MACAU, China (Xinhua) — The chief executive election in China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Sunday saw Ho Iat Seng elected as the SAR’s chief executive-designate.

A spokesman with the State Council Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said the central government will carry out the appointment process in accordance with the law after receiving the formal report of the election delivered by the Macau SAR government. Ho, if approved by the central government, is set to take the helm of the SAR government at the end of this year.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to China. The chief executive is responsible for further promoting the “one country, two systems” practice, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of the Macau SAR.

Macau’s development over the past 20 years has demonstrated the great vitality of the “one country, two systems” policy.

For 20 years, Macau’s economy has kept growing at an annual average rate of over 10 percent, with a per capita GDP now ranking among the highest in the world.