The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today called for further effort to fully leverage Macao’s advantages in order to complement in the country’s development strategies.
The Government will endeavour to link the establishment of Macao’s development goals as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies) with the country’s Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative).
Mr Chui delivered a speech this morning at a reception, held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The Government regards Macao’s participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative as the city’s major development direction, he said. The Government has established a special working committee, led by the Chief Executive’s Office, to coordinate the planning and research related to the city’s contribution in the national development strategies.
The Government will continue to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and systems, in order to make better use of the preferential policies initiated by the Central Government, said Mr Chui.
Premier Li Keqiang announced – during a visit to Macao in October – a total of 18 new measures for supporting economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and 19 preferential policies for benefiting Macao.
These policies and measures strongly support the prosperity, stability and sustainable development of Macao, said Mr Chui.
Despite the uncertainties facing the global economy in the coming year, the Government will remain cautiously optimistic about the city’s economic outlook. Mr Chui said he believed Macao would achieve stable economic development in 2017, with hope for positive growth.
In his speech, Mr Chui said to better align with the country’s 13th Five Year Plan, the Government has formulated and announced the city’s first Five-Year Development Plan. Adopting a top-down approach, the Plan illustrates the overall blueprint of Macao’s social economic development covering 2016 to 2020, and clearly sets the direction of Macao’s future development.
The Chief Executive additionally highlighted four policy visions to facilitate achieving Macao’s development goals. These visions are: to committedly push forward the development of “Centre and Platform” policies for greater promotion of adequately economic diversification in Macao; to enhance awareness of rule of law and implement public administration reform; to create a more favourable environment for Macao young people to grow, develop and achieve success; and to continuously optimise welfare and livelihood measures, in order to enhance social wellbeing, better coordinate urban planning and construction, and solve transport and housing issues that are of public concern.
Approximately 900 guests attended today’s reception. They 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 Wang Zhimin; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Major General Wang Wen; the acting President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Lam Heong Sang; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai.
In the morning, more than 350 guests had attended the flag raising ceremony in Golden Lotus Square in celebration of the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR.