The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the media plays a significant role in connecting the Government and the public by providing information on policies and social issues.

He added that the contributions of the media for the development of Macao are widely recognised by the community.

Mr Chui made the comments during today’s lunch he hosted for representatives of local news outlets reporting in Portuguese and English.

The Chief Executive said the Government would introduce additional measures to ensure a good working environment for the media. The Government strictly upholds the freedom of the press and freedom of publishing, he added.

Mr Chui said key directions for the city’s sustainability included: upholding the rule of law; maintaining social stability; allocating more resources to economic diversification policies; and providing more development opportunities to local talent, in particular in training of young people.

The Government is confident about Macao’s development outlook, given that the city’s sound fiscal reserve system allows local authorities to cope well with potential challenges emerging from the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry, said the Chief Executive.

This strategy so far has proven effective, allowing the Government to continue providing support to the local economy while consistently enhancing the people’s livelihood, he added.