The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Sunday congratulated Sam Hou-fai on his election as sixth-term chief executive-designate of Macao after garnering 394 votes from the 400-strong election committee.

Pending approval by the central government, Sam, 62, is set to succeed incumbent Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng, serving a five-year term starting from December 20.

The voting, which kicked off at around 10 am, ended within 30 minutes, with 398 members casting their ballots at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex. 

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In a statement, the office said the successful conclusion of the election at a time when the city marked the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland, showed Macao’s genuine upholding of “one country, two systems” and its staunch confidence in its development path and the achievements made in the past 25 years since its return to the motherland.

Sam’s election fully manifested Macao society’s wide recognition of his integrity, ability, philosophy and style as it keenly aspires, under the leadership of the new chief executive, to scale new heights, the office said. 

It added that Macao’s recognition and support for Sam lies in his firm patriotism and his long-standing devotion for the city. Sam was also recognized for his ability to unite Macao and his pragmatic approach to concentrate on development, people-centered election pledges, steadfast upholding of national security and his grit in instituting reforms.

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The office expressed its full confidence that the new chief executive of Macao, with the strong backing of the country, will live up to people’s high hopes and unite society to build a better future for the city and make greater contributions to the nation’s modernization and rejuvenation cause.