Macao SAR chief executive: What happens in Hong Kong a 'warning to us'
Updated 08:01, 19-Nov-2019
CGTN
01:33

Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng said what is happening in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in the last few months is a warning to Macao, calling the recent situation in the city a "typhoon" that sooner or later will be over.

"Hong Kong has let people know what rioters are, what rights are, and how people's rights and obligations should be balanced. So many Hong Kong people stress too much on their rights and ignore their obligations," Ho said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV). "That's something we should examine ourselves. We should work on education on this."

The Macao SAR leader once again voiced his firm support to the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, a mechanism designed to integrate both Macao and Hong Kong with the rest of the country, while preserving their own political and economic systems.

"The 'One Country, Two Systems' principle itself can function well and last long. Macao should be a model for our country's great cause of reunification."

Aerial photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on December 27, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Aerial photo shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on December 27, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The ongoing Hong Kong unrest has also affected tourism in Macao, said Ho.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which opened to traffic in October last year, was one of the sightseeing spots. The bridge is the first large-scale infrastructure project jointly developed by Guangdong Province, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR under the principle of the "One Country, Two Systems."

"The bridge was very popular in the first few months after it started operation. We had so many group visitors," Ho said. "But in recent months, many tourists canceled their visits. They say they will come after Hong Kong gets back to normal."