Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Director Fu Ziying said Tuesday that Macau’s development was “inseparable” from the mainland, adding that the central government “highly valued and cared” about Macau.
Fu made the remarks while delivering a speech at a meeting of local deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and local members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the liaison office in Zape.
Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, Legislative Assembly (AL) President Ho Iat Seng, and CPPCC National Committee Vice-Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah also attended the about two-hour meeting which was open to the media.
Fu also said he hoped that the local NPC deputies and CPPCC members from various social sectors will deepen their sense of responsibility and learn and comprehend the spirit of the recent NPC and CPPCC National Committee sessions, adding that they should also actively promote Macau’s development, participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), which would bring new opportunities to Macau for economic and social improvement, as well as build a solid foundation for Macau’s long-term stability and prosperity.
Fu also referred to the “four supports” mentioned by Vice Premier Han Zheng concerning Macau during a recent meeting with Macau’s NPC deputies in Beijing, namely to support Macau in exercising its own advantages and exploring new room for development; to support Macau to diversify its economy and promote industries such as tourism and the exhibition sector; to support Macau residents to enjoy a “sense of acquisition” in building the GBA; and to support Macau to improve its people’s livelihood and to accelerate the construction of infrastructure.
In order to implement these four points, Fu said Macau should “actively work hard” in the following five elements:
(1) To promote Macau’s involvement in the GBA development.
Fu said that promoting the development of the GBA was a national strategy “planned, deployed and promoted” by President Xi Jinping, adding that for Macau, participating in the BRI project and GBA development was an important responsibility given by the nation, as well as a major opportunity to accelerate Macau’s economic transformation.
(2) To well celebrate the 70th anniversary of the PRC and 20th anniversary of the MSAR
Fu said that Macau needed to well celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR). Fu pointed out that the 70th anniversary of the PRC would enable Macau people to “deeply comprehend the great achievements the country has made”, adding that the 20th MSAR anniversary was to promote Macau’s great changes after its return, and to show the “superiority and vitality” of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
(3) To actively support the transition to a new government in Macau
Fu pointed out that the Macau government has set up the Chief Executive Electoral Affairs Commission which already has released a preliminary agenda. Fu said he hoped that all social sectors will support this matter and also support the current administration to fulfil its duties during its remaining term, and fully support the next chief executive and government, in order to “consolidate” and “develop” what Macau has achieved.
(4) To take care of the growing-up patriotic youths
Fu also stressed that Macau should help the next generation nurture “rightful values” and inherit the “Love the Country, Love Macau” tradition, and create opportunities to help them succeed, adding that Macau should promote its young generation to participate in the setting-up of “one centre, one platform, one base” and the development of Macau’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) science and technology platform, as well as the GBA development.
‘One centre, one platform, one base’
“One centre” refers to Macau’s aim to become a world centre for tourism and leisure; “one platform” refers to the economic and trade cooperation platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries; “one base” refers to the base of multiple cultures’ co-existence with Chinese culture as the mainstream.
(5) To promote Macau’s ‘social harmony and stability’
For Macau’s betterment, Fu pointed out that it needs a “harmonious and stable” social environment. Fu said he hoped that the NPC deputies and CPPCC members will act as a “communication bridge” between the public and the government, and strengthen communication and thereby reinforce unity.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On said that Macau needed to combine the spirit of the recent NPC and CPPCC National Committee sessions and President Xi’s expectations for Macau, as well as to combine the spirit of the “two sessions” and well implement Macau’s current agenda.
Chui pointed out that during the two sessions in the national capital, Macau was mentioned many times in the central government work report, which showed the central government’s support and care for Macau.
Chui also pointed out that Macau would continue to develop the GBA, and strengthen Macau’s position as a central city in the GBA conurbation.
Chui further underlined that Macau would implement the 49 items related to Macau mentioned in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA through the coordination by the Working Committee for the Construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
Former chief executive Edmund Ho said that the central government expected Macau to have a “unified and stable” social environment, adding that the local NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members were the “backbone” of the “Love the Country, Love Macau” force, and “any word or anything” that was “harmful” to the unity and stability should not be “said or done”.
Edmund Ho also said he was confident that the local government will carry out a smooth chief executive election, adding he believed that Macau people have the “intelligence and capability” to elect a candidate who matches the central government’s requirements.
Ho also said he believed the new chief executive will unify civil society, implement the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, and lead Macau to “new glory”.(Macaunews)
