Macao anniversary: "Closed a chapter of our history with dignity"

CGTN Europe interviewed Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the former Prime Minister and President of Portugal.

Transcript

00:00Anibal Cavaco Silva is a former Portuguese President and Prime Minister.

00:05In 1987, he signed the joint declaration for the transfer of Macau back to China.

00:12We want to close the chapter of our history with dignity

00:19and safeguarding the interests of the Portuguese living in Macau.

00:27And I believe that was also important for China

00:33because the return of Hong Kong and Macau was crucial for the Chinese leaders.

00:41I remember very well the event in the meeting we had on the precise day

00:49in which I signed the joint declaration in Beijing

00:54underlining that it was very important for China to solve the question of Macau.

01:04And in my opinion, it was a balanced agreement with Portugal and China.

01:13So, closing a chapter with dignity, at that time of the handover of Macau in 1999,

01:21what reflections did you have about Portugal relinquishing its last colony?

01:28Of course, it was with a bit of nostalgia, but also with pride

01:34because in our opinion, Portugal has done a good job in Macau.

01:41You see, the legacy of the Portuguese nowadays is still alive within the population.

01:50All in Macau.

01:53And after 500 years of the presence of Portugal in Macau,

02:03we contribute to a new face for the future of Macau.

02:09We have left wooden structures and we have left a solid legal system.

02:15President Tabaco Silva, the joint declaration laid the groundwork

02:19for Macau's One Country, Two Systems framework.

02:23How successful has that been?

02:25In general, I consider that the main points of the joint declaration

02:33that I signed in 1987 in Beijing were respected by China.

02:40First of all, to maintain during 50 years the economic and social system

02:50and also respecting the way of life of the people living in Macau.

02:57And that was very positive for the population and was positive for the economic

03:03and social development of Macau.

03:06That China is respecting the main aspects of the joint declaration.

03:14And focusing on the economic development of Macau, over the past 25 years,

03:20Macau has become the world's top hub for gaming revenue.

03:24Did you expect to see such an economic transformation, Mr. President?

03:30Gaming was already very important for the budget of Macau before the transfer to China.

03:42And I can see that the new administration, the Chinese administration,

03:49is making an important effort to reduce the dependency on gaming

03:58and diversifying the economy of Macau.

04:05And that is very wise to do.

04:07It's important that Macau does not depend so much on gaming.

04:14And it seems to me, as far as I know, that the administration of Macau is moving in that direction.