1. Implementation of livelihood-related policies and measures

The Government has always attached the utmost importance to livelihood-related work. In the coming year, we will continue to implement various livelihood and welfare-related measures, refine the livelihood security system, improve and raise the overall standard of living of our residents, and uphold the spirit of striving for shared prosperity.

Regarding the implementation of welfare measures, we will:

• Continue improving Macao’s social security system through the Social Security Fund, social support and social welfare, and enhance people’s livelihoods and welfare through a combination of short-, medium- and long-term policy measures.

• Continue following up the legislative procedures for the bill on the Non-mandatory Central Provident Fund System.

• Continue disbursing an extra one month’s full subsidy to families registered with the Social Welfare Bureau; and providing special subsidies and special living allowances to the three categories of disadvantaged families.

• Continue implementing a priority-based rent waiver scheme for public housing tenants and providing temporary housing subsidies to eligible families on the waiting list for public housing.

• Maintain the Minimum Subsistence Index at 4,050 patacas, according to the relevant assessment mechanism. 

• Continue implementing the Short-term Food Assistance Programme.

• Maintain the pension and Old Age Allowance at 3,450 patacas and 8,000 patacas, respectively.

• Continue disbursing tuition fee subsidies every academic year to support students from families with financial difficulties: each kindergarten pupil or primary school student receives 4,000 patacas, each secondary school student receives 6,000 patacas, while each senior secondary school student receives 9,000 patacas; a Stationery Allowance is disbursed every academic year: each kindergarten pupil or primary school student receives 2,200 patacas, while each secondary school student receives 2,900 patacas; and a meal allowance of 3,400 patacas per student is disbursed every academic year.

• Continue with the measures to provide a monthly subsidy of 5,000 patacas for eligible low-income, full-time employees.

• Empower the underprivileged to achieve greater self-reliance through the Positive Life Programme and the Community Employment Assistance Scheme. • Maintain the Ordinary Disability Gratuity and Special Disability Gratuity at 8,000 patacas and 16,000 patacas per year, respectively, while the Temporary Disability Allowance remains at 3,450 patacas per month.

• Provide a subsidy of 5,000 per month to eligible employees with disabilities.

• Grant a profit tax or personal income tax deduction of up to 5,000 patacas per disabled employee to employers for hiring people with disabilities.

• Continue the Wealth Partaking Scheme, through offering 9,000 patacas to each permanent resident and 5,400 patacas to each non-permanent resident.

• Continue injecting an extra sum of 7,000 patacas from the fiscal surplus into the provident fund account of every Macao resident; and pursuant to the law on Provident Fund Personal Accounts, inject a 10,000-pataca initiation allowance from the Government into the personal account of every eligible permanent resident of Macao.

• Continue disbursing Textbook Allowances to every kindergarten pupil, primary school student and secondary school student, with the amounts remaining at 2,000 patacas, 2,600 patacas and 3,000 patacas per academic year, respectively.

• Continue providing tuition fee subsidies – of up to 4,000 patacas and 6,000 patacas for each high school student and kindergarten pupil, respectively – to eligible Macao students studying in high schools or kindergartens in specified cities in Guangdong Province, with the coverage expanded to Shenzhen and Dongguan.

• Continue providing a Stationery Allowance of 3,000 patacas to each Macao student pursuing tertiary education or postgraduate studies.

• Launch the optimised third phase of the Continuing Education Programme, in which each Macao resident aged 15 or above can receive a subsidy of 6,000 patacas for continuing education over a period of three years.

• Continue providing a healthcare voucher of 600 patacas to each permanent resident of Macao, and offering an electricity bill subsidy of 200 patacas to every residential unit.

• Continue providing bus fare concessions for the elderly, students, people with disabilities, and other members of the public, and a tap water tariff subsidy to every residential unit.

Regarding the implementation of family-friendly measures, we will:

• Strive to formulate a comprehensive strategy for population development, promote familyfriendly measures, protect maternal and child health, and encourage more healthy births to increase the fertility rate.

• Provide more than 7,000 subsidised places for child-care services for two-year-old toddlers.

• Promote measures to support breast-feeding.

• Open an additional shelter and an integrated family and community services centre.

• Continue leading the entire community to overcome the challenge of an ageing society, by introducing the concept of active ageing, and enhancing support for the physically weak elderly and home care services through establishing the first integrated elderly care facility in the Islands District to provide one-stop healthcare services.

