Core Tip: Recently, Zhang Xiaoming, the deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, praised Macao's "one country, two systems" practice as very successful. He also believed that there are differences in the "one country, two systems" experiences between Macao and Hong Kong. Ho Hau Wah, Macao's chief executive, said that the patriotic foundation of Macao residents has always been good. After the return, Macao people's feelings for the country have increased.
Ho Hau Wah, Guangzhou Daily, November 20th report: Ten years ago, at the age of 44, Ho Hau Wah from a prominent family was elected as the first Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region with an overwhelming majority of votes, becoming the first administrative head chosen by Macao people themselves in 400 years; five years ago, Ho Hau Wah was re-elected without any surprise.
"One country, two systems" is a new thing, and it can be said that each of us is a developer. Objectively speaking, Macao's "one country, two systems" indeed has a more solid foundation." This Chief Executive who has been in charge since Macao's return is well-known for his low-profile style and working ability - In the past ten years since the return, he rarely gave exclusive interviews and only met the media after reading the policy address every year; yesterday, Ho Hau Wah, whose term will end in one month, specially met with representatives of mainland media to detail the gains and losses of his administration. Our newspaper is one of the few invited media for an exclusive interview.
Talking about "One Country, Two Systems": Mr. Chui Sai On will do better
Recently, Zhang Xiaoming, the deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, praised Macao's "one country, two systems" practice as very successful and believed that there are differences in the "one country, two systems" experiences between Macao and Hong Kong. In Ho Hau Wah's view, he attributes this successful experience to its own "unique conditions."
Reporter: As a witness to Macao's "one country, two systems," how do you see Macao's practice of "one country, two systems?"
Ho Hau Wah: The implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao, through the joint efforts of all Macao residents, has achieved certain results. An important factor for success is the understanding of the Basic Law and policies, plus Macao's unique historical conditions. The chairman of the Legislative Assembly, the president of the Court of Final Appeal, and I have all participated in the drafting process of Macao's Basic Law. During this process, the three of us established a special relationship and had a unified understanding of the Basic Law. So from this point of view, the foundation for governing Macao is relatively stable, which is a favorable condition for implementing "one country, two systems."
Mr. Chui Sai On also participated in the drafting work of the Basic Law in the past, and I believe that under his leadership, the third-term SAR government will surely push "one country, two systems" to a better peak.
Reporter: Can you summarize Macao's successful experience?
Ho Hau Wah: I am not good at summarizing, and I don't plan to write any books or memoirs after stepping down. I have one shortcoming; after many things are done, I let them pass, so I never achieve experience summary (laughs).
After serving as the Chief Executive for ten years, the usually straightforward Ho Hau Wah frankly admitted in the legislative summary the other day that the Macao SAR Government is like a "kid trying to do adult work." When answering questions from our reporter, he even bluntly stated that his governance team started not only from zero but even from "negative."
Reporter: I saw comments saying that after the handover, you were the developer of Macao. Looking back on these ten years, what do you think you have brought to Macao?
Ho Hau Wah: "One country, two systems" is a new thing, and I think everyone practicing it is a developer.
Compared to Hong Kong before the handover, Macao's conditions and resources cannot match it. Therefore, "Macao people governing Macao" really started from zero, and even from "negative" in many aspects, such as the negative economic growth in Macao before the handover. This means that we may have to pay a certain price when governing, but of course, the price is precious, and experience is wealth.
Reporter: In the past ten years since the handover, how do you evaluate the progress of the government's work?
Ho Hau Wah: There are achievements in the government's work, but it must be recognized that compared to the requirements of citizens and social development, there is still a gap.
For Macao, we need to maintain relative stability, we need time to train and cultivate civil servant culture among personnel, and behind every civil servant is a family. In this place with a population of only hundreds of thousands, it is easy to shake the social foundation. Without stability, how can we talk about social development. I always believe that the implementation of "one country, two systems" is not a matter for one generation.
Talking about Macao's Prospects: Gaming Industry Will Still Dominate Long-Term
Ho Hau Wah candidly expressed his conflicted feelings about the long-term dominance of the gaming industry in Macao. Regarding the gaming industry in Macao that has developed from an industry to a sector after the handover, he said he has done his best to minimize the negative impact.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will officially start construction next month, just within Ho Hau Wah's term. In his view, Macao's future potential for development within the Greater Pearl River Delta system is enormous.
