MACAO, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Monday extended congratulations on the successful conduct of the eighth Legislative Assembly election and to the preliminary 14 directly elected and 12 indirectly elected members.

The spokesperson noted in a statement that this was the first election held under the newly amended Legislative Assembly Election Law, marking a major event in Macao's political life.

The chief executive and the SAR government fully implemented "patriots administering Macao" and organized the election in accordance with the law and in an orderly manner, the spokesperson said.

With a strong sense of civic ownership, voters earnestly exercised their electoral rights conferred by the Basic Law of Macao SAR and cast their ballots. This, the spokesperson said, was the most vivid reflection of Macao residents being the masters of their own affairs and a lively manifestation of Macao embarking on a new journey of law-based governance and democratic development at a new starting point.

The spokesperson further stated that the election of a high-quality new Legislative Assembly meets the new requirements of the "one country, two systems" practice entering a new stage, as well as the new expectations of Macao society and its residents.

The 26 elected members are all firm patriots, committed to serving society and capable of taking on responsibilities, the spokesperson said, adding that the composition of the legislature has been optimized, achieving a transition between the old and the new. ■