The Office of the Government Spokesperson noted there had been speculation and baseless accusations regarding a donation from the Macao Foundation to Jinan University on the mainland. The Office states the following: 1. Since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), the city has achieved rapid development with the strong support from the Central Government. It is part of Macao’s responsibility to contribute to the country’s development and to enhance education services in the country. This in turn is part of the tradition of demonstrating love for the country and for Macao. 2. Cultivating talent among citizens is a key policy at national level, as well as an important strategy of the Macao SAR. During the adjustment period of the city’s gaming industry, the Government reiterated that social welfare and the city’s education services would not be affected by austerity measures – such as a reduction of administrative expenses – faced by other public bodies. The Government’s contribution to education was 3.292 billion patacas in the year 2014 – a more than sixfold increase from the 495 million patacas contributed in 2000 by the Government. 3. Macao Foundation’s donation to Jinan University, for the building of new facilities there, will not affect the Government’s input in higher education in Macao. 4. Supervision measures have been adopted to monitor the use of the donation. 5. Jinan University was the first state-founded higher education institution in China to offer education to Overseas Chinese. It invites renowned members of society to join its board of directors, and the board consults with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council regarding Jinan University’s development. Jinan University’s board of directors is not comparable to a board at a for-profit company. 6. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, was invited to join the board of directors as vice chairperson, without receiving salary or having interests in any form. There is no validity to the accusation that the donation is a case of transfer of interest. Many Macao students have studied at Jinan University over the years: many of them now work in different sectors in Macao and a number of them have joined the public administration. The donation from Macao Foundation is to support the building of two new dormitory facilities for students from Macao and Hong Kong. Macao as a city – and the students Macao sends to Jinan University – will benefit from this facility. In order to build a better Macao, the city needs as many highly educated young people as possible. The Office of the Government Spokesperson urges the public to consider the issue in a rational manner. The Government, as always, pays great attention to public opinion and welcomes all productive comments for the enhancement of public administration.
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