Speaking at the conference marking 20 years since Macao's Basic Law was declared, he said everything they've achieved is a result of their resilience.

 

　　"The achievement is made possible because of the support of the central government and other local governments on the mainland. They are also the results of Macao SAR government and its people's resilience and unity. The implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the basic law have also played an important role in making the achievements a reality."

 

　　Wu Bangguo (Front), chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, delivers a keynote speech at a conference marking the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), in Macao, south China, Feb. 21, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]

 

　　Macao's gross domestic product has increased some 6 fold over the past decade, and the GDP per capita now ranks second in Asia.

 

　　However Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, says on top of economic gains, the Basic Law has also brought about social development.

 

　　"We will advocate the principle of one country while respecting the two systems. We respect the power of the central government while safeguarding the high-level autonomy of the Macao SAR. This is to say we defend our national interests through self governing and the implementation of the basic law."

 

　　The Basic Law was formally declared in 1993 and took effect 6 years later when Macao was returned to China.