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Ng Kang-chung

Macau Chief Executive-designate Sam Hou-fai received his formal appointment letter from Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday, with President Xi Jinping witnessing the event and expressing hopes the new leader would unite all sectors of the casino hub.
Sam, Macau’s first leader born on mainland China, is set to take office on December 20 after he ran unopposed in the election on October 13.
He was appointed by the State Council last week and left for a three-day visit to Beijing on Thursday, according to the Macau government.
Sam was received by Xi on Friday in the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to Macau media.

Witnessed by Xi, Li issued the State Council’s decree, officially appointing Sam as the chief executive for the sixth term of the Macau government.
The state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as noting Sam had served as the head of the Macau Court of Final Appeal for a long time and shown his “firm commitment to loving the country and loving Macau”.
Xi also drew attention to the large number of nominations and votes Sam received, which indicated the broad support he enjoyed.
The president said the central government had full faith in Sam, adding that serving as chief executive was a heavy responsibility and carried the high expectations of the Macau people, Xinhua reported.
According to Xinhua, Xi told Sam the recently concluded third plenary session had made “systematic arrangements” to promote “Chinese-style modernisation”.

“It emphasised the need to give full play to the advantages of the ‘one country, two systems’ and improve the mechanism of Hong Kong and Macau to better play their role in the country’s opening up to the outside world,” Xi was quoted as saying.
Xinhua added: “This points out the direction and provides new historical opportunities for Macau to integrate into Chinese-style modernisation and achieve better development.”
Xi also expressed hopes that the new leader would unite all sectors of the city and open up new developments in the practice of the one country, two systems governing principle with Macau characteristics so it could make further contributions to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, according to Xinhua.
Sam thanked Xi for his guidance and instructions and said he felt honoured to take up the post, according to the report.
He pledged to accurately and comprehensively implement the one country, two systems principle and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. He also vowed to improve governance.
Professor Lau Siu-kai, a consultant at semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the meeting highlighted Xi’s leadership role in Hong Kong and Macau affairs.
This was in line with the political principle of the establishment of the Hong Kong and Macau Work Office of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, Lau said.
“That other state leaders and senior officials also attended the meeting was to express their trust and support for Sam, strengthening Sam’s political authority in Macau society.
“It also shows that the central government strongly supports Sam in carrying out reforms, especially improving governance capabilities and promoting economic diversification, as well as improving people’s livelihood.”

On Xi’s reference to one country, two systems with Macau characteristics, Lau said there was no need to “overinterpret” it.
“Both Hong Kong and Macau implement one country, two systems. But there are major differences in the social structure, industrial structure and political culture of the two places,” he said.
“The central government hopes that Macau can give full play to its unique advantages, including its ties with Portuguese-speaking countries and its profound patriotic tradition to accelerate its integration with national development and promote cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.”
Also attending the event in Beijing were Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
Sam was born in Zhongshan in Guangdong province in 1962 and moved to Macau in 1986. He joined the first group of the city’s judicial auditors in 1995 and was appointed in 1999 as the president of the Court of Final Appeal.
In late August, he quit the position and ran unopposed in the chief executive poll, receiving 394 votes from the 400-strong Election Committee. Incumbent Ho Iat-seng said he would not seek re-election, citing unspecified health concerns.
Macau media reported on Friday that Sam was expected to announce his line-up of ministers shortly after concluding his Beijing visit.
He was expected to retain at least three key ministers from the current government to signal an emphasis on stability and continuity.
They are Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong Weng-chon, Secretary for Security Wong Sio-chak and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong-u, according to media reports.


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Hong Kong politics

Xi Jinping calls on Macau’s next chief executive to unite sectors as they meet in Beijing

Macau Chief Executive-designate Sam Hou-fai (left) and President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua 

Sam Hou-fai (left) receives his appointment letter from Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. Photo: Handout

The Macau government headquarters. Xi said he hoped the new Macau leader would unite all sectors of the city and open up new developments in the practice of the one country, two systems governing principle to allow Macau to further contribute to China’s rejuvenation, Xinhua reported. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Sai Van Bridge and Taipa, as viewed from the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sam Hou-fai elected as next Macau leader; Beijing lauds him as unifier and reformer

Sam Hou-fai bows to the Election Committee as he is named city leader. Photo: Eugene Lee

The chief executive-elect received 394 votes from the 400-strong Election Committee in an hour-long poll. There were also four blank ballots and two absentees. Photo: Eugene Lee

Is Sam Hou-fai the man for Macau’s top job? Pundits weigh ex-judge’s strengths, weaknesses

Macau’s former chief justice Sam Hou-fai is the sole contender for the city’s top job. Photo: Elson Li

The Macau Chief Executive Office building. The current contender for the top job is running on a platform that includes policy areas previously flagged by Beijing. Photo: Eugene Lee

A lawmaker has said the new chief executive will not have an enviable job, as the new administration will have to “clean up after the mess” left by his predecessors. Photo: Elson Li

Is Macau top job hopeful Sam Hou-fai betting against the house by taking aim at casinos?

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Sam Hou-fai has vowed to take on the casino sector, arguing that its “uncoordinated development” created a “very large negative impact” on the city. Photo: Eugene Lee

Gaming and junket activities made up 58.5 per cent of Macau’s GDP in 2014, before falling to 47.2 per cent in 2016 and 36.2 per cent last year. Photo: Eugene Lee

A lawmaker has said that requiring casino operators to invest more in non-gaming operations would not address the issue of diversifying the economy. Photo: Eugene Lee

Macau is only days away from its leadership election. Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Chinese president lays out hopes for Macau’s next leader, Sam Hou-fai, as he receives appointment letter from Premier Li Qiang in capital


Chinese president lays out hopes for Macau’s next leader, Sam Hou-fai, as he receives appointment letter from Premier Li Qiang in capital.


Macau

Xi Jinping

China’s Communist Party

China economy