China’s State Council on Friday appointed Sam Hou Fai as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Sam was elected as the sixth-term chief executive-designate of the Macao SAR on October 13. His tenure will begin on December 20, 2024, following a decision made at a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Qiang.
The appointment aligns with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR.
At the meeting, Li noted that over the past 25 years since its return to the motherland, Macao has witnessed the full and faithful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and has experienced unprecedented development.
He emphasized that the Central People’s Government will continue its firm commitment to the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy.
Li pledged the Central People’s Government’s full support for the chief executive and the Macao SAR government in exercising law-based administration, advancing progress while upholding fundamental principles, and fulfilling their responsibilities.
The Central People’s Government will further support Macao’s integration into the country’s overall development, leveraging its unique advantages, Li said.
He also pledged support for the chief executive and the Macao SAR government in safeguarding national security, promoting economic diversification, enhancing residents’ well-being, and fostering a harmonious and stable society to ensure the shared development and prosperity of Macao and the mainland.
Sam was born in Zhongshan City, south China’s Guangdong Province, in May 1962 and later moved to Macao. He joined Macao’s first group of judicial auditors in 1995 and served as president of Macao’s Court of Final Appeal before running in the election.
(With input from Xinhua)