Macau's Special Administrative Region (SAR) received heaps of praise for its work in maintaining stable progress in economic growth over the past years through proper implementation of regulations under Macau SAR Basic Law.
According to China Daily, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Zhanshu, noted that the Macau SAR was able to retain stability due to efforts by respective authorities in implementing the Basic Law, which lays out the institutional structure of the autonomous region.
The Basic Law entails institutional arrangements that Macau should adhere to ever since the region decided to merge back with the motherland two decades ago. Li pointed out that since then, the SAR area has achieved notable heights in economic development.
In 1999, Macau SAR's gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 51.9 billion or $6.4 billion to 444.7 patacas last year, marking a massive an uptrend in economic progress in the region and putting the region among the world's rankings of highest per capita GDP.
Li added that stable growth in the SAR area is a clear indication that the people of Macau, both government officials and citizens, now have a better and more rounded understanding of the Basic Law.
For member of the Macau SAR Basic Law Committee of the NPC, Lei Pui-lam, the region has poured necessary efforts in ensuring that the Basic Law and the Constitution are integrated and upheld to further encourage the principle of "one country, two systems."
To wrap up his talk at a Beijing symposium on Tuesday, Li called on the local government to continue pursuing strategies it already effectively implemented in upholding both the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Meanwhile, China on Monday appointed new leaders for Macau's government, with justice secretaries and economy heads changing seats. Some economists noted that the move came as the region's behemoth casino industry experienced a decline over the past several months.
Ho lat Seng will be formally sworn into office as the new Macau chief executive on December 20, being the only candidate that China approved to run as the city's leader. He will lead the region for five years.
The decline in Macau's casino industry is now pushing the starlit city to take further action in diversifying its economy, since casino businesses account for over 80 percent of the local government's revenue.
Ho's team has a total of 10 officials, with one woman, Cheong Weng Chun, to be sworn in as the new justice secretary. Wong Sio Chak and Raimundo Do Rosario, are reappointments, while Lei Wai Nong will be the new secretary for economy and finance.
