Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Macau to mark the 15th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony’s return to China.
He urged people in the territory to respect the “one-China” principle.
Like neighbouring Hong Kong, Macau is a special autonomous region and has experienced protests by pro-democracy activists this year.
Correspondents say officials in Beijing do not want to the territories to become hotbeds of dissent.
“We must both adhere to the ‘one China’ principle and respect the difference of the two systems,” Mr Xi said at the inauguration of Macau’s Chief Executive Fernando Chui.
“This is the only way leading to sound and steady progress,” Mr Xi added. “Otherwise a misguided approach from the beginning, just like putting one’s left foot into the right shoe, would lead us nowhere.”
Six months ago, demonstrators in Macau took to the streets to demand greater democracy. Mr Chui was the only nominee for the chief executive position, and was elected by a 400-person panel.
