BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged the semiautonomous former Portuguese colony of Macau to guard against interference by what he called hostile external forces, after the prolonged pro-democracy protests in nearby Hong Kong.
Beijing had accused foreign forces of fostering the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong, where protesters demanded a right to nominate candidates for the territory’s next leader. The 79-day demonstration ended in mid-December with both Beijing and Hong Kong’s leaders refusing to bow to the protesters’ demands.
Xi was visiting Macau to mark the 15th anniversary of its return to Beijing and to host the swearing-in ceremony of Macau’s newest chief, Chui Sai On. Chui was the only nominee for the position and was elected by a 400-person panel believed to be pro-Beijing.
Both Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions where Beijing allows greater autonomy under a “one country, two systems” arrangement.
Xi said Macau has properly obeyed the “one country, two systems” policy and the Basic Law governing the special administrative region.
Xi said Macau should combine Beijing’s authority with its own autonomy to ensure it walks on the “right path.”