Speech at the Reception Celebrating the 26th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region
Mr. Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive
20th December, 2025
Honourable Vice Chairman Ho Hau Wah,
Director Zheng Xincong,
Mr. Ho Iat Seng,
Distinguished guests, dear friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good day!
Today, on this joyous occasion, we gather here to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). On behalf of the Government of the Macao SAR, I wish to extend my warmest welcome to all distinguished guests for your presence! My heartfelt appreciation goes to all Macao residents and friends, both at home and overseas, for their longstanding concern and commitment to Macao’s development. Please accept my sincere greetings and best wishes to all of you for this festive season!
Days ago, during my duty visit to Beijing, I reported to President Xi Jinping about the current situation of the Macao society and the work situation of the SAR Government. President Xi fully recognised the new advancements jointly achieved by the SAR Government and all sectors across the society and offered his encouragements and guidance. President Xi attaches great importance to and has high hopes for Macao. He strongly emphasises that the SAR Government needs to proactively align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, uphold and improve the principle of executive-led system, solidly promote the development of appropriate economic diversification, continuously improve governance efficiency, better integrate into and contribute to national development. These have become the solid foundation and unwavering confidence and strength for the pragmatic advancement of Macao’s development at the current time and in the near future. The SAR Government must unite and lead all sectors across the society to diligently study and apprehend as well as resolutely implement the important instructions of President Xi and the major strategic decisions made by the central authorities. We must uphold integrity, innovate and strive together in order to continuously break new ground for the high-quality development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause.
Looking back at the development progress of Macao over the past 26 years since its return to the motherland, under the strong leadership and staunchest support of the central authorities, the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy has achieved tremendous success on the cherished soil of Macao. The effulgence of the “pearl on the palm of the motherland” is shining brighter each day. It is a treasured place of the motherland and it is glowing with dazzling radiance. Macao is welcoming its flourishing phase for development. We deeply understand that the prosperity and strength of our country will always be the strong backing and strenuous support for Macao’s continuous prosperity and stability. This time last year, President Xi offered his aspiration to Macao to “soar higher and reach further to achieve greater success”. This aspiration is of paramount importance as it motivates us to make persistent efforts, stay enthusiastic to soar to new heights and strive for new achievements.
In 2025, with the support and cooperation of the general public of Macao, the SAR Government has united all sectors of society to thoroughly follow President Xi’s spirit in the important speeches delivered during his inspection in Macao. By following the guidelines outlined by President Xi Jinping, namely “Three Aspirations”, “Four Experiences” and “Four Hopes”, the SAR has proactively consolidated all favourable resources, overcome all difficulties and challenges and pressed ahead with various projects to realise new achievements. The economy is recovering progressively, the trend of diversified development is showing positive momentum, the construction of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is making new advances. As public administration reform deepens and people’s livelihoods improve, overall social harmony and stability is maintained. The eighth Legislative Assembly election has been successfully completed, the principle of “patriots administering Macao” is fully implemented. A series of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War has been successfully held. It was also the first time for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to jointly host the National Games, the National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and National Special Olympic Games.
A new blueprint of national development has been drawn up at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The central authorities have formulated key strategic deployments for the future development of Macao in the 15th Five-Year Plan. Such plans offer new and broad opportunities as well as policy impetus for the development of the SAR. By following President Xi’s important instructions, Macao will proactively align with national development strategies, draw up and implement better policies for the Third Five-Year Plan of Macao, embark on a new journey of building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation and strive for better achievements.
As we are facing challenges of a world undergoing momentous changes unseen in a century, we need to have firm determination, liberate our thoughts, advance with the times, stay committed to reform, and proactively recognise, respond to and seek change in order to break new ground amidst the changing landscape.
We should stay committed to the fundamental thinking that we will “be mindful of potential danger in times of peace” and bear in mind at all times that safeguarding national security is the first principle. Security is the premise for development while development is the cornerstone of security. It is necessary to uphold the strong defense for national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully implement the principle “patriots administering Macao” and consolidate the foundation of patriotism for our country and Macao. We need to act with an unfailing sense of responsibility at all times and the assurance to deliver in everything we do as we continuously improve the civil defense system, effectively safeguard public security and systematically advance security building. No complacency and wishful thinking should ever be allowed.
We will firmly and resolutely accelerate administration reform, build a modernised legal system, solidify the fundamentals of primary governance, fully enhance governance capacity and build a service-oriented government with “integrity, efficiency and proactiveness”. From the reorganisation of administrative structure to the strengthening of inter-departmental collaboration, from the improvement of e-governance to the expedition of reforms to “delegate powers, streamline administration and optimise services”, the barriers in administrative systems and procedures are completely eliminated. By facilitating factor mobility, market vitality is unleashed. We strive to ensure that every policy and measure is resonant with the public and yields tangible results.
