A simple public housing on Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok, Hong Kong, is the new home of Ms. Wu, a citizen. There are certificates and various notices for her daughter on the refrigerator, various seasonings and kitchen utensils on the cooking table by the window, and daily necessities piled up on the bunk bed. Like Ms. Wu, in the past year, many citizens have moved into simple public housing filled with daily smoke and fire. The positive progress in areas such as housing, employment, social welfare, and security has continuously enhanced the sense of gain, happiness, and security of Hong Kong and Macao residents. All of this stems from the Hong Kong and Macau SAR governments' continued focus on improving people's livelihoods and responding to social concerns through a series of practical measures. Compared to the previous cramped space and the constant suffering of noise and sewer odors caused by "subdivided units", "living here is much more comfortable. Ms. Wu stated that her and her daughter's living standards have greatly improved after moving. The simple public housing on Caixing Road is equipped with independent kitchens and bathrooms, and is fully furnished. Taking the simple public housing double room rented by Ms. Wu and her daughter as an example, the monthly rent is only HKD 1290, which greatly reduces the economic burden compared to renting a "sub divided unit" before. The Hong Kong SAR government adopts standard minimalist design and the "assembly and synthesis" construction method to quickly build minimalist public housing, mainly for applicants who have been waiting for traditional public housing for 3 years or more. Currently, there are 13 projects distributed in various districts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Hong Kong has taken this powerful measure to address the difficulties and pain points of livelihood issues, significantly reducing the waiting time for public housing. Similarly, Macau has also accelerated the supply of public housing (including social and economic housing), with over 57000 public housing units built, providing basic housing security for the middle and low-income groups. Healthcare is an important livelihood issue. ”Macao SAR Chief Executive Cen Haohui stated. Basic medical care is free, and elderly people over 65 years old receive free medical treatment... Nowadays, Macau has established a health service system covering the entire life cycle, and residents can easily seek medical treatment within a 15 minute walk. In Hong Kong, the first traditional Chinese medicine hospital has been officially put into operation, providing citizens with more diversified medical service choices. By improving the level of public medical services, Hong Kong and Macau citizens can receive better care and support. Starting from May 1, 2025, Hong Kong will abolish the mandatory provident fund "offsetting" mechanism to provide greater protection for workers' rights and interests. For this purpose, the SAR government will provide a total of over HKD 33 billion in subsidies to employers to assist them in adapting to policy changes. Hong Kong Chief Executive Li Jiachao stated that he will continue to have frank communication on labor issues in the future, "working together to enable employees to share the fruits of economic development." Macao continues to improve its dual layered social security system and reform its cash sharing program. Macau permanent residents aged 65 and above receive an average of over MOP 6200 in cash benefits per month from the SAR government. The SAR government also collaborates with social service agencies to provide targeted assistance to the poor and vulnerable groups. Igniting enthusiasm "to develop in Hengqin, to develop in mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, more and more young people in Macau are eager to try and lead by example. ”Huang Zicai, Deputy Director General of the Macau Youth Development Service Center, said. In the 2025 fiscal year policy address of the Macao SAR government, it is explicitly stated that a plan will be launched to support youth employment in the Greater Bay Area. For young graduates aged 35 or below who go to the nine mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area and designated enterprises in the Hengqin Guangdong Macao Deep Cooperation Zone for employment, a subsidy of MOP 5000 per month will be provided during their employment period, with a maximum subsidy period of 18 months. At the same time, the Macau SAR government has extended the "Career Internship Program" and other programs to Macau youth who are developing in mainland China. This further ignites the enthusiasm of Macau youth to develop in the vast world, "said Huang Zicai. A Hong Kong elderly person who chose to retire in Zhaoqing, Guangdong calculated an account during an interview. When he retires in 2023, he will receive enough money to last for about 20 years in Hong Kong. After moving to mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, due to the decrease in living costs, the same amount of money can be used for about 60 years. 'Going north for retirement' is becoming a popular choice for more and more elderly people in Hong Kong and Macau. The "Guangdong Residential Care Service Scheme" implemented by the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department has covered 24 recognized institutions in 8 mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area. The "Guangdong Plan" in Hong Kong provides a monthly allowance of up to HKD 4060. The elderly medical vouchers from Hong Kong and Macao can also be used in designated institutions in Guangdong and within the Hengqin Guangdong Macao Deep Cooperation Zone. In addition, the convenience of public services brought by the residence permits of mainland Hong Kong and Macao residents has formed a complete chain from economic subsidies to service guarantees. Both Hong Kong and Macao have injected new momentum into improving people's livelihoods by integrating into the overall national development situation and strengthening regional coordination. Hong Kong relies on the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area to expand employment opportunities in areas such as technological innovation and modern service industries, consolidate its position as an international financial center, and enhance the foundation of people's livelihood security. Macao promotes moderate and diversified economic development through the construction of the Hengqin Guangdong Macao Deep Cooperation Zone, creating more opportunities for residents' employment and continuously improving people's livelihood and well-being. In Hong Kong, the first minimum wage level determined by the new mechanism of "annual inspection" based on statutory wages is expected to take effect on May 1st to enhance welfare. The Macao SAR government stated that in the new year, the "Employment+Training" special plan will be expanded to the fields of finance, construction, and public utilities; Promote the construction of a comprehensive vocational training platform, introduce public higher education institutions and subsidized groups in the first phase, and expect to provide 500 training courses this year. The Macao SAR government stated in the 2026 fiscal year policy address that it will continue to improve elderly services, implement the "Ten Year Action Plan for Elderly Services from 2026 to 2035", pilot cross-border elderly care services, and continue to communicate with relevant departments and cooperative institutions in Zhuhai and Zhongshan to initiate pilot arrangements for referral of mainland institutions. Promote cross-border welfare connectivity. Further expand the coverage of medical insurance subsidies in mainland China to the entire province of Guangdong and Fujian. Promote the deep integration of social security public services between Guangdong and Macao, and plan to amend laws to eliminate barriers to social security rights and interests. From 2026 to 2027, the overall public housing construction in Hong Kong will reach 189000 units, an increase of about 80% compared to when I took office. The SAR government has the conditions to increase efforts to assist grassroots property buyers. ”Li Jiachao said. Currently, the Hong Kong SAR government is vigorously promoting the implementation of more minimalist public housing projects. In Macau, public housing construction is also ongoing, with an estimated 4088 social housing units expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027. Looking ahead to the future, the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions have always adhered to promoting people's well-being through development and creating a better life for their citizens. The expectations of the people and the direction of the government. In the new year, with the full support of the central government and the mainland of China, the governments of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions will unite and lead all sectors of society to actively connect with the "15th Five Year Plan", fully leverage the unique advantages and important roles of Hong Kong and Macao, further optimize the system of people's livelihood while better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country, and do a good job in people's livelihood. (New Society)