Xi praises Macau for 'patriotism' and political calm

Chinese President Xi Jinping lavished praise on Macau Thursday for instilling patriotism and rejecting political strife, in stark contrast to his tough words for neighbouring Hong Kong as it convulses with unrest.

Xi made his remarks at a lavish banquet and gala in the former Portuguese colony as it puts on three days of festivities to mark the 20th anniversary of its handover to China.

"Loving the motherland as well as Macau has become a core value across society," Xi said, before an evening of patriotic songs and dancing.

"They cherish a strong sense of national identity and patriotism and the belief that the love for the motherland and the love for Macau are nothing but the same," he added.

China's authoritarian leadership is keen to showcase Macau as a successful example of its "one country, two systems" model, with the pliant city of 700,000 growing rich on gambling and deference to authoritarian rule.

Since the 1999 handover by Portugal, Macau has witnessed little of the dissent that has exploded in Hong Kong during six months of often violent pro-democracy protests as large chunks of the population seethes under Beijing's rule.

Like Hong Kong, Macau maintains its own currency, judiciary and free market, but it has long since passed mainland style anti-sedition laws that have been successfully resisted by Hong Kongers.

"The government and people across society in Macau know fully well that if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper and that amity brings good fortune," Xi said. "They have chosen unity and consultation over contention and infighting, and rejected all sorts of disturbance from the outside," Xi added.