News

The “Story of Cannon-Making – Children Experience Exhibition”, organised by the Macao Museum, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be inaugurated on Friday, 24^th March, at 6pm, in the lobby of the Macao Museum, and will be open to the public from 25^th March to 20^th August, on the 3^rd floor of the Macao Museum. In preparation for the opening of the exhibition, admittance will be allowed until 4pm on 24^th March.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that, benefited from the Lunar New Year effects, more than half of the interviewed restaurants & similar establishments and retailers reported a year-on-year growth in receipts in January 2017, the highest proportion recorded since the survey was first conducted. Among the interviewed restaurants & similar establishments, 61% reported a year-on-year growth in receipts in January, a substantial increase of 27 percentage points from December 2016. The proportions of Chinese Restaurants (91%), Japanese & Korean Restaurants (50%) and Western Restaurants (65%) that recorded a year-on-year rise in receipts surged by 34, 31 and 30 percentage points respectively from December 2016. Meanwhile, 28% of the interviewed restaurants & similar establishments reported a year-on-year decline in receipts, down by 16 percentage points from December 2016, with the Chinese Restaurants, Western Restaurants and Japanese & Korean Restaurants decreasing by 25, 25 and 13 percentage points respectively.
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Antony John Kunnan, a professor from the Department of English and associate dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Macao (UM), has been appointed editor-in-chief of the Journal of Asia TEFL(Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Prof Kunnan will serve in the position from January 2017 to October 2019.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 167,600 households had used the Internet in 2016, accounting for 88.6% of the total households, up by 2.3 percentage points year-on-year. This implied a growing prevalence of the Internet use among households. Moreover, the number of households using fibre optic broadband connection rose continuously, urging by 115.0% year-on-year to 77,900, which led to a fall in the number of households using fixed broadband connection by 36.2% to 71,200.
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The Identification Services Bureau has been confirmed by the Embassy of Ukraine in the People’s Republic of China that holders of the Macao SAR Passport travelling to Ukraine with tourist or business purpose can obtain a single-entry visa upon their arrival at Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv and Odessa International Airport in Odessa for a maximum stay of 15 days.
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China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government jointly held the first exchange seminar on holistic tourism and tourist police between Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in Macao today (19 March). Representatives of various tourism entities and police authorities of Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao exchanged their perspectives on holistic tourism development as well as establishment and operation of tourist police. They also paid a site inspection to learn more about local tourism situation and on-site operation of tourist police in Macao. CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao and Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Ip Peng Kin, attended the meeting and delivered their remarks. Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Yao Jian, attended the meeting as well.As CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao expressed, the Central Government attaches great importance to tourism industry and holistic tourism development, and elaborated on the necessity to develop holistic tourism in the Mainland. He believed Macao is a tourist city that manifests openness, which can be regarded as an exemplary city implementing holistic tourism. Chairman Li especially mentioned the Macao tourist police, which have officially assumed their duties in Macao starting on 5 March, enabling an exchange of ideas and learning between tourist police and tourism market management in Mainland and Macao.Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Ip Peng Kin, remarked that tourism has always been one of the most important industries driving economic progress in Macao. In light of this, the tourism department of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has been actively and progressively carrying out different tasks and projects to enhance long-term tourism development in Macao. In recent years, holistic tourism has been a model of tourism development highly regarded and promoted by the Country, while Premier Li Keqiang also clearly proposed a strong pursuit after holistic tourism development in the government work report. Through the seminar today, attendees from various parties can gain a deeper understanding of the development course of holistic tourism and the experience concerned. It will remarkably advance the development of Macao tourism industry by shedding light on its future direction in parallel with national tourism development. In addition, he believes that by launching the practice of tourist police, various tasks can be executed effectively, including crowd management and maintenance of public security and order at tourist attractions, which will remarkably contribute to Macao’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.During the exchange session among representatives from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes stated that regarding future development of holistic tourism, Macao lays more stress on how to optimize planning and policies on industry development, as well as how the tourism industry can benefit the society at large. In the process of formulation by MGTO, the ‘Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan’ has set four overall goals for Macao to attain, in order to realize the vision of becoming a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Each overall goal includes different strategies and measures that are in parallel with the development course of holistic tourism and extend the concept of holistic tourism; the final version of the Master Plan will be launched this year. MGTO will follow the overall goals set by the Master Plan to carry out different strategies and measures. On the other hand, it is a very constructive measure to set up tourist police in Macao, which will enhance public order in local tourism districts and facilitate tourism industry development. In addition, she stated in the concluding remarks that the authorities can consider leading local tourism and police departments to visit different provinces, regions and municipalities for opportunities of exchange and learning from others’ experiences. Due to the convenience brought by transportation infrastructure and the development opportunities arouse from “tourism +”, it will steer cooperation towards a deeper and wider level of development. She also expressed gratitude to CNTA as well as various tourism entities from Mainland and Hong Kong for their great support to Macao over the years.Over 100 participants attended the seminar including representatives of the entities as follows: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Macao Government Tourism Office, Public Security Police Force of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Alliance of Macau Tourism Industry, Travel Industry Council of Macau, Macau Travel Agency Association, Association of Macao Tourist Agents, The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong as well as tourism committees, tourism authorities and tourism police teams (or sub-teams) of eleven provinces, regions and municipalities. Other attendees include tourism experts from Mainland and representatives of the related departments and offices of CNTA.On the previous day before the exchange seminar was held, CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao, accompanied by MGTO Director Senna Fernandes, paid a site inspection to the Macao Museum, Mount Fortress, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, MGTO’s Tourist Information counters as well as the Public Security Police Force Headquarters, etc. Superintendent of Public Security Police Force of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Cheong Sio Iam, also elaborated on the operating situation of tourist police on duty at the Ruins of St. Paul’s. Officials who joined the site inspection include Head of Department of Quality Standardization and Administration of CNTA, Liu Kezhi, Director of Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Li Jianping, Deputy Head of Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of CNTA, Ren Jiayan, and MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse, among others. After the seminar, representatives of the tourism entities and police authorities of Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao also paid a site inspection to learn about local tourism development and on-site operation of tourist police in Macao.
