Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng’s 2020 Policy Address on Monday focused on social welfare, job creation and institutional reform.
Ho, who took office on December 20, 2019, delivered his first policy address at the Legislative Assembly Monday afternoon.
He pointed out that this year saw the start of the fifth-term Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government, and the country and Macau residents have new expectations and requirements for the MSAR government.
The Chief Executive vowed to firmly implement the policy of “One Country, Two Systems” and “Macau people governing Macau” with a high degree of autonomy, safeguard the authority of the country’s Constitution and the Macau Basic Law as well as the central government’s overall jurisdiction over the MSAR.
Ho said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought severe challenges to the local government and society, and the government has given top priority to the safety and health of Macau residents and taken a series of measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
He said his government will put forward a series of measures, such as reducing taxes and fees, implementing public and infrastructure programs, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to ensure sufficient supply for people’s livelihoods and employment, and stabilise the economy.
He called on the government and all sectors of the society to have stronger confidence and maintain strategic focus so as to cope with the existing difficulties and challenges.
A press conference was held at Government Headquarters after the policy address, where Ho answered questions from the media.
The Chief Executive will also attend a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to explain the policy address and answer questions from members of the Legislative Assembly.
The government’s five policy secretaries will present their 2020 policy guidelines to the Legislative Assembly in the following weeks.
(Xinhua News Agency/The Macau Post Daily)
PHOTO © Xinhua News Agency