Reporter: What breakthroughs does the Hengqin Plan bring to Macao's development and the practice of "one country, two systems"?
Ho Hau Wah: It has very far-reaching significance. First, it solves Macao's land restriction problem. More importantly, it reflects the vitality and flexibility of "one country, two systems" itself from a systemic perspective, showing the central government's great support for Macao in nurturing talent and enhancing education.
From the perspective of Macao's own development, the campus of the University of Macau will be established in Hengqin and governed by the SAR government, which is a relatively large institutional innovation and a new pilot project for the development of the "one country, two systems" cause.
Reporter: Where do you think Macao's future direction for industrial development lies?
Ho Hau Wah: Whether from history or Macao's overall economic objective conditions, the gaming industry will still dominate Macao's overall economic development for a relatively long period of time, which is an objective fact. However, I believe it is necessary to emphasize the orderly development of the gaming industry, and the next step for the SAR is to strictly control the momentum and scale of the gaming industry's development.
Reporter: The central government advocates moderate diversification of Macao's industries. Do you think which direction should it develop towards?
Ho Hau Wah: Moderate economic diversification is completely correct, and the central government fully supports us, but this cannot be fully realized in a short time. We now see the potential in the exhibition industry, but it requires time. The cultural industry has great potential, but it is not easy either, after all, there are not many talents. The next government has its own ideas, and we have already created favorable conditions.
Talking about Post-Retirement Expectations: No Political Comments, No Business Ventures, No Participation in Associations
Although only 54 years old, Ho Hau Wah has already envisioned his post-retirement life in meticulous detail and clarity—firmly refusing to comment on politics, engage in business, or participate in associations. His ideal is very simple: to live a long-desired "slow life."
Reporter: What plans do you have after retirement?
Ho Hau Wah: I haven’t had time to plan yet (laughs). But what I cannot do is very clear, because the Macao Executive Council has recently discussed the "General Rules for the Chief Executive and Principal Officials," one of the restrictions on former chief executives is to "cool off for three years." This means that in the first year after retirement, apart from work assigned by the central government or the current chief executive, basically no work can be undertaken, and for the following two years, all work must be approved and agreed upon by the current chief executive and go through a certain administrative procedure.
This bill has already been completed and will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly in the near future. Therefore, I don’t need to arrange my future path at all (laughs).
Reporter: Would you consider going into business, entering the gaming industry, or joining an association?
Ho Hau Wah: 99.99% I will not go into business. As a former chief executive, regardless of working in any company, it is inevitable to deal with the government. Should I be given face because I am the former chief executive? I will not participate in association work either, because being responsible for an association also involves dealing with the government. Given my personal character and principles, I definitely will not do it.
Similarly, for the next chief executive and the next government, whether now or after retirement, I will not comment on or discuss politics publicly. This is my own requirement, as well as a requirement of political integrity and discipline.
If I can enjoy a leisurely life after retirement, that would be the greatest pleasure. I hope to live a "slow life" as a reward for my past work.
Reporter's Notes:
Ten Years of Hard Work, One Day of Retirement
Despite frequent travels between Hong Kong and Macao, meeting with Macao's Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah is not easy. Even officials from the Macao SAR Government Information Bureau said, "After this meeting, it is estimated that there won't be any media appearances before the 10th anniversary of the handover."
In the official residence where the former governor lived, Ho Hau Wah strides quickly with a deep voice, but his temples have turned gray from the black hair of ten years ago. From the young master of the Ho family to the Chief Executive of Macao, he proclaimed "diligence and hard work" and "decisive action" right after taking office, and the next day, all Macao newspapers had the same headline "Deep Celebration for Getting the Right Person."
Macao people affectionately call him "Brother Wa" not only because they love his broad-mindedness and approachability but also because of his genuine frankness, unlike a typical political figure - local media revealed that he had a strong connection with organized crime, engaged in business dealings with them, and had some misconduct in his private life. Surprisingly, he openly admitted it: "Because of my father, Macao is so small, it is impossible for me not to come into contact with organized crime, but I absolutely did not engage in illegal activities." "I am not a saint, I have one or two things that I feel guilty towards my wife, but it does not equal infidelity, fortunately, my wife understands me."
(Original Source: Yangcheng Evening News - Guangzhou Daily Author: Qiu Rui Xian Zhao Qi Yu)