"Macao should deepen propaganda and education on patriotism and love for Macao. A few days ago, the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region said in his policy address for the 2024 fiscal year that he would thoroughly study and Xi implement the Law of the People's Republic of China on Patriotic Education, strengthen patriotic education, cultivate and enhance the feelings of Macao residents for the Chinese nation and the great motherland, inherit the national spirit, enhance the national concept, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
The fine tradition of loving the motherland and Macao has always flowed in the blood of Macao compatriots. On the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Ms. Du Lan, the principal of Haojiang Middle School, raised a self-made five-star red flag in the school building under heavy pressureOn the day of Macao's return to the motherland, tens of thousands of Macao compatriots held national flags, regional flags, and flowers to welcome the People's Liberation Army (PLA) stationed in Macao ......The fine tradition of loving the motherland and Macao has been condensed and sublimated into the core values of Macao society. At the beginning of the return to the motherland, the Macao Special Administrative Region enacted the law on the Use and Protection of the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem, and amended the original law in January 2019 in response to the promulgation of the National Anthem Law, so that the authority of the national flag, national emblem and national anthem will be more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Today, the bright five-star red flag is fluttering on the campuses of all primary and secondary schools in Macao, and the fine tradition of loving the country and Macao has been passed down from generation to generation.
The vast number of Macao compatriots have always had a patriotic tradition and a strong sense of national identity, belonging, and national pride, and this is the most important reason for the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao. Over the past 20 years since Macao's return to the motherland, Macao's economy has grown rapidly, people's livelihood has continued to improve, and society has been stable and harmonious, demonstrating to the world the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics. In the course of practicing "one country, two systems", there is a very prominent and obvious characteristic of the Macao Special Administrative Region, that is, it has always adhered to the tradition and basic requirements of loving the country and Macao. The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR**) and all sectors of society attach great importance to carrying forward the patriotic tradition, and resolutely implement the principle of "Macao people governing Macao" with patriots as the main body. Macao's successful practice tells us that constantly consolidating and developing the social and political foundation that is compatible with the practice of "one country, two systems" and realizing the broadest unity under the banner of patriotism and love for Macao is the fundamental guarantee for "one country, two systems" to always advance along the correct track.
The motherland has always been a strong backing for Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability. The more than 20 years since Macao's return to the motherland has been a period of the fastest economic development and the greatest improvement in people's livelihood in the history of Macao, and it is also a period in which Macao compatriots have the strongest sense of sharing the dignity and glory of the great motherland. Macao's economic and social development has made historic achievements and undergone historic changes, thanks to the full implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems", the strong support of the Chinese Special Administrative Region and the mainland of the motherland, the positive actions of the Special Administrative Region and the unity and struggle of all sectors of Macao society. At all times, we always care about the well-being of Macao compatriots and the development of Macao, and the motherland has always been Macao's strong support.
For Macao's development, "one country, two systems" is the biggest advantage, the country's reform and opening up is the biggest stage, and the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area are major opportunities. Adhering to the principle of "what the country needs, what Macao is good at" and integrating into the overall development of the country is the proper meaning of "one country, two systems", and it is also an objective requirement for Macao to explore new directions for development, open up new space for development, and add new impetus to development. The promulgation and implementation of the Master Plan for the Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin fully demonstrates the strong support for Macao's long-term development and improvement of people's livelihood, as well as the greatest concern for the well-being of Macao compatriots, and fully demonstrates its firm confidence in continuously enriching and developing the practice of "one country, two systems". Recently, the Plan for the Moderate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028) was announced, which will bring together the advantages of Macao's free port, separate customs territory and free flow and exit of capital through the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, which will closely link the huge domestic demand market, industrial chain and infrastructure of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while enhancing the development momentum of the Special Administrative Region, and serving the high-quality development of the national economy.
At the new historical starting point, we will accelerate our integration into the overall development of the country and continue to write a new chapter in the successful practice of "one country, two systems".
People** December 03, 2023 06 Edition).