It has been 25 years since Macao returned to the motherland, and the Lotus Flower Land is getting new every day. Over the past 25 years, Macao's economy has grown rapidly, people's livelihood has continued to improve, society has been harmonious and stable, and the world for deve

It has been 25 years since Macao returned to the motherland, and the Lotus Land is getting new every day.

Through numbers, let us enter Macao...

Twenty-five years after returning to the motherland, Macao has "grown up"! At the beginning of the handover, Macao only had 21.45 square kilometers. Over the past 25 years, the central government has repeatedly approved Macao's land reclamation and delineation of land boundaries. Macao's land area has increased to 33.3 square kilometers. In 2021, the central government officially designated the 106.46-square-kilometer Hengqin Island as the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone. Guangdong and Macao will implement a new management system of extensive consultation, joint construction, joint management and sharing, and Macao's development space will be greatly expanded.

Before Macau returned to the motherland, its economy had experienced negative growth for many years. Thanks to the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy, the vast opportunities brought by the mainland's economic boom, and the joint efforts of the Macao SAR government and all sectors of society, the 25 years after the handover have become the fastest and highest-quality development period in Macao's history.

Under the strong leadership of the central government, Macao has accelerated the moderate diversification of its economy, gradually optimized its industrial structure, and clarified the "1+4" industrial development direction: "1" is to promote the diversified development of tourism and leisure in accordance with the goal of building a world tourism and leisure center. , to make the comprehensive tourism and leisure industry better, more refined and stronger; "4" is to continue to promote the development of four key industries, including comprehensive health, modern finance, high-tech, exhibition and trade, and culture and sports.

Macau, with a population of more than 600,000, receives tens of millions of tourists every year. Over the past 25 years, Macao's "tourism +" integrated business has developed rapidly. It has become a "creative city of gastronomy", "cultural capital of East Asia", "best Asian conference city" and "best conference business city"... Macao's "golden business card" as an international metropolis. The more you polish it, the brighter it becomes!

While achieving leap-forward economic development, Macao residents’ sense of gain and happiness continues to increase. In 2023, the median monthly working income of Macau's employed population will rise from less than 5,000 patacas at the beginning of the handover to 17,500 patacas, the per capita GDP will exceed 559,000 patacas, the per capita deposits of residents will exceed 1 million patacas, and the per capita housing area will exceed 1 million patacas. 20 m2.

Since returning to the motherland, Macao has established a people's livelihood security system covering the entire life cycle and covering all areas of life, and the level of medical security has been significantly improved. Macao's primary health care system has been rated as a "Pacific Regional Model" by the World Health Organization. The average life expectancy of Macao residents is 83.1 years, including 80.3 years for men and 86 years for women, ranking among the highest in the world.

Education is one of the areas of livelihood that Macao residents are most satisfied with. Macao has fully implemented 15 years of free education, including early childhood education, primary education, junior high school education and high school education. Educational welfare is far ahead in Asia.

Macau is one of the cities with the highest concentration of world cultural heritage in the world. Ruins of St. Paul's, , A-Ma Temple, , Guia Lighthouse, Nezha Temple... It includes more than 20 historical buildings, and is composed of adjacent squares and The " Macau Historic Center " formed by connecting streets was successfully applied for World Heritage. The Macao SAR government and citizens safeguard Macao's historical features authentically, and diverse cultures coexist harmoniously here.

"One country, two systems" has given Macao unique advantages in foreign exchanges. With the authorization and support of the central government, Macao has established stable economic, trade and cultural relations with more than 120 countries and regions. The number of Macao's participation in international organizations and institutions has increased to more than 190, and it has obtained visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment from 147 countries and regions. At the same time, Macao plays a unique role as a "super contact" for Portuguese-speaking countries, and the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum has held six consecutive ministerial meetings.

Adhering to the foundation of "one country" and making good use of the benefits of "two systems", Macao has proved to the world with its prosperity and stability that "one country, two systems" is completely feasible, achievable and popular!

Looking to the future, Macau will definitely be better tomorrow!

Planning: Chen Jianxing Wei Tiemin

Reporter: Liu Gang, Lu Ye, Li Yan

Photography: Zhang Jin, Jia Zhuna

Xinhua News Agency External Xinhua News Agency Macau Branch jointly produced