News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will be on his annual duty visit to Beijing from 21 to 24 December. During his duty visit in the capital, the Chief Executive will report to the state leaders on the work of the Government and the policy blueprint for next year. Officials accompanying Mr Chui on the duty visit will include: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng. While the Chief Executive is in Beijing, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, will be the acting Chief Executive.
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The Nomenclature for the External Trade of Macao/Harmonized System, 6th Revision (NCEM/HS, Rev.6), approved under Executive Order No. 67/2016, will come into effect from 1 January 2017. This revision is conducted in line with the recommendations of the World Customs Organization and with due consideration of the changes in merchandise imports and exports of Macao in recent years. The current revision incorporates separate identification of certain marine and agricultural products in accordance with the requirements of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and new subheadings for specific chemical substances of ecological concern in conformity to the relevant regulations of imports and exports of chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention and the International Narcotics Control Board. With the implementation of NCEM/HS Rev.6, import and export declarations and licenses must be completed in accordance with the new commodity codes. To facilitate smooth adoption of NCEM/HS Rev.6, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has introduced a series of measures to assist import/export operators:  Dedicated webpage. Users may visit the DSEC website (www.dsec.gov.mo) to download the entire document or individual chapters of NCEM/HS Rev.6, as well as correlation tables between the old and the new versions. Besides, users may use the commodity codes of NCEM/HS Rev.5 to search for the corresponding codes of NCEM/HS Rev.6.  Enquiry hotlines. Import/export operators may call the hotlines at 28314738, 28314650 and 28314710 during office hours to enquire about commodity codes. The hotlines remain open during lunch hour.  Enquiry email. Should there be difficulty in finding a commodity code, please email to hs@dsec.gov.mo for assistance.  DSEC will contact the import/export operators to explain the main contents of this revision and to provide them with the new commodity codes that they frequently used. Printed copies, correlation tables and CD-ROM of NCEM/HS Rev.6 are available free of charge to import/export operators and data users. To obtain copies of the materials, please call the above-mentioned enquiry hotlines or visit the Documentation and Information Centre of DSEC at Alameda Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção, No. 411-417, Dynasty Plaza, 17th floor during office hours.
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The Nomenclature for the External Trade of Macao/Harmonized System, 6th Revision (NCEM/HS, Rev.6), approved under Executive Order No. 67/2016, will come into effect from 1 January 2017. This revision is conducted in line with the recommendations of the World Customs Organization and with due consideration of the changes in merchandise imports and exports of Macao in recent years. The current revision incorporates separate identification of certain marine and agricultural products in accordance with the requirements of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and new subheadings for specific chemical substances of ecological concern in conformity to the relevant regulations of imports and exports of chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention and the International Narcotics Control Board.
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Jointly organised by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Palace Museum, the Macao Foundation, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Macao Daily News, the exhibition “Flower Vessels from the Palace Museum” marks the 18th cooperation between the Macao Museum of Arts and the Palace Museum. Over 100 sets of precious vessels from the Palace Museum closely related to life and the arts are displayed in this exhibition. In addition, authentic paintings are exhibited corresponding to the vessels. These paintings demonstrate the usage, styles and taste of various precious vessels from the Palace and the elegance of flowers in the Qing Dynasty. The exhibition was inaugurated on Friday, 16 December at 6:30pm, on the 4th floor of the Macao Museum of Art. The opening ceremony was officiated by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng; the Representative of the Palace Museum and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Palace Museum Publishing House, Liu Hui; the Representative and Assistant of the Chief of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Shao Bin; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Director of Macao Daily News, Lok Po; and the member of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Au Weng Chi. The art of Chinese flower arrangement has a long history. The oldest flower vases known are from the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties (220-589), later developing through