Wong Kit-cheng, a lawmaker in Macao, said that Xi's visit represents the central government's best wishes for the SAR.

Wong, who also serves as the vice-president of the Women's General Association of Macao, said the president's arrival will set a clear path for Macao's development in the new era and the work of the new SAR government. "It also reflects the central government's high attention to Macao's sustained prosperity and stability," she said, adding that the motherland has always been a strong supporter of Macao.

Duarte Alves, president of the General Assembly of the Macanese Youth Association, said it is a great honor to have Xi visit Macao for a gathering to mark such an important date. "Macao today is a result of the vision of the country's leaders for decades and we, as people in Macao, are very proud," he said.