Chief Executive Edmund Ho urged the Macao people to rely on their own effort and to capitalize Macao’s advantages and uniqueness in the pursuit of our common goal, in response to the supports from the Central Government.

Edmund Ho today delivered his National Day speech at the reception held by the SAR Government this afternoon. He made remarks on the Central Government’s many support to the SAR, such as the “Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement” expected to be signed this month and the “Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao)” scheduled also for this month.

He said that these measures were evidence of the Central Government’s support to Macao SAR and its reorganization of Macao’s advantages.

He also pointed out that the positive effect of the Mainland’s lift of restriction on several cities’ residents of to visit Macao on an individual basis had been immediate, both in the performance of consumer sector and the residents confidence in the economy.

He emphasized that the Macao people should, in response to these support, rely on their own effort and capitalize Macao’s advantages and uniqueness in the pursuit of our common goal.

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Edmund Ho asserted that the country’s economic development in this year had been significant, which is important to the overall stability of the society.

He also pointed out that the Central Government’s strong leadership, as well as the unison of the people was essential to the success in the fight against SARS.

All these experience are valuable examples to Macao, he said.

Edmund Ho said that the SAR Government would prioritize the overall progress of Macao when carrying out its duty and to achieve a balance between development and stability, keeping good communication with different sectors of the society.

He remarked that the principles of One Country Two Systems and Macao People Ruling Macao must be carry through, with a better understanding of the Basic Law and its value, and a more thorough and conscious implementation of the Basic Law in Macao’s institution and its people’s everyday life.

Edmund Ho also expressed the SAR Government’s gratitude to the cooperation and supports of the representatives of the Mainland entities in Macao SAR and said that the SAR Government would continue to cooperate with them for the complementary relation between the SAR and the Mainland, in pursuit of the unification of the country.