China's central government Thursday approved a move by Chui Sai On, a Macao chief election candidate, to resign from his current position to seek a nomination for the post of chief executive of Macao.

Based on a report from current Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah, the State Council (cabinet) approved Chui's resignation from the post of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR government, a Council statement said.

Chui announced Tuesday that he would seek a nomination to run for the office of third chief executive of the Macao SAR.

By law, SAR government and judicial officials who intend to run for these top jobs must resign from any posts they hold before the start of the nomination process.

Born in Macao in 1957, Chui has been twice appointed as the SAR's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture since the establishment of the Macao SAR on Dec. 20, 1999.

He holds a bachelor's degree in urban hygiene administration from California State University and a Ph.D. in public hygiene from Oklahoma State University.

The election will be held on July 26.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2009)