Chinese National People’s Congress annual meeting just reviewed and passed the resolution of Hong Kong national security law, which has attracted much attention of researchers from home and abroad. Establish and improve Chinese special administrative regions’ national security institutions is a fundamental strategy focused on preventing the national security risks. It’s obviously that Chinese central government finally made decision to take legal solution to guard one country two systems. In the same way, Macao also needs to deal with the complex and volatile foreign situation and defend national security in order to maintain the social and economic stability and integrate itself into national and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao bay area development.
Macao has achieved great success in one country two systems after its return. GDP per capita performance of Macao ranked second place in the world, gambling and tourism industry production 22 times more than handover. The social disorder in Macao was gone and high quality local educational and medical systems has been established on the contrary. Now there have been 87 schools from primary to high education level. People are wealthy and the society has been stable. Some great scholars indicate that once social consensus in relying on the mainland China has been built, Macao will definitely achieve a good development. There is a popular standpoint that one country two systems institution has not only maintained the blood relation between Macao and Mainland but also kept the characteristics of Macao itself. Many university students from Mainland have studied in Macao’s universities for years and made local friends there feel deeply that the stable one country two systems institution helps them to find opportunities in Macao and also link their great future to Macao tightly.
Macao’s responsibility in new era
China has historically entered a new era, while the world situation in 2020 changes fantastically. Anti-globalization trend erupted in China-US trade conflict and the coronavirus pandemic further cast cloud over the whole world. As one of the most vibrant economies in the world, Macao is playing an increasingly important role on the Chinese and world stage while faces a variety of crises and challenges. After two decades rapid growth, Macao has encountered a more complex international situation. Some political figures like Ms. Dingyi He point out that all the people in Macao should consider our future path to diversification. The great Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao plan is a historic opportunity for Macao and the problem is how Macao could find the right place in it. Macao must integrate into the development of the whole country in order to find its brilliant future.
Macao’s characteristics and contributions for China and the world
Our generation always think about how we could make our own contributions to Macao’s development. Macao has great potential for development and many unique opportunities. With a history of integration of multiple civilizations, Macao has developed in a unique way in which communities of multiple ethnic groups, cultures and religions live in harmony. In today’s world, different civilizations are more interconnected and interdependent than ever. However, ethnic conflicts, religious conflicts and cultural differences have also become increasingly prominent, and the conflict between civilizations has once been rampant.
The history of Macao is the best example to refute the conflict of civilization. The history of Macao’s development shows that “everything grows together without harming each other, and ways run parallel without contradicting each other”. Such experience can set an example for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and it is of positive significance for Macao to become a bridgehead of Chinese cultural circles facing Southeast Asia and Latin America. Macao is an important economic window for China’s overseas markets. The plan of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area gives Macao greater strategic opportunities. Hengqin Economic Development Zone can further enhance Macao’s economic hub status. For the younger generation, this is also our stage and our opportunity. At the same time, the mainland students are the bond between the two places. We are bound to complete our studies with a broader mission and vision and make our own contribution to Macao’s integration into the overall development of the country.
Jiayi Xu, Research fellow of Public Administration Department of Macao University of Science and Technology.