The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will visit Guizhou Province, from tomorrow (Tuesday) until 24 May. While there, he will review the Province’s efforts at poverty alleviation and offer any appropriate assistance on behalf of Macao.
Mr Chui and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Zheng Xiaosong, will lead respective delegations to inspect Congjiang County in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. The poverty rate among the Prefecture’s inhabitants is one of the most significant in the country.
As approved by the Central Government, the Macao SAR will join the country’s overall effort on poverty relief. Congjiang County will be a focus of Macao’s assistance, following a suggestion from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.
During the three-day visit, Mr Chui and Mr Zheng will meet officials of the Guizhou government and of Congjiang County. A number of agreements – covering poverty alleviation, education, medical services, talent development and industrial development – are due to be signed by the SAR Government, the Liaison Office and respective local authorities.
The SAR Government’s support is part of a long-term goal to support Congjiang County in eliminating poverty and supporting further, self-sustaining, development.
After initiating poverty alleviation projects, the SAR Government and the Liaison Office will enact a further phase of work according to their respective functions. The preliminary scheme aims to support governmental and community efforts in Congjiang County to reduce poverty. It is expected there will be further participation – from the Macao community as a whole – regarding poverty alleviation.
The SAR Government pledges public funds will be used prudently and there will be appropriate supervision of any funds committed.
The Macao community has a long track record of patriotic action, particularly in terms of standing in unity with cities across the nation during emergencies. Macao has been actively serving the country’s development needs, while delivering on its inherent strengths. The SAR recognises its duty to contribute to the country’s poverty reduction effort.
Over the past years, Macao has been taking part in poverty alleviation efforts on the mainland, such as support in the aftermath of an earthquake that occurred 10 years ago in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province. Such action has helped to promote a close relationship between the places.
The SAR Government expects the Congjiang County poverty alleviation effort will facilitate closer ties between Macao and Guizhou, and complement existing cooperation between the two places via the Pan-Pearl River Delta region initiative.
Guizhou Province is a mountainous landlocked province in China, with a population that includes multiple ethnic minority groups. Poverty reduction in the Province is a major social project of the nation. There are 14 counties in Guizhou Province listed as among the nation’s most impoverished: Congjiang County is one of them. As of the end of 2017, there were 72,322 people in the County classified as impoverished. The county had the highest poverty ratio in Guizhou Province, at 21.92 percent.
Macao officials taking part in the Guizhou visit will include: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the President of the Board of Directors of the Macao Foundation, Mr Wu Zhiliang; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui; and the Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Lou Pak Sang.
While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be acting Chief Executive.