MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Macao has firmly established a constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, and improved its governing system since its return to the motherland in 1999.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has ensured the central authorities exercise overall jurisdiction while accurately implementing the high degree of autonomy, Xi said.

Xi made the remarks Friday at a gathering in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.