The Macao SAR Government has set up a Committee for the Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure to advance the work of transforming Macau in this respect. As a first major step, the committee has announced a Five-Year Development Plan - covering the period 2016 to 2020 - for which it will collect views from the public from now until 16^th February, 2016. An announcement on the plan is expected in the second quarter of 2016.

The plan outlines seven aspirations; namely, maintaining economic vitality; developing the structure of local industry; optimising infrastructure in pursuit of creating an international tourism city; enhancing local people's quality of life; improving the quality of education; raising awareness of environmental protection; strengthening the effectiveness of governance and boosting the rule of law, covering 22 sub-goals.

In addition, the plan will analyse current estimates and suggest 'high-priority projects' in five domains - transportation, environmental protection, health, urban development and urban security - for the upcoming five years. Transportation includes the construction of the Macau Light Rapid Transit (LRT) project; the construction of a new cross-border access point between Guangdong and Macau; and the construction of a fourth bridge between Macau and Taipa. Social security is the focus of urban construction regarding the 'city's electronic monitoring system'.

The government is conducting a three-month public consultation. Residents are welcome to contribute their opinions via the committee website (www.cccmtl.gov.mo) in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Portuguese by email (message@gep.gov.mo); by telephone (853 2882 3610); or by fax (853 2882 3426).