Macao’s Chief Executive-elect Sam Hou-fai pledged on Saturday to make every effort to carry out President Xi Jinping’s directives, saying he’s confident of uniting the city to create a better Macao.

He also said he hopes to submit a list of names of principal officials of his incoming administration to the central government within this month.

Sam spoke on his return to the special administrative region from Beijing a day after he was formally appointed by the State Council as the six-term chief executive of the Macao SAR, and was received by Xi.

During the meeting with Sam, Xi praised the incoming Macao leader for his firm stance to love the country and Macao, conscientiously fulfilling his duties, and contributing to Macao’s prosperity and stability during his long tenure as president of the SAR’s Court of Final Appeal.

Sam said the president pledged that the central authorities will remain committed to fully and faithfully implementing “one country, two systems” under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy.

He said Xi has placed the responsibility on him to be proactive, uphold the fundamental principles and break new ground, effectively implement the “one country, two systems” principle, safeguard national security, and promote Macao’s diversified economic development.

Xi’s expectations of Sam also include the unwavering implementation of “one country, two systems”, promoting the appropriately diversified development of Macao’s economy, especially by continuing to integrate into the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and carrying out the second development phase for the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin island, as well as safeguarding national sovereignty and national security under the new international situation.

On livelihood, Sam said the president urged him to concentrate on ensuring the well-being of the elderly, healthcare, childcare, transportation, sanitation and education, reflecting equitable, precise, and targeted social welfare policies.

Expressing his gratitude to the central government for its trust in, and expectations of him, Sam said he’s confident of his resolve to lead the new Macao SAR government in uniting various sectors of the community to accurately, faithfully, and thoroughly implement “one country, two systems”, safeguard national sovereignty, safety and development interests, vigorously improve people’s livelihood, and promote economy diversification to better integrate Macao into national development and build a better Macao.

In choosing his governing team, Sam said candidates should not only meet the fundamental criteria, such as earning the central government’s trust, gaining public acceptance, loving the country and Macao, being loyal to the nation and Macao, and having an awareness of the broader national context, but also possess team spirit, empathy for the people, and governance capabilities and proficiency, as well as the courage and sense of responsibility to directly confront Macao’s existing issues.

Chan Hong, a Macao deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, said Sam's appointment by the central government shows the nation's full support for him, as well as the superiority of the Macao SAR's electoral system.  

She told China Daily that, with the central government's backing and the cooperation of all Macao residents, Sam will definitely fulfill his mission and lead the city in breaking breakthroughs in various aspects. Chan, who also heads the Chinese Educators Association of Macao, added that the SAR's education sector will fully support Sam and the new-term government, and actively cooperate with the administration in developing education and cultivating talents so as to help make Macao a hub for top-notch professionals. 

Sam was elected the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR on Oct 13, and will be sworn in for a five-year term on Dec 20.