CE: Government intensifies implementation of four major long-term mechanisms

The Government would intensify the implementation of the four major long-term mechanisms, support local residents to strengthen their competitiveness, and raise health and living standards of the people if Macao.
This was disclosed today by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in his speech delivered at a reception at the Macau Tower to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 'The third Macao SAR Government continues to uphold the principle of "Putting people first" in its implementation of scientific governance and makes every effort to be a sunshine government, and pursues economic development and livelihood improvement as the principal objectives of administration,' he said.
'Over the past year, with the full support of the Central People's Government and the combined efforts of the Macao people, the Government proactively tackled the challenges of a complex and volatile external economic environment. "We grasped the opportunities that arose from the development of the country, to maintain steady overall economic growth, provide sufficient employment opportunities, enhance citizens' overall income levels, and move forward to realise optimum diversification of the economy.
'The Government placed equal importance on short-term supportive measures and long-term mechanisms, and by combining the two, pursued fruitful sharing of efforts and achievements across the whole community. To consolidate implementation of our policy to improve people's well-being in the past years, we started from last year to gradually establish four major long-term mechanisms – in education, social security, health services and housing,' he said. 'The global economic situation has improved somewhat but the recovery is still sluggish. We must be mindful of potential crises and be well prepared to overcome volatility and changes. We must be more broad-minded, farsighted, and persistent in strengthening our capability and quality, in order to grasp the opportunities that arise from the development of the country, and facilitate continuous improvement in people's quality of life.
'The Central People's Government has clearly stated its intention to further open up trade with Macao. The recent deepening of Guangdong-Macao co-operation and the launch of a pilot free trade zone evidence the overall intensification of the country's reform and opening up policy. This provides the MSAR with new opportunities and the driving force for its future development,' he said. 'Thanks to the full support of the Central People's Government, the MSAR will next year organise the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. We have the determination and confidence, under the leadership of the Central People's Government, and the joint effort with the industry and the public, to make this important event a great success.
'As for Macao's establishment as a business service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Central People's Government further supports us to establish Macao as a business service centre for small and medium-size enterprises, a product distribution centre and an economic and trade co-operation, convention and exhibition centre for Portuguese-speaking countries. The Macao SAR Government is now conducting studies and planning the establishment of these three centres, to deepen business and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, to facilitate joint development between entrepreneurs and professionals from the mainland, Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao, and to enhance the business environment in Macao
'With a pragmatic attitude, we are intensifying implementation of the four major long-term mechanisms, supporting local residents to strengthen their competitiveness, and raising health and living standards among Macao people. We are committed to protecting employees' interests, supporting improvement of workers' benefits and remunerations, encouraging vocational training, continued education and lifelong learning, with the aim to create opportunities for upward mobility for Macao people and share the prosperity of Macao,' said Mr Chui.
Some 850 guests attended the reception, guests at today's reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Bai Zhijian, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng, the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va, and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. Earlier more than 250 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square.