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Since its inception in 2008, the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition(MIECF) has been a platform for co-operation across the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region (9+2), and has enhanced Macao’s role as a service platform for business and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Over the past nine years, MIECF has also acted as a ‘green platform’, in order to promote environmental awareness and to create for enterprises fresh business opportunities relating to green issues. During its first nine years, more than 4,000 “Green Matching” sessions were held at MIECF’s business matching area, with more than 240 co-operation projects signed. Of these, more than 80 percent have been implemented. During this period, many local enterprises have successfully improved their own ‘hardware’ and ‘software’, contributing to the creation of a “Green New World”.Wong Cheong Hong, whose company operates in the business of renewable resources products and raw materials created from waste, said this year was not only the 10^thedition of MIECF, but also the 10^th anniversary of his company. Reviewing the previous years, Mr Wong said the company had – via participation in MIECF – effected the purchase of advanced recycling equipment and other environment-friendly technology from South East Asian countries. Over the years, some local hotels had been invited to participate in MIECF’s Procurement activity, and Mr Wong’s company had benefited from such arrangements. The company had already reached co-operation agreements with some local hotels for the recycling of resources, leading to the recycling of more than 14,000 tonnes of material. Such business provided an annual turnover of about MOP35 million last year. Mr Wong agreed that MIECF had played an important role as a ‘green platform’, linking the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region and the international environmental protection industry.Via its participation in MIECF, Mr Wong’s company had been able to create its own brand image and make use of the latest international standards, thus widening the scope of the business and creating more opportunities for co-operation. Mr Wong said he also believed that the exhibition could encourage the development of the environmental protection sector and attract more people to join it. Giving his company as an example, Mr Wong said he had only four staff at launch, but noted it now employed more than 40. Mr Wong added he would strongly encourage local environmental companies to participate in MIECF.Eddy Chan, whose company took part in MIECF for the first time last year, said the event was not only useful, in order to promote the company’s brand, but also useful for promoting the products and services it offers. He stated that in particular, a patented aerospace technology – developed by a state-owned aerospace enterprise – used for the production of aerospace pipeline that the company distributes, had attracted a lot of attention. Since September 2016, several companies from Portuguese-speaking Countries had also made inquiries regarding the products. In 2016, guided tours of the event were introduced for representatives of the procurement divisions of government departments. This had contributed to increasing the interaction between the exhibiting companies and governmental departments.Mr Chan noted that MIECF played a key role as a ‘green platform’, which is why the company decided to continue its participation this year. The company would have more booths at this year’s edition of MIECF, he said. Aside from continuing to showcase the pipeline pipes produced using the patented aerospace technology, the company would also increase the range of green building materials on display this year. Mr Chan stated the company was seeking – via participation in MIECF – suitable partners in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region able to jointly complete the development of green semi-finished products.Patrick Kang, whose company has taken part in five editions of MIECF, said is the company acts as an agent for Japanese and German brands of kitchenware, bathroom building materials, flooring solutions and curtains. The company is also engaged in business of organic farming. Thanks to participation in MIECF, the company has reached an agency agreement relating to organic farming with a Hong Kong company. At the same time, a number of hotels had also purchased the company’s products for indoor organic farming. Through MIECF, the company had also been able to sign several co-operation projects with real estate enterprises. Mr Kang stated that MIECF had contributed to promoting green development, adding that the event acted as a ‘green business platform’ for exchanges between companies and for these companies to introduce environment-friendly products to potential customers.The 2017 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (2017MIECF) will be held in Macao from 30 March to 1 April 2017, under the theme “Innovative Green Development for a Sustainable Future”. The activities during the 2017MIECF include a “Green Showcase”, several Green Forums and a “Green Public Day”. For further information about 2017MIECF, please visit the official website: http://www.macaomiecf.com/miecf2017/
