Vice-President Zeng Qinghong said that the achievement and experience of Macao after the reunification revealed the importance of stability, unison and confidence to the successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”, ”Macao People Ruling Macao” principles and High Autonomy.

Vice-President Zeng Qinghong this evening spoke the dinner banquet hosted by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government in honour of him.

He said that President started his speech greeting the people of Macao on behalf of President Wu Jintao and the Central Government, saying that President Wu had asked him to come to Macao to attend the signing ceremony of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, also to visit the people of Macao and see the new face of Macao after its reunification with the motherland.

The Vice- President said in his speech that CEPA was a special arrangement under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and within the framework of WTO. It was meant to be a powerful support to the further development of Macao’s economy. He also said that CEPA once again proved that the Central Government treats the two SAR fairly and with equal care and value, adding that the Central Government will continue to support the two SAR in all topics that comply with the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and benefits mutually.

He said that he was pleased to see that after reunification, Macao enjoyed social stability and rapid economic progress, generating a strong social bond, reversing the prolonged instability in social order before the reunification.

The Chief Executive, Edmund Ho said in his speech that CEPA was another important measure taken by the Central Government to support the Macao SAR, adding that the arrangement opened new horizon for Macao’s economy and would greatly promote the improvement, diversification and internationalisation of enterprises in Macao.

He also urged the people of Macao to unite and to endeavour for success in return to the support of the Central Government, to implement the “One Country, Two Systems”, ”Macao People Ruling Macao” principles and High Autonomy in accordance with the Basic Law, and to carry out all the affairs of the SAR with the love for the country and for Macao and a practical approach, making the achievement of Macao a part of the Country’s unification process.

Before attending a dinner banquet, the Vice-President then met with principal officials of Macao SAR.