International: On Wednesday, August 20, Macao Special Administrative Region was widely recognised for its economic prosperity, social stability and increasingly strong connections with the rest of the world as a model of the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems.” On August 18, the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) was released, providing a top-level blueprint and systematic plan for Macao’s development over the next five years and beyond. Public opinion holds that the Third Five-Year Plan represents another important step in the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macao’s own characteristics and carries milestone significance in advancing the region’s high-quality development.

To understand the “significance” of Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan, it is first essential to understand the new circumstances facing Macao. At present, the world is undergoing rapid changes, the global economic recovery remains weak, and uncertainties and instability in the external environment have increased significantly. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China’s economic foundation remains stable, its advantages are numerous, its resilience is strong, and the conditions and fundamental trends supporting long-term positive development remain unchanged. This provides Macao with ample opportunities and significant potential to promote moderately diversified economic development and improve people’s living standards. From Macao’s own perspective, although the current economic recovery is progressing well and government fiscal resources are relatively abundant, various issues, including its relatively narrow industrial structure, still need to be addressed, while some challenges affecting people’s livelihoods also remain to be resolved.

Against this backdrop, the Third Five-Year Plan proposes 35 major economic and social development indicators, 68 special areas and 310 key tasks. Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou Fai said that the Third Five-Year Plan is a roadmap and task list for bringing Macao into a new stage of high-quality development. The Macao SAR government will unite and lead all sectors of Macao society in working to realise the beautiful vision of a “Macao under the rule of law,” a “vibrant Macao,” a “cultural Macao” and a “happy Macao,” while creating a new situation of high-quality development of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macao’s own characteristics.

Previously, Macao’s Second Five-Year Plan successfully completed its major objectives and tasks, with all 20 major economic and social development indicators across four categories meeting expectations. According to the data, Macao SAR’s GDP grew by 4.7 percent in 2025, reaching 418.04 billion yuan. The International Monetary Fund recently noted that Macao’s economy remains stable, its financial system is generally sound, its financial sector is becoming increasingly diversified, and it has made steady progress towards moderately diversified economic development.

Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan fully reflects the institutional advantages of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy. On the one hand, the Third Five-Year Plan actively aligns with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan by adhering to the principle of coordinating development and security. On the other hand, it fully reflects and leverages the advantages of executive leadership. Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the Macao SAR government has planned and implemented major tasks and reform measures while fully embodying the principles of democratic consultation and building broad social consensus.

Over the next five years, Macao will strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. It will seek to establish itself as an important bridge for China’s high-level opening-up and an important window for exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilisations. This will help Macao better fulfil its role as a “precise connector” with the outside world, advance its own development and contribute to the benefit of the world.

Once a plan has been formulated, concrete action is essential. By upholding the principle of “One Country” and making proper use of the advantages of “Two Systems,” Macao will, over the next five years, closely integrate itself into the country’s overall development, fully leverage its unique advantages, and make steady and long-term progress in promoting moderately diversified economic development, safeguarding people’s well-being and connecting with the world. In doing so, it will continue to write a new chapter in the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems.”

Source: Lily-Touhid, China Media Group.