The Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations and the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau met with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai on Friday, after which the Government Information Bureau (GCS) stated that Sam would seriously consider the views and suggestions from the two groups on his governance and use them as references for the compilation of his 2025 Policy Address, quoting him as underlining that he would propose a policy focused on livelihood issues while adhering to the principle of keeping expenditure within the limits of revenues.
According to two separate GCS statements, Sam thanked the two groups for their active participation in putting forward their views and proposals on his governance. The Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (commonly known as Kai Fong in Cantonese) has consolidated residents’ views into a 14-point proposal submitted to the government, covering areas such as national security, disaster prevention and mitigation, transport, assistance to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), diversified industries and people’s livelihoods, whereas the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau (known in Cantonese as “gwai kiu”) expressed concerns about, according to the GCS statement, attracting high-end talents to Macau, improving the government’s policy on investment immigration, promoting urban regeneration, revitalising the Inner Harbour Terminal, advancing the development of modern financial services, and emphasising the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
The two meetings received “positive” responses from Sam, Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak and Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man, respectively, the statement underlined.
Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Kai Fong President Chan Ka Leong said that Sam and the three portfolio policy secretaries responded “positively” to his group’s views on reflecting to the government the community’s desire for increased subsidies and pensions for senior citizens, an enhanced education allowance for students, and the introduction of a childcare subsidy to encourage childbearing. He quoted Sam as saying at the meeting that “the government would actively consider them”.
On economic and industrial diversification, Chan quoted Sam as saying that the government planned to launch exploratory projects in the area of science and technology through a fund-led approach. Regarding its SME assistance programme, the government aims to adopt both short-term and medium- to long-term measures, such as by organising revitalisation programmes similar to the city’s centre “Arraial na [Rua dos] Ervanários” open-air fun fair also in the northern district, as well as in the southern district. Additionally, he noted, the government intends to enhance the city’s six revitalisation quarters to strengthen their business connections, while also developing landmark cultural and tourism districts where possible, with a view to stimulating spending by residents and tourists alike.
Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau
Meanwhile, Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau Vice President Lai Kuong Hou told reporters that the government has placed great importance on establishing large-scale international scientific research headquarters in Macau, as well as on the development of culture and tourism, while also encouraging his group to leverage their strengths to help Macau establish connections with overseas countries.
According to the GCS statement, during the meeting, the group’s president, Bi Chi Kin, urged the government to embrace the global trend of digitalisation and promote artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance government decision-making and achieve innovation in scientific governance. He also suggested that the government organise Macau’s traditional festivals and celebrations overseas, as well as optimise tourism support for Macau by launching a local food map and conducting a study on the feasibility of legalising online ride-hailing services.
The association also suggested that the government study the establishment of a “Belt & Road” science academy in Macau to develop an international scientific research team. Furthermore, they recommended exploring the tourism-related advantages offered by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and considering policy support for the public listing of Macau-invested hardware enterprises.
These handout photos provided by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) on Friday show Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (centre) addressing separate meetings with members of the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (left) and the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau.
