Macao SAR chief vows to build Macao livable city

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chui Sai On said on Monday that the Macao government will accelerate the construction of a livable city as part of building a "global tourism and leisure hub. "

In a policy address delivered at the Legislative Council, Chui announced a series of measures to improve people's livelihood, such as raising the subsidies to students and disabled people, and increasing the old-aged pension.

Chui said the housing, transportation and environmental protection will be the priorities in his policy proposals. "The government will keep the appropriate and steady supply of public housing from many aspects," he said.

Calling the city's safety an important condition of a livable city, he said the government has been making efforts to build a police force with superior quality, high efficiency and strict discipline.

Apart from the public security, Chui also mentioned the efforts that the government has made and will make to prevent the infectious diseases and quarantine the food security. "We will pay close attention to all aspects of security of our citizens," he said.

Humanities building is another important condition of a livable city. "The government attaches great importance to the balance of urban development and heritage conservation," Chui said. "We will spare no efforts to protect the historic urban area of Macao and make the world cultural heritage to show its vigor in the modern life."

As a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao has its advantage with a multiculture, he noted.

"The native Portuguese and those who residing in Macao have played an very important role in promoting cultural exchanges and Macao's development," Chui said. "We should make the spirit of mutual respect, inclusive and rationality to achieve more fruitful results." Endi