Chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government Edmund Ho Hau Wah on Thursday stressed the importance to improve the awareness of early precautions against disturbing elements to the SAR's economy and political environment.

Speaking to Macao's incumbent and former members of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ho said that Macao is experiencing an unprecedented economic take-off, which has been acknowledged and strongly supported by the central government.

"However, Macao may still face challenges either triggered by hidden forces who want to sabotage China's stability or by potential risks existed in the fluctuation of the international situation and the Taiwan Issue," said the chief executive.

He urged patriotic forces in Macao to stay vigilant against any attempts of undermining the social stability to ensure a smooth implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2004)