People of Macao and Hong Kong spoke highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's talk on Wednesday with Ho Iat Seng, the newly elected and appointed chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), when he said the "one country, two systems" principle proves to be workable. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. Over the past 20 years, Macao's rapid economic growth, sustained improvement in people's livelihood and social stability and harmony have demonstrated to the world a successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics, said Xi. Xi hopes that Ho will accurately grasp Macao's situation and the country's strategic development needs, unite and lead the Macao SAR government and people from all walks of life to strive for the region's long-term development and continue the successful implementation of "one country, two systems.""Great changes have taken place in our society, people's livelihood and economy over the past 20 years since Macao's return. We believe with our concerted efforts, we can certainly make Macao more prosperous and stable," said Wong Kit Cheng, vice-president of the Women's General Association of Macao. "The original aspiration of the 'one country, two systems' is to give full play to the principle so that it can boost Macao's economic development and improve people's livelihood. I believe Mr Ho Iat Seng has enough capacity to lead us Macao people to continuously adhere to the 'one country, two systems' principle, improve people's livelihood and boost economy so that all the Macao people will enjoy a good life," said Pang Chuan, vice-president of the Macao University of Science and Technology."

The development in all aspects has been sound since Macao's return. The young people have gained more and more opportunities. Loving the country and Macao has become a core social value. Facts have indicated that the 'one country, two systems' principle does work, is practical and popular. We highly acknowledge it and are proud of it," said Mok Chi Wai, president of the Macao Youth Federation. In his talk with Ho, Xi said "one country, two systems" has proved to be a workable, effective and popular principle, which has boosted confidence in the principle among the Hong Kong people." President Xi's three-word remarks are actually the core of the 'one country, two systems' principle and the most important point here is 'popularity.' We should follow the central government more closely and play our Hong Kong's due role in the future program of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, to match the different advantages of these places and develop our unique social status. This is what we should urgently do," said Steven Ho Chun-yin, member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 

The Greater Bay Area in south China consists of Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong Province -- Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing. China plans to vigorously develop the Greater Bay Area into a world-class bay area and forge a top international city cluster, building an important driver for national economic growth.Proposed in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa and beyond along the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. "I believe President Xi's words are significant in stabilizing the Hong Kong people. We still hope to safeguard the 'one country, two systems' principle because this is in the best interests of our country and Hong Kong people. We should make contributions to our home, our city Hong Kong and our country. Everybody should work together to realize this beautiful dream. We believe that this is the common aspiration of all people," said Brave Chan Yung, vice-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB).