MACAO, Dec. 20 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's 28-hour visit to Macao has given a clear guidance to the future development of the region, a senior official of the Liaison Office of the central government said here Saturday.

President Xi arrived here Friday noon, and during his stay, he attended the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fourth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The president also paid visits to a university campus and a public housing neighborhood, chatting with students and residents, and inspected the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army.

"The president's successful visit to the region has impressed the Macao compatriots deeply," Li Gang, director of the Liaison Office, told the press at the Macao International Airport where Xi left Saturday afternoon.

President Xi, in a series of important remarks, affirmed the successful practice of the "one country, two systems" principle and pointed out the prominent problems in Macao's economic and social development, which Li believed will give a major impetus to the future development of the region.

The president's remarks on the "one country, two systems" principle and expectations for the local community to support the SAR government's law-based governance are of great significance to maintaining long-term prosperity and stability of the region, Li said.

President Xi also showed great concern over the well-being of the Macao people, Li said, referring to Xi's visit to the families of low-income workers, during which Xi expressed hope that the SAR government will pay more attention to improving the people's livelihood so that the people could have a better access to the fruits of the region's development.

During a discussion with students of the University of Macao, the president hoped they will study hard so as to make contribution to the future of the country and Macao as well.

"The president's sincere remarks will encourage the students to work diligently, becoming talents with strong expertise in the future," Li said.