Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese Mainland Are Closely Linked by Destiny* 

December 20, 2012, March 18, 2013 and December 18, 2013 

I 

Since the new government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) took office, Mr Leung Chun-ying and his team, both enterprising and pragmatic, have made many achievements. The central government affirms their efforts and will continue to support the HKSAR government in its administration in accordance with the law. 

People are concerned whether the policies and principles of the central government towards Hong Kong and Macao will change after the election of the new central leadership. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the central government will continue to implement the policy of "one country, two systems"¹ and handle things in strict conformity with the Basic Law; there will be no change in our resolve to support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in their administration in accordance with the law and the performance of their duties; nor will there be any change in our policy of supporting the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in developing their economies, improving their people's wellbeing, and promoting democracy and harmony. The fundamental policies and principles on handling Hong Kong and Macao affairs expounded at the 18th CPC National Congress are in line with the policies and principles the central government has long adopted for the two regions. The key lies in a comprehensive and accurate understanding and implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, and respect for and maintenance of the authority of the Basic Law. 

China's development is good, and splendid prospects have been unfolding before us, featuring the completion of the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the achievement of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. As I have said, achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has been the greatest dream of the Chinese people since the advent of modern times. I believe that people in Hong Kong also hold this dream dearly. I also believe that Hong Kong people, who have a deep sense of national respect and pride, will surely make their contribution along with the people of the rest of the country to achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

(Main points of the talk with Leung Chun-ying, 
chief executive of the HKSAR, December 20, 2012)

II 

Today is the 13th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. First of all I wish to convey through Mr Fernando Chui Sai On my cordial greetings to and best wishes for Macao's people. The general situation in Macao is good. Fernando Chui Sai On, the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and people of all walks of life in Macao have been working together to maintain the prosperity, stability and development of Macao, and the central government affirms the efforts made by Fernando Chui Sai On and the MSAR government. 

The central government will, as always, implement the "one country, two systems" principle, the policy of "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy and the Basic Law of the MSAR, support the chief executive and the MSAR government in their administration in accordance with the law and the performance of their duties, and support the MSAR in developing its economy, improving its people's wellbeing, and promoting democracy and harmony. We are fully confident of the future of our country and the Chinese nation, and we firmly believe that progress will be made in all social undertakings in Macao. 

(Main points of the talk with Fernando Chui Sai On,
chief executive of the MSAR, December 20, 2012) 

III 

Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland are closely linked by destiny. To realize the Chinese Dream – the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation – Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland must pool and share our strength, and seek common development. Moreover, the people of Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland must help each other to make progress. 

Leung Chun-ying has put forward the administrative idea of "seeking change while preserving stability," which has been accepted by the citizens of Hong Kong. Now the key question lies in its implementation. It is not only a responsibility of the chief executive and the HKSAR government, but a mission relying on the joint efforts of people of all walks of life in Hong Kong. When everybody adds wood to the fire, the flames rise high. We hope that people of all walks of life in Hong Kong will unite closely to support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in administration in accordance with the law and jointly create a brighter future for Hong Kong. 

Macao is experiencing a relatively good time in its history, but its future development faces challenges too. We hope that the MSAR government and people of all walks of life will be keenly aware of potential problems, take advantage of favorable timing and conditions, and study and solve major problems that may hinder Macao's progress, so as to lay a solid foundation for the future development of Macao. 

(Main points of the talk with Leung Chun-ying, 
   chief executive of the HKSAR, and Fernando Chui Sai On, 

chief executive of the MSAR, March 18, 2013) 

IV 

Implementing the administrative principles of "seeking change while preserving stability" and "people's wellbeing first," you and the HKSAR government have focused on the resolution of major problems in economic and social development, and achieved initial results. The central government fully affirms your efforts. 

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee made an overall plan on driving reform to a deeper level, which is a major strategic plan concerning China's development. According to the plan, the mainland will let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation and give better play to the government's functions, which will be conducive to the expansion of the mainland's openness to and cooperation with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, further exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, and more opportunities and scope for Hong Kong's development. 

The central government has been consistent and clear-cut in its stance towards universal suffrage when it comes to electing the Hong Kong chief executive in 2017. We hope that people of all walks of life in Hong Kong will build a consensus through down-to-earth consultations in accordance with the Basic Law and decisions of the Standing Committee of the NPC, and lay a good foundation for the universal suffrage for the election of the chief executive. 

(Main points of the talk with Leung Chun-ying,
chief executive of HKSAR, December 18, 2013) 

V 

Macao is maintaining a good development trend, its economy is on a steady rise, its society is harmonious and stable, and its people live and work in peace and contentment. The central government fully affirms the efforts you and the MSAR government have made. At present, Macao should think of potential problems in times of peace and make a long-term plan. This requires the MSAR government and people of all walks of life in Macao to make continuous efforts to find out how to remain both pragmatic and innovative on the basis of Macao's rapid economic development over the past few years, how to solve problems emerging in the process of development, how to explore ways for the appropriately diversified development of Macao and how to realize sustainable progress for it. 

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee made an overall plan on driving reform to a deeper level, which is a major strategic plan concerning China's development. Robust positive energy has been gathered in all sectors across China to comprehensively advance reform further, and the people of all ethnic groups in the country are working diligently in unity for the realization of the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The destiny of Macao is closely linked with that of the mainland, and Macao will advance in tandem and make progress together with the mainland in their development. 

(Main points of the talk with Fernando Chui Sai On,
chief executive of the MSAR, December 18, 2013) 

* Main points of talks with Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Fernando Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 

Notes 

¹ "One country, two systems" is a concept put forward by the CPC and the Chinese government for realizing China's reunification and solving the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao issues. The framework of the concept is: Under the premise of national reunification, the mainland keeps practicing socialism, while Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao retain their original capitalist system and ways of life for a long time while enjoying a high degree of autonomy. China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao in 1997 and 1999, respectively, in accordance with this concept.

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