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today outlined four routes to integrate Macao further in the country’s development, and to make better use of the supporting measures for Macao laid down by the Central Government.The Government’s efforts include an in-depth study on the initiative of a city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as outlined by Premier Li Keqiang in his latest government work report.Mr Chui made the remarks today as he attended a briefing session sharing new policies and aspirations that had been set out in the recently concluded sessions respectively of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), events collectively known as the “Two Sessions”.Getting a better understanding of the aspirations set out in the “Two Sessions” – together with concerted social efforts – would help maintain Macao’s stability and prosperity, and contribute to the pursuit of further economic development, said Mr Chui.The four routes Mr Chui put forward regarding further integration of Macao in the country’s development were:1) to make use of Macao’s unique advantages by expediting goals set out in Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan – in particular, the transformation of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). With regard to these matters, the Government would strengthen its connections with regional partners, in particular with Guangdong Province and Fujian Province;2) to implement effective measures to tackle livelihood issues. This would include creating further favourable conditions to enhance the overall living conditions of the Macao public, by prioritising housing and transport issues, and by speeding up cross-boundary infrastructure projects;3) to support the development of young people and promote a patriotic spirit among them. This would include making better use of the increased opportunities for Macao students to receive education in higher education institutions on the mainland; and encouraging further exchanges between young people via the Government-organised “Thousand Talents Programme”;4) to intensify public administration and legal reform, so as to enhance the effectiveness of governance. The Government would boost efforts regarding simplification of administrative processes, the promotion of anti-corruption measures, and improvement of cross-departmental cooperation.Mr Chui also shared his personal understanding of key themes from the “Two Sessions”: all Government officials should act in line with the Constitution and the Basic Law; there should be steadfast protection of national sovereignty, security and interests; better use should be made of the “One country, two systems” principle; and further use should be made of Macao’s unique advantages.The Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Mr Ho Hau Wa, also attended the briefing session and highlighted the community’s support for the lawful governance of the Chief Executive and the Government. Mr Ho stressed that the success of the coming Legislative Assembly Election – an event due in September – would be particularly important in confirming Macao’s political environment and would serve as an example under the “One country, two systems” principle.The Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Wang Zhimin, urged people to maintain their optimism about the development prospects of the country and of Macao, and to join hands for the sustainable development of the city.People from different sectors should continue to uphold a patriotic spirit toward the country and to Macao, and jointly build Macao as a better and more prosperous home for all, added Mr Wang.
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“Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao”, jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government and the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science of Portugal was successfully inaugurated on 8 March 2017 at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon.The ceremony was officiated by the President of the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre of Portugal, Luís Filipe Barreto; the representative of the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao and Director of the Macao Archives, Lau Fong; and the photographer, Chan Hio Io. Over 80 guests were present at the ceremony, including the First Secretary of the Culture Section of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Portugal, Yang Chunyan; the Deputy Director of the Economic and Commercial Delegation of Macao in Lisbon, Maria Gabriela dos Remédios César; the President of the Jorge Álvares Foundation, José Eduardo Martinho Garcia Leandro; the Director of the Central Library of the Navy of Portugal, José Nanques de Matos; the Director of the Overseas Historical Archive of Portugal, Ana Canas; the Advisor of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Andrea Direito; researchers and archivists.Chan Hin Io is a senior photographer nationwide and a recognized photographer in Macao. In recent years, he has been devoted to capturing Macao’s customs as well as the city’s landscapes, collecting several photography awards. Among his published works are The Neighbourhood of Macao – Documentary Photographs by Chan Hin Io, Memories of the Old Crafts and Trades in Macao, Life in Macao 2012 – Photographs by Chan Hin Io, and the album Where the World Heritage Shines – Photographs of the Historic Centre of Macao.“Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao” was held last year in Macao and Zhongshan, in China. It is now presented in Lisbon, to showcase more than 90 photographs of the world heritage listed Historic Centre of Macao taken by local photographer Chan Hin Io, revealing the beauty and vitality of Macao’s cultural heritage and showing the charm of this small city through various angles.The exhibition will be open at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon from 8 March to 31 May 2017 and at the Vila Flor Palace in Guimarães from 23 June to 15 August 2017. The exhibition is a manifestation of the friendly cooperation between cultural institutions in Portugal and Macao and an example of the ever-growing Sino-Portuguese cultural exchange.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ inMarch on 17 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes.The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones.With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations.For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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