As the newly elected sixth-term Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Sam Hou Fai is drawing upon his extensive legal background to emphasize the importance of respecting power.
Sam was elected the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Macao SAR in October. His tenure will start from Dec 20, according to a decision made at a State Council meeting held later that month.
During a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), Sam reminisced about his early career as one Macao's first judicial auditors from 1995, and the collective struggle of his generation to uphold jurisdiction after Macao's return to motherland.
"This called for joint effort from all Chinese legal workers to prepare for the challenge after Macao's return to the motherland in 1999. Chinese judges must participate in judicial work and management. Can we, through our efforts, take on the entire judicial operation under our own knowledge and exercise well the jurisdiction granted to Macao by our own country?" said Sam.
Sam was born in Zhongshan City of south China's Guangdong Province in May 1962 and later moved to Macao for work. He joined the first group of Macao's judicial auditors in 1995. He served as president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal since 1999 until he ran for election.
Throughout the 25 years as the president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal, Sam consistently emphasized the significance of honestly fulfilling duties.
"I told our judges that people must respect power and not rely on luck. Otherwise, sooner or later, due to negligence, you will bear the consequences. Even if you get lucky this time, you will never live a smooth and comfortable life in your heart for the rest of your life," said Sam.
Macao's newly-elected chief executive draws on legal background to inform governance
Macao's newly-elected chief executive draws on legal background to inform governance
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