• Optimise specialist medical services for the elderly and out-patient healthcare services, improve the provision of integrated treatment and rehabilitation services by multiple specialist teams, and reduce the impact of chronic diseases on the elderly.

• Establish a solid medical and social service network for patients with dementia.

Regarding the implementation of measures to build a healthy Macao, we will:

• Keep in line with the national strategy of “healthy China”, adapt to the needs arising from development trends, and adopt a multi-pronged approach in building a healthy Macao by promoting healthcare services, Chinese medicine, sport for all and food safety, to allow the public to enjoy a healthy life as per modern standards.

• Uphold the principle of “Improve medical services and prioritise prevention”, optimise the primary healthcare services network model as recognised by the World Health Organization, and enhance cooperation between the Government, non-profit medical institutions and private medical institutions, to raise the standard of medical services.

• Improve the compilation of personal health management profiles and launch the “Electronic Health Record Sharing System” pilot scheme.

• Improve comprehensive assessment of child development, build a database of children’s development disorders and their early treatment, and develop a mechanism for coordinating and allocating medical resources for early treatment.

• Continue optimising the Interdisciplinary Medical Taskforce, follow up legislation of the System for Professional Qualification and Licensing for Medical Workers, and introduce the system of continuous professional development and examinations for professional qualifications.

• Expedite the construction of infrastructure for the medical and healthcare system, including the Islands District Medical Complex, the public hygiene specialist building, and the expansion of the primary healthcare services network.

• Commence the renovation of the Bairro da Ilha Verde Health Centre and complete construction of the Ka Ho Rehabilitation Hospital on Coloane. • Promote traditional medicine and expand the application of Chinese medicine in the community.

• Finish formulating several food standards, and complete Macao’s system of essential food safety standards.

• Continue launching various popular sports activities, and complete construction of the “Guiding Platform on Health Education for Macao Primary and Secondary School Students”.

• Gradually optimise the competitive sports team structure, and establish a competitive sports management and training system that dovetails with Macao’s actual situation.

• Analyse the data on the per capita area of sports venues, and scientifically plan sports facilities in Macao.

Regarding the implementation of measures to perfect the education system, we will:

• Initiate the second reading of the bill on the Tertiary Education System at the Legislative Assembly, and draft the supplementary regulations and formulate the medium and long term development plan for tertiary education.

• Expedite the amendments to the Code of Conduct for Private Schools.

• Actively facilitate the amendments to regulations on special education, and improve the curricula.

• Develop a mode of vocational education that suits Macao’s development.

• Assist youth development through various initiatives.

• Announce the results of the interim review of the Macao Youth Policy (2012-2020), to further improve youth policy.

• Based on the success of the Thousand Talents Programme, select outstanding young people for studies and exchanges in mainland China, in order to broaden their vision, enhance their capabilities and cultivate their love for the country and Macao.

• Prioritise talent cultivation strategies to nurture elites, experts, professionals and skilled talents.

• Through collaboration with top-notch international institutions and organisations, select outstanding tertiary students and young research and teaching staff in tertiary institutions in Macao for overseas exchanges, studies and internship programmes.

• Develop a training programme for Portuguese-speaking professionals, and facilitate exchanges and cooperation between talented individuals from mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries; and implement the Chinese and Portuguese Bilingual Talent Training, Education and Research Cooperation Subsidy Scheme in Macao tertiary institutions – thereby creating better conditions for making Macao a cradle for cultivating talented individuals who are bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese.

• Promote and assist in the vocational development of talented individuals in various industries.

• Commence research on the demand for talented professionals in the financial and construction Industries, and produce reference material on the vertical and horizontal mobility of talented individuals, based on a list of industries with labour shortages compiled by the Manpower Development Committee.

• Continue implementing the pilot scheme on Short-term Work Placement for Returning Overseas Macao Citizens, to attract Macao residents working abroad to return to Macao, in order to boost development.

2. Consolidation of the foundation for economic development

Despite being influenced by the economic uncertainties of the global economy, and with all economies in Asia recently facing various challenges, we remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects for Macao’s economic development.

The Government is committed to raising the international competitiveness of the gaming industry; controlling and adjusting its scope of development; improving legislation related to the industry; enhancing the supervision of gaming enterprises, gaming promoters and their associates; and promoting responsible gaming, to facilitate the healthy development of the gaming industry. We continue to promote synergy between gaming and non-gaming elements; encourage gaming enterprises to procure more products and services from local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and facilitate more cooperation between gaming operators and small and medium restaurants with unique character, and cultural and creative industries.

