Briefing session shares new aspirations set out in the 2016 National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) sessions.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today laid down five paths to help Macao better integrate its development with the national development aims laid out in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan, in bids to lead Macao to strengthen its economic competitiveness. With the concerted effort of the local community, Macao could take advantage of its special functions and advantages as established under the nation’s “One country, two systems” policy. In doing so, Macao could enhance its own contributions to the country’s economic and social development during the next five years, Mr Chui added. Mr Chui made the comments this afternoon in Macao at a briefing session sharing new policies and aspirations that had been set out in the recently concluded sessions respectively of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), collectively known as the “Two Sessions”. It was important to take note of the aspirations expressed and the guidance given by the Central Government for the long-term sustainability and prosperity of Macao. This was of particular importance during the year marking the start of both the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan and Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan, which both cover the period from 2016 to 2020, he stated. The Chief Executive outlined the five paths designed to enable Macao to consolidate its unique position and to help it become a growing part of the country’s development story. The paths included: 1) Full compliance with the country’s constitution and Macao’s Basic Law; 2) The coordination of the city’s Five-Year Development Plan with the major policy direction of the country; 3) To expedite Macao’s “Centre and Platform” policies; 4) To support the social development of young people and improve social welfare; 5) To strengthen the effectiveness of governance to promote Macao’s economic development. The “Centre and Platform” policies refer to the strategy of transforming Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and making it a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Government would also make better use of Macao's 85 square kilometres of coastal waters as recently demarcated and develop the maritime economy, while also protecting the marine environment, said Mr Chui. He additionally stated the nation’s supportive policies and supportive economic strategies regarding Macao would lead the city toward further development opportunities and help maintain Macao’s sustainability. The Government would continue optimising the quality of local education and initiate more services designed to support entrepreneurship among young people. The recently launched “Thousand Talents Programme” is also part of the Government’s efforts to boost exchanges between young people from the mainland and from Macao. Mr Chui said the Government needed to speed the pace at which it carried out administrative reforms; to press ahead with anti-corruption efforts; to rationalise the Government team; to promote better innovation in public services; and to promote stronger cross-departmental cooperation. Such measures would assist the all round development of Macao. Also present at the briefing session was the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Mr Ho Hau Wa. He reiterated that Macao could push forward its development in the coming five years by taking advantage of the principle “One country, two systems” and the opportunities arising from the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Mr Ho additionally said Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan would promote a better quality of life and tackle long-standing challenges, helping the city to achieve its goal of moderate economic diversification. The Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Li Gang, said the community’s support for the governance of the Chief Executive and the Government – a governance done according to the law – would help overcome any challenges and difficulties, and facilitate the establishment of the “Centre and Platform” policies. Mr Li also said that adhering to the principle of “One country, two systems”, and making use of the advantages available under that principle, would reinforce Macao’s position and functions in relation to the country’s economic development and opening up policy.