港澳民生改善交出亮丽成绩单

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong and Macau governments are focusing on improving the livelihood of residents through various practical measures, enhancing their sense of security, happiness, and well-being. Group 1: Housing Improvements - Many residents, like Ms. Wu, have moved into simplified public housing, which offers a more comfortable living environment compared to previous cramped "subdivided flats" [1][2] - The monthly rent for a two-person unit in the simplified public housing is only 1,290 HKD, significantly reducing the financial burden compared to previous living conditions [2] - The Hong Kong government is rapidly constructing simplified public housing using standard designs and "modular construction" methods, with 13 projects across various districts [2] - Macau has also accelerated the supply of public housing, with over 57,000 units built to provide basic housing security for low- and middle-income residents [2] Group 2: Healthcare Enhancements - Macau has established a comprehensive health service system, providing free basic medical care and free medical services for residents aged 65 and above [2] - Hong Kong has opened its first traditional Chinese medicine hospital, offering more diverse healthcare options for residents [2] Group 3: Labor and Social Security Reforms - Starting May 1, 2025, Hong Kong will abolish the mandatory MPF offset mechanism, providing better protection for workers' rights, with over 33 billion HKD in subsidies for employers to adapt to this policy change [3] - In Macau, permanent residents aged 65 and above receive an average of over 6,200 MOP in cash benefits monthly from the government [3] Group 4: Youth Employment Initiatives - The Macau government has launched a program to support youth employment in the Greater Bay Area, offering monthly subsidies of 5,000 MOP for eligible graduates for up to 18 months [4] - Many elderly residents from Hong Kong are considering relocating to Greater Bay Area cities for retirement due to lower living costs, with one retiree noting that their retirement funds could last 60 years instead of 20 [4] Group 5: Economic Development and Welfare - Both Hong Kong and Macau are integrating into national development strategies to enhance livelihood improvements, with Hong Kong focusing on technology innovation and modern services to expand job opportunities [5][6] - The Hong Kong government plans to increase public housing construction to 189,000 units over the next five years, an 80% increase compared to previous levels [7] - Macau is also continuing its public housing construction, with 4,088 social housing units expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027 [8]