To keep in line with the goal of developing a world tourism and leisure centre, the Government creates favourable conditions for SMEs to take part in tourism related businesses through construction of supporting infrastructure for tourism facilities, and adopts preferential policies.

In accordance with government policies, we focus on promoting development of budget hotels, theme parks, and integrated shopping malls, to offer a wide range of choices for accommodation, sightseeing and shopping that suit the needs of family visitors, hence attracting different types of tourists to Macao.

The Government will finish compiling the Master Plan for Developing the Tourism Industry of Macao, and gradually implement the various projects in the five-year plan of the MSAR for cultivating emerging industries. We will also perfect the statistical benchmarks for adequate economic diversification of Macao.

We will further leverage our unique advantages, expedite the development of the industrial chain for the convention and exhibition industry, support the industry in bidding for more influential international conventions and exhibitions to be held in Macao, continuously raise the professional level and effectiveness of conventions and exhibitions, attract more high-end business travellers, and promote the development of more industries and SMEs in Macao.

We will further develop and promote the cultural and creative industry, facilitate training of professional and management talent for the industry, promote wider application of online information platforms, and arrange for participation of local cultural and creative brands in international showcases. We will build Macao’s brand and promote development of the cultural and creative industry.

We will increase investment of resources in the Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park in Hengqin, and complete construction of the scientific research headquarters building and the research and testing building. We will help enterprises operating in the park and other related enterprises in Macao to promote their products in Portuguese-speaking countries, and enhance training and publicity to promote Chinese medicine in the international community.

We will consider the development of a niche financial service sector, with a focus on lease financing and wealth management; and improve the related regulatory system, to attract largescale lease finance companies to establish their bases in Macao, and facilitate the establishment of a Renminbi settlement platform for trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

To provide momentum to the economic development of Macao, we continue helping SMEs to strengthen their competitiveness and innovation. We will formulate the Action Plan for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and implement and optimise the existing support measures for SMEs.

We continue supporting the development of human resources for SMEs, and processing their applications for employment of non-local workers when appropriate. We make the best use of the unique resources in the community, promote collaboration between SMEs and large-scale conventions, exhibitions and festivals, and encourage addition of innovative elements while preserving our traditional features.

We facilitate development of online and e-commerce markets by SMEs, to reinforce the momentum for growth. Through consolidation of information, we encourage tourists to shop and dine in local neighbourhoods. We are also considering establishing an “Online Certified Shop” system to protect consumer rights.

To support innovation and entrepreneurship by young people, we actively promote collaboration between the “Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre” and non-government organisations and institutions, and expand the coverage of the Young Entrepreneur Assistance Scheme, to further optimise measures supporting young entrepreneurs. We also encourage young people to engage in regional cooperation, and expand the scope of development for young entrepreneurs.

The Government strives to protect the rights of local employees. Upholding the principle that non-local workers should only be employed in the event of inadequacies in local labour, the current administration prohibits import workers for gaming dealer posts within its term of office. We rigorously analyse each application for employment of non-local workers, improve the exit mechanism for non-local employees, combat illegal employment; and assure employment priority for local residents. We will facilitate an increase in the proportion of local employees holding middle and senior management positions in gaming enterprises to 85 percent, to promote upward mobility of local residents.

We will improve the regulations on labour and employment to protect the legal rights of employees. We will amend the Labour Relations Law and prioritise issues related to paid paternity leave and overlapping leave, and follow up the enforcement of laws related to the minimum wage for cleaning and security employees, to lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the minimum wage.

We continue facilitating the provision of paid training for local employees by gaming operators and large-scale enterprises, and providing vocational training that meets the needs of economic development. We will accelerate the establishment of a professional accreditation system and a vocational skills assessment system, encourage residents to obtain higher level certification, and expand the accreditation programmes to cover tourism, gaming and nascent industries.

We will further leverage the advantages of “One country, two systems” and our unique position to actively participate in regional cooperation, achieve mutual complementarity and benefits, raise the effectiveness of cooperation and enhance our regional competitiveness.

