Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks after watching a Chinese history class themed "'one country, two systems' and Macao" at the Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School, in south China's Macao, Dec. 19, 2019. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday spoke highly of the patriotic education in Macao during his visit to a local school and called for more efforts in this regard.

"Patriotic education lays a solid social and political foundation for Macao to implement the 'one country, two systems' principle and guides its practice to always proceed in the correct direction," Xi said during his visit to the Premier School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School.

Xi made the remarks in the school's auditorium after watching a Chinese history class themed "'one country, two systems' and Macao."

Xi stressed the need to know history in order to consolidate the foundation of patriotism.

"As Chinese people, we must know the history of our Chinese nation," Xi said. "The 1.4 billion Chinese are so closely united due to the richness of the Chinese civilization and the Chinese spirit, which is the source of cultural confidence."

Xi said patriotic education is very important and the Macao Special Administrative Region government's education authorities and schools should shoulder the main responsibilities, keep up the good work and achieve more in regards to patriotic education.