The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government will unite and lead all sectors of society in order steadily and concretely to implement the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the MSAR (2026–2030), said the Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai.

The Government will lead the community to work toward the visions of “Law-based Macao”, “Vibrant Macao”, “Cultural Macao”, and “Blissful Macao”, opening a new chapter of high-quality development in Macao’s distinctive practising of the “One country, two systems” principle.

The MSAR Government today officially released the Third Five-Year Plan during a press conference held this afternoon at the Government Headquarters. It was attended by the Chief Executive and the five Secretaries.

The press conference began with a promotional video outlining the Plan’s key priorities. Mr Sam then outlined to the media the Plan’s notable features and major strategic tasks.

Mr Sam expressed heartfelt gratitude to all sectors of society, and the public in general, for their active contributions and recommendations during the consultation process. He reaffirmed that the scientific formulation and effective implementation of the city’s Third Five-Year Plan has been a major shared priority for the MSAR Government and the entire community in 2026.

The Plan is a comprehensive blueprint that fully reflects scientific rigour, has a forward-looking vision, and is practical in terms of feasibility, Mr Sam stated. The MSAR Government has thoroughly implemented the content of the important speeches and instructions of President Xi Jinping. This has enhanced the foresight, initiative, and scientific foundation of the Plan.

The MSAR Government had established a leadership group and a dedicated task force for the Plan, and 36 thematic studies were completed. Through 40 rounds of preliminary research and field visits, the Government had laid a solid scientific and public-opinion foundation for the Plan’s formulation, said Mr Sam.

The next phase for the Government is to implement the main tasks of the Plan by establishing three key lists: one for major projects; one for key work items with assigned responsibilities; and one for major reform initiatives. These lists will help refine task deployment, strengthen accountability, and ensure the orderly and effective implementation of the Plan.

The detailed deployments regarding these tasks strengthen accountability and ensure the orderly and effective implementation of the entire Plan.

Overall, the city’s Third Five-Year Plan fully reflects the strengths of Macao’s executive-led governance system. Throughout the planning process, there was close coordination and efficient collaboration within governmental branches responsible for policy oversight. The legislative and judicial branches actively fulfilled their duties and proactively provided recommendations, demonstrating the institutional advantage of distinct yet coordinated roles among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The Chief Executive noted that the Plan is a strategic document that underscores Macao’s integration into, and contribution to, the nation’s overall development.

The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan has set new directions and opportunities for Macao. The MSAR Government has proactively positioned Macao within the broader national development framework, actively implementing the national plan’s provisions within Macao, and strengthening alignment with Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong SAR, in order to promote coordinated development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The city’s Third Five-Year Plan represents a significant innovative step in deepening Macao’s practising of the “One country, two systems” principle, and Macao’s alignment with national development.

Furthermore, the finalised Plan is a product of democratic consultation and broad social consensus. During the 40-day public consultation period, society at large and the public in general actively participated, reflecting Macao’s tradition of unity and consultation, as well as its harmonious and inclusive social environment. The final version of the Plan has fully incorporated public feedback, with approximately 30,000 additional words in Chinese added, compared to the consultation proposal, said Mr Sam.

The Chief Executive noted that the Plan served as Macao’s road map and action agenda for a new stage of high-quality development. Over the five-year period, Macao will focus on four major strategic tasks.

The first is to advance appropriate economic diversification. Using the four major projects and a government guidance fund as key drivers, Macao will strengthen policy support and capital injection, leveraging market forces and enterprise-based initiative. The focus will be on advancing the “1+4” diversified industrial structure, aiming for non-gaming sectors to account for approximately 60 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.

The second of the four major strategic tasks is to deepen Macao-Hengqin integration. With high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin as a priority, Macao will meet the “three key-points” requirement, led by science, technology, and education. The MSAR will deepen “soft connectivity” in institutional rules and mechanisms, and strengthen “hard connectivity” in infrastructure. It will develop landmark projects and industrial spaces, promote industrial synergy between Macao and Hengqin, and advance deeper integration in areas such as healthcare and services for the elderly – delivering tangible progress in supporting Macao’s economic diversification.

The third of the four major strategic tasks is to accelerate urban renewal and to build a beautiful and “smart” Macao. While maintaining overall social stability, Macao will adopt innovative thinking and bold actions to speed up urban renewal. The MSAR Government will improve the legal framework, coordinate funding, resources, and policy support, and establish a sustainable urban renewal mechanism. Priority will be given to the conservation-led revitalisation of the Ruins of St. Paul’s area, and the comprehensive renewal of older neighbourhoods such as Iao Hon.

The fourth of the four major strategic tasks is to strengthen internal and external connectivity. Macao will leverage its unique advantage of having deeply-rooted ties to the Chinese mainland, while connected to the world. It will actively participate in the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area and deepen cooperation with Hong Kong. The MSAR will expand the functions and scope of the city’s platform role serving China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking countries; support national efforts in the “Belt and Road” initiative; and position Macao as an important bridgehead for the country's high-level opening-up, and an important window for mutual learning and exchanges between Chinese and Western civilisations

The Third Five-Year Plan consists of 10 parts, 36 chapters, and 68 special columns, totalling approximately 86,000 words in Chinese. It sets 35 key economic and social development indicators to guide future actions, and outlines eight major development goals:

- Ensure full implementation of the holistic approach to national security;

- Further enhance the effectiveness of lawful governance;

- Achieve substantial progress in appropriate economic diversification; 

- Ensure progress with high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin;

- Yield visible results from the integrated development of education, technology and talent;

- Optimise progressively protections for people’s well-being;

- Achieve significant progress in building a beautiful and “smart” Macao; and

- Strengthen integration with, and support for, national development.