Speech by Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai at National Day Reception in Celebration of PRC’s 76th Anniversary
National Day Reception in Celebration of the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at Forum Macao, Oct. 1, 2025
Honourable Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr [Edmund] Ho Hau Wah,
Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Zheng Xincong,
[Former Macao Special Administrative Region chief executive], Mr Ho Iat Seng,
Distinguished guests and friends,
Today, we gather together to celebrate this joyous occasion, the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region [MSAR], I wish our great motherland prosperity and stability! I wish to extend my holiday greeting to all the distinguished guests present and Macao residents!
Last month, people of Macao from all sectors of the community watched and participated in various ways in the activity commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As we listened to the important speech by President Xi Jinping, we felt a stronger sense to uphold the glorious tradition of our patriotic spirit for our country and Macao, to steadily build a strong nation and advance national rejuvenation.
Over the past 76 years, the Communist Party of China has led and united the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and achieved the miracles of fast economic growth and long-term social stability. We have showcased to the world the prosperity and remarkable progress achieved by a major country. This year, the economic and social development of our country has been steady, the innovative dynamism is growing and the comprehensive national power is getting stronger. We are closer, more confident and more capable than any time in history to achieving the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The prosperity of the motherland provides a strong foundation for the development and progress of Macao. As we are making headway with the development of our country, we will continue to break new ground for high-quality development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause.
This year also marks the beginning of the sixth-term MSAR Government. We will lead and unite all sectors of Macao and thoroughly implement the spirit of the important speeches of President Xi Jinping. We are determined to pursue reform, take responsibilities and open new ground for governance. In general, the social and economic development of Macao is making steady progress, from recovery to high-quality development; it is advancing to a new phase. The change of term of the 8th Election of the Legislative Assembly has been completed with success and a series of significant events including the Exhibition for National Security Education and the themed exhibition to commemorate the War of Resistance [Against Japanese Aggression] have effectively maintained Macao’s overall stability and harmony.
Since assuming office, we have been determined to implement a new philosophy and new mechanisms for the governance of Macao. This year, from implementing major policies to making important decisions to tackle typhoons and natural disasters, we have always stayed true to the belief of “One Government” as we handle and solve issues with our concerted efforts through discussions and improve Macao’s governance efficiency. We began to implement leadership and coordination mechanisms for public administrative reform in three aspects, by streamlining government structures, improving public services, and enhancing civil servants’ performance, and we aim to accelerate the planning and implementation of various reforms. We are determined to regulate and improve the efficiency of government meetings and cross-departmental coordination mechanism for better implementation of important policies. We will continue to advocate the spirit of unity and concerted actions for various policy areas. We will pragmatically strengthen the collaborative mechanism between the MSAR Government and patriotic organisations. From policy consultation, formulation to implementation, the principle “Patriots Governing Macao” has always been effectively implemented and the spirit of patriotism for our country and Macao will continue to grow. One point to note is that as we have just experienced the severe challenges caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa, the MSAR Government and patriotic organisations, together with all Macao residents stayed united to fight against these challenges. All departments cooperated whole-heartedly and civil defence worked smoothly in order to protect the safety and security of people’s lives and properties. As people’s work and lives rapidly returned to normal, we managed to secure support and reassurance from all sectors across society. This is to prove that so long as we work hard and stay united and committed to the new philosophy and mechanism, we can overcome all difficulties and challenges, and embrace a bright and beautiful future.
We are determined to advocate appropriate economic diversification and to achieve new development and new heights for the integration of Macao and Hengqin. At the beginning of this year, we began to strictly oversee and pragmatically advance the healthy and orderly development of the gaming industry in accordance with the law and have properly handled the issues caused by “satellite casinos”.* We strive to stablise the economy, support employment, seek every possible solution to rejuvenate the community economy and increase support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The overall economy maintains its momentum of recovery, key economic indicators continue to improve and the number of visitor arrivals is expected to reach a record high. Meanwhile, we continue to promote appropriate economic diversification and the orderly development of works relating to the establishment of government-initiated industry funds and guidance funds. We strive to pursue high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine [and] the big health industry, modern finance, high-tech, and the conference and exhibition industry. Four impactful projects for the future development of Macao are being coordinated and are underway: the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, international integrated tourism and cultural districts in Macao, an international air transport hub on the west bank of the Pearl River, and the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park. Right now, the construction of the first phase of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town is making significant progress and the construction of a new campus of the University of Macau located in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will begin this year.
