Macao’s Development

Major events of Macao in past decade

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-19 20:45

MACAO: Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Macao on Saturday by special plane to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland. Here are some major events related to Macao in the past ten years:

-- On December 20, 1999, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. Chinese President Jiang Zemin attended the handover ceremony and the inauguration of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. Edmund Ho Hau Wah resumed his duty as Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops started to carry out defense duties in Macao.

-- The Macao Legislative Assembly passed the "Gaming Industry Regime" on August 30, 2001, allowing more operators to participate in the gaming industry. The exclusive operation license of the Macao Tourism and Amusement Company (STDM) expired on March 31, 2002, bringing in a new era of casino industry of Macao and contributing to further development of Macao economy.

-- Macao's visitor arrivals in 2001 exceeded 10 million for the first time, according to the figures released by the city's Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

-- On October 17, 2003, The Chinese central government and the Macao SAR government signed The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between the Chinese mainland and Macao, enhancing the momentum of Macao's development pace.

-- On August 29, 2004, Edmund Ho Hau Wah was re-elected as Chief Executive of the Macao SAR.

-- On December 19, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Macao to attend the celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the city's return to the motherland. This is the first time the president came to Macao.

-- The Historic Center of Macao, a collection of over 20 locations, was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2005, making it the 31st designated World Heritage site in China.

-- The 4th East Asian Games, which lasted 9 days, opened in Macao on August 29, 2005. It was the first time that Macao had held sports events of this scale.

-- Ao Man Long, ex-secretary for transport and public works of the Macao SAR was arrested in December 2006 by officers of the Commission Against Corruption on suspicion of bribery and other criminal acts. Ao was found guilty finally and sentenced to 28 years in prison on counts of corruption, money laundering, abuse of power and false declaration of assets.

-- Macao SAR's Legislative Assembly passed the government-draft bill on national security on February 25, 2009. It became effective on March 3. Under the new national security law, a prison term of 10 to 25 years can be meted out for Chinese nationals who committed crimes of treason, secession or subversion against the central government, and the "preparatory acts" of the above three crimes can also be punished with a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

-- Chui Sai On was declared winner of the third-term chief executive election on July 26. China's State Council agreed on August 10 to appoint Chui Sai On as the new chief executive of the Macao SAR. Chui's tenure will last for five years from December 20, 2009.

-- Construction of the world's longest cross-sea bridge linking China's southern economic hub of Guangdong Province to Hong Kong and Macao began on December 15, 2009, a move widely expected to bring economic ties closer. The Y-shaped Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge will have a total length of almost 50 km, of which about 35 km will be built over the sea, making it the longest cross-sea bridge in the world.

-- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Macao on December 19, 2009 by special plane to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.