Political and community leaders in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions on Sunday congratulated Sam Hou-fai on his election as the Macao SAR’s next chief executive.
Sam – former president of Macao’s Court of Final Appeal – garnered 394 votes from members of the 400-strong Election Committee in the city’s sixth-term chief executive poll as the sole candidate.
In his congratulatory message to the incoming leader, incumbent Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng said Sam’s political platform has won broad recognition and support from all walks of life, expressing his full confidence in the 62-year-old former top judge in effectively leading the government and the community to steadily advance “one country, two systems” and promote the city’s next phase of development.
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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Sam has “remained committed to serving Macao over the years and made immense contributions”.
Citing the two SARs’ close geographical ties, cultural roots, deep bonds and solid economic and trade relations, Lee said he has every confidence in working closely with Sam in the future to achieve complementarity and mutual benefits for both cities, giving full play to their strengths in serving the country’s needs and making new and greater contributions to building a great nation and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
Chan Meng-kam, who heads the Fukien Natives General Association of Macao, said Sam’s victory reflects the choice of Macao people.
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Noting Sam’s efforts to engage with residents and take the pulse of the community during his election campaign, Chan said he believes the incoming leader can unite various sectors of society and lead Macao in opening new chapters for its development.
Chan is confident that the new-term Macao SAR government will adopt a problem-oriented, systematic form of governance in taking care of people’s livelihood and make every effort to improve the business environment and resolve deep-seated conflicts, giving full play to the city’s role in the nation’s reform and open-up.
Members of the Macao Election Committee also have high hopes for Sam in leading Macao to further progress in areas like economic diversification and governance transparency and efficiency, boosting childbearing and providing caring for children, young people and the elderly.
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Lee Cheong-cheng, chairman of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions, said he expects the new-term government to improve employment prospects and safeguard labor rights.
Vong Kuoc-ieng, who represents the education sector in the committee, urged the new-term SAR government to take more initiatives to encourage childbearing.
ALSO READ: Macao CE poll hailed as embodiment of 'one country, two systems'
U Seng-pan from the committee’s professional sector would like the chief executive-elect to vigorously attract foreign professionals in management to deal with Macao’s shortage of talents in four emerging industries -- sci-tech research and high-end manufacturing; traditional Chinese medicine; cultural tourism, convention and exhibitions; and modern finance.
