AFP, MACAUMacau yesterday celebrated 20 years since the former Portuguese colony was returned to China, with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) praising the pliant gambling hub for its patriotism, a stark contrast to protest-ravaged Hong Kong. Throughout his three-day visit, Xi has seized on Macau’s comparative political calm, a theme he continued in a landmark speech yesterday as he presided over Ho’s swearing-in ceremony. “We will definitely not allow any foreign forces to interfere with Hong Kong and Macau affairs,” Xi said. However, while Hong Kong seethes with popular resentment toward Beijing, Macau has steadily become more like the mainland. Xi also singled out mainland style anti-sedition laws in Macau that have been bitterly opposed for years in Hong Kong.
