The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today said concerted effort across Macao society was the answer to any adversity and any challenge that might lie ahead, and would help in the pursuit of better livelihoods for people community-wide.

In his message for the Lunar New Year, delivered on the eve of the Year of the Ox, Mr Ho said the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government would, with the help of concerted effort from the Macao community, devote unrelenting effort to epidemic prevention and control, and speed up the task of economic recovery.

The Government would additionally dedicate utmost effort to accelerating adequate economic diversification, and to enhancing incessantly governance capabilities, so as to serve the public, while also advancing projects relating to people’s livelihoods, he added.

Via use of Macao’s unique bridging roles, the Government would step up effort to seize opportunities arising from the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, and pragmatically integrate Macao with overall national development. The Government would spare no effort in making use of the city’s unique advantages, in order to take part in the “dual circulation” development pattern for the country’s economy, and to contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Ho added.

The Chief Executive shared thoughts on his belief that the steadfast adherence to respectively, the principles of “One country, two systems”; “Macao people governing Macao”; and a high degree of autonomy; would guide the city in tackling adversity and challenge, and in making Macao a better home for its inhabitants.

In his speech, Mr Ho said that the past year had been arduous, with the COVID-19 pandemic having serious effects globally and locally in terms of the economy, and people’s day-to-day lives; and also in terms of the Macao SAR Government’s work. Thanks to strong support from the Central Government, and the collective effort of the local community, Macao had been able to maintain socio-economic stability.

Mr Ho took the opportunity to thank again the front-line workers involved in anti-epidemic efforts, for their dedication. It had helped Macao achieve good preliminary results in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

On behalf of the Government, the Chief Executive wished the whole community a joyful, healthy and prosperous Year of the Ox.

The Chief Executive also extended his sincere thanks to all those workers – in the private and public sectors – involved in keeping essential services operating during the holidays.