A meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region is held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome in Macao, south China, Dec. 20, 2024. The photo shows members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR taking the oath of office.

The sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) was sworn in on December 20, 2024, at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, reflecting the principle of "patriots governing Macao."

"President Xi Jinping stressed the long-term adherence to 'one country, two systems' during the ceremony. This policy is the cornerstone of Macao's development in a complex global environment," said Lao Ngai Leong, head of the Macao delegation to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and member of the new Executive Council of the Macao SAR, after taking the oath of office. He expressed his optimism that with the unwavering support of the central government, Macao is poised to achieve even greater success.

Since Macao's return to China in 1999, Lao Ngai Leong, chairman of the Macao Chong Sai Com Enterprise (Group) Co. Ltd., has been elected as an NPC deputy for six consecutive terms, representing Macao residents in national affairs. Beyond this, he serves as the part-time vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and holds multiple other influential social positions. As a prominent entrepreneur and social activist, Lao's career embodies the changes brought about by China's reform and opening-up that began in 1978, as well as Macao's transformation since its return.