Xi leaves to attend Macao's 15th anniversary of return

President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Friday morning for the Macao Special Administrative Region to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return.

During a two-day whirlwind trip, Xi will attend the inauguration of Macao SAR's fourth-term government led by Chui Sai-on who was re-elected as chief executive in August for another five-year tenure.

According to Macao media, Xi will be the guest of honor at a welcome banquet hosted by the SAR government on Friday evening.

This is Xi's first trip to Macao since he became the top leader. He once visited the city in 2009 as vice-president.

On Dec. 20, 1999, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. Under the "one country, two systems", Macao has become the world's fastest-growing economy in recent years.