Macao Chief vows to diversify economy

BEIJING: The Macao Special Administrative Region will accelerate efforts to diversify its economy and integrate into the nation’s overall development, the leader of the Macao SAR government said on Wednesday.
Ho Iat-seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, made the remark while addressing a reception marking the 24th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and the establishment of the SAR.
Ho outlined his plan for the coming year, saying that the SAR government will focus on consolidating economic recovery, diversifying its economy and improving people’s livelihoods. The government will continuously advance the successful practice of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics, seek progress with stability and make greater efforts to safeguard national security, he said. Ho also said that Macao will speed up construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin Island, which is part of the neighboring city of Zhuhai in Guangdong province, promote high-quality economic development and fully leverage the SAR’s advantages to better integrate into overall national development.
Next year will mark the beginning of the implementation of the SAR’s first development plan for appropriate economic diversification. The plan, called “1+4”, was announced by Ho in his latest policy address. It sets out five key areas that the city aims to concentrate on, and is scheduled to run through 2028. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item