Xi delivers a speech at a welcome banquet

Xi said the Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong.

"This is an era of great development and great achievements for the Chinese nation and also an era of common prosperity and common progress for Macao and the mainland," he said.

Xi expressed his firm belief that the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics will surely achieve greater success, with Macao compatriots making greater contribution to the realization of national rejuvenation.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai-on in his speech said "the most valuable" experience in Macao's successful practice of "one country, two systems" is "the full and accurate implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law."

The key is to accurately understand and wholeheartedly uphold the political system and core values of the country, Chui said.

Held by the Macao SAR government, the banquet was also attended by Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam, incoming chief executive of Macao SAR Ho Iat-seng, leading officials of the Macao SAR government and representatives of all walks of life in Macao.