MACAO, Dec. 20 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Saturday morning that Macao's return to the motherland was an event of great historic significance in the development of the Chinese nation and marked a new chapter in Macao's development.

"We are glad to see that the principles of 'one country, two systems','Macao people administering Macao', and a high degree of autonomy as well the Basic Law of the Macao SAR have won massive support from the people in Macao and have been implemented in real earnest," Xi said at a celebration gathering marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return.