News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours totalled 532,000 in January 2017, down by 6.7% year-on-year and 25.4% month-to-month. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (402,000) dropped by 9.0% year-on-year, while those from the Republic of Korea (43,000) and Taiwan (33,000) rose by 21.3% and 4.7% respectively.As the Lunar New Year that fell in February last year took place in January this year, outbound residents using services of travel agencies increased by 14.8% year-on-year to 117,000. Residents travelling on package tours went up by 25.6% year-on-year to 50,000, with 32,000 of them going to Mainland China (+11.2%), and those to the Republic of Korea (8,100), Japan (2,600) and Thailand (2,300) surging by 120.2%, 272.8% and 221.2% respectively.There were 107 hotels & guesthouses operating at the end of January 2017, providing 36,000 guest rooms, of which 5-star hotels accounted for 60.1%. Number of guest rooms increased by 12.9% year-on-year, with that of 3-star hotels soaring by 116.7%.Number of guests in hotels & guesthouses totalled 1,041,000 in January 2017, up by 15.6% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (679,000), the Republic of Korea (38,000) and Hong Kong (127,000) recorded double-digit growth, up by 17.1%, 35.9% and 12.9% respectively; meanwhile, those from Taiwan dropped by 1.3% to 40,000. The average length of stay of guests was 1.4 nights, same as in January 2016. The average occupancy rate of hotels & guesthouses stood at 81.6%, up by 4.4 percentage points year-on-year; the rates of 5-star (83.5%) and 4-star hotels (82.3%) exceeded 80.0%, up by 5.0 and 3.4 percentage points respectively. Visitor-guests accounted for 71.7% of the total overnight visitors, down by 2.5 percentage points year-on-year.
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The number of suspected crime cases reported in Macao in 2016 saw a 5.4 percent increase year-on-year, to 14,387 cases. Instances of the most serious forms of crime continued to be either non-existent, or extremely low in number.The rise in the number of reported cases was mainly due to enhanced enforcement efforts against those temporary stay permit holders that failed to report to the police on a regular basis as required, said the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, during today’s press conference on the 2016 crime figures.The security authorities would continue their scientific and progressive approach to maintaining law and order in Macao and would constantly analyse any possible impact on law and order following the adjustment period of the city’s gaming industry, he said.Suspected crimes against property and reported crimes against the person accounted for, respectively, 53.2 percent and 20.2 percent of all the suspected criminal cases reported in 2016.There were 840 cases of suspected violent crime in 2016, an increase of 11.3 percent from 2015. The increase was mainly due to a rise in allegations relating to false imprisonment. However, the pace of year-on-year increase in the number of suspected violent crimes during 2016 slowed during the course of the 12 months: from a 24 percent year-on-year increase in the first quarter, to an average year-on-year increase of 11.3 percent by year end.Instances of other serious suspected crimes, such as murder, kidnap, and grievous assault, remained at zero or a very low level. Instances of suspected robbery dropped by 13.3 percent, to 98 cases compared to the 2015 data. The decline showed Macao to be a secure and safe city, said Mr Wong.In addition, the police had taken effective measures to prevent and combat crimes relating to people’s material well-being, such as burglary, fraud, and arson. Burglary decreased to 53 cases in 2016 from 189 cases in 2014; and telephone fraud fell to 29 cases from 282 cases in 2014.The number of suspected illegal immigrants and overstayers apprehended during 2016 totalled 28,061, representing an 8-percent year-on-year decline. The reduction in the number was a result of the implementation – with effect from October 2015 – of anti-smuggling arrangements with neighbouring authorities, Mr Wong said.The number of reported drug-related cases was basically the same as in 2015, the Secretary said. Mr Wong added that the police would remain vigilant regarding trends in suspected drug-related crime, via further, effective, intelligence gathering and closer cooperation with international and regional police authorities.Regarding suspected gaming-related crimes, false imprisonment rose 22.9 percent year-on-year, to 504 cases, while suspect cases of usury went up 32.5 percent, to 469 cases.Mr Wong said the security authorities had not found evidence that the city’s gaming industry had had any negative influence on community security. The police were nonetheless paying close attention to the development of the sector and adjusting their enforcement strategies as necessary.Additionally, reported infractions relating to taxi services totalled 4,152 instances: complaints of surcharging went up 38.9 percent year-on-year, to 1,713 cases; while complaints of alleged refusals to take passengers declined by 24.6 percent compared to 2015, to 1,413 cases.Full-year data indicated that reported infractions relating to unlicensed transportation services totalled 1,287 cases. Of these, 1,078 related to services accessed via mobile device applications, said Mr Wong.The Secretary concluded by saying that the work of Macao’s security authorities in the past year had won wide positive recognition from the community. By promoting close police-community cooperation, the police would step up efforts in preventing and combating crime, in order to maintain a stable and secure environment in Macao and protect the legitimate rights of both residents and visitors.
