The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms O Lam, recently led senior officials from several departments under her policy portfolio on a series of visits to local associations. The visits were aimed at gathering opinions and suggestions regarding the formulation of the 2027 Policy Address in relation to social and cultural matters.
The associations visited by Ms O included: the Women's General Association of Macau; the Macao Chamber of Commerce; the Macau Economic and Livelihood Alliance; and the Macao Youth Federation. She also visited the Macao Institution of People’s Alliance; the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau; the Chinese Educators' Association of Macau; the Macau Federation of Trade Unions; and the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau.
During the meetings, representatives from the organisations put forward a number of suggestions regarding policy directions in the social and cultural sectors. Topics included: the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town; the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone; declining birth rate and ageing population; policies to encourage a higher birth rate; enhancing elderly care services; improving support measures for vulnerable groups; and promoting the quality development of social services and social security. Other topics included: creation of a diverse and innovative educational ecosystem; advancement of patriotic education and youth development; promotion of artificial intelligence education; strengthen coordination of the integrated development of education, technology and talent; promote integration of livelihood-related services in Macao and Hengqin; improvements to healthcare services; strengthen Macao’s position as “One Base” preservation of intangible cultural heritage; and promotion of the integrated development of culture and sports.
Secretary O expressed her gratitude to the associations for their continued interest in, and support for, policy initiatives in the social and cultural sector. She said that, starting this year, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture had organised regular community exchange sessions as an interactive platform for dialogue and communication, in keeping with its people-focused approach and governance philosophy. This was with a view to consistently listening to public opinion and addressing people’s needs. Ms O said her team would carefully collate, study and incorporate the opinions and suggestions received, using them as an important reference in formulating the 2027 policy guidelines for the social affairs and culture sector.
Secretary O emphasised that next year’s policies for the social affairs and culture sector would closely align with the goals outlined in the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, as guided by the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) (2026-2030), with focused effort to enhance the people’s well-being and sense of fulfilment, she noted.
In response to association representatives, Ms O said two of the Government’s four major projects under the Third Five-Year Plan were closely related to the social and cultural sector. Her team would accelerate the development of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, with an aim to create a hub for attracting high-calibre international talent while advancing the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talented people. Also, her team would spare no effort in advancing the construction of the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone, injecting new momentum into Macao’s cultural and tourism industries.
In line with the Chief Executive’s vision of building a “Vibrant Macao”, “Cultural Macao”, and “Blissful Macao”, the social and cultural team would continue to promote quality development in education, healthcare, social security, social services, youth affairs, culture and sports. Working hand in hand with all sectors of society, it would address the trends of a declining birth rate and an ageing population through more targeted measures, thereby effectively enhancing residents’ sense of fulfilment and well-being.
Secretary O pointed out that policy related to the social affairs and culture sector – and its implementation – is closely linked to people’s livelihoods and has a wide impact. It must keep pace with the times and be continuously optimised. She welcomed continued valuable feedback from all sectors of society to help her Secretariat pursue its policy work more effectively.
Also present during the visits to associations were: the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Lin Yuan; and senior officials from, respectively: the Education and Youth Development Bureau; the Cultural Affairs Bureau; the Sports Bureau; the Health Bureau; the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau; the Social Welfare Bureau; and the Social Security Fund. Additionally present were advisers to the Secretary’s Office.
