Chui Sai On appointed Macao chief executive

File photo of Chui Sai On (Chinanews.com)

China's State Council on Wednesday appointed Chui Sai On as the fourth-term chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Chui, 57, was elected the fourth-term chief executive-designate of the Macao SAR on Aug 31 as the sole candidate in the election.

Born in Macao in 1957, Chui holds a bachelor's degree in Community Health from California State University, and a master's degree and PhD of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. He has served as the third-term chief executive of the Macao SAR since 2009.

His next five-year tenure will start from Dec 20, 2014, it was decided at a State Council meeting presided over by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Li told the meeting that the August election was completely in line with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and all other relevant laws, and reflected "an open and just principle."

The premier said Chui's win by a clear majority showed he was widely supported by Macao people.

He said Chui -- with the support of the central government -- had led the Macao SAR to maintain high economic growth and low unemployment over the past five years.

His reelection would thus be conducive to Macao's long-term prosperity, stability and development, according to Li.

Noting that this year marks the 15th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, Li said the "one country, two systems" policy has been a great success.

He said that central authorities will continue to implement the Basic Law and the principle of one country, two systems, under which Macao people govern Macao and the SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy, and that they will back sustained prosperity and stability in the region.

The premier said he was confident that Chui could lead the SAR government and people to create a better future during his new tenure.

Wednesday's approval by the State Council is the final step in appointing Chui as chief executive.

Incumbent Chief Executive Chui won 380 votes from the 396 Election Committee members who attended the Aug 31 voting.

Chui said at a press conference after the election that winning the election is the start to embrace new challenges for Macao as well as to implement his election declaration. He pledged to fully devote himself to implementing the principle of one country, two systems, while improving people's livelihoods in Macao.