China’s Xi Jinping to make 3-day visit to Macau from Wednesday
The Chinese president will inaugurate Sam Hou-fai as Macau’s new leader on Friday
President Xi Jinping will visit Macau from Wednesday to Friday next week to attend ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s return from Portuguese to Chinese administration.
The Chinese president would inaugurate Macau’s new administration, led by Sam Hou-fai, on Friday and inspect the city during his three-day trip, news agency Xinhua said.
The casino city elected former top judge Sam, 62, as its sixth chief executive in October with 394 votes from the 400-strong Election Committee. Sam was the only candidate.
He will be sworn in by Xi, replacing former leader Ho Iat-seng, who announced he would not run for re-election due to health concerns.
Sam will be the first Macau leader who was born and raised in mainland China, while having no business background from his lifetime career with the judiciary.
After Xinhua’s announcement on Saturday, Sam said the new government would forge ahead in solidarity, uphold integrity and promote reform.
“[We will] continuously open up new prospects for the practice of ‘one country, two systems’ with Macau characteristics, and promote Macau’s prosperous and stable development,” he said.
