The Special Administrative Region government held a reception this morning at the Forum Macao Complex to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
In a speech, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai pointed out that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has recently outlined a new blueprint for the country's development. Sam underlined that the Central People’s Government's 15th Five-Year Plan provides important strategies Macao's future development, offering new substantial opportunities and policy momentum. Macao will actively align with the national development strategy in line with President Xi Jinping’s important directives, and effectively formulate and implement the Macao Special Administrative Region’s (MSAR) 3rd Five-Year Plan, thereby achieving better development while contributing to national rejuvenation on this new journey.
The reception commenced at 9:30 a.m. at the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Service Platform Complex (aka Forum Macao Complex) in Nam Van, with approximately 1,000 guests in attendance, including National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Central People's Government Liaison Office in the MSAR Director Zheng Xincong, former chief executive Ho Iat Seng, Commissioner Liu Xianfa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao, Commander Yu Changjiang of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in Macao, Legislative Assembly (AL) President Andre Cheong Weng Chon, Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Song Manlei, principal government officials, members of the Executive Council, lawmakers, representatives of Macao in the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), along with senior representatives from the public sector and various sectors of society.
Sam noted in his speech that during his recent duty visit to Beijing to report on his work in 2025, President Xi acknowledged and encouraged the new progress made by the MSAR government and various sectors in Macao over the past year. Xi expressed his deep care and high expectations for Macao, emphasising that the MSAR government should actively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, adhere to and enhance governance leadership, solidly promote moderate economic diversification, continuously improve administrative efficacy, and better integrate and serve the overall national development.
Sam stressed that President Xi's directives provide fundamental guidance for the more pragmatic and enterprising advancement of Macao's current and future development, bolstering confidence. The MSAR government will surely unite and lead all sectors of civil society to earnestly learn, comprehend, and firmly implement President Xi's important directives and major policy guidelines from the Central People’s Government. With a commitment to reform and innovation, they will continually create a new chapter for high-quality development under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, said Sam, who has been at the helm of the local government for exactly one year.
Sam pledged that the MSAR government will continue to unite and lead all sectors of society to deeply implement President Xi’s raft of important speeches he made during his inspection tours of Macao. Guided by Xi's "three expectations," "four experiences," and "four hopes,"*. Moreover, the government will actively gather favourable factors, overcome various difficulties and challenges, and push forward new achievements in all areas, Sam, a former president of Macau’s Court of Final Appeal (TUI), said.
Sam emphasised the need to remain steadfast in confidence amidst unprecedented global changes, liberate thoughts, keep pace with the times, actively seek reforms, and be responsive to changes, creating new opportunities in changing situations. This approach will adhere to the baseline thinking of "safety without forgetting danger," placing the maintenance of national security as the foremost principle. The government will fully implement the "Macao ruled by patriots" principle and solidify the foundation of patriotism and love for Macao. The government will resolutely promote public administration reform, establish a modern legal system, strengthen grassroots governance, comprehensively enhance governance efficiency, and build a "clean, efficient, and proactive" service-oriented government, Sam said.
The chief executive also said the local government will persistently focus on advancing Macao’s development through appropriate diversification of its economy. This includes, he stressed, effectively implementing development planning for appropriate economic diversification, increasing policy support and funding input, accelerating the establishment of an industrial fund and a guiding fund by the government, and promoting four large-scale development projects in an orderly fashion, Sam said, adding that the government will keep in mind its original intentions, align with the "three benchmarks", accurately grasp the strategic positioning of "Macao + Hengqin," and pragmatically accelerate the construction of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. The government will also actively integrate into and serve the national development framework, align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and scientifically formulate and implement Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan, Sam said. The government also will further attract global talent, ensuring that international high-end talent not only "wants to come" but also "stays," truly turning Macao into a highland for talent aggregation where innovation and wisdom flow freely.
Sam affirmed that the MSAR government is fully committed to addressing the public's concerns over essentially important issues, genuinely tackling livelihood issues. The new year's governance will focus more on precise "people-oriented" policies, concentrating on the protection of residents' employment rights, enhancing social security and services, optimising housing policies and the layout of healthcare resources, and striving to meet the public's expectations for "stability and contentment." The government will promote the development of a smart and liveable city, facilitating smoother transport and more convenient services, Sam said, adding that the government will create the right conditions and provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents, helping them achieve personal dreams by contributing to Macao’s development and integrating into and serving the national development agenda.
In his speech, Sam encouraged everyone to join forces, strive diligently, and collaboratively build a special administrative region with a more efficient public administration, a more sound democratic legal system, a more dynamic economy, a more vibrant culture, more refined social governance, and more inclusive welfare for the population.
Prior to the reception, the MSAR government held a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. at Praça Flor de Lótus (“Lotus Flower Square”) in Zape to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, attended by about 550 people, including Sam, heads of Central People’s Government institutions in Macao, heads of the MSAR's legislative and judicial bodies, principal government official, executive councillor, lawmakers and civil society representatives.
- Text based on a Chinese-language statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS). Translation arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily
* Xi Jinping's framework for Macao includes the "three expectations," "four experiences," and "four hopes." Here's a brief overview of each:
Three Expectations
These refer to Xi's hopes for Macao to:
1. Steadily enhance its role as platform for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs)
2. Develop its economy by appropriately diversifying its industries and enhancing its competitiveness.
3. Maintain social stability and harmony, fostering a strong sense of national identity and pride among Macao residents.
Four Experiences
This set emphasizes the:
1. Importance of adhering to the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as the path forward for Macao.
2. Need for effective governance to ensure that Macau’s functions efficiently and effectively for its residents.
3. Importance of stability as a foundation for overall prosperity and long-term development.
4. Significance of engaging with the Central People’s Government to further both Macao's local and the nation’s overall goals.
Four Hopes
These aspirations include:
1. Deepening economic ties with neighbouring regions and enhancing Macao's role in global trade.
2. Promoting cultural integration and understanding among its diverse population.
3. Strengthening educational and technological advancements to keep pace with global trends.
4. Fostering greater public engagement in governance and community development.
Overall, these frameworks reflect Xi Jinping's vision for Macao’s development, focusing on stability, economic diversification, and integration with the broader goals of the whole nation. – Poe, MPD
Caption: Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai addresses this morning's reception celebrating the 26th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, at the Forum Macao Complex in Nam Van. - Photo: GCS