the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). The use and style of Qing imperial vessels assimilate the essence of the ancient and modern. Not only do the Qing imperial vessels preserve the tradition of religious offering and retain the Chinese intellectuals’ elegant taste but they also develop their own refined characteristics. This exhibition features the history of the development of flower vessels. Visitors can appreciate all kinds of flower vessels from different perspectives while understanding the flower arrangement taste of emperors and empresses such as Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi. This exhibition is divided into three units with six themes, including (1) Functions: “Offering Sacrifice with Fragrant Flowers” and “Leisure Time Enjoyment” in which vessels for planting flowers used in Buddhist ceremonies and ancestors worshiping, and those used for enjoyment in libraries, boudoirs, sitting rooms and yards, among others, are displayed; (2) Styles: “Flower Arrangement and Potted Landscapes” and “Appreciation of Antiquities and Pursuit of Innovation”, in which vessels of different textures for flower arrangement and potted landscapes, and relics used in the Qing imperial palace are displayed; (3) Tastes: “The Great Emperor Qianlong” and “The Elegant Empress Dowager Cixi”, in which calligraphies and paintings by Emperor Qianlong and Empress Cixi, including poems in praise of flower vessels made by imperial order and flower vessels used in the “Da Ya Zhai” (Elegant Studio) and the “Ti He Dian” (Hall of State Harmony) are displayed. This exhibition also displays the corresponding paintings, drawings, and original display images to embody the strict production regulations of imperial vessels, in order to enhance the experience of exhibition-goers. Highlights include the “Scroll of the Life Scenes of Emperor Yongzheng’s Imperial Concubines, Standing in Front of the Mirror Wearing Elegant Clothes” in which a glazed and splendid flower pot, pot saucer and a hand-warmer are portrayed to reveal the combination of flower arrangement (planted), incense and makeup tools in the boudoir, accentuating the aesthetics of the dignified and graceful taste of imperial objects. In the form of lying cattle, the “Shiwan Kiln Moon-White-Glazed Flower Pot in the Shape of a Lying Cattle” showcases how Shiwan kilns incorporated decorative arts with the functions of the objects, by modifying the shape of human, animals, plants and others in order for them to function as practical containers. The “Qianlong Style Enamelled Square Gu Vase with Windowed Patterns of Western Figures” manifests the diversity of the embellishment of craftworks produced in the reign of Qianlong, which extraordinarily features the use of techniques and themes of Western paintings. Not only does it make the works more interesting and ravishing, but it testifies to Western influence in the East. The “Daya Zhai Style Rectangular Flower Pot with Plum Blossom and Paradise Flycatcher Motifs in Chinese Painting on Green Background”, featuring white glaze on its interior surface and bottom, and a scenic illusion painting of plum blossoms and paradise flycatchers with green background on its exterior. The Palace Museum has collected a drawing of this flower pot – a Chinese realistic colour painting. In order to allow the public to experience the exhibition from various perspectives, MAM will organize a series of activities including talks conducted by specialists from the Palace Museum, a demonstration and a workshop of literati flower arrangements, docent services, a mini Chinese music concert, games with prizes, among others. The three talks are “Flower Vessels from the Palace Museum” conducted by Han Gian, Associate Researcher of the Department of Antiquities at the Palace Museum, to be held on 17 December 2016, from 3:00pm to 5:30pm; the “Wall vases from the Qing Court and Others” conducted by Gao Xiaoran, Associate Researcher at the Palace Museum, on 14 January 2017, from 3pm to 5:30pm; and “Craft potted plants in the Qing court”, conducted by Liu Yue, Associate Researcher at the Palace Museum on 15 January 2017, from 3pm to 5:30pm. Registration can be made online or by phone during office hours. Admission is free. In the demonstration and workshop of literati flower arrangements, MAM will introduce the elegant taste and development of literati flower arrangements, enhancing their understanding of how the artistic and practical values of flower vessels coexist in real life. Docent services will be available from 3pm to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 7 January 2017. Prizes including MacBook and iPads will be awarded to the winners of the games to be launched next year. Furthermore, MAM will establish outdoor installations introducing the exhibition to the public at Barra Square, Jorge Álvares Square (Nam Van), St. Dominic's Square, Park of Dr. Carlos d'Assumpção and Tap Siac Square. For details and registration methods of the aforementioned events, please visit www.MAM.gov.mo. For enquiries, please call 8791 9814 during office hours. The exhibition “Flower Vessels from the Palace Museum” is held until 12 March 2017, on the 4th floor of MAM, located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, Macao. The Museum is open from 10am to 7pm (no admission after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays).