As “Belt and Road” is one of the country’s key initiatives, it has been incorporated into Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan as our development strategy. The Government has established a dedicated working committee led by the Chief Executive Office, to coordinate work related to Macao’s participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative. We will take advantage of the series of measures introduced by the Central People’s Government in support of Macao’s participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative, which mainly include: broadening the scope of cooperation in developing financial services; exporting high-end services with professional advantages; leveraging regional advantages to promote commercial and trade exchanges; focusing on cultural exchanges to promote people-to-people bonds; and deepening regional cooperation for better synergy. The Government will seize new opportunities and proceed with various tasks, to promote adequate economic diversification and increase overall competitiveness.

We will further implement the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, seize the opportunities arising from the establishment of Guangdong Free Trade Zones to facilitate the construction of the Guangdong-Macao Industrial Park in Hengqin, and introduce more projects for development in the park. We will make effective use of the preferential policies of CEPA to foster liberalisation of service trade between Macao and mainland China.

We will continue facilitating the construction of major border crossing infrastructure, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the new Guangdong-Macao border crossing, and enhancing cross-boundary trade cooperation with Hengqin, Nansha (Guangzhou), Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shenzhen. 

Based on the approval of the arrangements for cross-boundary pleasure boats sailing between Macao and Zhongshan by the Central People’s Governments, we will strive to gradually promote the scheme to the three Guangdong Free Trade Zones: Nansha, Hengqin and Qianhai.

We will coordinate and plan the strategic setup for regional cooperation, to expand the scope of development of the MSAR in an orderly manner. Regarding the Pearl River Delta economic ring, we will further deepen the “9+2” regional cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region. Regarding the Yangtze River Delta economic ring, we will prepare for the construction of the industrial park of Macao-Jiangsu cooperation. Regarding the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic ring, we will promote Macao-Beijing and Macao-Tianjin cooperation, to build the “Beijing-Macao Cooperative Partnership” brand. We will also explore opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between Macao and mainland China’s central and western regions and north-eastern old industrial bases. We continue improving the mechanism for communications with Hong Kong, and fully leverage the functions of the Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan.

3. Building a happy and perfect home

To build Macao into a happy home for everyone, the Government has commenced its urban planning work. With a modern urban development concept, we adopt a macro perspective to coordinate urban construction and the supporting development of housing, transportation and environmental protection. We strive to strengthen our sense of recognition, sense of belonging and people’s wellbeing.

The Government will formulate an overall urban plan according to the Macao Special Administrative Region Urban Development Strategy (2016-2030), and will complete it in 2019.

We will continue to uphold the new concept of urban renewal, and commence the redevelopment of old districts whilst constructing new districts. We will facilitate urban renewal by providing temporary housing; formulate and amend relevant laws and regulations; gradually renovate, alter and reconstruct old buildings through achieving breakthroughs at key points, drawing experiences from isolated cases, and working on different districts and sections, to improve the living conditions and business environment in the old districts.

We have completed the study of the Medium-to-long-term Plan for Usage and Development of the Waters of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2016-2036), to come up with a comprehensive deployment plan and overall arrangements for the usage, development and protection of our waters in the next 20 years. We will also enhance the study and planning of the management of waters, promote development of the maritime economy, and complete the demarcation of coastlines.

The Government will endeavour to realise its policy objective of “Homes for all in a contented society”. We continue implementing the public housing policy of “Public housing as the core supplemented by the Home Ownership Scheme”. We will optimise the workflow spanning applications for and allocation of public housing, tighten the approval procedures and raise the approval efficiency, thereby ensuring reasonable allocation of public resources.

There are currently 47,774 public housing units in Macao. It is planned that a total of about 12,600 public housing units will be constructed in the medium and long term future, including 4,600 already planned units. Planning has commenced for the Avenida Wai Long public housing project, which is expected to provide more than 8,000 units together with community facilities. In the long term, we plan to construct about 28,000 housing units in New Urban Zone A.

We have completed the final study report on Macao’s public housing demand, and commenced planning of long-term public housing development based on this report. While expediting the construction of public housing, we will follow up on planning approval for private residential developments in a timely manner, to facilitate healthy development of the real estate market.

We will handle cases of annulled land grants in accordance with the law, and raise the transparency of land use. We will improve the mechanism for monitoring the quality of construction of public housing, and take into account auxiliary public facilities in a scientific, reasonable, balanced and comprehensive manner, to meet the needs of education, healthcare services, recreation and sports, transportation and municipal services. We have also completed the construction of the Seac Pai Van Public Housing Community Activity Centre.

The Government attaches great importance to mitigating transportation problems. We will continue improving the bus route network, which comprises highways, trunk roads, ordinary roads and approach roads. We have amended the draft bill on Legal System Governing Taxi Services, and 100 special taxis will gradually commence operation.

