The historic socioeconomic achievements the Macao Special Administrative Region has made over the past 20 years are due to full implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while addressing a welcoming banquet hosted by the Macao SAR government.

Xi said the SAR's growth is also due to strong support from the central government and people in the mainland, the active role of the SAR government and the united efforts of Macao residents from all walks of life.

He said the SAR government and Macao's people should be commended for upholding the principle of "one country, two systems" in line with actual conditions of the region, and they should be praised for making bold explorations and innovations in practicing the principle with Macanese characteristics.