(JU PENG)

Chinese President Hu Jintao administered the swearing-in ceremony of Fernando Chui Sai On (left) as Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China in Macao on December 20.

A grand ceremony was held that day to mark the 10th anniversary of China's resumption of sovereignty over Macao and to inaugurate the SAR's third government since 1999.

Hu said Macao's return to the motherland was the opening of a new chapter in the history of Macao and an important milestone in the development of the Chinese nation.

China resumed sovereignty over Macao on December 20, 1999. The policies of "one country, two systems" and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy have since been implemented in the region, which is well known for its gaming and tourism industries.