The celebration gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) were held here Sunday.

President Hu Jintao, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the ceremony, where Macao SAR Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On and principal officials of the SAR government were sworn in.

Fernando Chui went to the podium first to take his oath solemnly, administered by Hu.

Principal officials of the third-term SAR government and members of Macao's Executive Council also took their oaths.

President Hu delivered an important speech after the swearing-in ceremony.

Hu expressed congratulations to Fernando Chui, members of the third-term SAR government and Executive Council, saying that he was confident that they will be able to unite and lead Macao people to build a better Macao.

The president said that the past decade after Macao's return to the motherland witnessed the successful practice of "one country, two systems" in Macao, the smooth implementation of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the constant progress made by Macao people of all circles in pursuing a development road that conforms to Macao's realities.

"Important inspiration can be obtained by reviewing the uncommon process of the past decade since Macao's return to the motherland," said Hu.

First of all, it is imperative to have a full and correct understanding and implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, he said, noting that the key is to realize the most extensive unity under the banner of loving the motherland and loving Macao so as to lay a sound political base for Macao's long-term prosperity and stability.

It is also imperative to act in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, to focus on development, to maintain social harmony and stability and to cultivate talents, said the president.

The advance of the great cause of "one country, two systems" calls for the joint efforts of the central government, the governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR as well as people ofall circles, the president noted.

The central government will remain firmly committed to the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong","Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy.

The central government will continue to act in strict accordance with the basic laws of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR and give full support to the chief executives and governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR in their governance according to law, he said.

The president pledged that all policies adopted by the central government on Hong Kong and Macao always adhere to the principles of benefiting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, the improvement of the livelihood of all residents in Hong Kong and Macao as well as benefiting the common development of Hong Kong, Macao and the country.

"The great motherland is always the strong back-up force for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao," said Hu.

The newly sworn-in chief executive of the Macao SAR Fernando Chui Sai On also made a speech at the inauguration. He said that for ten years, with strong support from the central government and the mainland, the Macao SAR government headed by Edmund Ho Hau Wah, together with the Macao people, has turned a new leaf in the annals of Macao and has paved the way for Macao's prosperity.

"The vigor and vitality of the Macao SAR today are a vivid reflection of the strong life-force of the 'one country, two systems' principle," he said.

Chui promised that the new-term Macao SAR government will firmly adhere to the "people-oriented" concept of governance, actively promote the diversified development at an appropriate level, improve people's life, build an effective and clean government as well as pay special attention to training and talents to further advance the great practice of "one country, two systems.

Present at the ceremony were Liu Yandong, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning, Li Jianguo, Liao Hui and Chen Bingde.

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang, former Macao SAR chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah and representatives from all circles of Macao were also present at the ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2009)