No Secretaries to attend November Policy Address

The Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that no government Secretaries will be attending the Legislative Assembly (AL) session in November when he reviews his governance over the previous five years. He explained that this is because changes will be made regarding the Secretaries in his new government.
Mr Chui said that he made the decision after taking reference of the change of administration in 2009. Since it is only a review in November, Secretaries do not need to debate with lawmakers on government policies. Only in the first quarter next year will he deliver his Policy Address for 2015.
“In the new [government leadership] team, I would like to be able to deliver the Policy Address in March [2015]. In August [next year], I have learnt from my previous experience and will attend the AL to answer lawmakers’ questions before delivering another Policy Address in November”, he stated.
Moreover, the CE said that he is optimistic about the response from central government to a series of requests he made to senior Beijing officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, in their previous meetings. Those requests include the extension of border-crossing hours at the Border Gate checkpoint, 24-hour crossing at the Hengqin checkpoint and the opening of the Zhuhai-Macau Cross Border Industrial Zone checkpoint to more passengers.
“We still have an optimistic attitude towards [the reply] and hope that the central government can give a reply that benefits the management of the borders and helps in channeling the congested passenger flow, especially during the rush hours. I am optimistic, but cannot say when [the reply will come]”, he said.
When asked about the fact that some Ilha Verde residents have expressed their concern regarding the possible security and traffic issues brought by the opening of the Industrial Zone checkpoint, the CE only said that he will continue to listen to public opinion.
The issue of 24-hour border crossing has been discussed for a long time in Macau. Some have suggested that the measure will help to alleviate pressure on the local property market, as some Macau residents and non-resident workers may choose to live in Zhuhai.