PM urges serenity in face of violence

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres yesterday claimed Macau was being unfairly maligned over its security problems and insisted organised crime-linked violence would not prevent a smooth transition to Chinese rule in December next year.

Speaking before leaving for a five-city visit to China, Mr Guterres said escalating gangland troubles should be faced with a sense of 'reality and serenity'.

Governor General Vasco Rocha Vieira fired back at critics who have said his administration lacks the stamina to rule Macau through to the handover.

He said he was in 'absolute disagreement' with those who doubt his teams' ability, claiming residents were 'increasingly happy and proud of Macau'.

Mr Guterres echoed his defiance in the face of criticism, saying: 'Obviously there are security problems in Macau but we must confront the issue with reality and serenity. There are security problems across the world.

'Last night there was a shooting, I wonder how many there were in Marseilles, Rio de Janeiro, Toulouse, New York or in Lisbon.

'There aren't many prime ministers in the world who can wander round the streets of a city and who can deliberately leave their security guards, that's what I did here. I would like to see other prime ministers do that'.