Sam Hou Fai delivers a code astatine a polling booth astatine the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex connected Oct. 13, 2024 successful Macao.
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Slated to go the adjacent person of Macao, Sam Hou Fai wants to steer China's peculiar administrative portion further distant from its dense reliance connected gaming and gambling.
Formerly Macao's apical judge, Sam was elected its adjacent person successful an uncontested ballot connected Sunday.
In a code pursuing his election, Sam said helium plans to amended concern conditions and enactment smaller enterprises, according to Chinese authorities media.
In the lead-up to his selection, the 62-year-old identified the diversification of Macao arsenic an urgent contented to address.
Speaking astatine a property league astatine the extremity of September, helium told local reporters that his medication would rotation retired assorted measures with the purpose of stimulating economical diversification.
He added helium would see creating nationalist funds to beforehand the improvement of emerging industries extracurricular gaming and gambling.
For years, the city's presumption arsenic the lone spot successful Greater China wherever casinos are ineligible had attracted high-spending tourists and helped marque it 1 of the wealthiest cities successful the satellite per capita.
However, that reliance backfired during the Covid-19 pandemic erstwhile the gambling and gaming industries took major hits from borderline closures and societal distancing policies.
Following the pandemic, Sam's predecessor, main enforcement Ho Iat Seng, had besides prioritized economical diversification earlier helium announced successful August helium wouldn't beryllium seeking reelection owing to wellness concerns.
Last year, Seng rolled retired a diversification plan to boost a scope of industries from tourism and leisure to commerce, finance, accepted Chinese medicine and exhibition.
In May, helium said the gaming manufacture accounted for little than 40% of the city's gross home merchandise successful 2023, down from highest contributions of astir 60% from 2011 to 2013, according to local media.
Beijing officials person besides directed Macao to diversify its economy.
Sam is assumed to person Beijing's blessing, having been selected by an predetermination committee stacked with Beijing loyalists aft getting 394 retired of 398 votes. He volition besides go Macao's archetypal main enforcement to person been calved successful mainland China.
Sam is expected to presume bureau successful December erstwhile the metropolis marks the 25th day of its handover to China's rule.
In remarks connected Sunday, Sam said Macao SAR volition "further beforehand practice with China successful areas specified arsenic trade, finance, tourism, and precocious technology," according to Chinese authorities media.
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