Macau handover anniversary: Xi Jinping begins visit by heaping praise on city for sticking to ‘one country, two systems’ policy
- Macau has ‘fully and accurately’ implemented Beijing’s governing formula and defended national security, Chinese leader says
- No mention of Hong Kong, which has been interpreted as disapproval of the city as it continues to be rocked by anti-government protests
China’s President Xi Jinping began a three-day visit to Macau on Wednesday to mark the 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, heaping praise on the city’s government for “fully and accurately” implementing the “one country, two systems” principle under which it is administered and for defending national security.
Xi made no mention of neighbouring Hong Kong, which has been rocked by anti-government and anti-Beijing protests since June, but his contrasting compliments for Macau were widely interpreted as disapproval of the former British colony’s performance.
Hours before his arrival, six activists and at least six more journalists from Hong Kong were denied entry to Macau as the authorities placed the city under an unprecedented security lockdown.
Xi, visiting Macau for the second time since 2014, is expected to announce new policies aimed at diversifying the casino hub’s economy and developing it into an international financial centre.
“The achievement and progress that Macau has made after returning to the motherland has made people feel proud,” the president declared in his opening remarks upon landing at Macau’s airport.
Xi said Macau, which was run by the Portuguese until December 1999, had been serious about implementing one country, two systems with its own characteristics. Under the principle, which applies to Hong Kong as well, the two cities are promised a high degree of autonomy under Chinese rule.
