Macao's new chief executive said he will strive to improve the quality of life for people in the special administrative region.

Chui Sai On speaks at a press conference after he won Macao's Chief Executive election, Macao, South China, July 26, 2009. Chui, the only candidate, gained 282 votes in the third-term Chief Executive election of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).[Xinhua]

After sweeping to victory yesterday, Fernando Chui Sai On said he will focus on the challenges Macao faces amid the financial crisis using a "people-oriented approach" and ensure the government is a "truly clean and highly efficient one".

He also pledged to ensure fair and healthy competition in the gaming sector, the backbone of the city's economy.

Chui, 52, the only candidate on the ballot, won 282 of the 296 votes cast by 297 election committee members present. Fourteen voted by absentee ballot.

Chui will take office in December and serve a five-year term after his appointment receives formal approval from Beijing.

As Macao's former secretary for social and cultural affairs, Chui had been poised to take over the post from two-term chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah. Ho congratulated Chui on his election and believes Chui can oversee the future development of the city.

Casino king Stanley Ho Hung-sun, a member of the election committee and a standing committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, described the election as "fair" and "open".

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Chui earned the job with his devotion, resolution and experience in public service.

Tsang expressed hopes the two administrative regions can forge closer ties so the economies of Hong Kong, Macao and cities in the Pearl River Delta can prosper.

You Anshan, director of the Hong Kong and Macao studies center under the Shanghai Academy of Social Studies, said he felt Chui's political program was "close to public opinion".