Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai yesterday pledged his government’s commitment to overcome all challenges expected to arise during its ongoing governance reform campaign, through the full implementation of President Xi Jinping’s instructions for Macau.
Sam also said that his government has decided that investments made in Hengqin by Macau’s gaming operators can also be regarded as part of the total amounts of non-gaming investments that they have promised to make to Macau.
Sam also underlined yesterday that his government will resolutely ensure the implementation of the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important instructions concerning the fire disaster in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District last month, including strengthening its fire-prevention inspections of key venues and facilities.
Sam made the remarks during a press briefing yesterday afternoon summarising his first annual duty visit to Beijing where he briefed Xi on Tuesday about Macau’s latest political, economic and social development, his government’s work and achievements this year, and his government’s policy guidelines for next year.
The press briefing was held at a pressroom in the local airport in Taipa yesterday afternoon upon Sam’s return to Macau. He travelled to the nation’s capital on Monday for his three-day visit.
This was Sam’s first annual duty visit to Beijing to deliver his work report to Xi since he took office as the MSAR’s chief executive on December 20 last year.
Sam underlined that Xi fully recognises the MSAR’s government work while making important instructions and new requirements for Macau, pledging that his government will plan the next phase of key tasks in compliance with Xi’s important remarks and instructions.
Sam’s work report covering 6 aspects
Sam said that his work report delivered to Xi covered six major aspects.
First, Sam underlined his government’s commitment to earnestly respecting and safeguarding the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the MSAR. He said that the local government has treated the safeguarding of the nation’s sovereignty, security, and development interests as the highest principle in implementing the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, while strengthening its communication with the central authorities concerning the MSAR’s major policies, major decisions and important matters and complying with the central authorities’ respective instructions and guidance.
Second, Sam said, his government has always regarded the safeguarding of national security as the primary principle of its governance. The local government has faithfully fulfilled the main responsibility for safeguarding national security, and enhanced political sensitivity, ensuring that no problems arise in the field of national security, he said.
Sam noted that the MSAR government has formulated and implemented various tasks aiming to strengthen its safeguarding of national security, including its preparation for drafting new legislation regulating the organisational structure and operation of the MSAR’s Committee for Safeguarding National Security.
The chief executive also pointed out that the local police “lawfully arrested a former legislator” earlier this year for allegedly endangering national security.
Sam did not identify the former lawmaker yesterday. The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced in a statement on July 31 that they had arrested a 68-year-old local man surnamed Au for allegedly violating the local Law on Safeguarding National Security. The PJ statement merely identified the local male suspect by his age and surname. At that time, public broadcaster TDM identified the suspect as former lawmaker Au Kam San.
Sam also underlined Macau’s full implementation of the “patriots governing Macau” principle, where the local government completed the oath-taking earlier this year for all serving and newly recruited public servants, while establishing a regular communication and exchange mechanism between the local government and leaders of major patriotic organisations with the aim of consolidating the foundations of grassroots governance.
Sam said that while ensuring the principle of the MSAR’s executive-led governance, his government has also innovated its mechanism for communication and coordination between the executive, legislative, and judicial organs in order to achieve positive interaction and efficient collaboration.
Sam underlined his government’s commitment to resolutely implementing the spirit of Xi’s important instructions regarding the fire disaster in Hong Kong, i.e., the deadly inferno in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District on November 26, including strengthening its inspections and risk screening and minimisation for fire and other hazards in key venues and facilities.
Third, Sam underlined his government’s commitment to accelerating the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and advancing Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
Sam said that his government has accurately grasped the strategic positioning of “Macau + Hengqin” and strengthened policy support and funding for Hengqin’s development. Moreover, Sam said, his government is preparing the establishment of a government industrial fund and a guidance fund aiming to advance Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
In addition, Sam said, his government has formally stipulated that investments made in Hengqin by Macau’s gaming operators can also be regarded as part of the total amounts of non-gaming investments that they have promised to make in Macau.
Fourth, Sam stressed his government’s efforts to ensure the lawful, healthy, and orderly development of Macau’s gaming industry. He noted that all “satellite casinos” will be closed for good by 31 December this year as scheduled in line with the law, adding that the local government has ensured that the gaming industry maintains a healthy structure and appropriate scale, while also ensuring that the gaming concessionaires will further develop foreign visitor sources and fulfil their non-gaming investment commitments.
Fifth, Sam underlined his government’s commitment to strengthening Macau’s domestic and international connectivity and fully leveraging the city’s role as a unique platform, pointing out that Macau has initiated the organisation of the Global Artificial Intelligence Machines and Electronics Expo (AIE) and the International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilisations, while resuming the organisation of the Macau International Mazu Cultural and Tourism Festival.
Sixth, Sam stressed his government’s efforts to firmly safeguard the city’s livelihood safety net, pointing out that the local government has reformed its annual wealth-sharing programme and launched a childcare allowance, while ensuring the effective implementation of various other measures improving residents’ well-being.
Sam said that his government has optimised its public housing policies, vigorously promoted and protected residents’ employment, improved the city’s social security and healthcare systems, and strengthened care and support for vulnerable groups, while also supporting young local people in pursuing better personal development through their integration into nation’s overall development.
5 further improvement pledges
During yesterday’s press briefing, Sam also pledged that his government will advance its governance in five major aspects.
First, Sam said that his government will proactively align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan and seize development opportunities with the aim of enabling Macau to achieve better development.
Second, Sam said that his government will continuously enhance governance effectiveness while upholding and improving the MSAR’s executive-led system.
Third, Sam pledged that his government will solidly advance Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
Fourth, Sam said that his government will accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Fifth, Sam said that Macau will better integrate into and serving the nation’s overall development while building a higher-level platform for opening up.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai addresses yesterday’s media briefing at a pressroom in Macau International Airport in Taipa. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai listens to a reporter’s question during yesterday afternoon’s press briefing. – Photo: GCS
