Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai At the Reception Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Return of Macao to the Motherland

女士们、先生们、朋友们：

　　大家晚上好。今天，我们欢聚一堂，隆重庆祝澳门回归祖国20周年。

　　20年前，澳门这块美丽的“莲花宝地”回归祖国母亲的怀抱，开启“一国两制”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治新时代。

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Good evening. Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China.

Two decades ago, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. Since then, Macao has opened a new era of "One Country Two Systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy.

　　20年后，莲花芬芳吐蕊、尽情绽放，澳门迎来开埠几百年来最辉煌的时期。

　　——今天的澳门，是生机勃勃的繁荣之地。20年来，澳门经济增长速度位列世界前茅。澳门GDP增长超过7.5倍，人均GDP增长了近4.6倍；特区政府累计财政盈余和外汇储备较1999年分别增长了193倍和6.2倍。

Two decades later, Macao is in its prime. This beautiful city nicknamed "land of lotus" is thriving, just like a blooming lotus flower.

- Today's Macao is a booming city with eye-catching economic performance. Over the past 20 years, Macao's growth has been one of the best in the world. Its GDP has increased by over 7.5 times in aggregate terms and almost 4.6 times in per capita terms. Compared to the figures of 1999, the fiscal surplus of the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has soared by 193 times, and its foreign exchange reserve by 6.2 times.

　　——今天的澳门，是安居乐业的幸福之地。特区政府全力建设社会保障体系、住房、教育、医疗、人才培养、防灾减灾6大民生长效机制。失业率从1999年的6.4%降至1.8%，平均寿命达到83.7岁。

　　——今天的澳门，是开放包容的合作之地。澳门参加的国际组织从回归前的51个增加到现在的120个，获得144个国家和地区免签证或落地签待遇。以“中国澳门”名义在贸易、投资等领域与其他国家或地区签订数十项双边协议。

- Today's Macao is a place full of happiness. A better life for the people is always the first and foremost goal of the SAR government, which has been delivering it through persistent efforts at social security, housing, education, medical care, human resources, and disaster prevention and reduction. Unemployment rate has dropped from 6.4% in 1999 to 1.8% now, and the average life expectancy has reached 83.7 years.

- Today's Macao is a hub of open and inclusive cooperation. It has joined 120 international organizations, and has been granted visa-free or visa-upon-arrival treatment by 144 countries or regions. In the name of "Macao, China", it has signed dozens of bilateral trade or investment agreements with other countries or regions.

　　——今天的澳门，是充满机遇的希望之地。澳门已经成为粤港澳大湾区4个中心城市之一。作为世界旅游休闲中心、中国与葡语国家经贸合作服务平台、中西文化交流基地，澳门正在大湾区建设中发挥核心引擎作用。

　　女士们，先生们，

　　——回归后的澳门，是“一国两制”成功实践的典范。

- Today's Macao is a promising land full of opportunities. It has been designated as one of the four key cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and is leading the development of this major project. Macao is striving to develop into a world center of tourism and leisure industry, and is leveraging its special role in facilitating trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and in promoting cultural exchanges between China and the West.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Macao is a great success in the implementation of "One Country Two Systems".

　　澳门全面准确实施宪法和基本法，顺利进行5任行政长官选举、6届立法会选举，立法、行政、司法机关依照基本法行使职权，中央权力与特区高度自治权在“一国两制”架构内有机结合、有效运行。

　　澳门融入国家治理体系和发展大局，充分利用改革开放大舞台，抓住“一带一路”、粤港澳大湾区建设机遇，发挥营商环境好、市场发育程度高等优势，与祖国内地相互促进、共同发展。

Macao has put China's Constitution and the Basic Law into full and faithful practice. 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. Under the framework of "One Country Two Systems", proper balance has been stricken between upholding the power of the central government and ensuring the high degree of autonomy of the SAR government.

Macao has found its place in China's governance system and development. In the context of greater reform and opening-up across the country, Macao has seized the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area development, and made good use of its own sound business environment and well-developed market. Hand in hand, Macao and the mainland are developing together towards a better shared future.