The Macao Special Administrative Region on Tuesday officially released its self-formulated Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030), covering key areas including Hengqin development, livelihood improvement and urban renewal, and aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

While unveiling the 36-chapter, 86,000-character blueprint, Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai described it as "scientific, forward-looking and feasible" and grounded in public consultation. 

Sam also outlined the SAR government's implementation road map.

To ensure a science-based approach, Sam said the SAR government set up a leading group and expert teams, aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and conducted over 40 preliminary studies and 36 thematic research projects.

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During the 40-day public consultation from May 20 to June 28, the government held 14 sessions to gather views from the public, academics and various professional groups. A total of 1,716 submissions with 8,230 comments were received — more than double the numbers received during the previous five-year plan consultation.

These efforts, the CE said, laid a scientific and public-opinion foundation for the blueprint.

He also revealed that the government will implement the plan through key projects and major reform initiatives, with detailed task breakdowns and clear accountability to ensure the plan’s smooth implementation.

“Planning is only the first 10 percent and the execution counts for nine-tenths of the effort", Sam said. He pledged that his administration would unite and lead all sectors of society to steadily implement the plan — “ year after year, step by step” — to open a new chapter in the "one country, two systems" principle with Macao characteristics.

Issued in both Chinese and Portuguese, the document outlines 35 key indicators for Macao's economic and social development, covering GDP, the local unemployment rate, public housing units, and the growth of Macao-invested industries in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

For instance, in the Hengqin chapter, the Macao SAR government said it plans to introduce whitelists and joint regulatory platforms to facilitate cross-border research material flows and equipment sharing. It also aims to accelerate infrastructure connectivity by joining the planning and construction of the Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) high-speed rail link, integrating the Macao SAR into the national network.

In a recent signed article in China Daily, Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai outlined key priorities for this period, including economic diversification, regional integration and building a smarter, more vibrant city.

“From a new and historic starting point, the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is proactively aligning itself with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan by scientifically formulating the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the MSAR (2026–2030), striving to realize the cherished vision of ‘Law-based Macao’, ‘Vibrant Macao’, ‘Cultural Macao’, and ‘Blissful Macao’ — important missions for the MSAR in the new era,” Sam wrote.

He said he hoped that friends at home and abroad will visit the city to experience its unique charm and convergence of Chinese and Western cultures, while jointly exploring the opportunities arising from the SAR’s future development.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com