Fernando Chui Sai-on yesterday received approval from the State Council to become the new chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The support followed his victory in the July 26 election.

Chui, 52, who had been the only candidate looking to become the third chief executive of the Macao SAR, will take over the post from two-term chief executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah on Dec. 20. His tenure will last five years, according to the Cabinet meeting that was presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, who signed a State Council order on the appointment.