Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Macao Wednesday at a gathering marking the first anniversary of Macao's return to China that efforts should be made to ensure that Macao is administered in accordance with law.
"Strict observance of the Basic Law is an important guarantee for the maintenance of long-term prosperity, stability and development in Macao," he said.
The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was formulated by the highest organ of state power, in line with China's Constitution with extensive participation of the compatriots in Macao, he said, adding that "this law fully reflects the common will and fundamental interests of the entire Chinese people, our compatriots in Macao included."
It is national law for the implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" in all areas, he said, stressing that "all departments under the Central Government, all localities and people of all ethnic groups in China should uphold and observe the Basic Law."
The Basic Law has prescribed the basic political, economic and social systems that should be adopted by the Macao SAR, the relationship between the Central Government and the SAR, and the rights and freedoms of the residents in the SAR.
"People from all walks of life in Macao should conscientiously follow the Basic Law as their code of conduct," Jiang said.
(Xinhua 12/20/2000)
