Macao steps up contribution to national development strategy
The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will step up effort in responding to the needs of the national development strategy, in order to propel the city’s prosperity while contributing to the development of the country.
In his speech at a National Day reception, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said our strong and prosperous nation always served as a driving force for Macao’s development and solid support of Macao’s stability.
The reception, hosted by the SAR Government to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre with some 760 guests.
Global economy was likely to remain complex and volatile in the remainder of the year, Mr Chui said in his address. In order to be better prepared and equipped for challenges ahead, the Chief Executive outlined four routes to advance further development and ensure socio-economic stability of Macao.
1. Enhance coordination and planning, and strengthen quality of governance. The Government would make adjustments to the city’s Five-Year Development Plan by adding new contents to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, in order to align with the launch of an outline plan for the development of the Greater Bay Area.
Meanwhile, the Government would spare no effort to formulate the regulations and planning for the administration and use of Macao waters, as well as the reciprocal development of land and sea traffic.
2. Seize development opportunities in the new era and expedite integration into the overall national development plan. The Government would make further effort in leveraging Macao’s advantages in Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road initiative, in order to realise synergies in various domains and promote Macao’s tourism and leisure industry and its sustainable development.
The SAR Government would work closely with the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong to explore innovations in mechanisms and systems for establishing a quality living area, which would be favourable for living, work and tourism.
3. Stabilise economic development and promote adequate economic diversification. The SAR Government would continue strengthening regulation of the gaming industry, while further promoting the development of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry, traditional Chinese medicine, specialised financial services, as well as cultural and creative industries.
4. Effectively improve livelihoods and promote social harmony. The SAR Government would as always strive to optimise the long-term livelihood mechanisms for social security, healthcare, housing and education, and enhance Macao residents’ well-being.
Public support always dynamically empowered the SAR Government, Mr Chui made the remark when he mentioned in his speech Macao’s efforts in responding to Typhoon Mangkhut last month. The people of Macao actively responded to and followed the SAR Government’s unified deployment to effectively resist the strong typhoon, and joined hands to efficiently restore order.
He pledged the Government would continue strengthening the city’s ability and capacity in disaster prevention and mitigation, prioritising protection of people’s lives and property, increasing investment of resources for implementing short-, medium- and long-term measures to develop a long-term disaster prevention and mitigation mechanism.
In the morning, the Chief Executive and some 340 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square.
Guests attending the ceremony included: the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zheng Xiaosong; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao SAR, Ms Shen Beili; the Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison, Mr Liao Zhengrong; the Political Commissar of PLA Macao Garrison, Mr Zhou Wugang; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Assembly; Government principal officials; Macao’s delegates to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and people from across the community.
After the flag-raising ceremony, Mr Chui presided at the start of a running event to commemorate National Day, and later present awards to participants.