Macao's incumbent chief executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah on Thursday made a public announcement on his re-election candidacy.

Ho said that his decision to stand for the election to the second mandate as chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government is justified by the terms of the Macao Basic Law and the Chief Executive Election Law.

"I have held the office of the first chief executive of the Macao SAR with the trust and support vested in me by the Central Government and the people of Macao. In almost five years of work and service, I have stood consistently alongside the people, during hard times and easier times," said Ho emotionally.

Ho went to the Election Coordination Center in person on Thursday to pick up a candidate nomination form for the chief executive election, and met with the press.

Ho said that in his administration, his affection for Macao is deeper, and he is ready to continue serving for the country and Macao with new commitments and contributions.

Referring to his merit in the re-election, Ho said that his first mandate as chief executive allowed him to gain insight into facts and trends that is important for Macao's development, and understand how to reveal the SAR's potential as well as overcome challenges.

"My experience and training in the SAR government have increased my confidence in standing once again for office and to continue serving Macao residents and to running Macao's affairs. This is the motivation behind my candidacy," said Ho.

Ho pledged a solemn commitment to continue implementing the Basic Law, to consolidate and build on the results of the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macao governed by Macao People" as well as a high degree of autonomy with an ever-constant Chinese heart and passion for Macao.

He said that he will promote democracy and government administration based on the Basic Law to proceed with widespread intensive and far-reaching reform within the public administration, creating the basis for high quality government and to achieve constant progress in public service and political life.

"With a prosperous economy and mutual respect, order and freedom, success at home and charisma abroad, stable and sure of the future, this society can surely flourish and become an image of happiness representing fulfillment for each and every resident," he said.

Ho acted as the first chief executive ever elected by Macao people upon Macao's return to the motherland in Dec. 1999. His five-year term will expire on Dec. 19 this year.

The Election of Macao's next chief executive has been designated for Aug. 29. The Election Coordination Center started to hand out candidate nomination forms to applicators running for the post of Macao's next chief executive Tuesday.

Ho is expected to temporarily leave his post from Aug. 14-29 for his re-election campaign. During his vacancy, his post will be taken over by senior SAR government officials in rotation.

Ho emphasized that before the campaign, he will concentrate full-heartedly on his job, and leave the re-election preparation work all to his election office, which went into work on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2004)