Government devotes more efforts to social development

The Macao Special Administrative Government is fully dedicated to boosting the substantial development in politics, the economy and culture to enhance the people's livelihood. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said this today when he addressed some 900 guests at the National Day reception hosted by the Government. He said government would bolster economic and social development and facilitate people's livelihood by establishing a long-term effective and protective mechanism. The Government has the determination to solve housing problems, to ensure employment opportunities for locals, to take care of the needy and to share the economic achievements of the region. The Government will put more efforts in dealing with transportation and flooding problems, and other politics relating to the people's livelihood, he pledged.
Mr Chui said the country's prosperity has further promoted the stable development of Macao's politics, economy and culture. On politics, 14 direct and 12 indirectly legislators have been successfully elected in the fifth Legislative Assembly election. The new legislature would continue to fulfill the duty of formulating laws and monitoring government's policies. Mr Chui stressed the Government would have more interaction with the Assembly and work harder to contribute to the region.
New opportunities have been created for the people of Macao to start businesses in the Mainland with the implementation of the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and the 10th Supplementary Protocol to CEPA signed this year.
The Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Co-operation Forum (Macao) would be held in Macao soon, and Macao would once again act as a bridge and platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. With the full support of the Central Government, Macao is actively serving as a world tourism and leisure centre and a commercial and trade platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries in speeding up economic diversification.
Through regional co-operation, the multi-destination travel scheme would also enhance the tourism benefit of the entire region, Mr Chui said. Guests attending the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), 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 People's Republic of China in Macao Special Administrative Region, 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. In the morning, some 200 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square. A number of government departments have also organised celebratory events, including a variety show organised by the Macao Sport Development Board, at Macao East Asian Games Dome, at 2 pm. Pyrotechnics displays of the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, by teams from France, Italy and China, will take place on the waterfront near Macau Tower at 9 pm, 9:30 pm and 10 pm.