Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng issued a statement on Sunday to congratulate Sam Hou Fai on his election as the region's sixth-term chief executive designate.
Following the provisions of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and Macao's Chief Executive Election Law, the election for the sixth chief executive of the Macao SAR was successfully held on Sunday morning.
Sam received a high number of nominations and was elected by an overwhelming majority, becoming the chief executive designate of the Macao SAR.
Ho extended his sincere congratulations to Sam on his election.
The chief executive said that the election of the sixth chief executive of the Macao SAR was conducted in an orderly manner in accordance with the law, fully reflecting the principles of One Country, Two Systems, Macao people administering Macao and a high degree of autonomy.
He also expressed his gratitude to the members of the Chief Executive Election Committee for their dedication in fulfilling their responsibilities and completing the mission of electing the sixth chief executive.
The chief executive stated that the central government's requirement for standards of electing the Macao SAR chief executive has been consistent, which highlights love for China and for Macao, trust from the central government, governance capabilities and recognition by Macao society.
During the election, Sam presented his policy platform which focused on the rule of law in Macao and building a vibrant and prosperous Macao.
Throughout the election, he actively introduced his policy content and governance philosophy to various sectors of Macao society while going deep down to learn about public sentiment, garnering broad recognition and support from various social circles.
Ho said he is confident that the new chief executive will lead the new government and Macao residents in continuing to advance the steady and sustainable implementation of One Country, Two Systems principle and promote the next phase of new development for the Macao SAR.
He emphasized that following the relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and Macao's Chief Executive Election Law, after the Court of Final Appeal confirms the total election results and announces the results in the Macao SAR Gazette, he will submit a report to the Central People's Government and request its appointment of the chief executive.
He stressed that the current government will fully cooperate with the new chief executive in the formation of a new government to ensure a smooth transition.
Macao SAR chief executive congratulates Sam on winning election
Macao SAR chief executive congratulates Sam on winning election
Iran has received U.S. feedback on its latest peace proposal through Pakistani mediators, and talks between the two sides are still underway, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said that although the United States had publicly rejected Iran's 14-point peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict, Tehran had still received revisions and concerns through mediator Pakistan.
Such dialogue is continuing through the mediator, he said, stressing that although Iran does not trust the United States, it is still participating in the negotiations based on national interests.
Baghaei said that Iran has submitted its response to U.S. revisions to the conflict resolution plan.
"We approach every diplomatic process with deep distrust and serious skepticism in order to safeguard the national interests of Iran. Iran is aware that, given the United States' track record of undermining negotiations, it may repeat the same actions at any moment," Baghaei said.
Baghaei also said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz stems from military actions launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as what he described as violations of international law by the two countries.
Iran has taken relevant measures to ensure safety of navigation in the region, he said, adding that communication between Iran and Oman over issues related to the Strait of Hormuz is ongoing.
Baghaei said Iran harbors no hostility toward any country in the Middle East and called on all parties to remain vigilant against attempts by external forces to create division in the region.
Responding to repeated U.S. threats that military action against Iran could resume if no agreement is reached, Baghaei said threats and pressure have long been Washington's standard approach, but such tactics would not work on Iran.
He said Iran would continue advancing negotiations while closely monitoring developments and preparing for all possible scenarios.
Baghaei stressed that Iran would not abandon the rights granted to it under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and that the country is currently focused on efforts to end the conflict.
Also on Monday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing sources close to the Iranian negotiating team, said that Tehran had handed over its newest 14-point proposed plan for ending the war with the United States to Pakistan.
Pakistan will convey the plan to the United States, the report said.
The new proposal was submitted after Tehran revised its earlier 14-point draft in response to a recent U.S. proposal, the sources added.
According to the sources, Iran's new draft focuses on negotiations to end the war, as well as on "trust-building" measures.
In a separate report on Monday, Tasnim quoted another source close to the Iranian negotiating team as saying that, unlike previous U.S. drafts, Washington had agreed in its latest proposal to waive sanctions on Iranian oil during the negotiation period.
On the same day, however, a U.S. official said claims by the Iranian side that the U.S. had agreed to lift sanctions during the negotiations were false.
Iran, the United States and Israel reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that started with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb 28.
Following the truce, Iranian and U.S. delegations held one round of peace talks in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.
Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the conflict through Pakistan.
Iran's foreign ministry says talks with US still underway
