The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On.
Macao people would continue to work together in a well-planned way, in order to strengthen the community and make Macao an even more prosperous city, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On.
In his New Year Message delivered today, Mr Chui said that in order to further the advance of society, the Government would continue to give priority to policies concerning: economic development; enhancement of social wellbeing; and lawful and effective administration.
Mr Chui stressed that support from the Central Government – as well as the concerted efforts of all Macao residents – were indispensable factors in Macao’s ongoing achievements.
Macao would enhance its economic competiveness while also assisting national development efforts, stated the Chief Executive.
Under a plan approved by the Central Government, Macao would have opportunities to make further contributions to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).
To coordinate that work, the Government had established a committee, led by the Chief Executive’s Office, to study how to boost cooperation with countries and neighbouring areas – in particular, with the mainland’s Guangdong and Fujian provinces – covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative; and to link to national strategies the Macao development goals of being a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies).
In 2016 the Government had discharged its duties in a courageous way, in order to address challenges faced by Macao, and in order to formulate a long-term development plan for Macao’s stability, said Mr Chui.
With the help of the community, Macao had been able to maintain its economic stability, its strong fiscal reserves and its high rate of employment, amid a period of economic adjustment.
Reviewing 2016’s achievements, Mr Chui noted the Government had formulated Macao’s first-ever Five-Year Development Plan, a blueprint for the city’s socio-economic development spanning the period 2016 to 2020 inclusive. The Plan also aims better to align Macao with the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan.
In October, the Government successfully held the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), which was attended by Premier Li Keqiang. During his visit to Macao, Premier Li had announced a total of 18 new measures to assist in supporting economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; and 19 new measures supporting Macao’s development.
The Government would take full advantage of Central Government policies aimed at supporting the development of Macao. This would enable Macao to develop a greater number of external ties and increase cooperation globally and regionally, said Mr Chui in his speech.
On behalf of the Government, the Chief Executive extended his sincere greetings to the Macao public and expressed gratitude to residents and public servants, in particular those who had to work round the clock to provide services during the holidays.