Macao celebrates a golden decade
- Source: Global Times
- [03:13 December 18 2009]
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When many other places are struggling to shrug off a decade from hell, in the past 10 years, Macao has turned from a haven for the mafia into a city with a good safety record. A tiny place that few thought would be of consequence, it has grown as a thriving city with a booming service industry.
Ten years ago, many questioned how far the logic of "one country, two systems" could go in Macao.
Today, few would dispute the obvious results. A recent survey by Macao Polytechnic Institute revealed that 81.84 percent of residents agreed that the "one country, two systems" has been successful or very successful.
The number reflects not just an acknowledgement of a political idea, but also the benefits that have reached the locals through continued prosperity. Whether the political mechanism in control can promote a city's well-being is what decides the true strength of the political system.
Macao boasts the second highest per capita GDP in Asia. It offers 15 years of free education, which is rare in the world. The unemployment rate has been kept under 4 percent. The large number of applicants for a Macao passport testifies to the city's enduring attraction.
The city of dreams has been trying to become better in sectors such as improving seniors' care, protecting cultural heritage, and fighting money laundering through superior administration. A well-designed system can generate economic vitality and set off a beneficial cycle of self-improvement.
Today's Macao is not impeccable, of course. Like other cities, it faces challenges such as finding more sources of economic growth. The high-profile bribery case of Ao Man-long, former secretary for transport and public works, also cast a shadow over the clean image of the local government.
