The strong sail returns to Hainan, and the door welcomes the wind thousands of miles away

The sea breeze lingers around the brand-new city towers on the coast of the South China Sea, gently caressing every groove and fold on Macau\’s gravel road, like the unfolding of a lingering scroll of time.

On December 20, 1999, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, and the wanderer who \”departed in loneliness and cherished the motherland\” finally returned to his mother\’s arms. That was a glorious moment that refreshed the history of the Chinese nation – Macao turned a new page in the history of \”one country, two systems\”, \”Macao people governing Macao\” and a high degree of autonomy.

In the past 25 years, the Haojiang River has been surging and sailing hard. \”One country, two systems\”, a great initiative of socialism with Chinese characteristics, has been fully and accurately implemented in Macao. The ancient city of Nanhai, \”full of joy and joy\”, has taken over the country. The development of high-speed trains has polished the golden business card of an international metropolis and written the wonderful story of \”If the motherland is good, Macao will be better.\”

The strong sails return to Hainan, and the door welcomes the wind thousands of miles away. President Xi Jinping pointed out that Macao\’s historic achievements and changes in economic and social development have benefited from the comprehensive implementation of the \”one country, two systems\” policy, the strong support of the central government and the mainland of the country, and the active efforts of the Special Administrative Region Government. As a united struggle with all sectors of Macau society.

Sorrows and joys of Ruins of St. Paul\’s – passing through the gate of history and sharing the glory of the prosperous age

When the morning light pours on the mottled granite walls of the Ruins of St. Paul\’s, Macau welcomes A new day. Tourists from all over the world gather on the Portuguese gravel roads to explore the history of this city on the stone gates carved with exotic shrines. More than 400 years ago, adventurers from the other side of the world set foot here, and Macau got its name. Later, Macao was separated from his motherland and became one of the \”Seven Sons\” who cried.

Before returning to the motherland, Macau\’s economy was in decline, unemployment was high, and social security was chaotic… At that time, some people said that if scenes of Macau\’s Ruins of St. Paul\’s appeared in Hong Kong movies, something bad must have happened.

On December 20, 1999, history finally turned around, and Macau returned to the big family of the motherland and opened a new page in the era. Since then, Ruins of St. Paul\’s has been accompanied by more and more happy events.

If the return is a door, then through the historical frame, what people see is the joy of Macao residents being the masters of the country, the joy of sharing the harvest, and the broader possibilities of life.

76-year-old Yao Hongming is the former head of the Macau Federation of Neighborhood Associations. \”Returning to the motherland allows Macau people to truly manage Macau on their own. Representatives of all neighborhoods unanimously agreed to add the sentence \’jointly build a special zone\’ in the work policy.\” He said that after the return, the Neighborhood Association, known as the largest \”neighborhood committee\” in Macau, Organize, provide various opinions and suggestions to the SAR government through different channels, and contribute \”grassroots power\” to the development of Macao.

\”Co-building the Special Administrative Region\” embodies the policy and spirit of \”Macao people governing Macao\”. This is the biggest change experienced by Macao residents after returning to the motherland, and it has been repeatedly practiced in different scenarios of special economic zone governance.

“We contacted more than 200 associations and more than 4,700 citizens, and summarized opinions from all aspects, and together they became ourtheir election platform. \”We have a very lovely patriotic and Macao-loving community, and we have very close, peaceful, healthy and considerate people… I am confident that I will work with the team to develop Macao well.\” \”The Chief Executive-elect of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Sam Ho-fai, said when talking about the candidacy process.

After returning to the motherland, the Macao Special Administrative Region will keep its original capitalist system and way of life unchanged, and its laws will basically remain unchanged, and it will be implemented in accordance with the law. High degree of autonomy, enjoy administrative power, legislative power, independent judiciary The majority of Macao compatriots enjoy unprecedented broad rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. As members of the big family of the motherland, they have the democratic right to participate in the management of national affairs; as the masters of Macao, they bear the historical responsibility of building a special administrative region.

Many elderly Macau residents I have this experience: During the period of Macao\’s Portuguese rule, Chinese people had to fill in the information in Portuguese when they received their identity cards. However, most Chinese could not write in Portuguese, so those who could not afford it had to pay extra for it. If you don’t get an ID card, you will become an “unidentified person”.

