Macao officials briefed on policy priorities from "two sessions" as chief executive urges concrete actions

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a meeting on Friday to publicize the guiding principles and policy priorities of the just-concluded "two sessions".

The "two sessions" this year refer to the fourth session of the 14th National people's Congress (NPC), held from March 5 to 12, and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held from March 4 to 11.

At the meeting, Lao Ngai Leong, head of the Macao delegation to the NPC, briefed the audience on the guiding principles of the NPC's annual session, while Chui Sai Cheong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, introduced the guiding principles of the CPPCC annual session.

More than 160 government officials and representatives from all sectors in Macao attended the meeting.

Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of the Macao SAR, said the "two sessions" this year carried great significance as a bridge between the past and the future.

He urged efforts to translate the guiding principles of the "two sessions" into concrete actions, and continuously write new chapters in Macao's development by participating in and contributing to the building of a great country and the great cause of national rejuvenation.

"The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) of our country has brought new and major development opportunities to Macao. As long as we remain confident in development, strengthen our sense of responsibility and practical work, give full play to Macao's unique advantages, proactively align with the national development strategy, and promote high-quality advancement of all construction undertakings in Macao, we will surely realize the beautiful visions of 'Macao Built on the Rule of Law', 'Dynamic Macao', 'Cultural Macao', and 'Happy Macao'. This way, we can continue to write new chapters in the great cause of 'one country, two systems' with Macao's characteristics, and make new and greater contributions to Chinese modernization," said Sam.

Macao officials briefed on policy priorities from "two sessions" as chief executive urges concrete actions

The European Union and the United Nations issued a joint report on Monday saying that human development across Gaza has been set back by a staggering 77 years, with 71.4 billion U.S. dollars needed over the next decade for its recovery and reconstruction.

According to the Final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, jointly conducted by the EU and UN with the World Bank, 26.3 billion U.S. dollars will be needed in the first 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure and support economic recovery.

Physical infrastructure damages are estimated at 35.2 billion U.S. dollars, with economic and social losses amounting to 22.7 billion U.S. dollars from the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023.

The report finds that all sectors have been devastated, including housing, health, education, commerce and agriculture.

In Gaza, at least 371,888 housing units have been destroyed or damaged, more than 50 percent of hospitals are non-functional, and nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged. The economy has contracted by 84 percent.

The impact on the lives of Gazans is just as devastating: more than 60 percent of the population have lost their homes and 1.9 million people displaced, often multiple times. Women, children, persons with disabilities, and those with pre-existing vulnerabilities bear the greatest burden.

Over two years of conflict has resulted in more than 71,000 Palestinian fatalities and over 171,000 injured, according to local authorities, with many still missing under the rubble.

Gaza's reconstruction in next decade needs 71.4 billion US dollars: report