The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On.
The Government was dedicated to creating new engines for Macao’s economic development, which could be achieved by grasping fresh opportunities arising from the country’s reform and opening-up policies during the new era, said the Chief Executive in his New Year Message.
Integrating Macao further into the country’s overall development would also help usher in new achievements for Macao, as the Special Administrative Region (SAR) approached its 20th anniversary in December 2019.
In delivering his New Year Message, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, called for concerted effort to advance Macao’s overall competiveness, including ensuring progress in every economic sector. Mr Chui also mentioned the effort to be made to ensure a steady and long-term implementation in Macao of the principle of “One country, two systems”.
Collective effort across the Macao community for achieving such goals would be significant in 2019, a pivotal year that also marked the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, noted Mr Chui.
Looking ahead, the Government would actively involve itself in boosting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and in contributing to the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. In addition, the Government would help to realise Macao’s strategic roles as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies).
Reviewing the achievements of the Government in 2018, Mr Chui pointed out that Macao had maintained social stability, steady public finances, a high rate of employment, and enhanced social well-being. These things had collectively provided a strong foundation for the stability of the city’s economy, and helped maintain momentum in relation to the goal of achieving moderate economic growth.
In 2018, the Government had introduced a number of initiatives relating to, respectively, its duties under the country’s constitution and Macao’s Basic Law, the city’s economic diversification, and the advancement of the well-being of Macao citizens.
Mr Chui outlined in his New Year Message that protecting the safety of Macao people and their property remained Government priorities.
With the united effort of the community over the past year, the Government had been able to improve its work in relation to disaster prevention and mitigation in the city. Such effort had helped Macao effectively to minimise the effects of Typhoon Mangkhut, a powerful storm that struck the city in September, said Mr Chui in his speech.
On behalf of the Government, the Chief Executive extended to the Macao public his sincere good wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year. Mr Chui also expressed gratitude to Macao residents and public servants – in particular those who had to work around the clock – for providing services during the holiday period.