Sam, alongside important Macanese officials born in Mainland China, including Wong Sio Chak and Cheong Weng Chon, are widely deemed among the 13 officials handpicked by Beijing to be nurtured to become the future governing team for the city.

He also holds the positions of President of the Council of the Judicial Magistrates, Member of the Independent Commission on the Recommendation of Judges, Member of the Working Committee on Regional Legal Assistance and International Mutual Legal Assistance and Honorable Chairman of the Macao Basic Law Promotional Association.

[6] Sam secured 386 out of 400 nominations from the Electoral Committee before deadline on 12 September, accounting for 96.5% of its members, making him the sole candidate of the chief executive election.

[7][8] Sam received 394 out of 400 votes in the election held on 13 October,[9] making him the first chief executive of Macau to be born in Mainland China and without business background.

He said growth of casinos had strained resources such as manpower and narrowed the career choices for young people, and called for diversifying away from the industry.