Four new flagship projects crucial for diversification, resident employment – Secretary for Social Affairs

 nov25

Macau’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, on Friday outlined an expanded policy blueprint for 2026, promising stronger social protections, deeper investment in youth and talent development, and highlighting the importance of the four flagship construction projects recently announced.

O Lam said the coming year would be “crucial” as Macau aligns its development with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and steps up efforts to diversify its casino-dependent economy.

Her bureau, she added, would work to build a Macau that is “dynamic, cultural and happy,” closely following national strategies and the priorities set by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng.

A central pillar of her agenda is the acceleration of four flagship construction projects recently announced by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai: the Macau International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone, the Macau Science and Technology Research and Development Industrial Park, the Macau International Aviation Hub for the Pearl River West Bank, and the Macau-Hengqin International University City.

The culture zone — planned across land near the Macau Tower and Zone C of the new reclamation areas — will include three large-scale cultural landmarks, among them the National Culture Museum and an international performing-arts centre.

“The goal is to establish them as internationally influential, iconic and high-standard cultural facilities, as well as an important platform for realising the “Two Implementations”, a new driver for adequate economic diversification, new employment opportunities for residents, and a new cultural landmark”, O noted.

“Architectural design work for the Macau National Culture Museum is expected to begin in 2026”.

Meanwhile, education development will run in parallel, with the new international education city in Hengqin will start with the expansion of postgraduate programmes for Macau’s three major public universities in the 2026/27 academic year, while planning for longer-term campus construction is under way.

O Lam said Macau would also accelerate cooperation with technology-transfer hubs in Guangdong and Jiangsu, preparing management teams and pushing integrated development in scientific research, talent training and industrial innovation.

Social welfare remains at the heart of the government’s plans. The secretary pledged to “consolidate the welfare baseline” by expanding elderly-care services, increasing caregiver subsidies and creating 15-minute elderly-service circles across the city. Health-insurance coverage for Macau residents living or working in mainland China will be extended to all of Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

To counter the city’s falling birth rate, the government will maintain existing birth and childcare subsidies, improve nursery services and launch subsidised medically assisted reproduction. Parenting classes and a broader support network “from pregnancy to education” will also be introduced.

Youth and talent development form another major priority. The government will enhance vocational training, expand talent-recruitment pathways, and strengthen patriotic education. A four-tier support system — covering career planning, university admission, internships, employment and career progression — aims to give young people “clearer paths” for development. More international exchange programmes will also be rolled out to broaden students’ horizons.

O Lam said Macau would continue to deepen rule alignment and mechanism integration with the Guangdong–Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, especially in healthcare, education, social security and cultural development — areas she described as key to the city’s “next stage of integration”.

With most 2025 tasks completed or close to completion, O Lam said the government was preparing for a heavier reform agenda in 2026, including the merger of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Cultural Development Fund and the Sports Bureau to streamline operations and improve public-service efficiency.

“Macau is entering a new chapter,” she said. “What the country aspires to, Macau responds.”

https://www.macaubusiness.com/four-new-flagship-projects-crucial-for-diversification-resident-employment-secretary-for-social-affairs/