We will strictly enforce the vehicle control policy, to keep the annual vehicle growth rate within 3.5 percent. The interval of regular vehicular inspections has been shortened to eight years, to expedite the phasing out of old vehicles. Four public car parks will be put into operation, providing over 3,600 parking spaces for light vehicles and motorcycles.

We will also establish the “Inspection and Administration System for Road Facilities”, regulate the approval of road works, and strictly control the duration of the works. We will resume full operation of the Taipa transportation network and gradually implement greening work along the routes. The LRT Taipa line is expected to commence operations in 2019.

We will expedite the construction of the Macao border crossing area of Hong Kong-ZhuhaiMacao Bridge. The design of the fourth Macao-Taipa cross-harbour bridge has been completed, and construction has commenced. The Taipa Ferry Terminal has already commenced operation, and we will leverage the unique advantages of Macau International Airport to promote development of sea-and-air multi-mode transportation.

Developing into a smart city is an important aim for the future development of Macao. We have commenced a study of the development strategy and overall planning for making government data publicly accessible in Macao, as well as a study of the application of big data in government statistics. We will also launch the Visitor Statistics Databank, to facilitate the complementarities of information of the Government and society. We will enhance the construction and management of internet infrastructure and expand the coverage of wireless networks, to facilitate the development of a smart city.

The city’s public order is enhanced by strengthening the police force through technology, strengthening frontline deployment, and improving management efficiency. We will rationalise the functional relationships between services concerned with public order, and expedite the amendments to the Regulations on Fire Safety Technology. We will step up our efforts in conducting fire safety inspections, and establish a centralised management and monitoring system for dangerous goods. We will complete the construction of the new civil protection centre and commence 24-hour per day operations, to boost coordination during responses to emergencies.

In accordance with the MSAR’s need for managing its waters, we will improve the facilities of the three marine operational bases, to enhance the Customs’ enforcement ability, and the capacity to cope with emergencies. We will explore new operating models for border crossing arrangements,and introduce a new-generation system to facilitate automated border crossing for vehicles, to enhance border-crossing efficiency.

To fundamentally solve the problems of flooding in low-lying area of the Inner Harbour, the Government is consulting mainland China regarding the construction of sluices. This year, we will construct a storm water pumping station in Macao’s northern inner harbour; and commence modification of the sewage pipe network and separation of rainwater and sewage drainage in old districts. We will continue improving the water drainage networks of streets in the Macao peninsula’s northern district, as well as urban areas of Cotai and Coloane.

We will complete construction of the new Macao wholesale market and the Patane Municipal Market Complex, and attract more operators to run businesses there, to create favourable conditions for market liberalisation and stabilising commodity prices.

We will conserve the natural environment, promote harmony between humans and nature, and develop Macao into a pleasant and liveable international city. We will implement the policy of “waste reduction at source, sorting and recycling”, and advocate a civilised and healthy lifestyle that promotes environmental protection, low carbon emissions, and reduction of pollutant emissions.

We will enforce the new exhaust emissions standard for in-use vehicles, and plan to introduce the use of electric vehicles, complete the formulation of the Macao Solid Waste Resources Management Programme and the amendments to the List of Categories of Projects that Require Environmental Impact Assessment, and commence drafting waste reduction laws and regulations.

We will expedite the expansion of the incineration centre, optimisation of the Macao Peninsula Sewage Treatment Plant, and the design for the new sewage treatment plant on the Artificial Island of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and complete the Cotai natural gas trunk network construction project.

We will deepen regional cooperation on environmental protection and collaboration on treatment of pollution. According to the mechanism for cooperation on the disposal of Macao’s inert construction and demolition materials in mainland China waters, we will commence work on the landfill for construction waste.

Macao has the advantage of integrating Chinese and Western cultures, which is the basis of it being an important bridge between Macao and the rest of the world. In accordance with the Cultural Heritage Protection Law, the Government strives to conserve the Historic Centre of Macao and the buildings within the buffer zones, and has completed the compilation of the Plan for Protection and Management of the Historic Centre of Macao. 

We will integrate and make good use of various public resources, to transform some of the old buildings into exhibition halls, to optimise and expand our art and culture environment. We are also launching the Community Art Subsidy Scheme, to encourage community art groups to organise creative art and cultural events, cultivate creative talents, create a diversified cultural environment, and enrich the cultural life of the people, to facilitate development of a cultural city.