At the end of last year, the SAR government In response to the development of e-government, the government has launched a new generation of Macao resident identity cards, which residents can easily replace at the 24-hour self-service machine.

The Macao identity card with the golden lotus on it is the happiness guarantee provided by the SAR government to the residents. ——Birth allowance, 15 years of free education, medical subsidies, Cash sharing, as well as related employment guarantees and entrepreneurial subsidies…

After returning to the motherland, with the strong support of the central government and the mainland of the motherland, Macao\’s economy has developed rapidly. Statistics show that the financial reserves of the SAR government have increased from the time of return. has grown from 13 billion patacas to nearly 617 billion patacas recently. Men Yuan. The government\’s \”money bag\” is rich, and the results of economic development are transformed into social welfare and shared with all citizens.

On the eve of Macao\’s return, Zhang Haoren, who graduated from medicine, was sent to Beijing for exchange and study, so he fell in love with it. After returning to Beijing, she went north to start a business, focusing on Dajian, which was just starting up in the mainland at that time. Healthcare industry. In 2023, Zhang Haoren returned to the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone with digital medical technology recognized as \”domestic first\” by the State Food and Drug Administration. A year later, the company was rated as a national-level specialty. The new \”little giant\” enterprise

Macao\’s return to the motherland has made Zhang Haoren\’s wonderful achievements. Life. She said that Hengqin, which has absorbed the nutrients of \”two systems\”, is one of the most dynamic places in China. Now it is necessary to seize the opportunity and take advantage of the situation, \”seize the historical opportunities brought by the country\’s development, and with the international popularity of Macao and influence has increased significantly, more and more Macau people are devoting themselves to entrepreneurship to realize bigger dreams. \”

Over the past 25 years, the motherland has always regarded Macao as the jewel in its palm. It has always been the strongest support for Macao to maintain prosperity and stability, and has always provided the greatest opportunity for Macao\’s development.

\” In the past 25 years since Macao returned to the motherland, The successful practice of \”one country, two systems\” fully proves the strong vitality and great superiority of \”one country, two systems\”. Standing at a new starting point, we must sum up experience, better promote the practice of \”one country, two systems\” and reflect the advantages of \”one country, two systems\”. \”Cen Haohui said.

A-Ma Temple looks towards hometown – this door of the heart faces responsibility and the country

The A-Ma Temple located in the inner harbor of the Macau Peninsula has gone through many vicissitudes, and the incense of praying for peace has never stopped. What few people know is that there is a long and slender steep slope behind the A-Ma Temple, which is called the \”Great Wall\” in the geography of Macau.

“This place contains the feelings of Macao people about their home and country, and it is also the collective memory of the country.” said Lin Guangzhi, director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies of Macau University of Science and Technology.

In Macau, patriotism is the biggest political consensus.

In 2009, Macau completed local legislation to safeguard national security. The sharp sword of law hangs high, ensuring the country\’s exercise of sovereignty over Macao and maintaining social harmony and stability in Macao.

On May 18, 2023, in response to the new situation and needs of Macao in safeguarding national security, the \”Amendment of Law No. 2/2009 \”Law on the Maintenance of National Security\”\” was announced in the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region where the national emblem was hung. The chamber passed unanimously. In conjunction with the revision of the National Security Law, Macau has successively completed revisions to the Chief Executive Election Law and the Legislative Council Election Law, making the principle of \”patriots governing Macao\” more legally binding.

“When revising laws on people’s livelihood, different classes, fields, and different interest groups will have different requirements. But when it comes to implementing the law on safeguarding national security, we basically have no disputes. Because there is a consensus ——As long as the country is good, Macao will be good,” said Gao Kaixian, Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

\”Do Macau residents love their country? If you look at the news in 2008 and 2020, you will know what blood is thicker than water.\” Lu Fan, assistant to the chairman of the Macau Red Cross, often expresses this emotion.

After the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, the Macao SAR government, Macao foundations and all sectors of society actively supported rescue, disaster relief and reconstruction work, with a total of more than 5.6 billion patacas in aid funds. In Macau, which had a population of less than 550,000 at the time, each resident supported more than 10,000 patacas.

