A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council on Tuesday praised the third five-year plan unveiled by the Macao Special Administrative Region, calling it an important step in the practice of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics, and a milestone that will help guide Macao’s high-quality development.

The statement follows the Macao SAR’s release of its self-formulated Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-30) on Tuesday, covering key areas including the development of Hengqin, livelihood improvement and urban renewal, and alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

The spokesperson commended the plan for having “a higher strategic perspective and a clearer direction”, saying it aligns with the national blueprint, balances development and security, and supports the executive-led system in Macao.

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The plan focuses on Macao’s positioning as “one center, one platform and one base”— a world center of tourism and leisure, a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and an exchange and cooperation base.

The spokesperson said the plan is practical, with clear goals and measures, underscoring reform and innovation and emphasizing economic diversification.

Four major projects are identified as key drivers: the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone, the Macao Science and Technology R&D Industrial Park, and the Macau International Airport Hengqin Upstream Cargo Terminal. A government-guided fund will support these developments.

The plan also aims to accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and promote integrated growth in education, technology, and talent.

A dedicated chapter addresses urban renewal and improving people’s livelihoods, including education, employment, housing, elderly care and poverty relief. The Macao SAR government will prepare lists of key projects, assign tasks, and implement reform measures to ensure effective execution.

The spokesperson said the making of the plan showed the Macao SAR government’s sense of responsibility and the unity of Macao society. Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai and his team launched a 40-day public consultation and held 14 consultation sessions.

During the consultation period, 1,716 submissions, including 8,230 opinions, were received, with more than 90 percent expressing positive views, the spokesperson said.

“Every Macao resident is a participant in, implementer of and beneficiary of the new five-year plan,” they added.

The statement said the plan has now drawn a clear blueprint for Macao’s future. With support from the central government and the mainland, Macao is expected to use the plan to seize opportunities, promote high-quality development and contribute more to the country’s overall progress, it concluded.