The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today prosperity and strength of the country are the driving forces of the city’s development and a strong backing for the stability of Macao.
Speaking in the morning at the reception hosted by the Government to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Chui said further active integration with the country’s development would significantly enhance Macao’s strength for comprehensive growth.
The Government will, as always, spare no effort in advancing economic development and livelihood betterment; and promoting democracy and social harmony, Mr Chui stated in a speech delivered during the reception with more than 1,300 guests.
The Government will devote more effort to push forward Macao’s strategic development as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies).
Mr Chui said at present and in the near future, the Government will dedicate more effort on implementing the following tasks:
1. Implement the instructions from the Central People’s Government to strengthen coordination and planning. The Government officially announced in early September Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan in order to sustain the implementation of the national 13th Five-Year Plan. The Five-Year Development Plan serves as a strategy for Macao to improve governance and respond to the demands of the city’s short-, medium-, and long-term development. In addition, the Government would continue the work on the long-term planning for development of the 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding Macao, in order to promote further sustainability.
2. Strive to stabilise the economy and protect employment. The Government has been working out to stabilise employment, optimise human resources and maintain the current low unemployment rate. The Government would continue to promote the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industries; traditional Chinese medicine and cultural and creative industries; and would continue to boost new development concepts – such as specialised financial industry, community economy and young entrepreneurship – to expedite the sustainable development and adequate economic diversification.
Mr Chui said the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – which to be held in Macao from 11 to 12 October – was a great opportunity for Macao to reinforce its bridging roles and functions.
3. Improve livelihood and promote social harmony. The Government launched optimisation on long-term mechanisms on social security, healthcare, housing and education, in order to allow Macao people to enjoy a happier life. The Government also increased many allowances and subsidies for supporting the underprivileged.
4. Promote regional symbiosis and expedite integration. The Government will continue to follow the schedule of major tasks under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and to work in line with the instructions from the State Council regarding deepening regional cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. The Government will consolidate advantages of regional cooperation and Macao’s unique functions in order to make further contribution in the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).
In the morning, some 300 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square.
Guests attending the ceremony included: 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 People’s Republic of China 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; members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Assembly; Macao’s delegates to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and people from across the community.
Later in the day, Mr Chui also officiated at the launch ceremony and then the award presentation ceremony of a 2016 National Day event called “Macao People Celebrate the National Day - World Walking Day Fun Run”.
A number of Government departments will hold events to celebrate the anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. They include: a variety show – organised by the Sports Bureau – at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, starting at 2pm; and an acrobatic performance called “The Legendary Swordsman” staged at 8pm tonight.
Pyrotechnic displays for the 28th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest – by a team from Romania and a team from China – will take place on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40pm tonight.
Macao Post will offer commemorative stamp covers for sale to mark National Day. A stamping service will be available at its headquarters building from 9am to 5.30pm today.