State leader’s lavish praise of ‘patriotic’ Macau is not lost on Hong Kong
NPC chairman Zhang Dejiang makes a pointed reference to the casino city’s success in ‘safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests’
China’s No 3 official heaped praise on Macau for its patriotism, pragmatism, and regard for national security, holding up the former Portuguese enclave as an example to Hong Kong on how to meet Beijing’s expectations.
Zheng Dejiang did not specifically name Hong Kong on Tuesday, but his remarks and unprecedented visit to Macau’s legislature were widely seen as a deliberate contrast with the state of affairs in the more troubled of the two cities, which enjoy greater autonomy as special administrative regions of China.
On the second day of his visit, the chairman of the National People’s Congress and state leader overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs said the casino city had made great strides in protecting the nation’s sovereignty and unity, and called for the development of political talent.
Addressing more than 100 representatives from various sectors, Zhang gave a 38-minute speech featuring three key pieces of advice: Macau must “cherish its experience; strengthen its foundations; and foster development”.
Zhang praised Macau for “effectively safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests”. He was referring to the city’s success in enacting its own national security legislation under Article 23 of its mini-constitution, or Basic Law, in 2009.