Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak has underlined that in terms of his portfolio work, the Macau government will remain committed to solidly advancing the alignment of rules and mechanisms between Macau and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Wong made the remarks on the University of Macau (UM) campus while delivering a speech during the swearing-in ceremony for the fourth-term board members of the Macau Legal Workers Association on Saturday. The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the association’s establishment.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai; Zhang Yingjie, a deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR); and Legislative Assembly (AL) President André Cheong Weng Chon.
In his speech, Wong noted that President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech during his inspection visit to Macau in December 2024, requiring the continuous advancement of the rule of law in Macau and the enhancement of its governance effectiveness. Xi’s speech provided clear instructions on improving Macau’s legal system and strengthening Macau-Hengqin integrated development, Wong said.
Wong noted that when delivering a speech during the gathering in celebration of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in Beijing on July 1 this year, Xi reaffirmed the central authorities’ commitment to comprehensively, accurately, and unswervingly implementing the principles of “One Country, Two Systems,” “Macau people governing Macau,” and a high degree of autonomy, while ensuring the implementation of the “patriots governing Macau” principle and enhancing the effectiveness of law-based governance in Macau.
Wong said that Xi’s various speeches have profoundly clarified the central role of the rule of law in Macau’s overall development, providing the fundamental principles and pointing out the way forward for Macau’s long-term stability and sustained development.
In terms of his portfolio work, Wong underlined the Macau government’s commitment to aligning Macau’s 3rd Five-Year Plan with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, upholding Macau’s executive-led system, improving the city’s legal system, deepening public administration reform, fostering positive interaction between the executive and legislative organs, improving laws and regulations across various areas – such as commercial affairs, public administration affairs, and those related to residents’ daily lives - and solidly advancing the alignment of rules and mechanisms between Macau and Hengqin.
Wong noted that the nation’s development is progressing rapidly, while the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is strongly advancing. These bring new opportunities for the consolidation of the rule of law in Macau and the development of its legal sector and professionals while also presenting higher requirements for them, he said.
Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak delivers a speech during Saturday’s swearing-in ceremony for the fourth-term board members of the Macau Legal Workers Association, on the University of Macau (UM) campus. – Photo courtesy of TDM
