Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai yesterday voiced three “hopes” for Macau’s community organisations to boost local grassroots governance.
Sam made the remarks in a speech at the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Alliance for Common People Building Up Macau (API) and the swearing-in ceremony for its seventh board of directors and board of supervisors, held at Plaza Restaurant in Zape.
“During my annual duty visit last December, President Xi Jinping issued a clear directive for the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) to consistently enhance its governance efficiency,” Sam said, adding, “This administration has remained steadfast in its philosophy that Macau’s affairs should be discussed and tackled collectively.”
Sam also said, “In partnership with patriotic community organisations loving Macau, we have worked to bolster the MSAR’s governance, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the infrastructure and capacity of grassroots governance.
“By engaging more broadly and effectively with suggestions from all sectors of society, we continue to forge a powerful consensus and a unified force for the development of the MSAR.”
In his speech, Sam also said he hopes that Macau’s community organisations will uphold the core values of patriotism and love for Macau, thereby 1) promoting social harmony and stability; 2) delivering diverse social services and providing targeted support for vulnerable groups; 3) supporting the local government in its law-based governance and working together to enhance administrative effectiveness.
He also called on all sectors of civil society to actively offer suggestions for Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan.
According to previous reports by the Post, the local government is set to complete the drawing-up of Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan and start implementing it this year. Moreover, the government has underlined its commitment to closely align Macau’s third five-year socioeconomic development plan, also covering the period between 2026 and 2030, with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan.
Reflecting on the region’s financial health, Sam noted that Macau’s GDP recorded a real year-on-year growth of 7.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026. He hailed the economic rebound as a “collective effort” from across the community
API Chairman Si Ka Lon noted in his speech that his group has 35,000 registered members and over 1,200 volunteers. Between 2023 and 2025, on average, it provided community services 1.5 million times annually to the local population, and followed up on an average of over 5,700 livelihood cases per year, he said. Si, a long-standing member of the Macau Legislative Assembly (AL), pledged that the newly sworn-in members of the API board of directors and supervisory board will continue to focus on advancing work in six key areas, such as staunchly safeguarding the “One Country, Two Systems” principle; strengthening grassroots’ social security; improving the quality of policy advisory input; supporting the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; promoting urban renewal; and nurturing young people in Macau.
The hour-long event was attended by hundreds of API members and high-ranking guests including Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Vice-Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Liaison Office Director Zheng Xincong, Legislative Assembly President André Cheong Weng Chon, and Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak.
API co-founders and ex-lawmakers Chan Meng Kam and Ung Choi Kun were also in attendance.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai delivers a speech during yesterday’s ceremony hosted by the Alliance for Common People Building Up Macau (API) at The Plaza Restaurant in Zape.
API Chairman Si Ka Lon delivers a speech during yesterday’s ceremony. – Photos: Armindo Neves
