The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that the government would reinforce the establishment and improvement of the long-term mechanism of effective administration in social security, medical services and healthcare, education and housing. Mr Chui pledged that this would be the focus of the government in the new year. He disclosed this when he delivered a speech at a reception at the Macau Tower to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. 'Over the past year, with the full support of the central government and the combined efforts of the Macao people, we faced the challenge of the weakening peripheral economic environment with a positive approach. 'Thanks to the powerful vitality of the "One country, two systems" principle, the Macao Special Administrative Region has achieved sustainable economic growth, providing sufficient employment opportunities to local residents. 'Under the strong leadership of the Central Government, we, as people of China, are now making our best efforts to build a beautiful China and realise the sustainable development of the Chinese." Speaking on the long-term mechanism, Mr Chui said the Government would expand its budget allocation in social security, medical services and healthcare, education and housing to ensure the long-term mechanism of effective administration could be smoothly structured and launched. 'We will make progress in the infrastructural development in the aforementioned areas and provide hardware support, promote inter-departmental co-operation, and integrate multifaceted support to give full play to the function of the long-term mechanism of effective administration. 'We will also reinforce talent cultivation and reserves, to ensure that the mechanism effectively and continuously enhances the living standards of Macao people." Mr Chui said. 'Alongside the development of its long-term mechanism of effective administration, the SAR government is also highly concerned about the hardship of local residents under persistent inflation, and will make greater efforts to support the underprivileged. 'Besides allocating the 19,000 public housing units in proper order to those in need, the government will continue to build more public housing units next year, and recommence accepting applications for public housing and Home-Ownership Scheme Housing. 'We will speed up the study of the "Macao Land for Macao People" policy and measures, with the determination and intention to assist those with housing problems. 'For the middle-income class, the government will also implement a series of targeted measures, including tax refunds, to relieve their financial stress and encourage them to make further progress. 'To promote the betterment of people's livelihoods, we will strive to ensure steady growth in the economy. In consideration of the economic situation in the year ahead, we must firstly ensure a stable financial system in order to boost secure employment for local residents. 'At the same time, we will continue with our core economic development approach to establish Macao as a world tourism and leisure centre and a business service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, by supporting the growth of convention and exhibition sector and cultural and creative industries to facilitate adequate diversification of the economy. 'While intensifying supervision and control, we also promote the healthy development of the gaming industry by implementing development projects to strengthen its non-gaming components. We also join hands with the industry to enrich the content of integrated tourism. 'Furthermore, we will grasp the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries to further support local enterprises to provide intermediary services to the Mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries. 'We are dedicated to the continued implementation of a series of important agreements on regional cooperation, and to the establishment of closer partnerships with the Mainland, especially Guangdong Province,' Mr Chui said. Guests who attended the reception included the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR, Mr Li Gang, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in MSAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue, the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army, Senior Colonel Zhu Qingsheng, the President of Legislative Assembly, Mr Lau Cheok Va, and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, more than 300 guests attended the flag raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square. Government entities and civil organisations would also organise events to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the MSAR.
