Ambassador Wu Xi's Remarks at the Reception in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland

尊贵的各位来宾，

女士们，先生们，

　　晚上好。

　　非常感谢大家今天与我们一起共同庆祝澳门回归祖国20周年。

　　当我们想到澳门时脑海里会浮现怎样的景象？是美丽的风景和建筑，还是熙熙攘攘的街道，亦或是充满活力的经济和蓬勃发展的旅游业？这些都是今日澳门之景象。然而，20年前澳门的情况却大相径庭。当时，澳门深受亚洲金融危机冲击，经济凋敝，治安不靖，民众生活水平下降。

Distinguished guests,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou kātoa.

Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China.

What comes to mind when you think of Macao? Beautiful scenery and architecture, bustling streets, a vibrant economy and booming tourism industry?

This is the face of modern Macao. But 20 years ago, the picture was very different. The Asian Financial Crisis impacted Macao's economy significantly, and public security was a genuine concern, adding to the difficulty and insecurity of people's lives.

　　自回归祖国以来，“一国两制”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治的方针得到了全面准确贯彻落实，澳门经济社会各领域实现跨越式发展。经济保持稳定增长，2018年地区生产总值（GDP）达到近550亿美元，约为1999年的8倍；人均GDP达82,000美元，约为1999年的5倍；赴澳门旅游人数从1999年的740万猛增到去年的3580万。经济多年持续快速发展，使得澳门的就业率显著提升，社会和谐稳定得到加强，民生水平大幅改善。在中央政府的大力支持下，澳门也积极参与多个领域的国际合作。

Since the return of sovereignty to the motherland, the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" have been faithfully and fully implemented. Today, Macao enjoys a high degree of autonomy and has made remarkable strides in all aspects of its development.

GDP has maintained a track of steady growth, hitting almost 55 billion US dollars in 2018, around 8 times the GDP of 1999. The per capita GDP is now 82,000 US dollars, almost 5 times that of 1999. The number of visitors to Macao has soared from 7.4 million in 1999 to 35.8 million last year.

With the ongoing development of the economy, Macao's employment rate has increased, social harmony and stability have been enhanced, and people's livelihoods have improved greatly. With the strong support of the central government, Macao has also become an active participant in international cooperation.

　　作为中国的特别行政区，澳门的命运与整个中华民族息息相关。没有祖国过去70年快速发展取得的伟大成就，澳门顺利成功发展是不可能的。

　　中华人民共和国成立70年来，全体中华儿女团结一心，艰苦奋斗，中华民族摆脱了落后、贫穷、屈辱的历史，日益走向繁荣富强，变得更加从容自信。中国的发展取得了历史性成就，中国特色社会主义进入新时代。祖国的长期繁荣稳定为澳门顺利发展提供强大驱动力，内地省份的快速发展为澳门带来更多的资源和游客，“一带一路”倡议和粤港澳大湾区建设为澳门发展提供了更广阔的机遇。

As a Special Administrative Region of China, the fate of Macao is closely tied to the whole Chinese nation. The story of Macao's successful development would not be possible without the rapid development of China in the past seven decades.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China 70 years ago, with the concerted efforts of all Chinese people, a prosperous, strong and peaceful China has emerged from a history marked by conflict, foreign humiliation and poverty. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation. It has emerged confident, grown prosperous, and has become strong. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era.

The strong and prosperous China of today is the driving force behind Macao's development. The rapid development on the mainland has provided Macao with greater resources and inbound tourists. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are creating significant new development opportunities for Macao.