Key Facts
Career & Education
About
Fernando Chui Sai On (born 13 January 1957 in Macau) is a prominent politician who served as the second Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region from 20 December 2009 to 20 December 2019. His early career was in pharmacy and public health, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto in 1977 and contributing to Macau's healthcare system during Portuguese colonial rule. Prior to becoming Chief Executive, he served as Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture from 1999 to 2009, overseeing education, health, culture, and social welfare. As Chief Executive, he oversaw Macau's economic growth through gaming liberalization (which began in 2002 and made Macau the world's largest gambling revenue generator by 2013) and strengthened ties with mainland China, while also pursuing economic diversification beyond gaming, promoting social stability, and advancing cultural initiatives such as establishing the Macau University of Science and Technology and preserving Portuguese heritage sites. His tenure was marked by controversies including public protests over inequality, housing shortages, limited democratic reforms, allegations of suppressing civil liberties, favoritism toward pro-Beijing business elites, and inadequate responses to youth unemployment and labor exploitation in the gaming sector. Post-retirement, he has maintained a low profile, serving on advisory bodies and engaging in philanthropy focused on education and health. His career exemplifies the blend of technocratic expertise and political loyalty that characterizes Macau's elite, with deep connections to both local business networks and central Chinese authorities.