Ho Iat-seng sworn in as Macao's fifth-term chief executive

MACAO - Ho Iat-seng, who was sworn in here Friday morning as the fifth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), said the new SAR government will continue to fully and accurately implement "one country, two systems."

Adopting the policy of concerted efforts, reform and innovation, the new SAR government will continue to fully and accurately implement "one country, two systems," strictly follow the Constitution and the Basic Law, conscientiously safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and undertake greater courage and innovative ability to advance economic and social development of Macao, Ho said in his inaugural address.

Macao will earnestly review the successful experience of "one country, two systems" and carry forward its practice with Macao characteristics, Ho said.

The new SAR government will step up public administrative reform, consolidate the constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, and improve the governance system and capability, he said.

Macao will advance industries such as convention, traditional Chinese medicine, cultural creation, and the hi-tech industry.

It will also seize opportunities brought along by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and make its economy appropriately diverse.

"I believe the future of Macao will be even better and the cause of 'one country, two systems' will be even more splendid," he said.

On behalf of the new SAR government and Macao residents, Ho extended warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all the guests who attended the inauguration ceremony held in the Macao East Asian Games Dome, stressing that "the great motherland has always been the strong supporter for Macao."

Ho, 62, won the chief executive election with 392 of the 400 valid votes on Aug 25, and was appointed by the central government as the fifth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR on Sept 4.