomats, business executives and representatives of international organizations based in the US.

The region's GDP has increased by over 7.5 times in aggregate terms and almost 4.6 times in per capita terms, with unemployment rate dropping from 6.4 percent in 1999 to 1.8 percent now, and the average life expectancy reaching 83.7 years, he said.

"Facts have proved that Macao's prosperity and stability is grounded on the principle of 'one country' and ensured when the unique strengths of 'two systems' are brought into full play," Cui added.

The envoy noted that "one country, two systems" is a pioneering undertaking of socialism with Chinese characteristics, conducive to the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao and to the peaceful reunification of China.

"We have full confidence in this policy and will stay committed to it," he said.

US-China Business Council President Craig Allen said he had been to Macao many years ago, and today's Macao is a very different place.

"The progress of Macao since the end of colonization is truly amazing," Allen told China Daily. "I would like to see that with my own eyes."

There are many American companies in Macao, and the economy in Macao is booming, and therefore American companies are growing with a rapidly growing economy.

"The success in Macao will attract more business, and I expect trade and investment to Macao to continue to expand," Allen said. "We want to work with Macao as a stepping stone between the United States and China."