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in December on 16 December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé Parish. 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. 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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The press conference of “Macao Motor Vehicles entering and leaving Hengqin New Area” was held in Hengqin, Zhuhai today, and the related arrangements were announced. In accordance with Mainland's law, cross-border motor vehicles must be covered by "Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Liability Insurance" before entering the Hengqin New Area. Under the co-ordination and promotion by the Monetary Authority of Macao and according to the cooperation agreement between the relevant insurance companies in Guangdong and Macao to provide cross-border motor vehicle insurance services, the Macao single-plate car owners can purchase the said insurance through local insurance companies. At present, local insurance companies that have set up co-operative arrangements with Mainland insurance companies are China Taiping Insurance (Macau) Company Limited and Asia Insurance Company Limited.
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The second review of the “2016 Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making” held by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) was completed and a total of eight entrants were selected as eligible candidates of the Programme. IC will grant each eligible candidate (individual or team) a subsidy of up to MOP160,000 for sample making and the production of promotional materials. In order to promote the sustainable development of the fashion design industry in Macao, IC launched the “Subsidy Programme for Fashion Design on Sample Making” in 2013. This year, a total of 24 applications were received, including 19 individual and 5 team applications. Following the initial and second reviews, the adjudicating panel selected eight eligible candidates: (in arbitrary order) Tam Chi Kit, Wai Chin Seong, Lo Ka Heng and Choi Wai Leng (team), Cheang Chi Tat, Peng Yun, Leong Man Teng, Wong Man Chon and Lao Ka Weng. 40% of the applicants were new applicants, revealing that the programme has continued to attract the participation of new applicants. In addition, over 50% of applicants have registered trademarks for their brands, showing an increasing awareness of local fashion designers about brand protection. The adjudicating panel comprised relevant professionals from Macao and Hong Kong covering various fields such as fashion design, retail, production and training. Members included the President of the Rainbow Group, Terry Sio Un I; the Senior Manager of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, Victoria Kuan Chi Ping; the member of the Committee of Cultural Industries of Macao and Vice President of the Industrial Association of Macau, José Tang Kuan Meng; the Hong Kong famous fashion designer, Walter Ma; and the consultant of the Macao Fashion Gallery, Raymond Au. Some of the adjudicators who have participated in the selection works last year remarked that the overall standard of the applications has been progressing and the marketing plans have shown improvement. They added that some participants who have applied for the programme last year have experienced breakthroughs and developed their own fashion brands after countless trials and experience, and the outcome is encouraging. For enquiries about the results of the Programme, please call Ms. Lam, staff member of IC, through tel. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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A scheme for eligible Macao-registered vehicles to enter Hengqin Island, Zhuhai Prefecture, will start on 20 December, the Macao Government and the Zhuhai Municipal People's Government confirmed today. The Macao and Zhuhai authorities started today accepting applications under the scheme, officials from both sides announced at a press conference held today in Hengqin. Detailed arrangements regarding the implementation of the first phase of the scheme – including a management plan and information on the application procedures – were also announced. The Government will work closely with mainland authorities to ensure successful implementation of the measure. Both sides would review – in a timely manner – the effectiveness of the scheme, said the Assistant Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Ng Kuok Heng, at the press conference. The measure will further benefit the flow of people and goods between the two cities, and will help Macao achieve its goal of economic diversification. Mr Ng said the Government paid great attention to the implementation of the scheme, noting that the measure highlighted the Central Government’s great support to Macao and represented a significant achievement for Guangdong-Macao cooperation. Also at the press conference, the Director of the Hengqin New Area Management Committee, Mr Niu Jing, said that the entry of Macao-registered vehicles to Hengqin would have a positive impact in several areas, including: furthering the economic development of Macao and Guangdong; enhancing overall border-crossing efficiency in Macao and Zhuhai; and improving convenience of travel for people from the two cities. Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, had announced – during his visit to Macao in October – that the initiative to enable Macao-registered vehicles to enter Hengqin Island would be implemented before year-end. In 2009, the State Council published the Overall Development Plan of Hengqin, outlining the initiative of allowing Macao-registered vehicles to enter the island. The scheme aims to create better living, working and business conditions for Macao residents, including the possibility of living in Hengqin. In 2011, the vehicle scheme was also included in the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong and Macao. In June this year, the Guangdong and Macao governments agreed on the terms of the scheme enabling Macao-registered vehicles to enter Hengqin. On 8 December, the Guangdong Government issued a set of provisional procedures for managing Macao-registered vehicles entering Hengqin. The Zhuhai Government issued on the same day a set of detailed measures for managing Macao-registered vehicles entering the island. Officials from the Macao Customs Service, the Public Security Police Force and the Transport Bureau attended today’s press conference. Also present were representatives from the Zhuhai Municipal People’s Government, the Public Security Bureau and the Gongbei Customs.
