Chinese President Hu Jintao(L) waves upon his arrival at Macao International Airport in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in south China December 19, 2009. [Xinhua]

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Macao on Saturday at about 12:00 PM by special plane to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to the motherland.

Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, will also attend the inauguration of the third-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

This is the second time the president came to Macao. Hu attended the 5th anniversary celebrations in 2004.

Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the SAR chief executive and his wife Taniana Lau went up to the special plane to welcome Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing.

Chief executive-elect Fernando Chui Sai On and other senior SAR government officials were also present greeting Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing at the Macao International Airport.

Hu told reporters at the airport that he hoped through the visit, he will be able to feel and see by himself Macao's new developments and new changes.

He said that he is very glad to attend the celebration gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Since it returned to the motherland 10 years ago, Macao has developed and advanced along with the motherland, scoring great achievements in all sectors, Hu said.

"We feel delighted from the bottom of our hearts," said Hu.

The president said that he will join the Macao people of all circles in summing up the successful experience of Macao in implementing and practicing "one country, two systems" and "Macao people governing Macao" with a high degree of autonomy since it returned to the motherland, while finding a way to sustain Macao's long-term prosperity and stability.

The president also asked the reporters to convey his greetings and best wishes to the residents of Macao.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2009)