Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said yesterday that Macau’s Portuguese- and English-language media “as an important embodiment of the MSAR’s multiculturalism and internationalisation will, in the new year, continue to function as a bridge for international communication.”
Sam, who was sworn in as Macau’s fourth chief executive by President Xi Jinping during the latter’s three-day inspection tour of the SAR last month, made the remarks in a speech during last night’s Chinese New Year dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nape.
Sam also said in his speech, which he delivered in fluent Portuguese, he hoped that while fulfilling their role in overseeing the local government’s administrative affairs, the Portuguese- and English-speaking media “will continue to leverage their advantages in language, culture and international connections, continue to introduce to the outside world Macau’s unique blend of East and West and contribute to enhancing Macau’s role as a platform for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and as a platform for the country’s high-level opening up.”
Sam also said that he hoped that Macau’s Portuguese- and English-language media will continue to grow and, together with the MSAR government, continuously promote Macau’s internationalisation, and the city’s global influence and attractiveness.
“Through your professional reporting, we hope you can spread worldwide ‘Macau’s experiences’ and ‘Chinese wisdom’, eliminating misunderstandings, and making Macau an important window of exchanges between the Chinese and Western civilisations”.
Sam reaffirmed that “press freedom is fully guaranteed by the MSAR Basic Law and the Press Law”, adding that the local government will, as always, govern in accordance with the law, support the press in better performing their duties, assist the media in conducting interviews and accessing information and… set up more efficient exchanges with the press.”
Sam, 62, also said that last year, Macau’s Portuguese- and English-language media also showcased to the world that the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle has enabled Macau to achieve gains in terms of a ‘peaceful, inclusive, open and sharing’ living environment, offering more insights into China’s system that can benefit, and be a reference for, humanity”.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai smiles during last night’s Chinese New Year dinner for Macau’s Portuguese- and English-language media at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nape. – Photo: Staff Reporter
In his speech, Sam also highlighted the significance of President Xi’s recent visit to Macau during the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland, pointing out that “President Xi’s visit fully demonstrated his deep affection and profound care for Macau, providing strong encouragement and confidence for Macau’s future development”.
The chief executive, who has been in his post since December 20 last year, also pointed out that President Xi said during his recent visit that “Macau is a pearl in the palm of the motherland”, adding that “Macau’s development and the well-being of Macau residents have always been in his mind.”
Sam underlined that President Xi’s “words still resonate, warming our hearts and inspiring us.” He also emphasised that “over the past 25 years, the motherland has been the strongest pillar supporting Macau’s prosperity and stability, consistently providing the greatest opportunities for Macau’s development.”
Sam, who headed Macau’s Court of Final Appeal (TUI) for almost a quarter of a century, also said since the inauguration of the sixth-term government over a month ago, “our work has been running smoothly… all bureaus and sectors of the government are operating in an orderly manner, and we can say that this present-term government has started well.”
The dinner was attended by senior representatives of Macau’s Portuguese- and English-language print and broadcasting media, as well as several portfolio policy secretaries and the director and vice-director of the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), Inês Chan Lou and Louie Wong Lok I.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (centre, front) poses with senior Portuguese- and English-language media representatives and government officials before a Chinese New Year dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nape last night. – Photo: GCS
