President visit | Day 2 : Gov’t sworn in, Xi calls for diversification, warns of development risks

The fourth term of the Chief Executive and the governance team of Macau SAR was inaugurated Saturday morning, with the re-appointed CE Chui Sai On, new principal officials and Executive Councilors all sworn in.
Chinese president Xi Jinping, who administered the oath of office, addressed four aspirations for the MSAR government. He urged Macau to diversify its economy to ensure sustainable development in a city that relies on casino gambling for more than 80 percent of revenue.
“Macau’s economy has developed rapidly in the past years, but certain deep-seated problems have surfaced and development risks have built up,” Xi said at the new government’s inauguration. Macau should deepen its reforms and “push for a healthy economic and social development,” he said.
Xi noted that Beijing expects the government to “do a good job” in enhancing law-based governance, overall planning for economic diversification, consolidating social harmony and strengthening education.
Repeating warnings he made on the first day of his visit (see article on page 2), he said that the evolving situation and people’s expectations have raised new and higher demands for the governance of MSAR, and that the new administration needs to “make vigorous efforts to enhance the ability and quality of law-based governance.”
“Efforts should be made to build a diligent, clean, efficient and fair government under the rule of law, and ensure that decision-making and policy implementation are carried out in accordance with the law,” he elaborated. “We need to strengthen the ranks of public officials, enhance their regulation and improve their ability to perform their duties in accordance with the law.”
In addition to emphasizing the use of “law-based thinking and approach” for governance, Xi urged that a complete set of institutions and legal systems need to be formed and improved, in support of the implementation of MSAR’s Basis Law. The training of sufficient professionals “who are familiar with the Basic Law and possess strong legal expertise” is another priority, whilst “increasing the public awareness of the rule of law” and “encouraging them to safeguard law-
based order.”
The goal of an overall plan to promote diversified and sustainable economic development in Macau was also emphasized in the president’s address, as “certain deep-seated problems formed over the years have surfaced, and development risks have built up to some extent,” he warned.
“Macau needs to enhance top-level planning and specify concrete steps and measures for progress. It needs to come up with greater courage and wisdom to solve difficult problems in its development, strengthen and improve regulation and supervision over the gaming industry, and nurture new growth areas for its economy,” he suggested.
The president also stressed the necessity for Macau to make good use of the preferential policies and measures put forward by the Central Government, so as to deepen its cooperation with the mainland, particularly with Guangdong Province and the Pan-Pearl River Delta region.
“It is important for Macau to adopt a global, nationwide, future-oriented and long-term perspective, formulate appropriate plans and blueprints for its development and promote sound economic and social development,” he said.
Referring to the atmosphere of social harmony and stability in Macau, the president said that both the government and people from all walks of life “must doubly cherish and do everything they can to safeguard” it.
“The MSAR government needs to put people first by learning more about people’s lives and needs and addressing their concerns and difficulties. It needs to properly respond to diverse demands in the society, balance the interests of various sides and foster a more equitable and just social environment,” he stressed, adding that people should be ensured better access to the fruits of development and a higher happiness index.
Last but not least, the government should continue to promote education to pass on the tradition of patriotism and to ensure that the great cause of “one country, two systems” can be carried on, as the younger generation is the hope of Macau and the nation.
Mr Xi reiterated that the principle of “one country, two systems” is a fundamental state policy that cannot be compromised under any circumstances, which means that the “one China” principle must be upheld while respecting the differences of the two systems.
The re-appointed CE Chui Sai On said Xi’s comments will set the direction for the future of Macau, and that his administration will continue to prioritize the adjustment of the city’s economic structure. He added that his new administration would stick to the principle of “putting people first” and evidence-based decision-making, while enhancing the government’s accountability, the legal system and mechanisms for anti-corruption. Chui also thanked the Central People’s Government for its decision to give another pair of giant pandas to Macau and to initiate the relevant procedures in granting Macau jurisdiction over its customary waters.
Over 1,200 guests attended the inauguration ceremony, where they listened to Xi Jinping’s address. Many of them posed for photographs with a special backdrop to mark the occasion.
Xi’s two-day visit wrapped up Saturday afternoon with a visit to the University of Macau’s new campus located in Hengqin Island. MDT/Agencies

macau cautioned against foreign forces

On Saturday Chinese president Xi Jinping urged Macau to guard against interference by what he called hostile external forces, following the prolonged pro-democracy protests in nearby Hong Kong. Beijing has accused foreign forces of fostering the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement in Hong Kong. In a message apparently aimed at Hong Kong, Xi said Macau has properly obeyed the “one country, two systems” policy and the Basic Law governing the special administrative region. Xi said Macau should combine Beijing’s authority with its own autonomy to ensure it walks on the “right path.” “Otherwise, it will be the left foot wearing a right-foot shoe, and the mistake will breed wrongs,” Xi said.