The Honorable Consul General Stephen Young,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure for me to join all of you, to celebrate the 236th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.

Over the past decade, since the establishment of the Macao SAR, the Macao SAR is a place of opportunities and dreams, the number of U.S. investment and professionals continues to grow, and for that I would like to express my appreciation.

According to the national 12th Five-Year Plan, the central government supports Macao to develop into one centre and one platform, which means to build ourselves as a world tourism and leisure centre, as well as business and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. In the meantime, we actively participate and promote Guangdong-Macao cooperation for our mutual benefits, with a highlight on the projects of Hengqin Island development and Guangzhou Nansha pilot zone of CEPA, which provide the opportunities for diversified economy and further cooperation in various aspects including personnel training. We’ll pay our efforts to achieve the plan for the purpose to attain sustainable development of the Macao SAR.

With the above opportunities, I believe it will not only bring us further cooperation but also enhance our bilateral relations in various aspects, including tourism, trade and training.

I sincerely hope that this reception will continue to serve as a celebration between the people of Macao and the people of the United States.

Now, I would like to propose a toast,

To the friendship between Macao and the United States of America,

Cheers!