If elected, what will be your main focus during your term? How do you think members of parliament should act in the next Legislative Assembly?
Wong Kit Cheng: The Good Home Alliance advocates for “the fight for women’s and children’s rights, family happiness, the creation of platforms for youth, and building the future of Macau.” We have been vigilant in fulfilling our election promises and, over the past eight years, have been an active voice for the people in the Assembly.
During our last term, we secured the granting of a monthly parental allowance of 1,500 patacas, the continued increase of the birth allowance to 6,500 patacas, the launch of the Medically Assisted Reproduction Treatment Co-payment Program, the approval of the Family Conciliation Scheme, the regularization of the Caregiver Allowance, and the improvement of leisure areas and playgrounds in several neighborhoods, among other objectives.
It’s not just the elected members; All members of our team—whether in social participation, political involvement, or professional practice—have humbly listened to public opinion, effectively fulfilling their roles as supervisors and advisors.
Over the past four years, we have presented 118 Interventions Before the Agenda, 390 written interpellations, and 38 oral interpellations, maintaining full attendance at plenary sessions. Through the Assembly, government advisory bodies, and the media, we have transformed public opinion into practical and viable policy proposals, ensuring that governance aligns with the needs and aspirations of the population.
Above all, our team is a service provider for residents, implementing practical measures to benefit the people and earning their trust. Over the past four years, we have processed 2,162 requests for assistance, with a 99.5% resolution rate, a recognition that has been confirmed by residents.
Currently, problems such as a low birth rate, an aging population, and the fragility of the community economy affect the sustainable development of society. In our program, we present six pillars: “Fight for the rights of women and children,” “Strengthen the protection of the elderly and the most vulnerable,” “Support youth and strengthen education,” “Revitalize communities and boost the economy,” “Benefit everyone and reduce burdens,” and “Optimize infrastructure and beautify our homes.” These pillars aim to comprehensively increase residents’ feelings of happiness, security, and fulfillment. These objectives will certainly be reflected in our legislative work. We will do our utmost to earn the trust of every voter and ensure the people’s voice in the Assembly.
Macau’s economy is in a transitional phase, facing numerous challenges beyond the Gaming Industry. What specific proposals do you have to promote more sustainable and diversified development?
Wong Kit Cheng: Macau’s economy is at a critical moment of transformation. The vulnerability of its industrial structure to internal and external changes has been particularly exposed during the pandemic. We believe that moderately diversified economic development is not an option, but an inevitable path to long-term prosperity, stability, and community well-being.
In implementing the “1+4” industry strategy, it is necessary not only to actively cultivate emerging sectors but also to leverage and consolidate the advantages of the integrated tourism and leisure industry to support the development of these new sectors.
Integrated tourism has a solid foundation and abundant resources. By promoting the cross-cutting integration of the “Tourism+” concept, new business models such as “Tourism + MICE,” “Tourism + Culture,” “Tourism + Sports,” and “Tourism + Health” should be developed. This way, the industry can evolve from traditional tourism and gaming to a high-value-added destination.
At the same time, it is essential to revitalize local communities and neighborhoods, fostering the community economy and applying the effects of “letting the big pull the small” and “letting the old drive the new,” benefiting all sectors.
Among emerging sectors, high-tech is still in its infancy, but it already has significant foundations, such as the incorporation of four national laboratories into the national management network. Integration into the national innovation system is crucial for economic diversification. The government should review local advantages, explore complementary development paths with neighboring regions, and cooperate with universities in knowledge transfer and talent acquisition and training. This way, the high-tech industry can gradually integrate into the local economy and contribute to talent development, benefiting businesses and residents.
The Big Health industry also has a solid foundation, notably with the Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Industry Park, a comprehensive higher education system (from undergraduate to doctoral levels), and associated national laboratories. With the launch of the Macau Union Hospital, we suggest that the government use its strength to integrate Chinese and Western medicine resources, leisure tourism, and wellness, creating a quality medical tourism destination. This will not only develop the industry but also improve the level of local care and reduce the government’s medical expense burden, allowing residents to share in the fruits of development.
What measures do you advocate to create employment opportunities and promote professional development? How can attracting foreign investment and talent be balanced with protecting the jobs of local residents?
Wong Kit Cheng: Employment is one of the most pressing issues in people’s lives. According to data from the Statistics and Census Service, the unemployment rate among local residents is 2.5%, and the underemployment rate is 1.6%. While these numbers may not seem high, in practice, problems persist: difficulties for middle-aged workers in changing careers, difficulties for young people in finding jobs, and intense job competition.
