The Conference for Electing Deputies of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) convened its first plenary session on Saturday in preparation for electing Macau’s 12 NPC deputies, in which its first plenary session elected an 11-member praesidium – Ma Iao Lai, Kou Hoi In, Ho Iat Seng, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Hoi Kin Hong, Iau Teng Pio, Io Hong Meng, Chui Sai Cheong, Leong Iok Wa, Liang Hua, and member Liu Chak Wan, by a show of hands with 468 votes in favour and just one abstention.
The newly elected praesidium members appointed Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng as the body’s executive chairman.
The electoral conference’s first plenary session, which was presided over by Yang Zhenwu, secretary-general of the NPC’s Standing Committee, with Ho Iat Seng and Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Director Zheng Xincong also on the rostrum, was held on Saturday at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex (informally known as Forum Macao Complex) in Nam Van.
The plenum was attended by 469 members of the electoral conference, which has a total of 517 members, with 48 members absent.
During the plenary session, Yang, who introduced the general arrangement of the election process, said that the NPC’s Standing Committee attaches great importance to the election and has been making preparations in accordance with the law since the first half of this year.
Yang came from Beijing to preside over the meeting.
In March this year, Yang pointed out, the 13th NPC adopted the decision on the number of deputies to, and election of the 14th NPC, adding that the method of electing the deputies has drawn on the successful experience of the previous five elections, while adapting to the new situation and changes, in order to implement the principle of “patriots governing Macau” and also to make the necessary modifications and improvements to the number of candidates to be nominated and the candidates’ formal requirements to run in the election.
Moreover, Yang pointed out that in 2019 Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, delivered an important speech on the occasion of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the fifth-term government of the MSAR, in which he stressed that the MSAR has written a “colourful chapter” of the successful practice of the principle of One Country, Two Systems with Macau characteristics.
Yang also said that since Macau’s return to the motherland 23 years ago, its economy has grown rapidly, emerging industries such as the MICE sector, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), modern finance, and cultural and creative industries, have been in the ascendant, and that Macau’s appropriate economic diversification has begun to show results.
Yang pointed out that the 7th Macau Legislative Assembly election, which was held last year, and the revision of Macau’s National Security Law, have both laid a solid foundation for achieving lasting peace and stability in Macau and promoting the steady development of the cause of One Country, Two Systems.
The election of deputies to the NPC in the MSAR, Yang pointed out, is a concrete practice of the One Country, Two Systems principle in Macau, a practical action to implement the nation’s Constitution and the Basic Law of Macau, and an essential manifestation of the principle that Macau compatriots as the masters of their country as well.
Therefore, Yang added, members of the electoral conference must make full use of the favourable conditions created by the Party’s 20th National Congress for a new journey of national development and the practice of One Country, Two Systems entering a new stage for the smooth holding of the election, while bearing in mind the overall situation and the trends of the time, fully understanding and implementing the spirit of the Party’s 20th National Congress, and implementing the Central Committee’s decisions and arrangements on upholding, as well as improving the One Country, Two Systems principle in all aspects of the whole process of the election process.
Yang pointed out that members of the electoral conference must have a deep understanding of the advantages of the people’s congress system and the important role played by Macau’s NPC deputies, earnestly perform the duties entrusted by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and carry out the election process well in accordance with the law, while firmly establishing a sense of the bottom line in safeguarding national security, and sticking to the right direction of the election process.
Yang noted that the members must also strictly abide by the Constitution and other laws, act in accordance with the law and procedures, and exercise the right to nominate and vote in a rigorous and prudent manner, as well as fully promote democracy and ensure the election of deputies to the NPC who firmly love the nation and Macau, are broadly representative in Macau, have both moral integrity and ability, and are capable of participating in and discussing state affairs and ensure that their local compatriots are satisfied with their work.
Local NPC deputies’ election slated for Dec 12
Meanwhile, according to a press briefing hosted by Jin Qingzhong, director of the Information Bureau of the General Office of the NPC Standing Committee, Wan Suicheng, who heads the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, and Iau Teng Pio, spokesman for the 11-member praesidium, after the conference and the first meeting of the newly elected praesidium during which Ho Iat Seng was unanimously appointed by his fellow members of the praesidium as its executive chairman, the period of nominating candidates for the 14th NPC of MSAR was set by the praesidium from tomorrow to next Monday.
The second plenary session of the electoral conference will be held in the morning of December 12 to elect the 12 local deputies among the candidates, Iau noted.
Macau’s current 12 NPC deputies can run for re-election by seeking at least 15 nominations among the 517 members of the electoral conference.
Yang Zhenwu, secretary-general of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, flanked by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (right) and Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Director Zheng Xincong, presides over the first plenary session of the Conference for Electing Deputies of the MSAR to the 14th NPC, at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex (aka Forum Macao Complex) in Nam Van on Saturday. – Photo: Yuki Lei
