The Macao Special Administrative Region government started a one-month consultation period on Monday to gather opinions from members of the public concerning the drafting of the 2027 Policy Address.

Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai is slated to deliver the policy address at the Legislative Assembly in November.

During the feedback-gathering period, which runs until September 23, residents can inform the SAR government about their concerns by phone, fax, or email, according to a statement from the Macao Government Information Bureau on Sunday.

The statement underlined that residents’ extensive participation in offering views on the SAR government’s policy guidelines for next year is of significant importance for Macao’s sustained development.

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It said that the government is “sincerely inviting” residents from various segments of civil society to offer constructive opinions and suggestions on the policy address.

Sam has been gathering opinions concerning the drafting of his 2027 Policy Address from various segments of civil society since earlier this month. He started this process on August 14 when he held a meeting with all the members of the city’s Legislative Assembly.

For this purpose, according to separate GCS statements, Sam held separate meetings on Thursday with Macao’s 12 deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), and with some of the Macao members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), as well as some of the Macao members of provincial-level CPPCC committees.

Sam also met on Friday with senior members of 16 associations representing the city’s business sector, including the influential Macao Chamber of Commerce (ACM).

Sam hears views from NPC deputies

During his meeting with the 12 Macao deputies to the NPC, Sam said that the SAR government will draft the 2027 Policy Address based on two key pillars. The first one aims to enhance residents’ well-being across various fields such as business and employment, social welfare, social services, transport infrastructure, and urban renewal.

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The second aims to enhance Macao’s ability to tackle internal and external challenges and risks, and to ensure its sustainable economic development. Sam pledged the SAR government’s commitment to advancing Macao’s appropriate economic diversification, deepening Macao-Hengqin integration, and strengthening Macao’s capacity to withstand various risks, including those related to national security and natural disasters.

Meeting with CPPCC members

During his meeting with the Macao members of the CPPCC National Committee and the Macao members of provincial-level CPPCC committees, Sam underlined the SAR government’s commitment to raising Macao’s ability to tackle internal and external challenges and risks, strengthening the city’s competitiveness, and enhancing residents’ sense of happiness and security.

Sam also reaffirmed the SAR government’s dedicated efforts to advance Macao’s appropriate economic diversification, with its four future large-scale projects and a government guidance fund as key drivers.

Meeting with business sector

During his meeting with the business representatives, Sam acknowledged the business sector’s important role in Macao’s socioeconomic development. Sam said that views from various business sectors can help the government better plan Macao’s sustainable development and enhance its ability to tackle various risks and challenges.

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Sam said that the SAR government’s drawing-up of Macao’s 3rd Five-Year Plan, which outlines the city’s positions and roles assigned by the nation, is an important innovative initiative to integrate Macao’s development into the nation’s overall development.

Sam also urged Macao’s different business sectors to make greater contributions to the SAR government’s implementation of the various tasks and targets listed by the 3rd Five-Year Plan.

The Macau Post Daily is a media partner of China Daily.