Sam Hou Fai shares ambitions for building Macau as the ‘perfect home’

The sixth-term Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, has shared his ambition to build Macau as the perfect home, to live up to the trust and expectations of both the Central government and the Macau people.

He was speaking late last week in a media briefing at the Macau International Airport, the Government Information Bureau said.

Sam was returning from Beijing, where he met President Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Central government officials.

He met Premier Li Qiang, who presented him with a decree of the State Council appointing him as the sixth-term CE.

Sam expressed profound appreciation for being received by President Xi and acknowledged his appointment as the sixth-term CE by the Central government.

He said the appointment not only reflects the trust and support granted to him but also embodies the Central government’s concern for the people of Macau and its backing for local development.

Sam specifically highlighted President Xi’s remarks that “One country, two systems” is a beneficial system that aligns with the fundamental interests of both the nation and Macau.

The Central government will continue comprehensively implementing the principles of “One country, two systems,” “Macau people governing Macau,” and a high degree of autonomy, ensuring that these principles remain intact.

Sam said President Xi hoped he could embrace the heavy responsibilities and fulfill his mission of leading the new-term MSAR government.

President Xi hoped Sam could unite all sectors of society and work to create a new chapter in the practice of “One country, two systems” with distinct Macau characteristics, to make greater contributions to the country’s high-quality development and national rejuvenation.

During his meeting with President Xi, Sam said the president also said national security is a fundamental principle and is of utmost importance. It requires the MSAR government to safeguard national sovereignty, security and developmental interests.

He said President Xi also called for the new MSAR Government to create a favorable environment for local economic diversification.

President Xi highlighted the need to fully leverage Macau’s advantages as “One Centre, One Platform, One Base” to participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macau Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

President Xi also expressed concern regarding elderly care, childcare, education and healthcare, urging the new MSAR government to consider measures to ensure the public could enjoy equitable, precise and targeted social welfare.

Sam said he was fully committed to implementing President Xi’s important directives.

Sam aims to improve the national security legal framework to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges, thereby reinforcing national security without compromise.

Sam promised to unite Macau to enhance governance capabilities and standards, improve people’s livelihoods, promote economic diversification, and better contribute to national development to build a better home for Macau people.

The Central government fully supports the new CE and government in leveraging Macau’s position and advantages to better contribute to national development while playing a more active role in China’s opening to the outside world.

New gov’t officials list within this month

Sam said he is organizing the new government but has not yet chosen candidates for the principal positions.

He said he is listening to opinions and engaging with people and aims to submit a list of principal officials to the Central government this month.

He said loyalty to the nation and the MSAR, support for the Basic Law, patriotism, dedication to duty, and integrity are essential for anyone serving as a principal official.

Furthermore, candidates must earn the trust of the Central government and the recognition of local people.

“They must possess national awareness, a commitment to public welfare, a sense of responsibility, a spirit of teamwork, governance capabilities and integrity,” Sam said.

He said that once the Central government appoints the principal officials, they will start working to prepare next year’s policy address by “refining certain campaign platform elements into key priorities for governance.”

Focus on enhancing livelihood and diversification

Sam said the main focus will be on enhancing livelihoods, promoting economic diversification, advancing high-quality development in the next phase of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, improving public governance capabilities and standards, and perfecting the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security.

Speaking of people’s livelihoods, he said attention should continue to be given to post-pandemic recovery, support for the underprivileged, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Regarding economic diversification, Sam is considering promoting an industrial fund led by the government.

The fund will guide the development of high-tech industries while creating conditions to encourage international high-end talent to remain in Macau and further develop the cultural and tourism sectors.

Sam also said public administration reform, optimization, and restructuring will be conducted step by step to improve overall civil service awareness and proactivity in delivering efficient public administrative services to citizens.