Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Banquet in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Macao's Return to China: Pool Our Strengths and Work together to Write a New Chapter of the Success of "One Country, Two Systems"

尊敬的葡萄牙驻英国大使安东尼斯阁下，

尊敬的英国恒安标准人寿保险董事长格雷姆斯通爵士，

尊敬的英国华人参政计划主席李贞驹女士，

尊敬的各位议员，

女士们、先生们、朋友们，

　　大家晚上好！

　　欢迎大家出席今天的招待会，与我们共同庆祝澳门回归中国20周年！

Your Excellency Ambassador Antunes,

Sir Gerry,

Ms. Lee,

My Lords, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Good evening and welcome to the Chinese Embassy!

It is a real delight to have you with us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China!

　　1999年12月20日，中国政府恢复对澳门行使主权，中华人民共和国澳门特别行政区成立。这是继1997年7月1日香港回归后，中华民族历史上又一具有里程碑意义的事件，迈出了国家统一大业的新步伐，开辟了澳门繁荣发展的新纪元，也开启了中葡关系的新篇章。

　　澳门回归20年来，这个仅有30平方公里和67万人口的海滨小城，取得举世瞩目的发展成就，用“四个自信”向世界展现了“一国两制”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治的成功实践：

On 20th December 1999, the Chinese Government resumed sovereignty over Macao and the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China was established.

This was another milestone in the history of the Chinese nation following the return of Hong Kong on 1st July 1997.

It marked a new step towards complete reunification of China.

It ushered in a new era of prosperity and development in Macao.

And it opened a new chapter in China-Portugal relationship.

In the past 20 years, Macao, a coastal city of only 30 square kilometers with a population of 670,000, has achieved remarkable success in its development. Its success in "One Country, Two Systems", "Macao people administering Macao" and a high degree of autonomy has strengthened people's confidence in the following four aspects:

　　首先，是对“一国两制”的制度自信。“一国两制”是邓小平先生提出的伟大创举，是解决历史遗留的香港、澳门问题的最佳方案。20年来，“一国两制”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治方针和澳门特别行政区基本法在澳深入人心、得到切实贯彻，澳门宪制秩序得到尊重和维护，中央全面管治权得以有效行使，特别行政区高度自治权受到充分保障，广大澳门同胞依法享有广泛自由和民主权利。澳门同中国内地的交流合作日益密切，分享祖国发展带来的重大机遇，也为祖国改革开放和现代化建设做出了积极贡献，澳门同胞对国家的认同感和向心力不断增强，血浓于水的民族感情历久弥坚。20年来，澳门向世界彰显了澳门特色“一国两制”的成功实践。

First, it strengthens the confidence in the system of "One Country, Two Systems".

This great invention of Mr. Deng Xiaoping is the best solution to the historical questions of Hong Kong and Macao.

In the past 20 years, "One Country, Two Systems", "Macao people administering Macao", a high degree of autonomy and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR have gained popular support in Macao. They have been fully implemented.

The constitutional order of Macao is respected and safeguarded.

The overall jurisdiction of the Central Government over Macao is effectively exercised.

The high degree of autonomy in the SAR is fully upheld.

Macao compatriots enjoy extensive freedom and democracy in accordance with law.

Macao has also engaged in increasingly closer exchanges and cooperation with the mainland. It has benefited from the major opportunities of the development in the mainland, and in turn made positive contribution to the reform, opening up and modernisation of the mainland. Macao's identification with and affection for the motherland is increasing. The bond of the Chinese nation is growing stronger.

In a word, in the past 20 years, Macao has demonstrated to the world its unique success of "One Country, Two Systems".

　　第二，是对澳门繁荣稳定的道路自信。澳门充分运用“两制”之利，探索积累了背靠祖国、拥抱世界的发展经验，向世界展示了澳门特色发展道路的活力与生命力。回归前，澳门每年旅客为700万到800万人次，1999年澳门经济总量仅64.91亿美元，人均生产总值约1.51万美元。回归20年来，澳门经济快速增长，民生持续改善，社会和谐稳定，各项事业全面进步，对外交往不断扩大。2018年，澳门经济总量达545.4亿美元，人均生产总值达8.26万美元，成为亚洲乃至世界最富裕的地区之一；拥有30余万劳动力的澳门全年接待了3580万人次游客，特别是2018年10月港珠澳大桥通车以来，来自中国内地的游客大幅增加。20年来，澳门与内地“优势互补、互利共赢、共同发展”的道路越走越宽广。

Second, Macao's success strengthens the confidence in a path that leads to prosperity and stability.

With the backing of the mainland and with the world at its doorsteps, Macao has taken full advantage of the "Two Systems" and displayed to the world the vitality of a development path with Macao characteristics.

Before the handover, Macao attracted seven to eight million tourists per year. In 1999, the size of Macao's economy was only 6.491 billion US dollars, and per capita GDP was about 15.1 thousand US dollars.

In the past 20 years, Macao has seen

rapid economic growth,

constant improvement in people's wellbeing,

social harmony and stability,

progress in all undertakings,

and steadily expanding external exchanges.

In 2018, the economic volume of Macao reached 54.54 billion US dollars, with per capita GDP standing at 82.6 thousand US dollars. Macao has become one of the richest regions in Asia and the world over. This year, the city of a little over 300 thousand workforce welcomed 35.8 million tourists. In particular, the number of tourists from China's mainland has soared since the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was opened in October 2018.

In the past 20 years, Macao and the mainland have matched their respective strengths, engaged in mutually-beneficial cooperation and achieved common development. This development path has led to increasing success.