Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met with Xia Baolong, director of both the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, in Beijing yesterday, during which, according to a statement by the Government Information Bureau (GCS), Xia pointed out that Sam had shown “courage” in his post and “accomplished significant and pioneering work” since becoming chief executive on December 20 last year.
Sam departed for Beijing on Monday to attend the opening of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) to be held this morning.
Yesterday’s GCS statement quoted Xia as saying during the meeting that since his assumption of office, Sam has led the governing team in firmly implementing the spirit of the series of important speeches by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Macau – on December 18-20 last year – as well as the central authorities’ decisions and deployments, praising him for his courageous actions, the significant and pioneering work he has accomplished, and “the best spiritual characteristics he has demonstrated”.
Xia also said he believes that Sam’s government will, through its efforts to unite and lead various sectors of the community in fully and accurately implementing the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, give full play to Macau’s unique position and advantages, and practically strengthen its positioning as “One Centre, One Platform, One Base”, appropriately advance the development of a diversified economy, particularly the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. He emphasised the importance of creating new opportunities for Macau’s development by participating in and contributing to Chinese-style modernisation.
The GCS statement highlighted Sam’s gratitude to Xia for conveying the central authorities’ care and expectations for Macau, saying that his government has been making every effort to prepare his upcoming 2025 Policy Address by actively listening to the views and suggestions of various sectors of the community, aiming to promote the sustainable development of Macau through good governance and effective policies, enhance people’s well-being, and better respond to Xi’s “ardent” expectations for the special administrative region (SAR).
According to the statement, at the meeting, Sam briefed Xia on the local government’s efforts to implement the spirit of Xi’s important speeches, noting that five special cross-sectoral leading and working groups have been set up to strengthen the government’s top-level leadership and coordination while enhancing its governance.
This handout photo provided by the Government Information Bureau yesterday shows the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) Director Xia Baolong (right) meeting with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai in Beijing
