Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, speaks at the reception to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government would continue to make good use of the Central Government’s supportive policies, in order to sustain the stable and successful development of Macao. Mr Chui gave a speech this morning at a reception, held at the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Mr Chui said a new map of administrative divisions of the Macao SAR, recently approved by the Central Government, was an example of the Central Government’s strong support to Macao. It also related to the principles of Macao being governed according to the rule of law; the promotion of adequate economic diversification; the promotion of enhanced regional cooperation; and the improvement of people’s livelihoods. The a new map of administrative divisions, recently approved by the State Council, demarcates an area of 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding Macao as being under Macao’s jurisdiction. It also gives Macao administrative responsibility for an area of land where the Border Gate checkpoint with Zhuhai is located. The Chief Executive said the Government was studying economic development strategies relating to its newly demarcated waters. He added the Government would work to strengthen regional cooperation regarding administration of inshore waters, for Macao’s benefit and that respectively of its neighbouring cities. During his speech, the Chief Executive expressed heartfelt thanks to the Central Government, the Guangdong Government and the Zhuhai Municipal Government for their continuous support regarding this matter. Mr Chui said the Government would spare no effort in order to maintain Macao’s stability and economic vitality during the ongoing adjustment period for the city’s gaming industry. He stated that the Government would work to ensure that Macao’s overall economy would continue to be healthy, with stable public finances and a relatively low unemployment rate, despite the global economic environment being complicated and ever changing. The Chief Executive additionally noted that the Government is determined to continuing the implementation of the “Centre and Platform” policies. They refer to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and to Macao becoming a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. He said the Government would apply itself diligently to the organisation of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, an event to be held in Macao next year. Mr Chui stated the Government was preparing, for the first time, a top-level policy initiative involving the planning, over a five-year period, of Macao’s development. It would be based on the concept of developing Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure. This planning would help Macao better to realise its economic growth and to integrate that process in the nation’s overall development. The Chief Executive said that Macao’s role in national development – outlined in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan – would be achieved by making use of Macao’s unique advantages. The result would be to elevate Macao’s position and function in national economic development and in the nation’s opening-up policy, while ensuring growth at local level in Macao. The Government would also actively contribute to the policies relating to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (also known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), by maximising Macao’s cooperation with the nation’s free trade zones. At local level, improving livelihood of the people remained a core element of Government policy, stressed Mr Chui. The Government would continue to consolidate and improve several long-term mechanisms for such improvement, namely in education, social security, healthcare, housing, and cultivation of local talent. The Government would also press ahead with projects focusing on promoting respect for the elderly, support for young people, and care for the underprivileged, he said. Approximately 980 guests attended today’s reception. They included: the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Chen Sixi; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, more than 250 guests had attended the flag raising ceremony in Golden Lotus Square in celebration of the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR.