Ho Iat Seng, the candidate for the fifth-term chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), announced his program on Saturday.

Ho said his motto for the election is "Unity and Effort, Change and Innovation." Unity and effort are where Macao finds its strength, while change and innovation are what Macao needs to keep pace with the changing era, he said.

The 61-year-old man launched his political platform at a meeting with the members of the SAR's chief executive election committee, during which he answered questions and explained his plan for Macao's future development if elected.

Macao's chief executive is elected by a 400-member election committee, which includes representatives of various sectors, such as finance, labor and education. Ho, the only candidate, needs to gain at least 200 votes in the August 25 election.

Speaking of the integration between Macao and mainland cities, Ho said Macao should play a more active role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area project, promising to better integrate it into the country's development plan.

The city should accelerate infrastructure construction and connectivity, he added.

He also laid out plans to improve Macao's public housing, tourism industry and people's livelihood.

He promised to accelerate the public housing program and address the housing needs of residents with different incomes, especially of the "sandwich class" who are neither eligible to apply for public rental housing nor able to afford private housing, and young people.

Macao, which heavily relies on gambling and tourism, would aim for the world center of tourism and leisure, he said.

The city should also take its advantage to build a service platform for trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, he added.

Speaking of youth development, Ho said he would improve the competitiveness, employment and entrepreneurship of young people, and include more young people in the Great Bay Area project.

(With input from Xinhua)