Macao's chief executive candidate shows concern over island development

In fulfilling his promise of soliciting public opinions in his re-election campaign, Macao's chief executive candidate Edmund Ho Hau Wah went to two island districts of the Macao Special Administrative Region to engage in

dialogue with local residents.

On the island resort of Coloane, Ho told the folks that the island now faces an unprecedented development opportunity with the booming cross-border trade via the Lotus Land Checkpoint near the island and booming tourism. Construction of a number of sports facilities is undergoing on the island to accommodate Macao's hosting the 2005 East Asian Games.

He understood the local residents' urgent need for improving living standard. "For the long-term benefit of the island, it is important to protect the traditional flavor and greenery on the island in the process of tourist development," he said.

He added that the government should help raise the business interests in the real estate development for leisure grounds and luxury commercial housing on island.

At his next station on Taipa Island, Ho was engrossed in residents' appeal for a hospital.

The island which went into urbanization only 10 years ago is now a home to Macao's international airport, two universities and a number of luxury hotels as well as a construction site for casino invested by Las Vegas-based companies. The island is linked with the Macao Peninsula by a bridge.

Ho said that he could understand that the lack of a hospital on the island has been an inconvenience for local residents. He would see to the matter on top of the government's agenda, if he could be re-elected for the second term.

He also reviewed the oversight in the municipal affairs management due to the segmented administrative organization based on the geographic division among the Macao Peninsula and the two islands. He vowed to solve the issue saying that he would not let the residents down.

Ho is in his two-week election campaign, after winning 297 Election Committee members' endorsement forms, or 99 percent for the chief executive candidature nomination to become the sole candidate in the upcoming election on August 29.

Source: Xinhua