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
Various fun activities have been launched in parts of east China's Zhejiang and Fujian Provinces in the run-up to the Spring Festival holiday season.
At the Wen'er food bazaar in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang, a distinctive exhibition showcasing paper-cutting, an intangible cultural heritage, draw a large crowd. In addition to shopping for groceries, visitors could also join in paper-cutting classes, drink coffee, and watch exhibitions.
"Today, I made a paper-cut and a paper-carving artwork, featuring the 'Fu' character, to bring good fortune to my home," said Ge Yingyin, a young girl.
Apart from such lively interactions among locals, an exhibition at the market displays over 50 classic fine-grained paper-cutting artworks, which offers the visitors an opportunity to appreciate the charm of intangible cultural heritage up close.
"The market here is full of life, [where intangible cultural heritage items can find their niche]. China's intangible cultural heritage is never divorced from life, but more integrated into the daily life of ordinary people," said Wan Qianyun, a local resident.
Hua'an in Zhangzhou City of Fujian, once a small fishing village, has now transformed into a popular tourist destination. With its rich fishing resources, the county has developed festive activities such as fish banquets and tours to its traditional earthen buildings, attracting flocks of tourists.
As the Spring Festival approaches, Hua'an has also organized events such as a New Year market, a half-marathon and a spinning top competition, all aimed at boosting its tourism industry by leveraging its distinctive culture and agricultural products.
"The Jiulong River is abundant in aquatic products, and many tourists come here to savor those delicacies. Guanshe has 127 guesthouses with a total of 224 beds, and 60 percent of them are pre-booked for the Spring Festival holiday," said Lan Gengyuan, an official of the Guanshe Village of Hua'an.
Zhejiang, Fujian launch cultural activities in run-up to Spring Festival
