In a speech delivered at the opening of the National Security Education Exhibition, the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, said Macao would devote further effort in order to optimise the local legal system and the enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security.
This was in a bid to: advance Macao’s systems and capabilities for safeguarding national security; implement fully the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Macao”; safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests; and oppose resolutely any intervention by foreign forces regarding Macao’s internal affairs.
These efforts would ensure the country and Macao could pursue, under a sound national security environment, a more sustainable development pattern in the new era, Mr Ho added.
The National Security Education Exhibition is jointly hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR. The exhibition takes place at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex.
During the opening ceremony for the exhibition, Mr Ho spoke of Macao’s long-standing patriotic tradition, saying a strong sense of national identity, a sense of belonging, and a sense of national pride would contribute to future generations inheriting those values. Through the city’s endeavours since the return to the motherland, Macao has had a sound environment for implementing the principle of “patriots governing Macao”, he noted.
Mr Ho went on to say that maintaining overall national security included the safeguarding of national sovereignty, the promotion of national security overall, and the supporting of national development interests. Maintaining overall national security was also a fundamental principle and basic requirement to ensure Macao’s long-term stability and prosperity, he added.
The general public in Macao had taken an unequivocal stance over the issue of national security, judging by the tradition of patriotism passed from one generation to the next, and by the public’s proactive involvement since last year in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Ho said.
The COVID-19 pandemic was an arduous test, which all ethnic groups across the country were fighting against vigorously, said Mr Ho. With the all-round support of the Central Government, the SAR Government and people across the local community had been standing as one, in order to ensure difficulties could be overcome in a scientific manner. This would help protect the life and health of each member of the Macao public, and the work of pressing ahead with recovery of the local economy.
During the exhibition’s opening ceremony, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Fu Ziying, delivered a speech, stressing the need for the Macao SAR Government to maintain its level of awareness regarding the country as a whole, think in big-picture terms, and take a holistic view of national security.
Mr Fu shared his understanding of three necessary approaches: 1) firm determination to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests; 2) unwavering dedication to maintaining Macao’s socio-economic stability and prosperity; and 3) the constant consolidation of the societal and political basis for loyalty to the country and to Macao.
Through the joint effort of the Macao SAR Government and of people from across the community, Macao would work, with firm determination and growing strength, towards a more comprehensive system for the safeguarding of national security and a brighter prospect for the ongoing implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle, Mr Fu added.
Also taking part in the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Exhibition were: the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Liu Xianfa; and the Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison, Mr Xu Liangcai. The event was attended by approximately 350 guests.
The date of 15 April marks National Security Education Day. Since 2018, Macao has held three editions of the National Security Education Exhibition to coincide with the day.
This year’s exhibition, running until 16 May, features four sections. They cover: national security at a time of major changes of a type not seen in a century; adherence to a holistic view of national security; the safeguarding of national security to ensure steady implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle; and national security as a responsibility for all. The exhibition showcases the remarkable journey embarked upon by the country and by Macao; the work of people across the country in the fight against the pandemic over the past year; and the latest progress of the country and Macao in advancing national security systems.
The exhibition is being held at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex and is open from 10am to 8pm until 16 May. Members of the public can learn more about the exhibition from its dedicated website https://eesn.gov.mo.
