Sam Hou Fai: Implementing ‘Two Sessions’ spirit to advance high-quality development of Cooperation Zone

Government Information Bureau

2026-03-27 23:55

Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, convenes a meeting, held in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Guangdong Province, regarding the implementing the spirit of the “Two Sessions” and advancing high-quality development of the Cooperation Zone.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, delivers a speech at a meeting regarding the implementing the spirit of the “Two Sessions” and advancing high-quality development of the Cooperation Zone.
The meeting on the implementing the spirit of the “Two Sessions” and advancing high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, is held at the Citizen Service Centre of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Guangdong Province.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries, located at the Cooperation Zone.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries, located at the Cooperation Zone.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, looks out over the under-construction Hengqin campus of the University of Macau to review progress on the project.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, looks out over the proposed site of the Hengqin Station for the Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) High-Speed Railway, to understand the latest progress of the project.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Hengqin International Digital Intelligence Talent Training Base.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Hengqin International Digital Intelligence Talent Training Base.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Hengqin-Macao Innovation Industrial Park.
Director of the Administrative Committee of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Chief Executive of MSAR, Mr Sam Hou Fai, visits the Hengqin-Macao Innovation Industrial Park.

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The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, today highlighted three aspects of work in relation to the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, in line with the spirit of this year’s “Two Sessions”.

Mr Sam, who is also Director of the Cooperation Zone’s Administrative Committee, shared his views in a meeting regarding implementation of the spirit of the “Two Sessions” and advancing high-quality development of the Cooperation Zone.

The meeting, held at the Cooperation Zone’s Citizen Service Centre, was attended by Deputy Director of the Cooperation Zone’s Administrative Committee and Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Director of the Cooperation Zone’s Executive Committee and Secretary for Economy and Finance of the MSAR Government, Mr Tai Kin Ip; deputy directors of the Executive Committee; and heads of agencies under the Executive Committee.

In the meeting, Mr Sam called on the Executive Committee and its subordinate bodies to, from the current new starting point, keep the national development agenda in focus, build upon the existing conditions of Hengqin and Macao, fully leverage each side’s unique strengths, and adopt more innovative thinking and pragmatic approaches, in order to transform development opportunities into concrete actions – thus further enhancing the Cooperation Zone’s development.

Mr Sam noted that this year’s “Two Sessions” adopted the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which includes significant arrangements for Macao to better integrate into, and serve, the national development agenda, accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and advance the construction of the Cooperation Zone.

For the first time, the phrase “deepening the integrated development of Hengqin and Macao” was formally included in a national Five-Year Plan, with specific projects highlighted in areas such as transport, industry, and livelihoods. The discussions and content concerning the Cooperation Zone, namely during this year’s “Two Sessions” and in the 15th Five-Year Plan, further translate into a national-level action plan based on President Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches and instructions on Hengqin’s development and Macao’s integration with it. This provides clear direction and major opportunities for higher-level Guangdong-Macao cooperation and high-quality development of the Hengqin-Macao partnership, Mr Sam added.

This year marks a crucial phase for the second stage of development of the Cooperation Zone, in tandem with the publication of the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of Macao later this year. Promoting the Cooperation Zone with the goal of elevating Hengqin-Macao integration would be a key component of the Plan, the Chief Executive added.

Mr Sam shared his views and expectations for the Cooperation Zone’s work in three aspects:

First, he highlighted the full recognition of the work and achievements made in the Cooperation Zone over the past year.

Mr Sam stated that, through collective efforts, the Cooperation Zone has achieved new changes and a renewed outlook, with notable progress across various areas and a strong momentum for the second stage of its development. Over the past year, Macao enhanced internal coordination and increased resource input into Hengqin-related work. Moving forward, the MSAR Government would continue to strengthen its support for Hengqin’s advancement to drive further progress in the development of the Cooperation Zone.

Second, Mr Sam emphasised the heightened awareness of existing shortcomings and the need for proactive improvements.

He offered four specific suggestions: 1) all staff working in Hengqin must demonstrate a positive and professional attitude, fully embracing the responsibilities linked to the Cooperation Zone’s second development phase; 2) strengthen research and investigation to foster a pragmatic working style; 3) understand the genuine needs of enterprises and residents to ensure precise policy implementation; and 4) uphold integrity in public service and strictly adhere to ethical standards.

Third, Mr Sam highlighted the implementation of President Xi’s important speeches and instructions regarding Hengqin, and effective execution of this year’s work plan, in order to advance the second stage of development of the Cooperation Zone.

Mr Sam stressed that every instruction and directive from President Xi provided clear guidance for Hengqin’s development and Macao’s future. They must be repeatedly studied, deeply internalised and resolutely implemented, and translated into concrete actions, he said.

In this regard, the Chief Executive highlighted three key priorities: 1) fully utilise the policy and initiatives specially formulated and issued by the Central Government for Hengqin; 2) plan landmark projects continuously to drive industrial growth and create employment; and 3) fully leverage Macao’s advantage in connecting with international resources to actively expand the Cooperation Zone’s global investment promotion landscape.

Mr Sam noted that the second stage of development of the Cooperation Zone involved additional tasks and greater challenges. He called on all stakeholders to remain united and proactive, effectively fulfilling the missions entrusted to them by the Central Government, completing objectives and carefully designing well-conceived projects to steadily advance all work.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Sam conducted an inspection tour of the Cooperation Zone. He visited the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries, where he was briefed on its operations and development plans.

From a vantage point in a nearby building, Mr Sam surveyed the construction works for the new Hengqin campus of the University of Macau and the proposed site of the Hengqin station on the Guangzhou–Zhuhai (Macao) High-Speed Railway, reviewing progress on each of the projects. He also conducted field visits to the Hengqin International Digital Intelligence Talent Training Base and the Hengqin-Macao Innovation Industrial Park.