The \”Macau Daily\” published on February 6, 2020 published the following news: Australian companies donated a batch of epidemic prevention and control materials to the mainland – 5,600 masks, 2,000 protective clothing, and goggles 800 pairs, quick inspection and release at Qingmao Port, and customs clearance with \”zero delay\”. At almost the same time, the Macau Returned Overseas Chinese Association collected nearly one million medical masks and delivered them to the mainland\’s frontline anti-epidemic. At that time, mainland netizens responded affectionately: \”Macau, when the epidemic is over, I will definitely support you!\”

In Macau, patriotism is a clear feeling and deep understanding of the motherland.

“When I saw the shining stars and the beautiful red flag on the national flag, it became the lingering touch of Chinese red in my heart.” Shi Zhi, a flag bearer from Macau Jiaoye Middle School The letter put such emotions into the composition.

Today, all schools in Macao fly the national flag. \”Flag-bearer\” means outstanding achievements in moral character, study, comprehensive quality, etc. It has become a common practice on campus to learn to be a flag-bearer and strive to be a national flag-bearer.

The \”Outline of the Non-Higher Education System\” promulgated by Macao after its return to the motherlandThe Essential Law clearly stipulates that loving the country and Macao, being virtuous and abiding by laws and regulations is one of the overall goals of education in Macao, and accordingly formulates the \”basic academic requirements\” for each subject. \”Correctly understanding the history of the country and Macao as well as traditional Chinese culture\” has been included as an ability that students must master. Chinese history has been listed as a compulsory course for students in the basic education stage of Macao.

“At the university level, courses such as the Constitution, Basic Law, and National Security are included in general compulsory courses, and the teaching hours must reach 45 hours.” Luo Weijian, a professor at the Law School of the University of Macau, said that the SAR government takes the civil service recruitment examination It also introduces the Constitution, Basic Law, national security and other contents, and only qualified people can become members of the governance team.

In the resumes of Macao students for further education and job hunting, their experience of internship in the Mainland is often highlighted, and understanding the national conditions is seen as a sign of \”more competitiveness.\”

Yang Jun, a young man from Macao who participated in the \”Macao Young Talents Shanghai Study and Practice Program\”, said that in Shanghai he learned how people\’s demands and aspirations can be transformed into national policies and then implemented into specific work of regions and departments. This experience was of great help to him when he later joined the Macau Youth Association.

China Unicom Cross Gate – Opening the Door of Opportunities to the Future

Take the newly opened Macau City Light Rail, and it only takes 20 minutes to get from the ancient A-Ma Temple to the new Hengqin Port. . Outside the car window, the skyscrapers of Hengqin\’s Shizimen Central Business District and Macau\’s emerging architectural complexes flash alternately. Under the changing city skyline, the innovative practice of \”one country, two systems\” is vividly unfolding.

Yang Daokuang, a member of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR Government, believes that the huge changes in Macao’s coastline and skyline after the handover are a vivid reflection of the central government’s support for Macao to break through development bottlenecks under the “one country, two systems” institutional arrangement. The central government has increased the land area and clarified the sea area for Macao, continuously improved the business environment, and released wider space for Macao\’s leap-forward development.

From the approval of Macao’s land reclamation to build a new urban area, to the demarcation of Macao’s 85 square kilometers of sea area, to the line management and closed operation of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone, to explore Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the “one country, two systems” A new model of cooperation… The central government’s original intention to support the moderately diversified development of Macao’s economy has never changed, and its intensity continues to increase.

Walking around the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone, new office buildings are rising from the ground, new landscape avenues are overflowing with flowers, and new roads, stations, tunnels, and bridges show the moving and heroic appearance of the \”city of the future\” . Behind these scenes, there are more exciting explorations, from diversified new industries supported by the soft and hard environment to a new home with a full \”Australian flavor\”, from the new system of Guangdong and Macao integration and high-level opening to the outside world to extensive consultation, joint construction, joint management and sharing. The new system together constitutes a vibrant development picture.

Walking into the Hengqin Macau Youth Entrepreneurship Valley, the faint aroma of coffee is mixed with the smell of green grass after the rain. This is the place where many Macau youths’ “dreams begin”. Outside the window of the office of Najin Technology Chairman Lei Zhen, the close view is the Hengqin \”Tianmu Qin Terrace\” landmark, and the distant view is the golden buildings in Taipa, Macau.