We need to align ourselves with the new positioning of “Macao+Hengqin”, strengthen planning and coordination, reasonably increase our involvement with the In-Depth Cooperation Zone and achieve the targets set for the second phase. By creating a new model of collaborative development, “Macao Platform + International Resources + Hengqin Space + Results Sharing”, and taking into consideration the relevance of Macao’s industries, the “Four New” industries including culture and tourism, higher education and healthcare will be prioritised for the development of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone. We will build the China-Portuguese and Spanish Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Service Centre and establish a China-Portugal trade and economy development fund with an initial investment of RMB 1 billion. In addition, automated collaborative inspection and joint clearance, and “document-free” channels at Hengqin Port** will start operation in the current quarter. The multi-pronged approach aims to promote collaborative exchanges between Macao and Hengqin.
We stay committed to exploring new ideas and new measures for the improvement of people’s livelihoods and social development. This year, we have set up an “Employment Promotion Coordination Working Group” to prioritise local employment. In the first half of the year, the working group has successfully helped over 5,000 people to get hired. We adhere to the principle of targeted assistance as we improve the Wealth-Sharing Scheme, raise the amounts of the old-age and disability pensions, senior citizen and disability allowances, coordinate the promotion of integrated development of education, technology and talent, offer attentive help targeting “the elderly and the young”, as well as vulnerable groups, support the young generation to develop and grow, and continue to improve policies on housing, healthcare, transportation and all areas relating to people’s livelihoods. We are determined to make the 15th National Games and all of the competitions and events a success. In addition, we will proactively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. As we strive to expedite the internal and external connectivity and leverage our role as “precise liaison” for the cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, we will further integrate with, and contribute to national development with proactive actions.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as we live through accelerating changes unseen in a century, Macao is facing dynamic changes in the internal and external environment. In line with the new conditions and new requirements, I have recently nominated several principal officials to the State Council for appointment, as well as the prosecutor general, and appointed seven deputies to the new-term Legislative Assembly according to the law. These new adjustments and appointments were adapted as a practical and realistic response in light of the evolving situation. With our innovative thinking and determination to reform, our objective is to further leverage the executive-led structure under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, foster constructive and interactive relationships as the executive, legislative and judicial institutions perform their duties in accordance with the law. As we break new ground amid changes, we strive to create a more favourable environment for reform and development in the upcoming phase.
As we live in the present, we look into the future. With the care and guidance of the Central People’s Government, the Macao community remains united under the leadership of the MSAR Government. We are ready to embrace the new opportunities brought forth by the 15th Five Year Plan. We will continue to fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of “One Country, Two Systems”, firmly uphold the nation's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and steadfastly implement the principle of “Patriots Governing Macao”. We will forge ahead with the high-quality construction projects for Macao and remain committed to the vision of a brighter future as we have designated the city as “law-based Macao”, “vibrant Macao”, “cultural Macao”, and “happy Macao”. We will make new and greater contributions to the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.
Last but not least, on behalf of the MSAR Government, please allow me to present my sincerest gratitude to the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison for the long-standing care and support they have bestowed on Macao. I also wish to express my heartfelt thanks to all provinces, regions and cities, as well as friends from all walks of life at home and overseas for the generous support.
Now, I wish to propose a toast:
To the prosperity and strength of China and the happiness and well-being of the Chinese people,
To the successful and sustainable implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macao characteristics,
To the health and happiness of all the guests present and Macao residents
Cheers!
End Item
*Macao’s satellite casinos, run by third-party operators but formally part of the city’s six gaming concessionaires, are slated to close for good by December 31, 2025, according to a three-year transition period set by the local government.
** The term “port” is used by the authorities in the Chinese mainland as a synonym for “border checkpoint”.
N.B. Translation of the speech from Chinese into English released by the Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS), edited by the Post; asterisks and words within square brackets added by the Post.
Caption: Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai delivers a speech at this morning's National Day Reception hosted by the MSAR Government at the Forum Macao complex in Nam Van. - Photo: GCS
