Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng pledged yesterday that his government will continue to unite and lead people from all sectors of civil society in consolidating the momentum of the city’s ongoing economic recovery.
Ho made the remarks when delivering a speech during a reception at Macau Tower marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (known as Kai Fong in Cantonese).
Ho noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), which is also a crucial year for achieving the goals listed in the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).
Ho pointed out that during the “two sessions” in Beijing early this month, President Xi Jinping gave important instructions on planning and promoting strategic emerging industries, developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions, and strengthening the strategic capabilities of emerging areas.
The nation’s two sessions refer to the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in early March.
Ho said that Xi’s important instructions have provided the right directions for Macau’s appropriate economic diversification, sustainable and high-quality development.
Ho pledged that the local government will continue to unswervingly comply with the central authorities’ overall planning, to firmly grasp the “historic” opportunities created by the nation’s development, and to unite and lead people from all sectors of civil society in consolidating the momentum of economic recovery.
The chief executive said that the local government will ensure the full implementation of its “1+4” plan with the aim of achieving Macau’s appropriate economic diversification more quickly.
The local government’s 1+4 appropriate economic diversification model, the final version of which was published in November last year, aims to consolidate and diversify the development of the city’s tourism and leisure industry while putting special emphasis on promoting the development of four nascent industries, namely 1) big health, 2) modern finance, 3) high-tech, and 4) MICE and commerce as well as culture and sport.
Ho also pledged that his government will continue to improve the population’s well-being and to enhance governance and public-administration service quality. The government will also promote reform and innovation, strengthen Macau’s overall competitiveness, and solve the “deep-rooted” problems that are hindering Macau’s socioeconomic development, the chief executive said.
Ho said that his government will work with “everyone in Macau” to promote the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics which will “go far and proceed steadily”, embracing the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland with new development achievements.
Kai Fong marks 40th anniversary
In his speech, Ho also said that over the past year while Macau’s economy has been recovering, Kai Fong has been working hard to safeguard residents’ rights and interests while continuing with its role in promoting communication between the government and residents.
Ho also praised Kai Fong for intensively launching smart community projects and constantly diversifying its services provided to residents, adding that Kai Fong has been gradually building a “large-scale” social service network present “everywhere” in Macau as well as in Hengqin and certain other areas in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Kai Fong, which was established in December 1983 when Macau was still under temporary Portuguese administration, held a formal reception yesterday marking the 40th anniversary of its establishment. Yesterday’s reception was also its Spring Festival reception.
The Year of the Dragon began on February 10 this year.
The MSAR was established on December 20, 1999.
Ho said that Kai Fong is a “Loving the Country and Loving Macau” community association with a long history, pointing out that about 20 neighbourhood associations in Macau jointly established and formed Kai Fong about 40 years ago. After its establishment, Kai Fong made its “historic contributions” to Macau’s “smooth” return to the motherland, Ho said.
The chief executive praised Kai Fong for fully supporting the MSAR government’s administration while constantly expanding its social services where it is working hard to do something “concrete” for residents with the aim of promoting their well-being.
Ho said he hopes that Kai Fong will continue to improve its management and services enabling it to better comply with Macau’s rapid socioeconomic development.
Guests on rostrum
In addition to Ho, other prominent guests also attended yesterday’s reception on the rostrum such as Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Macau’s first chief executive and now vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Central People’s Government Liaison Office in the MSAR Director Zheng Xincong, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, and Macau Legislative Assembly (AL) President Kou Hoi In, as well as Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak, and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U.
Also delivering a speech, Kai Fong Chairwoman Ng Siu Lai underlined that her association has been constantly studying and summarising experience gained from its work serving the community with the aim of coming up with constant improvements to its service quality.
Ng said that Kai Fong has been building a more “professional” social service network across Macau, ranging from day-nursery services to those for seniors.
Ng said that her association will work to promote the high-quality development of Macau’s social services.
Kai Fong is headquartered in Toi San district, a neighbourhood near the Barrier Gate checkpoint at the peninsula’s northern tip.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng delivers a speech during yesterday’s reception at Macau Tower marking the 40th anniversary of Kai Fong’s establishment. – Photo: GCS
