The Macau leadership candidate emphasizes “one country, two systems” in his political program.

Macau, September 28 (IANS): Sam Hou Fai, the sole candidate seeking the position of chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) for a sixth term, on Saturday stressed the need for the comprehensive implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle as the basic guideline for the governance of the SAR.

He himself made these comments during a 3-hour presentation and question-and-answer session for his political platform with the participation of the Central Electoral Commission and the press.

In his presentation, Sam noted that Macau’s successful practices over the past 25 years since his return demonstrate the strong viability and significant advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle. Facing a new beginning, he proposed an election philosophy “to move forward together by adhering to fundamental principles and exploring new opportunities,” with the aim of meeting residents’ aspirations for a better life as the main goal, Xinhua news agency reported.

He called for upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests as the highest principles and promoting moderately diversified economic development to better integrate with and serve the overall national development.

Sam presented the most important management goals for the next five years. He identified the need to increase capacity and levels of public management, focus on people, promote good governance, strengthen scientific decision-making, optimize the interaction between the administration and the legislature, secure judicial independence, improve civil service management systems and support ethnic harmony.

He also called for accelerating moderately diversified economic development, which includes implementing a comprehensive economic diversification plan, establishing a high-level economic management system, creating a globally competitive business environment, promoting the healthy development of the gaming industry in accordance with the law, exploring the creation of government-industry funds and accelerating development of a diversified evaluation and statistical system.

In terms of better integration and serving national development, Sam proposed to take a leading role in promoting the integration of tax systems between Macau and Mainland China, and supporting the construction of the Guangdong-Macau Zone of Deep Cooperation in Hengqin, participating in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, deepening cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries and engaging in the construction of the Belt and Road to increase the convenience of entry and transit for friendly countries and regions.

He also stressed the need to improve talent systems in education, science and technology and the importance of improving people’s living conditions.

After presenting his political program, Sam addressed questions from election commission members regarding management capabilities and levels in public management, the healthy and orderly development of the gambling industry in accordance with the law, small and medium-sized enterprises, social service policy and legal reforms.