Macau-Guangdong Union showcases key attractions to foster a ‘Happier Macau’

Running in the upcoming eighth Legislative Assembly direct election, the Macau-Guangdong Union described its campaign team as embodying “three new attractions,” while championing the core principle that “Macau deserves greater happiness.”

For its fifth participation in the Legislative Assembly direct elections, the electoral group announced that it will continue to deepen its roots in Macau and serve its residents with a fresh lineup, innovative initiatives, and a renewed spirit, all aimed at advancing the development of Macau’s economy and improving residents’ livelihoods.

The Macau-Guangdong Union held a policy platform launch press conference on Friday.

The group fielded 14 candidates, with former sixth-term government-appointed legislator Joey Lao and Lee Koi Ian serving as the first and second candidates, respectively.

The core principle of the Macau-Guangdong Union’s political platform is “A Happier Macau,” which aims to transform citizens’ fundamental aspirations into a pragmatic agenda.

According to Lao, the platform focuses on five key areas: “a more vibrant economy, more sustainable livelihoods, more coordinated Macau-Guangdong cooperation, greater hope for youth, and more efficient social governance,” effectively addressing the needs of all age groups, from infants to seniors.

At a press conference, the electoral group unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of Macau residents, with key proposals including linking pensions to the cost-of-living index and increasing senior citizen allowances.

According to its manifesto, the group also seeks to promote the portability of medical and social security benefits with mainland China, enhance healthcare service standards, and reduce waiting times.

In a bid to balance public and private healthcare systems, it plans to encourage government procurement of medical services from nonprofit and private institutions, thereby alleviating pressure on public healthcare.

With a view to creating more quality employment opportunities for youth, the electoral group aims to establish clear career development policies for local residents, urging large-scale enterprises to provide more promotion opportunities.

Additionally, it proposes the “Macau Youth First Employment Subsidy Scheme,” which would offer local employers a monthly subsidy of MOP5,000 for hiring recent graduates for up to 18 months.

As part of efforts to further strengthen collaborative development between the Macau and Guangdong governments, the group proposes reducing cross-border vehicle insurance premiums. This measure aims to make cross-border travel more affordable and accessible, facilitating greater interaction and cooperation between the two regions.

Lao emphasized that for the economy to achieve greater and more stable progress, it must promote “more dynamic economic development.” He asserted that his group’s campaign platform is not just a slogan; it reflects the fundamental aspirations of Macau’s citizens.

To ensure comprehensive input, he announced the establishment of a “focus group” that will collaborate with various sectors of society to draft their policy platform. This initiative will involve hosting multiple forums and visiting residential areas to gather feedback from residents and businesses.

His fellow candidate, Lee, emphasized leveraging the advantage of Macau’s “one country, two systems” principle to enhance the development model of “Macau platform + international resources + Hengqin space + shared outcomes.” According to him, this approach aims to deepen cooperation between Macau and Guangdong comprehensively, encouraging Guangdong enterprises to establish “international headquarters” in Macau and pool resources for overseas expansion.