Interview
MACAO – Speaking recently in a joint media interview on the core principles and implementation measures regarding national security in Macao’s “3rd Five-Year Plan,” Secretary for Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chan Tsz King provided an in-depth interpretation of the blueprint.
On August 18, the MSAR Government officially published the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2026–2030) (2026–2030).
Chan said that as a programmatic document guiding the MSAR’s development over the next five years, the Plan places national security at a prominent position in overall governance. By establishing dedicated standalone chapters and systematically deploying security measures across multiple specialized areas, the plan highlights the priority status and foundational role of national security in MSAR governance.
Chan noted that the MSAR Government has always considered safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests as its primary fundamental principle.
The plan explicitly designates the “full implementation of the Overall National Security Concept” as the top objective and task the MSAR Government must advance. The MSAR Government will steadfastly implement this concept, refine the top-level national security architecture, and continuously promote the enactment and revision of key laws and regulations related to national security. The public security sector will actively strengthen law enforcement capabilities, lead various national security education initiatives, continuously reinforce the security barrier, and unswervingly fortify the security foundation for the steady and sustained implementation of “One Country, Two Systems.”
Addressing new security risks and challenges facing Macao, Chan emphasized that during the 3rd Five-Year Plan period, the security sector will adhere to “coordinating development and security” as a major principle and action outline. Efforts will focus on improving inter-departmental national security coordination mechanisms, deepening regional police cooperation, resolutely opposing external interference in Macao’s affairs, and enhancing security capabilities in emerging domains.
Regarding cross-border collaborative governance and the efficient flow of production factors between Hengqin and Macao, Chan outlined plans to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between police, customs, and border inspection authorities across the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai, and Guangdong Province. The security sector will actively establish police liaison mechanisms to jointly combat cross-border crime. Simultaneously, it will advance refined “soft connectivity” alongside technological “hard connectivity” to boost clearance efficiency, ensuring the convenient flow of people, vehicles, and goods to support integrated Hengqin-Macao development.
On talent development and succession planning, Chan said that the public security sector will enhance its cultivation system over the next five years across four areas: recruitment, training, promotion, and staff welfare. Focus will be placed on specialized training in cutting-edge fields – such as national security, cybersecurity, big data analytics, AI applications, and drone operations – mto elevate law enforcement expertise. The sector will also broaden career advancement channels while strengthening humanistic care through psychological support and recreational activities.
Chan emphasized that the security sector is dedicated to building a team characterized by “safeguarding the nation and Macao, loyalty, integrity, and pragmatic execution,” ensuring that all security measures in the 3rd Five-Year Plan are effectively implemented and produce practical results. – Xinhua
N.B. The translation of the unabridged statement from Chinese was arranged, reviewed and edited by The Macau Post Daily.
Secretary for Security of the MSAR Government Chan Tsz King speaks on August 10 during a joint media interview on Macao’s 3rd Five-Year Plan. – Xinhua
