CE: Macao’s every stride forward relies on steadfast support from the motherland

MACAU, October 1 - Macao’s every stride forward relies on the steadfast care, unwavering support, and uplifting embrace of the motherland, said today the Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai. Looking to the future, Macao will embrace greater boldness and a more forward-thinking mindset, in order comprehensively to deepen reform, whilst balancing high-quality development with high-level security, he added.

Mr Sam’s remarks were made during a speech at a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The reception was hosted by the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government at 9.30am at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex.

The event was attended by about 1,200 guests. They included: Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Zheng Xincong; former chief executives of the MSAR, Mr Chui Sai On and Mr Ho Iat Seng; Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, Mr Cheng Lei; the Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison, Mr Chen Wensheng; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Cheong Weng Chon; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Ms Song Man Lei.

Also in attendance were: principal officials of the MSAR Government; members of the Executive Council; members of the Legislative Assembly; Macao’s delegates respectively to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and leading officials of public departments; people from across the community; and teacher and student representatives who recently participated in “Salute to the National Flag” events in Beijing.

In his speech, Mr Sam said that since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in achieving a historic leap from poverty and deprivation to moderate prosperity in all respects, with a heroic spirit that has transformed the nation. In doing so, it has created miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

Looking at China today, innovation and vitality are flourishing, and the country’s comprehensive national strength has surged, the Chief Executive noted. The country is closer to, and more confident and capable of, achieving the grand goal of national rejuvenation than at any other time in history, he added.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This has also been a crucial year for the MSAR to open up new horizons amidst changing dynamics, and to strive for breakthroughs through unremitting endeavours, Mr Sam said in his speech.

He added that Macao will thoroughly apply the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speeches, actively and closely aligning with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, pooling wisdom and consensus from all sectors of Macao for development, and implementing the Third Five-Year Plan of the MSAR.

Meanwhile, guided by the four explicit requirements put forward by President Xi for Macao, the MSAR will closely focus on the two main axes of public administration reform and appropriate economic diversification. The MSAR Government will also earnestly advance and implement various governance tasks, striving to break new ground in the high-quality development of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics, Mr Sam said.

In his speech, the Chief Executive mentioned the MSAR Government’s earnest effort to push forward public administration reform and its commitment to enhancing governance efficacy. He also mentioned the work to make solid progress in promoting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification, as well as the comprehensive development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Mr Sam highlighted the commitment to leveraging Macao’s unique advantage in terms of its integration with domestic structures and its external, international connectivity, in order fully to advance the high-quality development of the MSAR. He also referred to the need unswervingly to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests; build an ironclad defence to ensure national security and social stability; and to remain committed to the principle of governance for the people, striving to enhance public well-being and building a “Blissful Macao”.

Mr Sam said the tides of the times are reshaping – in unprecedented breadth and depth – the global order. Confronted by profound transformations and complex challenges regarding internal and external development environments, Macao must maintain its strategic composure, accurately identify changes, scientifically adapt to changes, and proactively shape change.

Macao must have the courage to venture beyond comfort zones and into deep waters, the Chief Executive said, learning to forge resilience amidst trials and tribulations, while striving to pioneer new frontiers amidst a changing paradigm.

Looking ahead, the MSAR Government will anchor its strategy upon the dual pillars of “people-centred” meticulous governance and the “prevention and mitigation of internal and external risks and challenges”, aiming to achieve sustainable development through the effective handling of risk, whilst enhancing comprehensive competitiveness by stimulating market vitality, Mr Sam said.

He added that, by enhancing residents’ well-being, the MSAR Government is determined to improve their sense of contentment. It will strive to elevate to new heights the MSAR’s work across all sectors, while remaining dedicated to demonstrating greater accomplishments on the grand journey of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation, making every effort to script a glorious new chapter for the successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics.

Earlier this morning, at 8am, the Chief Executive and circa 600 guests attended a National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square. Guests included: principal officials of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR; leading officials of the Legislative Assembly and of the judiciary; principal officials of the MSAR Government; members of the Executive Council; members of the Legislative Assembly; people from all walks of life; and teacher and student representatives who recently participated in “Salute to the National Flag” events in Beijing.

The Public Security Police Force ceremonial guard and the security forces’ drill team took part in today’s flag-raising ceremony, adopting Chinese-style ceremonial procedures for the first time.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.