Macao's newly-elected chief executive draws on legal background to inform governance

As the newly elected sixth-term Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Sam Hou Fai is drawing upon his extensive legal background to emphasize the importance of respecting power.

Sam was elected the sixth-term chief executive designate of the Macao SAR in October. His tenure will start from Dec 20, according to a decision made at a State Council meeting held later that month.

During a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), Sam reminisced about his early career as one Macao's first judicial auditors from 1995, and the collective struggle of his generation to uphold jurisdiction after Macao's return to motherland.

"This called for joint effort from all Chinese legal workers to prepare for the challenge after Macao's return to the motherland in 1999. Chinese judges must participate in judicial work and management. Can we, through our efforts, take on the entire judicial operation under our own knowledge and exercise well the jurisdiction granted to Macao by our own country?" said Sam.

Sam was born in Zhongshan City of south China's Guangdong Province in May 1962 and later moved to Macao for work. He joined the first group of Macao's judicial auditors in 1995. He served as president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal since 1999 until he ran for election.

Throughout the 25 years as the president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal, Sam consistently emphasized the significance of honestly fulfilling duties.

"I told our judges that people must respect power and not rely on luck. Otherwise, sooner or later, due to negligence, you will bear the consequences. Even if you get lucky this time, you will never live a smooth and comfortable life in your heart for the rest of your life," said Sam.

Macao's newly-elected chief executive draws on legal background to inform governance

Macao's newly-elected chief executive draws on legal background to inform governance

The gold price fluctuated above 3,140 U.S. dollars per ounce on Thursday, after President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs against most U.S. trading partners.

The price of gold has jumped nearly 18 percent this year, as traders piled into the safe haven asset amid a steep decline in stock market futures.

Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.

All imports would be subject to 10 percent additional tariffs, except as otherwise provided, the executive order said. This will take effect on April 5.

Trump will impose an "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" on the countries and regions with which the United States "has the largest trade deficits," according to a White House document. This will take effect on April 9.

Some goods will not be subject to the reciprocal tariff, including steel and aluminum, autos and auto parts already subject to Section 232 tariffs, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, the White House noted.

For Canada and Mexico, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods will continue to see a 0 percent tariff, non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 25 percent tariff, and non-USMCA compliant energy and potash will see a 10 percent tariff, according to the White House.

In his speech at the White House Rose Garden, Trump presented a chart on "reciprocal tariffs." The chart shows that different countries and regions face different tariff rates.

For example, China will face a 34-percent tariff, the European Union 20 percent, Vietnam 46 percent, Japan 24 percent, India 26 percent, South Korea 25 percent, Thailand 36 percent, Switzerland 31 percent, Indonesia 32 percent, Malaysia 24 percent, and Cambodia 49 percent.

Gold price fluctuates after Trump tariffs announcement