Voting for Macau's chief executive election concluded on October 13, 2024, with Sam Hou-fai emerging as the uncontested candidate. He is notable for being the first candidate born in mainland China and is fluent in Portuguese. Sam announced his candidacy in late August after resigning as president of Macau's Court of Final Appeal. His election is set for December 20, 2024, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to Chinese sovereignty. He received an impressive 98.5% support, reflecting a significant level of backing with 383 nominations, which is higher than previous leaders [522e599b][0cc30a5a].
At 62 years old, Hou-fai has a robust judicial background, having served as the head of Macau's Court of Final Appeal from December 1999 until his resignation in August 2024. Despite his extensive legal experience, concerns have been raised regarding his lack of political experience, particularly as he aims to tackle the pressing issue of diversifying Macau's economy, which has been heavily reliant on the gaming industry. Critics have pointed out the 'barbaric expansion' of the gaming sector, raising concerns about job opportunities and economic sustainability [522e599b].
In his manifesto, Hou-fai emphasized the need to reduce economic reliance on gaming and improve livelihoods, proposing to enhance tourism by increasing residency shows at casinos. He aims to improve Macau's competitiveness against neighboring regions like Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Additionally, he acknowledged the underutilization of connections with Portuguese-speaking countries and expressed regret over missed opportunities, such as Adele's declined performance offer [5e388820]. He also highlighted the return of the 'House of Dancing Waters' show at City of Dreams as part of his strategy to revitalize the tourism sector [5e388820].
Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed Hou-fai to prioritize the diversification of the economy, address livelihood issues, and enhance national security. Xi emphasized the importance of healthcare, urban renewal, and a responsible governance approach during their discussions. As Hou-fai prepares to finalize his ministerial choices this month, he is considering both current officials and new candidates to support these initiatives [0cc30a5a].
Macau's economy has shown signs of growth, increasing by 25.7% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, yet the region faces significant challenges in balancing gaming revenues with broader economic growth. Hou-fai's leadership will be crucial as Macau positions itself as a tourism hub within the Greater Bay Area development plan [522e599b]. His election platform is expected to address these challenges, and there is a growing expectation that he will be more responsive to public opinion than his predecessors. As Macau navigates its future, Hou-fai's judicial perspective may offer a unique approach to governance, but his ability to implement effective economic reforms remains to be seen [522e599b].