Macanese and Portuguese residents in Macao have contributed much to the development of the MSAR. The Government appreciates and values the social contribution of Macanese, and respects and protects their established culture.

4. Enhancement of public services efficiency

In the course of implementation of the five-year development plan of the MSAR, we will enhance cross-departmental synergy within the Government and strengthen its capacity for policy execution. The Government has commissioned Macao Polytechnic Institute as a third-party assessment and audit agent, to conduct analyses regarding community and public opinion from a professional and neutral perspective. The Government will also facilitate joint working meetings among departments, to assess progress with implementing the five-year development plan, in order to make adjustments in response to factors such as a comprehensive and balanced setup and the changing circumstances.

We will uphold our service principles to serve the public, rationalise the administrative structure, facilitate public administration reform, and raise the efficiency of public administration and services.

Upon completion of the first phase of administrative structural reform, the Government will commence planning for the second phase of reform, focusing on adjustments to functions of departments related to the economy and finance, as well as transport and public works. We will also commence the study and analysis of the standards for the public administrative structure, demarcation of authority at different structural levels, and the auxiliary mechanisms.

In accordance with the Basic Law of Macao, the Government will begin devising a specific plan and drafting a bill for the establishment of a municipal organisation that is not an organ of political power. We will further optimise consultation bodies and improve the channels for public participation in social affairs.

We will promote the restructuring of consultation bodies related to economic industries, protection of consumer rights, and transport and public works.

Policy implementation requires efforts from and contributions by the entire civil service. In January this year, after considering views and suggestions from civil servants’ associations and the Civil Servant Pay Council, the Government adjusted each point on the civil service salary scale to 83 patacas. To improve the measures concerning caring for civil servants, the Government has increased the housing allowance to point 40 of the salary scale.

The Government will further optimise the civil service system, and will constrain the size of the civil service on the premise that the quality of public services will not be affected. We will continue forging ahead with performance assessments of department heads, and implement and enhance the accountability system for government officials.

The Government strives to develop e-governance, optimise cross-departmental workflows, and raise the quality and efficiency of public administrative services.

After the end of the term of office of the 5th Legislative Assembly in 2017, we will ensure that the 6th Legislative Assembly Election will fully realise the basic principles of fairness, impartiality and transparency in accordance with the stipulations of the amended Legislative Assembly Electoral Law. The Government will also facilitate democratic development in a gradual and orderly manner, and lawfully safeguard freedom of the press, freedom of publication and freedom of speech.

We will continue developing the legal system in tandem with socio-economic development. We will follow up on legislation for rectifying and adapting laws. Priority will be given to handling important bills concerning people’s livelihoods and fundamental laws. Macao Yearbook 2017 20 We will expedite the development of both software and hardware facilities of judicial bodies, thereby optimising their working environments.

We will complete the fifth induction training programme and practical session for judicial officers of courts and Public Prosecutions Office. Through enhanced training, the officers will be equipped with both professional legal knowledge and social experiences.

Upon completion of the amendment of the Code for Private Notaries, we will organise induction training programmes for private notaries in response to society’s needs, and to improve private notary services.

In accordance with the Basic Law of Macao, we will actively engage in issues related to international laws, and will intensify international judicial collaboration.

The Commission against Corruption (CCAC) performs its duties according to the law, to protect the public interest and people’s rights in the MSAR. We will implement the “Jointly Build a Corruption-free Macao” programme in phases, joining hands with public departments, privatelyowned enterprises, community associations and schools to build a corruption-free society. We will introduce anti-corruption education in various forms to promote awareness of integrity and law-abidance among civil servants and the general public. To tie in with this year’s Legislative Assembly Election, we will launch publicity activities on clean elections.

The Commission of Audit will continue exercising its authority in audit based on the principles of law-abidance and independence; optimise the internal management and work flow; expand the coverage of audit through application of advanced technology; and foster responsible and efficient public departments.

Conclusion

Building a perfect home and sharing a happy life is a splendid yet challenging historical process. In the light of this, we must proceed with full confidence and commitment to face and address actual problems, and meticulously devise a plan to steadily achieve the overall target.

We have turned our vision into a blueprint and clarified our targets. With the full support of the Central Government and participation by the people in Macao, we are fully confident of seizing the opportunities and overcoming all obstacles, and will endeavour to fulfil our social responsibility and historic mission.