Macao Daily News:
This year, the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will elect its fifth Chief Executive. Ho Iat Seng obtained a total of 378 nominations, which makes him the only qualified candidate. Will the central government support him to assume office as the next Chief Executive in MSAR? Thank you.
Xu Luying:
The MSAR will elect its fifth Chief Executive in August. In accordance with MSAR Basic Law and other relevant laws, the Chief Executive will be elected through a set of legal procedures and appointed by the central government. The standards formulated by the central government for nomination as the Chief Executive are consistent. They are required to be patriotic in regard to the motherland, trustworthy in the eyes of the central government, capable of administering regional affairs and be recognized by the entire local society. We believe the election of a new Chief Executive who meets these criteria will proceed smoothly. That's all I wish to say about the election of the Chief Executive in MSAR.
Now, I would like to add a few words to my previous answer to the question about the HKSAR, which was raised by a Hong Kong journalist, because both questions are concerned about elections. The HKSAR's election is based on its Basic Law, the resolutions made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and relevant local laws. Thank you.
