Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, visited the MSAR for six days to ensure that the goals set by President Xi Jinping last December are being fulfilled. His agenda spanned various areas, with particular emphasis on his remarks regarding Macau’s economic development, as well as how the city should conduct its political life.
Regarding Hengqin, he urged Macau to treat the development of the Cooperation Zone as if it were part of Macau itself, stressing the “urgency” for results. In response, André Cheong, Secretary for Administration and Justice, highlighted the working group created for that purpose—chaired by the Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai. However, at the press conference following the visit, Sam Hou Fai admitted that the city’s dependence on gaming will not end anytime soon, which means we risk falling short of the goals set for Hengqin and Macau by 2035. Given Beijing’s pressure to accelerate integration, the MSAR finds itself between a rock and a hard place: it is required to act without having time to build its space in this shared future.
In his meeting with business representatives, Xia Baolong was quite firm about the need to put the Motherland first, in clear reference to the trade war with the United States, which he called “unilateralist” and hegemonic in intent. These statements came on the same day a 90-day “tariff truce” was announced, highlighting Beijing’s stance: willing to change course, but prepared for the worst-case scenario. According to the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, Xia said that “there is no way out if we make compromises and concessions (…), because only through struggle can we achieve development.” If no agreement is reached with the United States and Macau continues to exercise budgetary restraint as a result, diversification will become even more distant; the dependence on gaming will only grow. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce exposure but also to have the courage to stay the course—even if that means renegotiating goals.
Finally, in his meeting with members of the Legislative Assembly, Xia called for the further strengthening and optimisation of the relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, reiterating the “predominance of the Executive” over the latter, as set out in the Basic Law. He also said that the separation of powers does not follow the same rules as in the West, once again taking shelter behind the Basic Law. The current legislature has not rejected a single proposal submitted by the Government, which is at the very least demonstrative of harmony between the two powers. Going any further would mean stripping the Legislative Assembly of its role—to prevent abuse of power by the Executive and to echo the population’s concerns and needs by turning them into law. I agree with harmony between branches of power; I am concerned by the submission of the body that gives voice to the people. Xia also spoke of “mutual respect” between the powers. Upon the departure of the previous Executive, several lawmakers criticised Ho Iat Seng’s Government for its lack of transparency and disregard for the Assembly’s work. Progress demands unity, certainly—but it also demands the courage to disagree. No collective path is elevated by applause alone. Without voices that question, debate is impoverished, power becomes complacent, and the future narrows. True loyalty to a common project does not lie in blind submission, but in the ability to recognise missteps and call them out with a sense of responsibility. We will be here to see what kind of relationship this new Government will build with the Legislative Assembly—and how the Assembly will respond in turn.
*Executive Director of Plataforma