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According to a press release published by Fitch Ratings today, the international rating agency affirms Macao SAR’s credit ratings (long-term foreign and local currency issuer default ratings) at “AA-” with a “stable” outlook.Despite three consecutive years of economic contraction, the rating agency points out that Macao SAR’s exceptionally strong fiscal and external financial position, zero government debt, prudent public expenditure management and credible policy framework are key factors supporting its high credit ratings and “stable” outlook.According to Fitch’s rating definitions, ratings in the “AA” category indicate a very strong fiscal position for payment of financial commitments and the capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. Therefore, the expectations of default risk are very low.
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The Macao Museum of Art (MAM), under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents the latest edition of its ‘Macao Arts Window’exhibition series ‘Untitled Travel - Works of Lin Ge’at 6:30pm on 1 March（Wednesday）on the 3^rd floor of MAM, with a sharing session in Cantonese hosted by the artist. Admission is free and all are welcome.The MAM has been organising the ‘Macao Arts Window’ since 2012, striving to provide an open and diverse exhibition space and exchange platform, and encourage local artists to explore and express concepts and forms of contemporary art.Lin Ge, from the 1980’s generation, was born and raised in Macao. With a Bachelor’s degree in Design from the Polytechnic Institute and a Master’s degree in Cultural Industries Management from the City University of Macau, Lin has participated in several exhibitions, including the ‘Fresh Artists’ – Art Exhibition of Young Artists from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, in 2009; the Illustration Exhibition ‘Walk with Picture Books’ in 2013; and the ‘Macao x San Francisco Art of Illustration Exhibition’ in 2016. His illustration works and articles are published in various Macao newspapers and magazines.This exhibition features a total of 30 illustration works, mainly themed around a few places in Macao that are about to disappear or have already disappeared. According to Lin Ge, there are certain landscapes that we would not like to forget and that, even if we thought we would forget them, they would eventually spring to our minds at unexpected moments. The author hopes to record the transformations of the city through his works, in which unforgettable landscapes can allow the public to trigger off their memories while appreciating the works.This exhibition will run until 14 May, 2017. The Macao Art Museum, located in Avenida Xian Xing Hai, is open daily from 10am to 7pm, including on public holidays (no admittance after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays). Admission is free. For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.MAM.gov.mo
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The Board of Administrators of the Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP) held a meeting at its headquarters in Lisbon. The meeting was attended by ten tertiary institutions from Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao, which serve as the president or members of the Board of Administrators, Board of Supervisors, and Secretariat General.Vice Rector Rui Martins chaired the meeting on behalf of the University of Macau, which is the president of the AULP. Participants discussed the headquarters’ activities in the past six months and summarised the key points of the 26th annual meeting held in East Timor.Other main items on the meeting’s agenda included: launching the 2017 Fernão Mendes Pinto Award, releasing the minutes of the 26th annual meeting of the AULP (which was focused on academic mobility and globalisation within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and Macao), and publishing RILP (Volume 3, Issue 28/29, 2015, and Volume 3, Issue 30, 2016). Participants also discussed matters related to the preparation for the 27th annual meeting of the AULP, which will be held from 10 July to 12 July in Campinas, Brazil. The meeting is now open for registrations.At the AULP’s 24th annual meeting held in Macao, UM was elected president of the association, for a three-year term (from 2014 to 2017). With members consisting of over 140 universities and other research and educational institutions from CPLP countries and Macao, the AULP takes as its mission to promote the communication between its members as well as the development of education and the Portuguese language worldwide.
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Organized by the Communications Museum and the Macau Society of Biomedical Engineering (MSBME), the Science and Arts Activity for Primary Student was completed on December 3, 2016.A panel of judges constituted by Ph.D. Vai Mang I, President of MSBME, Ph.D. Wei Bing, representative of University of Macao and a representative of Communications Museum evaluated the works from the 126 teams that participated this year in the activity.Winners Group A:

1. Macau Anglican College - Hong, Argus Iat Hei (Guidance: Ip Wai Sang)
2. Macau Pooi To Middle School – Pang Ka Hou (Guidance: Kam Chi Iong)
3. The Workers’ Children High School, Macau – Leong Cheok Him (Guidance: Ho Su Kei)
4. Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau) – Qian Ioi Weng, Zhou Si Wen (Guidance: Chec Iong Kam Lan)
5. Lin Fong Pou Chai School – Loi Chi Hang, Kong Cheng Ian (Guidance: Chan Chung Yin)

Winners Group B:

1. Sacred Heart Canossian College, English Section – Lau Weng Kuan, Lam Ian Tong (Guidance: Lou Fong I)
2. Tung Sin Tong School – Huang Wen Xian, Chen Wen Jian (Guidance: Tan Li Wen)
3. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Lio Cho I, Ng Chi Pui (Guidance: Wu Hon Tong)
4. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Lau Carrie Hang Yee, Lei Cho Weng (Guidance: Wu Hon Tong)
5. Salesian School – Im Kai Hei, Lei Seng Chon (Guidance: Mak Kam In)

Winners Group C:

1. Fong Chong School of Taipa – Cui U Tak, Lin Shu Chen (Guidance: Chan Yiu Kei)
2. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Chan Chi Lei, Kuan Chi Hei (Guidance: Fong Ka Kit)
3. Choi Nong Chi Tai School – Wong Man Na, Wong Iok São (Guidance: Chao Chong Hou)
4. Salesian School – Chen Chong Iat, Chan Siu Chon (Guidance: Mak Kam In)
5. Xin Hua School – Yeong Jung Il, Deng Jia Wei (Guidance: Un Kuok Heng)

RESULTS OF THE SNAPSHOT! POSTAL FACILITIES PHOTO-TAKING CONTEST 1st Prize: Wong Cheng I2nd Prize: Glória Rodrigues Leão3rd Prize: Choi In ChongBest Popularity Award: Ieong Veng KinRESULTS OF THE DRAW MY STORY OF STAMPS CONTEST, 2016 In the Draw My Story of Stamps Contest 2016, a total of 122 pieces of creative work were received. The judges were very enthusiastic about the level of creativity shown by the participants, who picked on the original creative concepts of the stamps used, and managed to expand and develop on the stamp themes in their own drawings.Winners General Group1st Prize: Sio Kun Weng2nd Prize: Wong Hoi Iong3rd Prize: Tong I TengAppreciation Awards: Chan Ka I, Pang Sui MeiWinners Children Group1st Prize: Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary – Tou Sam Iao.2nd Prize: Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary – Tou Sam U.3rd Prize: Sacred Heart Canossian College - Lou Kei Ian (Guidance: Lam Iok Ieng)Appreciation Awards:

1. Our Lady of Fatima Girls’ School – Wong Weng Hei (Guidance: Sam Wai Peng)
2. Santa Rosa de Lima College, English Section – Ho Chon Kio (Guidance: Ho Iok Mui)
3. Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College – Tong Nga Tek (Guidance: Chao Sio Mei)

Winners Youth Group1st Prize: Tong Nam School – Pang Ka Pou (Guidance: Leong Sok Wa)2nd Prize: Tong Nam School – Ho Ngi Cheng (Guidance: Leong Sok Wa)3rd Prize: Pui Ching Middle School – Kong In Teng (Guidance: Wong Wai I)Appreciation Awards:

1. Macau Baptist College – Lou Kei Kuan (Guidance: Lam Iok Ieng)
2. Pui Ching Middle School – Pan Hoi Leong (Guidance: Au Weng Pan)
3. Pui Ching Middle School – Lou Weng Sam (Guidance: Au Weng Pan)

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Organized by the Communications Museum and the Macau Society of Biomedical Engineering (MSBME), the Science and Arts Activity for Primary Student was completed on December 3, 2016.
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acao Post and Telecommunications Bureau will start to sell the commemorative coins of Lunar Year of the Roosterreleased by the Monetary Authority of Macao at the Philatelic Shop of General Post Office on 2^nd March 2017(Thursday) . The selling prices are as follows:

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To facilitate the public and philatelists for ordering new philatelic products, please note the followings:1) Issue Name: Chinese Opera - Farewell My ConcubineIssue Date:08/06/2017Ordering Period:01/04/2017–30/04/2017Product Types Unit Price (MOP)Stamps Set 15.00Sheetlet (4 sets/sheet) 60.00Souvenir Sheet 12.00FDC with stamps set 20.00FDC with Souvenir Sheet 17.00Information Brochure with stamps set 21.50Information Brochure with Souvenir Sheet 18.50Maximun Cards 25.00
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Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau will participate the “Melbourne 2017 FIAP International Stamp Exhibition”, located in Melbourne, Australia, during 30^th March to 2^nd April, 2017. To commemorate this Exhibition, Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau issues the commemorative envelopes and provides the commemorative postmark cancellation service on site of the exhibition.For the convenience of the philatelist, the commemorative envelope with stamp priced at MOP5.00 will also be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of General Post Office starting from 30^th March.You may send your mail of this cancelled commemorative envelope at the following locations *:Philatelic Shop at General Post Office: 30^th March, 9:00 – 17:45Post Offices:30^th March to 2^nd April, Office Hours to Public* No commemorative postmark cancellation service will be provided in Macao.
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