Xi meets Macao's incoming chief executive Sam Hou Fai

President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and recently appointed by China's central government.

The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Witnessed by Xi, Premier Li Qiang presented Sam with a decree of the State Council appointing the latter as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR.

Xi congratulated Sam on his appointment, and commended him for holding a firm stance of loving the country and Macao, conscientiously fulfilling his duties, and making contributions to Macao's prosperity and stability during his long tenure as the president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal.

Since Sam's candidacy for chief executive, he has presented a good image of working in a pragmatic manner and staying close to the people, as well as facing problems head-on, Xi said, adding that Sam's election platform aligns with the aspirations of Macao residents for a better life.

Sam's nomination and election by an overwhelming majority have demonstrated that he has won broad public endorsement in Macao, Xi said, adding that the central government fully recognizes and trusts him.

Xi said that for the past 25 years since Macao returned to its motherland, with strong support from the central government and the Mainland, the SAR government, along with all social sectors in Macao, have continued to work strenuously, making remarkable achievements in promoting the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics.

Xi said the central government will continue to fully, faithfully and resolutely uphold the principle of "one country, two systems," under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy.

Emphasizing the weighty responsibilities of chief executive's role, Xi expressed his hope that Sam will shoulder his responsibilities and fulfill his mission to lead the new Macao SAR government in uniting all social sectors with shared commitment.

Xi called on Sam to make greater efforts in constantly breaking new ground in the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics, so as to make greater contributions to building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Sam said he is honored to be appointed the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR by the central government.

He pledged his commitment to fully, faithfully and resolutely upholding the "one country, two systems" principle under the leadership of President Xi and the central government, defending the country's sovereignty, security and development interests, and enhancing Macao's integration into the overall development of the country.

Sam also pledged efforts to enhance public governance capabilities, appropriately diversify Macao's economy, improve people's livelihood and promote development in various fields in Macao.

Sam was elected the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Macao SAR on Oct 13, and his tenure will start from Dec 20, 2024.

Xi meets Macao's incoming chief executive Sam Hou Fai

Xi meets Macao's incoming chief executive Sam Hou Fai

The frequent group visits led by Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, to the mainland have contributed to fostering a warmer atmosphere in cross-Strait relations.

Ma led a group of youth from Taiwan visited Heilongjiang Province in the northwest and Sichuan Province in the southwest from December 18 to 26, marking his third group visit to the mainland in the past two years.

Ahead of the visit, a 94-year-old Anti-Japanese War veteran wrote a sincere letter after learning that Ma would visit the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese aggressor troops.

In the message, Wang Jitang, the veteran, expressed his support for Ma's commitment to the "1992 Consensus" and the advancement of peaceful cross-Strait relations.

"As a veteran of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the history I personally experienced is also a shared pain and struggle for compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of a same family. We are like relatives. I hope that young friends in Taiwan, like Ma, will treat the mainland as their own home, visit often as if visiting relatives, and frequently engage with each other," Wang said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, said he was deeply moved by Wang's sincere wish.

"History must never be forgotten. Through such on-site visits and study, we need to experience and appreciate how our forefathers sacrificed themselves to protect our homeland and defend our country," Hsiao said. When talking about the purpose of the current group visit, Ma emphasized the crucial importance of mutual exchanges between young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He expressed the hope to build a bridge for peace between the two sides which transcends political challenges, and which conveys the shared desire of the people on both sides for communication.

Many people from the both sides of the Taiwan Strait agree that the more tense cross-Strait relations become, the more vital it is to sustain exchanges.

Ma Ying-jeou's frequent group visits to mainland enhance warmth in cross-Strait relations