The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today called for unremitting effort from members of the Macao public in order for them to assist diligently the Government in implementing its strategy of “preventing imported cases and a rebound of the epidemic”, and of normalisation of epidemic control measures in day-to-day life.

In his New Year Message, Mr Ho expressed confidence that Macao would eventually win its own fight in the overall battle against the pandemic, thanks to the city’s increasing capabilities in public health services and the launch of COVID-19 vaccines.

Mr Ho said he believed, with the strong support of the Central Government and concerted effort from the Macao public, that the city would overcome challenges and achieve new development, as well as progress in terms of the successful implementation of “One country, two systems” with Macao characteristics.

The year 2020 had been arduous, with the COVID-19 pandemic seriously affecting the lives of people worldwide, the Chief Executive stated. Thanks to the collective effort from the public, Macao had been able to maintain socio-economic stability, achieve fresh progress and improve people’s livelihoods.

The year 2021 offered opportunity as well as likely challenge, with adversity and hope likely to coexist, Mr Ho said.

In the coming calendar year, the Government would diligently and comprehensively uphold the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important instructions outlined during his visit to Macao in 2019, Mr Ho stressed. The Government would make further effort to fulfil its constitutional responsibility – under the “One country, two systems” principle and the Basic Law – to safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, he said.

The Chief Executive noted the Macao SAR Government would strive to seize opportunities pragmatically in order to realise initiatives outlined in the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2021. Such initiatives were designed to boost economic recovery, facilitate economic diversification, deepen reform of public administration and build a liveable, smart city.

In terms of the city’s integration with overall national development, Macao would closely align with the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, making use of the city’s unique advantages to take part in the “dual circulation” development pattern for the country’s economy, and contributing to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Ho said.

In the coming 12 months, the Government would spare no effort in optimising its work to better local people’s livelihoods, ensuring employment for Macao residents, and solving issues relating to housing, transport and healthcare, in a phased manner, the Chief Executive said. The Government would work to maintain Macao’s patriotic society, while strengthening youth services.

In addition, the SAR Government would ensure the efficient organisation of the seventh Legislative Assembly election next year, to make sure it would be conducted in a fair, impartial and open manner. This would help to consolidate the political foundation for developing a patriotic society, he added.

In his New Year Message, the Chief Executive extended to the Macao public his sincere good wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year.