国内英语新闻:President Hu hails Macao's achievement over past decade

BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday highly praised the achievement of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) over the past decade, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the region's return to the motherland.

    Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Macao was "embracing a bright future" thanks to the mainland's support and Macao compatriots' hard work.

Hu made the remarks while attending an exhibition in Beijing marking Macao's achievements in the past 10 years.

    "Macao has undergone an extraordinary development over the past decade," he said, adding under the support of the central government and the Chinese mainland, the SAR government fully implemented the policies of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy and the Basic Law.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) visits the exhibition of achievements made by Macao Special Administrative Region in the decade since its establishment on Dec. 20, 1999, at the Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 11, 2009.

    The "one country, two systems" concept was proposed by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s for the reunification of China. Under the mechanism, Hong Kong and Macao retained their capitalist systems after returning to the motherland.

    Hu said the SAR government, together with Macao residents, overcame various difficulties and challenges to advance economic development, ensure social stability and improve people's livelihood.

    He encouraged Macao compatriots and the SAR government to strive for the region's better prospect.

    Dec. 20 will mark the 10th anniversary of Macao's return.

    Top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, top political advisor Jia Qinglin, and other senior leaders Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang, all Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, visited the exhibition.

    On Friday morning, Vice President Xi attended the opening ceremony and unveiled the exhibition.

    At the ceremony, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of Macao SAR, thanked the central government for its support to the SAR since Macao's return in 1999 from Portuguese rule.

    This exhibition of photos, texts and other items is open to the public from Saturday to Jan. 13 next year.