The growth of the local workforce is also essential for the success of economic transformation. We advocate supporting residents in adapting to the market and emerging industries through diversified training and business partnerships, promoting upward professional mobility.
We propose expanding the “Employment + Training” program, increasing courses and certifications in different areas, and raising the incentive for professional certification to 10,000 patacas, strengthening the population’s technical skills. At the same time, it is necessary to support entrepreneurship training, stimulating youth employment through youth-created startups.
For young people, we propose encouraging the mutual recognition of professional qualifications with mainland China, increasing internship opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and with local companies, and strengthening subsidies. We must also improve research on talent needs in various industries to guide academic and professional paths.
Furthermore, it is important to review the effectiveness of talent attraction programs and utilize the mentoring role of qualified foreign workers to train local talent. It is also necessary to optimize the management system for non-resident workers, especially in administrative and mid-level positions, freeing up jobs that residents are “willing and able to fill.” The goal is not only to ensure priority access to employment for residents, but above all to ensure quality employment.
SMEs are an essential pillar of the economy. What policies do you suggest to help them face challenges, innovate, and grow sustainably?
Wong Kit Cheng: Although tourism has recovered rapidly post-pandemic, with the increase in visitor numbers, they are concentrated in traditional tourist areas. Many SMEs in older neighborhoods have benefited little. Furthermore, they face difficulties due to declining domestic consumption, outbound spending, cross-border e-commerce, and rising operating costs.
SMEs are essential to the economy and support thousands of families. We have always said that “protecting the economy” means “protecting jobs” and “protecting livelihoods.”
We propose maintaining and expanding consumer support measures that alleviate the cost of living for families and provide a breathing space for SMEs. We also advocate for the creation of “commercial districts with their own characteristics,” accompanied by urban revitalization and beautification, and cooperation with leisure businesses to attract tourists to these neighborhoods, balancing economic development.
We also urge the government to simplify administrative processes for SMEs, streamlining licensing, loans, and subsidies, and revising outdated regulations. Only then will it be possible to channel more capital and resources to revitalize the community economy and improve the business environment.
Regarding Macau’s role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, how can representatives enhance this role?
Wong Kit Cheng: The country designated Macau as a “Service Platform for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries,” leveraging our unique advantages.
We advocate a focus on training bilingual (Chinese-Portuguese) talent and their integration in law, commerce, tourism, finance, and MICE. This way, Macau can have highly qualified professionals to serve as a bridge.
We also propose strengthening the role of schools, associations, and cultural institutions in carrying out activities that bring citizens, businesses, and tourists closer to Portuguese-speaking cultures, increasing social recognition of Macau’s role as a “Platform.”
In the trade sector, we suggest leveraging Macau’s status as a separate customs zone to create a cross-border e-commerce hub targeting Portuguese-speaking countries and Southeast Asian markets. This will allow us to attract more economic and trade cooperation projects, strengthening international competitiveness and boosting economic diversification.
What are your recommendations for strengthening social security (support for families, the elderly, and vulnerable groups)?
Wong Kit Cheng: Our team places great importance on family development and proposes policies to address the low birth rate and population aging.
We advocate increasing the birth allowance to 20,000 patacas and extending the parental allowance to age 6. We propose revising the Labor Relations Law, increasing maternity leave to 90 days and paternity leave to 10 days.
We also advocate strengthening support for childcare services to reduce the burden on families and encourage companies to adopt family-friendly policies, such as parental leave, prenatal checkups, and breastfeeding breaks.
To support the elderly and vulnerable, we propose increasing the amounts of social benefits (pension, old-age allowance, disability allowance, and caregiver allowance) through a regular update mechanism. We must also invest in early intervention, special education, and strengthening social enterprises, ensuring a better quality of life for the most vulnerable groups.
This year, there are fewer lists for direct suffrage. How can we strengthen representation, legislative capacity, and the Assembly’s effectiveness in oversight of the government?
Wong Kit Cheng: Our list represents a broad diversity. Led by the General Women’s Association of Macau, it includes representatives from various professional and social sectors.
As I mentioned, it’s not just the representatives: all members of our team listen to and convey public opinion through social participation, political involvement, and professional practice. We act as supervisors and advisors to the Government through the Assembly, advisory bodies, and the media.
This stance reflects our political and civic attitude: professional, pragmatic, dedicated to people, and serving society.
With the number 6 on the ballot, the Good Home Alliance is committed to continuing to serve residents, listening humbly, and actively reflecting the voice of the people. Let’s build a better Macau and a brighter future together.
