Macao to play key role in China's broader national development strategy: regional legislator

Macao is well-positioned to play a key role in China's broader development strategy by fully leveraging its distinctive strengths and deepening its integration with the mainland, said Jose Maria Pereira Coutinho, a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The Macao SAR government on Tuesday released the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao SAR (2026-2030). It sets out eight development goals and serves as a comprehensive roadmap for Macao's next phase of growth, aligning closely with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) adopted by the National People's Congress back in March.

In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday, Coutinho emphasized that the newly-unveiled plan is more than a local blueprint, but rather serves as a strategic instrument for integrating Macao into the country's overall development framework under the "one country, two systems" principle.

"Definitely I believe that there are some list of priorities in Macao. First of all, it stands that the main core is the national security legislation which is essential to put it in effect, the 'one country, two systems' principle. A comprehensive national security legal framework provides a stable environment and other important developments that need to be [in place for the region to] flourish," he said.

He also stressed the urgency of establishing a clear timeline and revising the five key legal codes, including the Penal Code, the Civil Code, and the Commercial Code, to support the plan's implementation and create a sound legal foundation.

When asked how Macao's Third Five-Year Plan aligns with the wider national strategy, Coutinho underscored the SAR's deliberate effort to synchronize with the mainland's 15th Five-Year Plan.

He highlighted Macao's distinctive role as an international bridge, not only between China and Portuguese-speaking countries but also increasingly with Latin America.

"Macao is a special place because under 'one country, two systems', we try to align to the 15th Five-Year Plan of the mainland strategy so that a comprehensive alignment with that core [plan is] essential. [It] reflects the Macao government positioning Macao within not only broader national development, but also the openness about the links that we have with the Portuguese-speaking countries and now with the Spanish [speaking] South America countries" he said.

Coutinho added that Macao's standing as a unique gateway for key global markets to engage with China and vice versa reinforces its value as a vital strategic hub for economic ties.

Macao to play key role in China's broader national development strategy: regional legislator

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's certification that its new Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

The probe, formally designated as an Audit Query, was opened on Sept. 3 and covers an estimated 1,000 Cybercab vehicles, according to an NHTSA investigation document made public on Friday. It will examine the process and technical data Tesla relied upon when certifying the Cybercab, as well as related issues. Tesla began commercial deployment of a small number of Cybercab vehicles in Austin, Texas, on Thursday and notified the agency that it had certified the vehicles as compliant with all applicable FMVSS. Tesla also told the NHTSA that it plans to gradually expand commercial deployment of the Cybercab to include additional vehicles and locations.

The vehicles lack permanently attached conventional manual controls, such as a brake pedal, gas pedal, steering wheel and mirrors, according to the NHTSA.

The agency said the inquiry will examine, among other issues, the extent to which Tesla's certification depended on determinations that certain FMVSS are inapplicable to the Cybercab.

In the United States, the NHTSA establishes vehicle performance requirements, while automakers must certify that their vehicles meet applicable standards before entering the U.S. market, subject to agency oversight to confirm compliance. The NHTSA said it conducts investigations when certified vehicles appear not to adhere to those requirements.

U.S. regulator opens probe into Tesla Cybercab self-certification