The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Mr Xia Baolong, met on Wednesday (4 March) with the Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, who is in Beijing for the opening meeting today of the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
Director Xia stated that under the leadership of Mr Sam, the governing team of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) has resolutely implemented the directions in President Xi Jinping’s important speeches on Hong Kong and Macao affairs, and the Central Government’s policies and decisions.
The MSAR has demonstrated determination in reform, pursued progress with vigour, firmly safeguarded national security, advanced public administration reform, and actively participated in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, achieving new progress in various fields, noted Director Xia.
In December last year, President Xi, while listening to the Chief Executive’s duty report, stressed the need for Macao to align proactively with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, noted Director Xia. The upcoming fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress will review the draft outline of this plan. Director Xia expressed confidence that the MSAR Government and all sectors of society will seize the opportunity the plan presents, keep the nation’s overall development in view, and – with the realities of Macao’s situation in mind – formulate effectively the Third Five-Year Plan for Social and Economic Development of the MSAR.
Director Xia called for continued adherence to, and improvement of, the executive-led system of governance, ongoing enhancement of governance in accordance with the law, and more proactive efforts to advance appropriate economic diversification – particularly the development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. In doing those things, Macao can further demonstrate its role as “One Centre, One Platform, One Base” and itself achieve greater development through integration into national development, and greater service towards its progress.
The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to Director Xia for the care he has shown for Macao and his guidance to the MSAR Government. Mr Sam said that over the past year, with strong support from the Central Government, the sixth-term MSAR Government has worked in unity with all sectors of Macao society to advance steadily its policy agenda, achieving a smooth and stable start, and delivered innovative breakthroughs and tangible results in multiple areas, resulting in a positive overall development trajectory.
The MSAR Government will continue to rally society, fully implement the requirements in President Xi’s important speeches and instructions, proactively align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and formulate and implement Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan for Social and Economic Development.
The MSAR Government will continue to uphold and improve the executive-led system, while focusing on the two main pillars of public-administration reform and economic diversification, demonstrating courage in policy transformation and innovation.
The MSAR Government will strive to enhance the development of the “1+4” strategy for industrial diversification, advance in an orderly manner the construction of four major infrastructure projects, and work more actively with Guangdong to plan the second phase of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. In doing so, Macao will continue to write a new chapter in the successful practising of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics.
Mr Sam stressed that the MSAR will unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. By fully leveraging the strengths of the “One country, two systems” principle and Macao’s unique advantages, Macao will deepen its integration into, and contribution to, the nation’s development, living up to the expectations of President Xi and the Central Government.
Officials also present at the meeting were: Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and Deputy Director in charge of daily affairs at the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Nong Rong; and the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Chan Kak.
