‘Good start’ by new Macau administration, Beijing’s point man says on visit

Macau’s “resolute implementation” of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s orders has led to a good start by the new administration, Beijing’s point man on the city’s affairs has said on the second day of a fact-finding mission.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), also said on Friday that Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai’s maiden policy address last month had embodied the “spirit of courage”.

A statement issued by the Macau government quoted Xia as saying that Sam had led the administration in its “resolute implementation” of the “spirit of the important speeches” made by Xi during his visits to Macau and of the central authorities’ decisions.

“Such effort has led to a good start for the new-term government,” Xia was quoted as saying. The policy address had “embodied a spirit of courage and covered a wide range of topics, for which the central authorities express their affirmation and full support”.

During a visit last December to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese administration and swear in Sam, Xi had urged Macau to avoid complacency, strive to attract a broad range of talent and play a bigger role on the international stage.

In his policy address, titled “Innovate to elevate; forge ahead to break new ground”, Sam pledged to continue diversifying Macau’s economy away from gambling, further strengthen development with the Hengqin New Area and safeguard national security.

Hengqin, an island in neighbouring Zhuhai, is jointly managed by the Guangdong and Macau governments.