We will maintain unwavering focus and perseverance on overcoming challenges and breaking new ground. We will ensure the effective implementation of the development plans for appropriate economic diversification, intensify policy support and capital investment for the establishment of the government-led industrial and guidance funds, progressively accelerate the four major construction projects and promote economic diversification to yield tangible breakthroughs. We truly believe that the expedition of economic diversification means profound economic and ecological transformation. “One who does not advance loses ground”. We must forge ahead as there is no turning back.
We need to bear in mind the “three benchmarks” requirements as our fundamental goal, accurately grasp the strategic positioning of “Macao+Hengqin” and pragmatically expedite the construction of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. We encourage bold trials and experiments in order to accelerate the realisation of “infrastructural connectivity”, “institutional connectivity” in relation to regulations and mechanisms, as well as “heart-to-heart connectivity” between the people of Macao and Hengqin.
Macao is a vibrant city and its vibrancy comes from the hustle and bustle of city life. We will continue to promote economic revitalisation of the community, foster innovative development of SMEs and upgrading of traditional industries so that people from all walks of life will benefit from the development of the city.
We will proactively integrate into and contribute to national development, align with the development strategies of the 15th Five-Year Plan and scientifically draw up and implement the Third Five-Year Plan. Our role as “One Centre, One Platform and One Base” and “One High ground” will be maximised. We will deepen internal coordination and external connectivity, proactively participate in high-quality construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and expand our international circle of friends. As we fully serve our role as “precision liaison” between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries and achieve high-level external opening-up, Macao will fully leverage its role as a gateway between East and West, demonstrate its vitality in the modern age and offer its contribution to support the country’s high-level opening-up to the outside world.
We must work harder to attract the best minds to Macao. Not only to persuade international high-calibre talents to join us, but also to convince them to stay with us, so that Macao will truly become a hub for the free flow of innovative ideas and talents from the immediate community and across the globe.
The fundamental objective of development is to ensure citizens’ wellbeing and prosperity. We are doing our best to deliver practical benefits to the public by paying attention to their needs for daily necessities. In the coming year, targeted policies will be rolled out in order to highlight the people-oriented principle in governance. We will concentrate on the protection of Macao residents’ employment opportunities and rights, improve social security and welfare services, refine housing policies and distribution of medical resources in order to satisfy people’s desire for stability and contentment. We will accelerate the building of a smart and livable city by ensuring smoother traffic and offering hassle-free convenience. All these efforts are made to realise the public’s yearning for a beautiful life.
Youth gives rise to infinite hope and young people are the creators of a bright future. The future of Macao lies in our youth. We will consistently create conditions and provide platforms for young people to showcase their talents, help them achieve their personal dreams in building Macao, integrating into and contributing to national development.
Dear guests, dear friends:
We are setting sail with the first fair wind. Standing at this new historical juncture, there may be challenges ahead yet there are abundant opportunities for us to integrate into and contribute to our country. We must bear in mind President Xi’s inspiring words, we need to stay determined because “when confronted by mountains, one finds a way through; when blocked by a river, one finds a way to bridge to the other side”; we also need to remain resilient because “constant dripping wears away the stone, sustained efforts are made to pursue progress”. We must unite all sectors across the society to forge ahead and make progress.
Let us join hands and work hard together to build a Macao with a more efficient Government, sounder democracy and rule of law, a more dynamic economy, more prominent cultural charm, more refined social governance, and better public welfare services.
Now please join me in a toast:
To the prosperity of our motherland;
To the bright future of Macao;
To the health and success of all distinguished guests, friends and Macao residents!
Source: Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) Original, unedited text of the speech
N.B. by The Macau Post Daily
MSAR Chief Executive delivered the speech this morning during a reception at the Macao Forum Complex; Ho is a a former MSAR chief executive
Edmund Ho Hau Wah is the vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
Zheng Xincong is the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner Liu Xianfa, Macao Legislative Assembly (AL) President Andre Cheong Weng Chon and Macao Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Song Man Lei also attended the reception alongside Sam
Ho Iat Seng is a former MSAR chief executive.
Sam talked to the media after the reception, which was attended by about 1,000 people, according to GCS.
Caption: Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai talks to reporters after delivering his 26th Macao SAR Anniversary reception at the Forum Macao Complex in Nam Van this morning. The MSAR of the People's Republic of China (PRC) was established on December 20, 1999, when Portugal's temporary administration of the historic East-West entrepot came to and and the PRC resumed its exercise of sovereignty over the territory which has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. - Photo: MPDG
