Hello, representatives of the Portuguese- and English-language media!
It is a great pleasure to be here with my new and old friends today.
At the beginning of 2026, with the Chinese Spring Festival approaching, I extend my sincere New Year greetings to you all, and to all our friends in the media. I wish everyone good health, happiness with your family, and career advancements; and may all your wishes come true in the Year of the Horse.
Last year marked the full commencement of the current-term Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government. Benefiting from the care and support of the Central People’s Government and the prosperous development of the motherland, the MSAR Government has, while uniting and leading all sectors in Macao, shouldered responsibilities and forged ahead to effectively implement the various initiatives outlined in its first policy address.
In general, there is steady progress with Macao’s economic and social development, with major policy goals and tasks being fundamentally achieved. The MSAR Government’s work in the first year has proceeded smoothly and steadily, marked by reforms, innovation, breakthroughs and achievements, ensuring a good start to this current term.
President Xi Jinping and the central authorities fully acknowledged the MSAR Government’s work performance during the past year, highly praised our aggression, pragmatism, and determination in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, our success in holding the eighth-term Legislative Assembly elections, our efforts in promoting public administration reform, our active participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and our new progress with various initiatives.
Over the past year, local Portuguese- and English-language media have played a crucial role as key sources of information about Macao for Portuguese- and English-speaking communities at home and abroad, serving as a significant channel for the MSAR Government to understand public sentiment. Our friends from these media care about social demands and people’s livelihoods, follow up regarding major events and incidents, and monitor and support the Public Administration – enabling the world to understand Macao, facilitating global awareness of Macao, and fostering communications between the public and the MSAR Government. On behalf of the MSAR Government, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all friends from the media for playing their indispensable role.
This year, the MSAR Government will fully and thoroughly implement the spirit of the important speeches of President Xi, proactively align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, formulate and implement the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the MSAR, uphold and improve the executive-led administrative system, steadfastly promote appropriate economic diversification, continuously enhance the effectiveness of governance, better integrate with and contribute to overall national development, and spare no effort in achieving better development during the period of Macao’s third Five-Year Plan.
The MSAR Government will join hands with all sectors of society, including the media industry, to fully unleash the momentum for social and economic development. Focusing on public administration reform and appropriate economic diversification, we will diligently advance the nine key initiatives outlined in the policy address. We will commence four major projects: the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone, the Macao international air transport hub (port) on the west bank of the Pearl River, and the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park. To achieve these goals, we need and greatly value the support and cooperation of all friends from the media.
I would like to take this opportunity to outline three expectations:
First, I hope all of you will accurately sense the pulse of the times, master the latest developments of Macao’s politics, economy, society and culture, and maximise the media’s functions in promoting Macao as a city governed by the rule of law, and filled with vitality, cultural assets and happiness.
Second, I hope you will proactively venture into the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and various sister provinces and regions in the Chinese mainland, to gain firsthand insights regarding the latest developments. This will further strengthen media coverage of Macao’s integration with and contributions to overall national development.
Third, I hope you will continue leveraging your unique advantages of establishing a foothold in Macao, staying close to China, and interacting with global Portuguese- and English-speaking audiences, to report and promote Macao objectively, fairly, and attentively, telling good stories about China and Macao to the world. This will help Macao in becoming an essential gateway for China’s high-level opening-up and a significant window for exchanges between Eastern and Western civilisations.
I hereby reiterate that freedom of the press in the MSAR is fully protected by the Basic Law of the MSAR and the Press Law. The MSAR Government will continue with its administration in accordance with the law, coordinate all public departments, support the media industry in fulfilling its duties, assist the media in reporting and accessing information, and establish more positive and efficient interactive cooperation with the media industry.
Thank you!
P.S. English translation of the text provided by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS); minor edits, heading and bold added by The Macau Post Daily.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (centre, front) poses with principal and senior government officials and representatives of Macau-based Portuguese- and English-language media enterprises during an official lunch reception at MGM MACAU yesterday. – Photo: GCS
