The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will neither disappoint the Central Government, nor fail society’s expectations, in pressing ahead with the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, said in his speech at the National Day reception hosted by the MSAR Government, that Macao would join hands with Guangdong Province, in writing a new chapter for the development of Hengqin.
The reception, to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, was held at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex, with approximately 100 guests.
Macao would apply its utmost effort to realise the measures and policies outlined in the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone, including “One axis”, “Four strategic positionings” and “Four major missions”, said Mr Ho.
Mr Ho added that Macao would advance its adequate economic diversification by: creating new industries; building a new homeland that offers convenient sources of livelihood and employment; creating a new setup in line with Macao’s high-level and open system; and advocating a new model of mutual discussion, joint construction, joint administration, and shared benefits.
History and facts had proven that the motherland would remain a staunch supporter of the prosperity and stability of Macao, and this would be the impetus to foster the development of Macao, said Mr Ho. The fortunes of the motherland and the prospects of Macao were intertwined, as was the fate of every citizen, he added.
The MSAR Government would adhere to the “holistic approach to national security”; enhancing awareness of risk posed by hardships; and upholding the comprehensive implementation of national security. The MSAR Government strived to safeguard national sovereignty, national security, and the country’s development interests. Macao would constantly work to optimise the legislative system, and the measures implemented to uphold national security and the principle of “patriots administering Macao”.
This year marked the beginning of the implementation of the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan; and of the Chinese nation embarking on a journey of great rejuvenation. Macao would follow in the nation’s footsteps, and had begun drafting the city’s second Five-year Development Plan, by initiating public consultations on it.
Macao’s second Five-Year Development Plan would reflect actual conditions in the city, and proactively engage with the National Plan, in order to advance Macao’s adequate economic diversification; improve people’s livelihoods; intensify the improvement of living conditions; enhance the capacity of public governance; and strengthen Macao’s integration into the nation’s development paradigm.
Notwithstanding unpredictable challenges posed by the global pandemic, the MSAR Government and the entire population of Macao would – with the strong support and generous assistance of the Central Government, Guangdong Province, and the city of Zhuhai – stand united, to overcome all difficulties.
The Chief Executive made an appeal for people who had not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, to get vaccinated, in order to help create a shield of immunity for the community. Unpredictable challenges had crippled the city’s pace of economic recovery, as industries had been deeply impacted, and the employment outlook of local residents and their lives, had been heavily burdened.
Macao would monitor closely the challenges and the accumulated problems caused by the pandemic, and employ economic-recovery measures to help restore order regarding the outlook for citizens’ livelihoods. By standing in unity, the community would break new ground for the development of Macao, Mr Ho added.
Guests attending today’s National Day reception included: Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wa; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhang Rongshun; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Liu Xianfa; Deputy Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison, Mr Dai Jinsong; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Kou Hoi In; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. Also in attendance were: members of the Executive Council, and of the sixth Legislative Assembly; Government principal officials; and Macao’s delegates to the National People’s Congress, and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In the morning, the Chief Executive and circa 100 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square.