China leader Hu underscores success of Chinese Macau

Chinese President Hu Jintao underscored the success of the "one country, two systems" formula in Macau yesterday as the former Portuguese-run enclave marked the fifth anniversary of its return to Beijing's fold.

Beijing has tried for years to convince arch-rival Taiwan to adopt the model crafted by the late Chinese patriarch Deng Xiaoping, which allows for some autonomy in exchange for reunification with the Chinese motherland.

Hu made no mention of the island in his speech, which dwelt largely on the success of Macau since it was handed over to China in 1999.

"Time has proven that Deng Xiaoping's 'one country, two systems' formula is perfectly accurate and it will continue to ... live on," said Hu.