MACAO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) — The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception on Saturday to commemorate the 26th anniversary of its return to the motherland.
At the reception held at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Sam Hou Fai pledged to further align Macao with national development strategies, implement improved policies under the Third Five-Year Plan for Social and Economic Development of the Macao SAR, embark on a new phase of national rejuvenation, and achieve greater progress for the region.
The event was attended by Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Ho Hau Wah, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong, former Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng, Commissioner of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR Liu Xianfa, and around 1,000 other guests.
Chief Executive Sam emphasized that the core goal of development is to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people. He outlined plans for the coming year to safeguard employment and labor rights, enhance social security and welfare services, and optimize housing policies and medical resource distribution to meet residents’ expectations for stability and contentment. He also called for collective efforts to build a Macao characterized by more efficient governance, stronger democracy and rule of law, a vibrant economy, a thriving cultural scene, refined social governance, and improved public welfare services.
Earlier in the day, approximately 550 guests attended the flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square.
