Experts call for shared responsibility, long-term Hengqin view

[Photo: Renato Marques]

Macau’s new Five-Year Plan is now in place after months of consultation, with experts urging stakeholders to take responsibility for its success and advising job seekers to look beyond short-term pay when considering employment opportunities in Hengqin.

The Third Five-Year Plan prioritizes Macau-Hengqin integration, aiming to raise the zone’s four pillar industries to 65% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 through regulatory alignment, infrastructure connectivity, and four major projects.

In a CCTV interview, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Wong Sio Chak, reportedly said the government would fully commit to the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin’s second phase, focusing on people’s livelihoods and industrial development.

On public broadcaster TDM’s radio program, president of the Macao Political Economy Research Association Samuel Tong and assistant professor and program coordinator at the University of Macau Chan Kin Sun, who is also the Master in Public Administration Academic Qualifications Coordinator, were invited to interpret the Third Five-Year Plan.

During the program, a young listener expressed concern that Macau youth lacked sufficient information about employment opportunities in Hengqin, which had deterred graduates from seeking jobs there.

The scholars responded by reminding young people that when considering employment in Hengqin, they should not focus solely on short-term salaries but should assess opportunities from a long-term perspective, evaluating the development potential of different industries and seizing the opportunities presented by broader trends.

They noted that young people often feel confused when facing career choices, and suggested that career guidance should be introduced earlier, beginning in high school, to help students understand their interests and make informed career choices. The scholars also advised young people to obtain more professional certifications to build a solid foundation for their future careers.

On the topic of addressing Macau’s declining birthrate through a comprehensive service approach, Chan linked the issue to youth career stability, noting that career planning directly affects decisions to have children.

He observed that the rapidly changing economic environment had left many young people uncertain about their future job security, leading them to adopt a more cautious approach to family planning. He suggested that the various chapters of the plan should be better aligned, with clear roadmaps for population and childcare-related initiatives. He also reminded society to take note of cultural shifts in attitudes toward childbearing, as the younger generation’s views on family and parenthood differ significantly from those of previous generations, making cultural guidance equally important.

Tong agreed, stating that only when the economy continues to improve, providing young people with stable jobs and income and a clear outlook on the future, would families be more willing to consider having children. He added that beyond economic conditions, improving childcare services and other supporting measures was also crucial.

Offering their analysis of the plan, the duo noted that it was the result of extensive consultation and input from all sectors of society – not just government planning, but a collective societal effort.

Tong said: “Implementation is a very clear key task. The question is how to get everyone to play their part – including how responsibilities are divided within the government, and how to bring together the strength and wisdom of all sectors of society to jointly work towards and achieve the goals of the Third Five-Year Plan.” He stressed that achieving the plan’s objectives would require every sector to take ownership of its role.

Chan observed that the changes between the consultation draft and the final text were substantial, indicating that the government had thoroughly incorporated public feedback. He noted that the plan’s structure was progressively structured, reflecting the government’s responsiveness to societal input.

In line with the Third Five-Year Plan, the government has unveiled the 2026–2035 10-Year Action Plan for Elderly Services, which sets out 96 action strategies centered on holistic health, smart technology, the silver economy, and age-friendly inclusive environments. In the 2026–2027 phase, 104 specific implementation measures have been rolled out under 77 strategies, covering four focal areas: physical and mental wellness, active aging, diversified service supply, and social inclusion.

The plan also supports a cross-border elderly care pilot scheme to provide more options for seniors interested in retiring on the mainland, while committing to regular reviews of pension adjustments to ensure the continued quality of life for the elderly.

Addressing listeners’ concerns over cross-border elderly care, Chan noted that “the integration of elderly care services between Macau and Hengqin, and the alignment of standards, is an inevitable development trend.” He said that while the government may not directly fund the construction of elderly homes in Hengqin, it had invited Macau associations to provide multilayered elderly care services there, and expressed confidence that services would continue to improve in the future.