Macao breaks new ground in practice of"one country, two systems"

BEIJING,Dec. 18, 2024/PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Over the past 25 years sinceMacao'sreturn toChina, the practice of"one country, two systems"withMacaocharacteristics has achieved remarkable success, thanks to the Chinese central government's strong support and the continuous efforts made by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and all sectors of society.

Under the"one country, two systems"framework,Macaohas made remarkable strides in politics, economy, improvement of people's livelihoods, and regional development, with increasing international influence.

"One country, two systems"is an unprecedented innovation. SinceMacao'sreturn toChina, chief executives in each term and their respective governance teams have been committed to fully and faithfully implementing this fundamental principle.

The institutional framework supporting the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR has been continuously refined to ensure the effective functioning of the SAR's constitutional order.

Macao'spractice of"one country, two systems"is consistently based on an accurate understanding of the guiding principles of the Constitution and the Basic Law, the Chinese central government's overall jurisdiction, and compliance with the authority of these legal foundations.

Apart from a top-level design and institutional arrangement,"one country, two systems"is also a cornerstone drivingMacao'seconomic development, livelihood improvement, and social stability.

"We Macao people have deeply felt the benefits of'one country, two systems.'We are both beneficiaries and practitioners of this principle,"saidCheong Chok Man, director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau under the Macao SAR government.

Over the past 25 years,Macaohas undergone the fastest development of the highest quality in its history, marked by the strongest sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of the people.

BeforeMacaoreturned toChina, there was a big economic gap between the SAR and the"Four Asian Tigers,"also known as the"small dragon"economies ofEast Asia. Back then, the per capita GDP ofMacaoranked only around 40th in the world.

Thanks to the comprehensive and targeted implementation of"one country, two systems,"the tremendous opportunities brought by the rapid development of the Chinese mainland, and the concerted efforts of the Macao SAR government and all sectors of society,Macaohas experienced an amazing transformation and achieved remarkable progress in economic and social development that has attracted worldwide attention.

By the end ofSeptember 2024,Macao'sfiscal reserves had amounted to617 billion patacas($77.04 billion), and foreign exchange reserves had reached230.6 billion patacas.

With the support of the Chinese central government,Macaohas seen a larger space for development.

InDecember 2015, the Chinese central government approvedMacao'sland reclamation plans and granted it administration over 85 square kilometers of surrounding waters, to align with its land area of 33.3 square kilometers. It also launched a general plan for developing the Macao SAR to improve the living environment, develop marine tourism, and promote regional cooperation.

In 2021, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone was established to deepen collaboration betweenMacaoand southChina'sGuangdongprovince. The zone, on the island of Hengqin in Zhuhai,Guangdong, which covers an area of 106.46 square meters, has further expanded the development space ofMacaoto 224.76 square meters.

The establishment of the cooperation zone also marked the beginning of a new management mechanism that features mutual discussion, joint construction, joint administration and shared benefits betweenMacaoandGuangdong.

Since its return toChina,Macaohas experienced a continuous expansion of institutional and policy space.

InSeptember 2021,China'scentral authorities issued a general plan for building theGuangdong-Macaoin-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, mapping out a blueprint for the cooperation zone.

InDecember 2022, the"northbound travel forMacaovehicles"scheme was officially implemented, which allows eligibleMacaoprivate cars to travel betweenMacaoandGuangdongvia the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge without the need to obtain regular quotas.

InDecember 2023,China'sState Council approved an overall development plan for theGuangdong-Macaoin-depth cooperation zone, which specified the development blueprint and guiding principles for the next 10 to 15 years.

Since this year, a range of measures have been taken successively to foster a closer connection betweenMacaoand the Chinese mainland.

In March this year, Hengqin started a new customs operation that allows most goods to be moved there tax-free from the neighboring Macao SAR; two months later, six policy measures were implemented to provide greater convenience for Chinese mainland residents who come toMacaofor business, exhibitions, medical treatment, or art activities.

Starting from July, non-Chinese permanent residents of the Macao SAR are eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the Chinese mainland. In November,China'scentral government approved new travel policies allowing Zhuhai permanent residents to apply for a"one trip per week"permit forMacao, and enabling permanent residents and residence permit holders in Hengqin to apply for multi-entry permits toMacao.

Over the past 25 years, the Chinese central government has continuously introduced policies and measures, dispatched toMacaoprofessionals in various fields such as science and technology, education, healthcare, and culture, and actively promoted all-round exchanges and cooperation. The Chinese mainland has continuously opened up its vast market toMacao, leading and driving the high-quality economic and social development of the SAR.

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SOURCE People's Daily