In 2014, Lei Zhen registered Najin Technology in Zhuhai, focusing on flexible permeability.Ming conducts material innovation and application, and its core product is nano-silver wire. In 2018, the project won the global championship in the Alibaba Global Battle of Gods Maker Competition. Three years later, Lei Zhen and Najin Technology Co., Ltd. settled in Hengqin.

Lei Zhen said that the flexible screen touch materials developed by the company have achieved mass production of millions of pieces, realizing the dream of \”breaking foreign monopoly and making China\’s own materials\”. What makes him even more gratified is that compared with the early years when Macau youth entrepreneurship was concentrated in souvenir shops, breakfast stalls, and cafes, more and more new generation entrepreneurial youth have embarked on the high-tech track.

“World Tourism and Leisure Center”, “Business Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” and “Exchange and Cooperation Base with Chinese culture as the mainstream and multi-cultural coexistence” – this is Macao’s participation in the country’s strategy of deepening reform and opening up. task order.

Complete the goal of building a world center of tourism and leisure, and strive to promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine and health, modern finance, high-tech, exhibition and trade, and cultural and sports industries – Macao, known as \”1+4\” The moderately diversified economic development plan is a must-answer for the transformation and upgrading of the special zone.

Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and dean of the Qianhai Institute of International Affairs, said that the successful implementation of \”one country, two systems\” is not the end of Macau, but the beginning and starting point of a new development. \”One country, two systems\” is an institutional arrangement that needs to keep pace with the times, and the future of Macao must be looked at from a development perspective.

Over the past 25 years, Macao’s vivid practice of “one country, two systems” has continuously transformed into daily life scenes of ordinary residents –

Traveling through two systems, two currency zones, and There are two customs areas. When you get on a comfortable commuter bus and arrive at the office, the breakfast in your hand is still hot; driving a right-hand drive Macau license plate vehicle onto the road with left-hand drive traffic, you feel as comfortable and at ease as a local Driver; the old Macau neighbors who live in the \”Hengqin New Neighborhood\” live a happy and warm life as usual…

Ye Guiping, Vice President of City University of Macau, believes that the construction of Shenzhen He District is reshaping the region of Macau youth Concepts and career planning, the younger generation pays more attention to the development potential of the vast mainland market, and cross-regional development opportunities stimulate young people\’s ambition and encourage them to actively improve their professional skills and comprehensive quality.

\”In 2020, I returned to Macau from studying abroad. One day after passing the Saiwan Bridge, Hengqin burst into my sight, like a new city born out of the sky.\” Macau Youth Artist Officer Hongtao said , the close connection between Macau and Hengqin inspired him, and he later created the \”Connected City\” series of art works.

“I used the origami method I used when I was a child to combine the plane images of the two cities into a circle. This can exactly describe the integration, intersection, and win-win cooperation between Hengqin and Macao in my eyes.” Guan Hong Talk.

More than 10 years ago, the Shizimen water area was a dividing line for night scenes. Macao was brightly lit on one side and Hengqin was dark on the other. Today, both sides of this shallow bay are already illuminated with lights, as bright as the Milky Way, which from one aspect has fixed the myriad aspects of Chinese modernization.

Bay Area Night, DiandianStarlight shines on thousands of lights. In the office building of the Macau Youth Entrepreneurship Valley in Hengqin, post-90s entrepreneur Huang Yinzheng and his team formulated a plan to promote products from mainland Chinese companies to Brazilian customers before the Christmas holiday. In the classroom of the University of Macau, sparks of thinking are constantly bursting out. Huang Jingxi, one of the first batch of qualified lawyers in the Greater Bay Area, is giving a vivid case teaching lesson to the students…

In the more distant galaxies of the universe, Macao\’s first science and technology experimental satellite \”Macao Science 1\” is observing the Earth\’s magnetic field over the South Atlantic Ocean. Ordinary and peaceful days and nights have converged into a great and inspiring era. The compatriots in Macao are shouldering the responsibilities of citizens of a great country with high spirits and polishing the proud name of \”Macao, China\”.

(According to Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 14, reporters Liu Chang, Liu Gang, Hong Zehua)

\”People\’s Daily\” (Page 04, December 15, 2024)