Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2019 shows an art installation themed on the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in Macao, south China. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

The Macao Special Administrative Region has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, leaping economic development and social stability, said Hisham El-Zimaity, secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at a gathering in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland on Friday has boosted the international community's confidence in the city's promising future, overseas experts and officials have said.

Avtandil Otinashvili, chief editor of Georgia's Newsday website, said that Xi's speech has demonstrated the Chinese government's strong will to uphold the "one country, two systems" policy and unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty.

The speech has uplifted the international community's confidence in Macao's future, Otinashvili said.

A tourist takes photos of an art installation themed on the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in Macao, south China, Dec. 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Du Yu)

Abbas Zaki, head of Fatah party's Commissioner General of the Arab and Chinese Affairs, said Macao has achieved rapid progress since its return to the motherland, thanks largely to the development and prosperity of the Chinese mainland.

Macao has gained opportunities from the Chinese mainland's growth, said Zaki.

The Macao Special Administrative Region has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, leaping economic development and social stability, said Hisham El-Zimaity, secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.

A pedestrian walks in a street in Macao, south China, Dec. 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

"It is hoped that in the coming years, Macao will find its place in the Belt and Road Initiative and become an effective player in connecting friendly nations like Egypt, Africa and the Middle East to China in a manner that guarantees a win-win partnership ... on the way to eradicating poverty and implementing the (United Nations') 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," said El-Zimaity. ■