Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai says that he “fully understands” Anton Tai Kin Ip’s decision to resign from the position of secretary for economy and finance for personal reasons.
Sam made the remarks while addressing a press briefing on Friday about his working visit to Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Belgium.
The press briefing was held at a pressroom in the Macau checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) on Friday night upon Sam’s departure for his working visit.
Upon Sam’s proposal, the State Council decided on Thursday last week to remove Tai from the position of the MSAR’s policy secretary for economy and finance after he had submitted his resignation to Sam “for personal reasons”.
Tai confirmed in a statement on Thursday that he formally requested to resign from the position of secretary for economy and finance from Sam “some time ago” for personal reasons.
Tai’s resignation took effect on Thursday, i.e., on the eve of Sam’s four-nation trip to Europe. Tai’s resignation took effect less than 16 months since he took office as the MSAR’s secretary for economy and finance on December 20, 2024.
During Friday’s press briefing, Sam said that before Tai formally tendered his resignation to him, they had engaged in “in-depth exchanges and discussions”, enabling him to “fully understand” Tai’s situation. Sam said that he “understands and supports” Tai’s decision to resign from the position of secretary for economy and finance for personal reasons.
Sam underlined the need to “respect” Tai’s personal wish not to disclose further information concerning his reasons for resigning, while also urging everybody to respect Tai’s right to privacy.
Moreover, Sam also reaffirmed that Tai, during his tenure as the MSAR’s secretary for economy and finance over the past 16 months, “diligently and conscientiously fulfilled his duties together with his colleagues” in advancing the local government’s work in the economic and financial policy portfolio. Sam said that he fully recognised Tai’s work and contributions during his tenure.
Sam also underlined that once he has found a suitable candidate for the post of the MSAR’s secretary for economy and finance, he will submit the nomination to the Central People’s Government for appointment, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the MSAR Basic Law.
Tai’s tenure is the shortest of any policy secretary since the establishment of the MSAR in December 1999.
Govt postpones 3rd Five-Year Plan consultation to next month
Meanwhile, Sam also confirmed during Friday’s press briefing that the local government has decided to postpone its public consultation on its drafting of Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan, which was initially slated for this month, to next month.
Sam underlined that it is the top priority of the MSAR government this year to ensure the effective drawing-up and implementation of Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan in close alignment with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan and in line with Macau’s own situation.
The nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan was passed by the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing last month.
Sam said that his government had “basically” completed the drafting of the public consultation document, and was now making further improvements to it.
Sam underlined that the MSAR government has been thoroughly studying the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, with the aim of ensuring that its public consultation document on the drafting of Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan will closely align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan.
The public consultation would last 40 days, Sam said.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai addresses Friday’s press briefing at a pressroom in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s (HZMB) Macau checkpoint. – Photo: GCS
