President Hu: central gov't firmly committed to "one country, two systems"

MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated here Saturday that the central government will remain firmly committed to the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy.

Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers an important  speech at the evening dinner held by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government in Macao SAR in south China on Dec. 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Song Zhenping)

Hu made the remarks at a dinner in his honor by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government.

The central government will continue to act in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and give full support to the Chief Executive and government of the Macao SAR in their governance according to law.

Hu arrived in Macao on Saturday noon to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao SAR scheduled on Sunday.

"We will give full support to Macao in promoting economic development, people's welfare, democracy and harmony," said the president.

The central government will give full support to Macao in strengthening interaction and cooperation with the mainland, and in expanding external exchanges, he noted.

"And we will unswervingly uphold long-term prosperity and stability in Macao," he said.

Over the past decade, the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macao peoplegoverning Macao" with a high degree of autonomy have been fully implemented in Macao, said Hu.