MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Macao compatriots have firmly kept "one country, two systems" in the correct direction as he summed up Macao's important experience in successfully practicing the principle.

Xi made the remarks Friday while addressing a gathering in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

Xi said "one country" is the prerequisite and basis of "two systems."

Only by ensuring no distortion of the "one country, two systems" practice can the cause of "one country, two systems" go far and steady, Xi said.