Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng today thanked the Portuguese- and English-language media for their work during the "extraordinarily challenging" COVID-19 pandemic.
Ho also said that his government was looking forward to strengthen cooperation with the Portuguese- and English-language media, "to fulfil our respective responsibilities regarding Macau's diverse development, harmony and stability, and continue joining hands to advance the successful practice of 'One Country, Two Systems' in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR)."
Ho made the remarks in a speech during a lunch reception hosted by the government for the local Portuguese- and English-language media at Hotel Mandarin Oriental in the run-up to Chinese New Year.
The reception was attended by senior government officials and media representatives.
Ho acknowledged that last year "proved extremely difficult and extraordinarily challenging for all of us. The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 was a tremendous challenge to all mankind, and an ongoing test of the government's resilience and ability to adapt to changes."
The chief executive, who has been at the helm of the MSAR government since December 2019, pointed out that "throughout the pandemic, the Portuguese- and English-language media have reflected the views and aspirations of the public, and provided us with sincere comments and suggestions, enabling the government to better serve the public and respond to the needs of society.
"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to your efforts," Ho added.
The chief executive noted that "as an international city, Macau has a unique historical and multi-ethnic background," adding that with its various languages and culture as bridge, "media reporting in Portuguese and English leverage their functions to link communities, enhance mutual understanding between Macau and the world, and promote harmony and inclusion in Macau's society."
Ho underlined that Macau's Portuguese- and English-language media "are in fact the key witnesses and contributors to Macau's multiculturalism."
The chief executive pointed out that "many friends around the world who are concerned about Macau, receive information about the latest developments and events here through news reports in the Portuguese- and English-language media.
"During the pandemic that has lasted for more than a year, the Portuguese- and English-language media have also demonstrated their important role in maintaining communication between overseas Macau residents, foreign-language communities and the MSAR government, enabling these communities to understand the government's policies and measures."
Ho said that in the year ahead he hoped that "you [Macau's Portuguese- and English-language media] will maintain your professionalism, play a bridging role to objectively report on society and people's lives, support and monitor the government's administration, and make use of your functions to introduce Macau's development to the world, and facilitate international exchanges and cooperation."
The chief executive pledged that his government will further "enhance constructive communication and interaction with the media, facilitate media reporting and the provision of information, and ensure that journalists can better fulfil their responsibilities and functions."
Ho's speech ended on an upbeat note: "The pandemic will be eventually over, and a new spring will finally come."
The Chinese New Year is officially known as Spring Festival. The Chinese Year of the Ox begins on February 12.
Macau has three Portuguese- and two English-language dailies as well as a number of other kinds of periodicals in the two languages. The Macau Post Daily is the city's oldest and top circulation English-language newspaper.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng addresses today's lunch reception for Macau's Portuguese- and English-language media at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nape. – Photo: GCS
