Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai underlined this morning that during his duty visit to Beijing early this week, President Xi Jinping expressed full recognition of the work of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government, acknowledging its efforts to promote appropriately diversified economic development.
Sam reaffirmed that the local government will implement policies and measures that are in line with Macao's actual situation to facilitate economic diversification.
After hosting a reception celebrating the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the MSAR, Sam said in a media briefing that in response to Macao's economic structure and the complex and variable challenges from both domestic and international environments, promoting appropriately diversified economic development aligns with Macao's developmental needs and is also a correct assessment made by the Central People’s Government from a macro perspective. The MSAR government is currently focused on advancing four major key projects to drive overall socio-economic benefits, Sam pointed out, who said he hopes that civil society in its entirety will reach a consensus, with Macao, in conjunction with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, jointly advancing economic diversification.
When asked by a journalist about details of the draft plan for the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, Sam replied that the plan proposes four corridors, one terminal, and one smart port connecting Macao and Hengqin, which are still in the planning and research stage.
Sam said that the local government will continue to closely communicate and cooperate with the official entities in the cooperation zone. The chief executive, who has been at the helm of the local government, emphasised that Macao is also preparing development plans based on its own circumstances, adding that various infrastructure projects are progressing in an orderly fashion. There will be active and close coordination with the in-depth cooperation zone, conducting planning and research based on actual developmental needs to enhance connectivity between Macao and Hengqin and accelerate their integrated development, Sam said.
Responding to a question about the implementation status of the "Northbound Travel for Macau Vehicles" policy, Sam noted that the current quota is 2,000. Since its introduction, Sam said, the policy has been well received by residents and there is significant demand. Following earlier consultations between the governments of Guangdong and Macao, the booking period for the policy has been extended to maximise quota usage. Currently, there are, Sam noted, 18 entry points and 11 exit points at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for access to Zhuhai. So far this year, the daily vehicle flow through the checkpoint has reached 12,000 trips. Sam said that the local government will stay in touch with the governments of Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (MSAR) to further improve and optimise the "Northbound Travel for Macao Vehicles” policy, jointly utilising the checkpoints’ passageways to widen residents' leisure and living space in the Chinese. As for the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” policy, the MSAR government will closely monitor the implementation of this measure in Hong Kong and cautiously consider promoting the relevant policy in Macao, based on its actual road traffic capacity, while integrating and serving the national development strategy, Sam said.
Meanwhile, according to Macao’s regulations on casino operations, the three-year transition period for the city’s so-called "satellite casinos", i.e, those run by third-party business interests, will expire at the end of this month.
Asked by the media about the matter, Sam underlined that the MSAR government has established a cross-departmental coordination group to follow up and ensure that the arrangements for ending the satellite casinos’ operations are handled methodically and legally, and the overall process is proceeding smoothly.
Sam said that the government has actively kept abreast of the employment status of the affected employees, adding that nearly 3,500 satellite casino workers are understood to have successfully transitioned to other casinos without any complaints received.
Additionally, in response to media inquiries about the progress of the connection corridor project between Zone A and Zone B, Sam said that the project between the zones – both reclaimed from the sea, is a foundational transport facility for the future connection between the Macao Peninsula and Zones A and B, both new urban development areas. This aims to address long-term transport needs between Zone A and the Macao Peninsula, Sam said. The Public Works Bureau is currently researching the design, and the government maintains a cautious and open attitude towards the proposals, continuing to listen to public opinion, Sam said.
The chief executive said that the government also places great importance on protecting Macao’s UNESCO-listed World Heritage, maintaining close contact with the National Cultural Relics Bureau and the Macao World Heritage Monitoring Centre, striving to strike a balance between economic development and cultural heritage conservation.
- GCS, MPD
N.B. Text based on a Chinese-language statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS). Translation arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily
Macao SAR Chief Executive talks to reporters at the Forum Macao Complex after this morning's Macao Establishment Day 26th Anniversary reception. - Photo: GCS
