2022 was an “extremely important” year in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country, and also an “extraordinary” for Macau, Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), said in a speech at the 2023 Spring Festival reception held by the office yesterday at the Services Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. 

Zheng, the most senior central government official posted to Macau, underlined that last year “the 20^th National Congress of the CPC was successfully held, drawing a grand blueprint for building a modern socialist country in an all-round way of advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernisation, sounding the clarion call for a new journey.”

Zheng also pointed out that “under the strong leadership of the central government and the strong support of the mainland, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng united and led the MSAR government and all sectors of society to work hard, be pragmatic… and conscientiously study and publicise the spirit of the 20^th National Congress of the CPC, steadily promote the amendment to Macau’s National Security Law and handle it in a safe manner.” 

Zheng also emphasised the local government’s success in maintaining Macau’s stable development even during the difficult challenges resulting from the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy. 

“Particularly in the face of the severe impact of the epidemic, all sectors of society, together with the MSAR government have united as one to overcome difficulties, spared no effort in protecting residents’ health and safety, and restored economic and social order in an orderly manner,” Zheng said, who also underlined Macau’s successful revision of its gaming sector-related laws and the smooth bidding process for the city’s six new gaming concessions.

Zheng also said the “top priority” right now was to speed up the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, “which will not only create a new path for Macau’s appropriately diversified economic development but also contribute to the construction of a new development pattern for the country.”

Zheng also listed various other “must-do” tasks for Macau this year, such as to thoroughly implement the spirit of the CPC’s 20^th National Congress, maintain its firm confidence in the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, carry forward its fine tradition of patriotism and loving Macau, “resolutely” crack down on anti-China and disruptive forces in Macau, prevent external forces’ infiltration and interference, and consolidate Macau’s beneficial situation of stability and unity. 

Zheng also stressed that Ho delivered his 2022 work report to President Xi Jinping during his annual duty visit to Beijing last month, adding that Xi fully backed the chief executive and the MSAR government’s work and pointed out the direction for Macau’s future development. 

Ho: Macau still faces challenges but favourable factors are emerging 

Meanwhile, Ho said in his speech at the reception that although Macau is still facing severe challenges and difficulties both internally and externally, multiple favourable factors for Macau’s development are emerging.

The chief executive emphasised that Macau has withstood the challenges of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn resulting from it. 

Ho thanked the central government for its decisive leadership and strong support which helped Macau tackle all the challenges and difficulties caused by the pandemic. He promised that Macau will work together to fully implement the spirit of the report of the Party’s 20^th National Congress and President Xi Jinping important instructions concerning Macau. 

The chief executive also said that his government would continue to fully focus its attention on economic recovery and revitalisation, acceleration of Macau’s appropriately diversified economic development, and the effective improvement of people’s livelihoods. 

The reception was attended, among others, by Macau’s first and second chief executives Edmund Ho Hau Wah and Fernando Chui Sai On. Edmund Ho is one of the vice-chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa also attended the reception. 

Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region Director Zheng Xincong delivers a speech during yesterday’s Spring Festival reception at the Services Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Nam Van.
– Photo courtesy of Liaison Office