Xi Jinping tells Macau to stick to 'one country, two systems' in veiled swipe at Hong Kong
President ends Macau visit by stressing his desire for young people to understand 'true meaning' of 'one country, two systems model'
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 20 December, 2014, 2:01pm
UPDATED : Sunday, 21 December, 2014, 9:08am
President Xi Jinping sits down with students at Macau University's new Hengqin Island campus as officials look on. Photo: AFP
President Xi Jinping pushed national education and his desire for young people to understand "the true meaning'' of the "one country, two systems" model to the forefront yesterday as he ended his two-day visit to Macau.
While praising Macau, which is marking the 15th anniversary of its return to China, for its implementation of the model devised by paramount leader Deng Xiaoping , Xi warned against "external infiltration and interference", in what an analyst described as remarks aimed at protesters in Hong Kong.
"We must adhere both to the one-China principle and respect the differences of the two systems … At no time should we focus only on one side to the neglect of the other," he said.
"This is the only way leading to sound and steady progress'' adding that any other approach would be "a misguided approach from the beginning" and like "putting one's left foot into the right shoe".
The president's speech - at a ceremony to inaugurate second-term Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on's new ruling team - was also peppered with calls for greater cooperation across the Pearl River Delta region, the need for clean governance and the rule of law.
It also gave a clear sense that the decisions made in Macau and Hong Kong must take into account wider national interests.
The president also called on Macau to address problems related to the gaming sector, make concrete plans to diversify the economy and ensure all sectors of the community benefitted.
Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan wave goodbye as they board their plane. Photo: AFP
After completing his address Xi moved off the stage and shook the hand of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. The gesture followed praise of Leung and the Hong Kong police on Friday.
As Xi spoke, nearly 100 young Macau protesters took to the streets to demand an open and fair political system. Some said they had been inspired by Hong Kong's "umbrella movement".
The president urged the Macau government to strengthen education for younger generation to ensure that the cause of "one country, two systems" could be advanced and a sense of national pride grown.
Xi underlined his diversification point with a visit to Macau University's new campus in neighbouring Hengqin Island yesterday before returning to Beijing. The central government gave the site in Zhuhai to Macau on special terms to encourage the city to diversify its economy and wean itself off over-reliance on gaming.
Macau political observer Larry So Man-yum said Xi was sending a strong message to Hong Kong just after Occupy protests had ended and to Macau youngsters in case they wanted to initiate pro-democracy protests.
