On the one hand, the existing social and economic system and the way of life in Macao must be maintained, and on the other hand, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the country must be safeguarded, and meanwhile, the socialist system practice in the main body  of the country must be respected, the president noted.

Hu said that it is imperative to safeguard the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the Macao SAR and fully protect the master status of the Macao compatriots, but it is also imperative to respect the power endowed upon the central government by laws, and to firmly oppose any external forces in their interference in Macao's affairs.

Early this year, the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR passed smoothly, a move Hu said fully reflects the strong sense of responsibility of the Government, Legislative Assembly and people of all circles of the Macao SAR to safeguard national security and interests.

"The move also provides a strong guarantee for Macao's long-term stability," said the president.

"As long as the compatriots of Macao unite under the banner of loving the motherland and loving Macao, they will be able to lay a solid political foundation for Macao's long-term prosperity and stability," said Hu.

The president said that it is also imperative to act in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, to focus on development, to maintain social harmony and stability and to cultivate talents.

The compatriots of Macao are not only master of the Macao SAR but also the country, said Hu.

Since its return to the motherland, Macao has obtained endless power of development and increasingly more opportunities of development from the fast development of the mainland, and shared the dignity and glory of the great motherland on the international arena, said Hu.

The president said that people of all ethnic groups of the country will not forget the important contribution made by the compatriots of Macao to the country's reform and opening-up, socialist modernization drive and the great cause of reunification of the motherland in a peaceful manner.

"We firmly believe that like the great motherland, Macao will enjoy a better tomorrow," said Hu.