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The Macao Cultural Centre, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents three brand new productions to be premiered in February 2017. Staged in alternative venues, this new “Open Box” series includes the physical comedy Idiot, multimedia project Butterflies in the Spring Breeze and the vanguardist immersive theatre Echoes of our Times. A theatrical display of different ideas and themes presented through diverse performing projects. Idiot (10-11 Feb, 2017) Opening the series, director/script writer Joyce Chan will take the audience on a journey to a world of stupidity and misunderstandings, using the basics of clowning to construct an absurd perspective. It all starts when a young otaku (Japanese for nerd) decides to reply an ad calling for male escorts. The action revolves around a multiplicity of funny gags during the interview that takes the unlikely candidate to fly to Japan where he meets the mama-san in charge of recruitment. Butterflies in the Spring Breeze (17-18 Feb, 2017) Butterflies in the Spring Breeze is a tale addressing sexual desire through the intense story of a man who finds out his wife had a love affair with another woman, years before they met. Created by director Harry Ng and designer James Wong this is a challenging piece in both their choice of content and technical setting. Adapted from a Taiwanese novel, the piece will take the audience through an acting experience displayed on a high-tech holographic scenario. Echoes of our Times (18-19 Feb, 2017) On the last show of the series, choreographer Chan Chi Cheng and Taiwanese musician Chi Po Hao invite the audience to wander through a strange place full of dusty and outdated objects that were once very useful. Listening to unfamiliar beeps and noises, two dancers respond to the sounds, like mesmerized kids listening to a story told by an old man. Echoes of our Times merges dance, acting and sound installations to offer the audience something closer to a real life adventure rather than an evening at the theatre. “Open Box” is presented by the Macao Cultural Centre from February 10 through 19. Tickets priced at MOP120 will be available at CCM’s box office and Macao Ticketing Network from December 18. A three programme package is priced at MOP300 (one ticket for each programme). For further information on promotional offers and ticketing, please visit www.ccm.gov.mo or call (853) 2870 0699. Credit card ticketing hotline (853) 2840 0555.
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The International Workshop on Solid-State Lighting of LED and Laser Diode, co-organised by the University of Macau (UM) and the Physical Society of Macao, was held at MGM MACAU today (15 December). Prof Shuji Nakamura from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the 2014 Nobel laureate in physics, as well as other renowned experts, scholars, and industry elite attended the workshop and had in-depth discussions on the latest developments, problems, and challenges in solid-state lighting (SSL). UM Rector Wei Zhao thanked Prof Nakamura and other guests for attending the workshop. He expressed his hope that the workshop would not only provide a platform for connecting the academics and industry, but would also help to raise public awareness of the importance of science and technology. He also expressed his hope that scientific research will grow together with the gaming industry in Macao to meet a great variety of needs in the local society. Prof Tang Zikang, director of UM’s Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering and president of the Physical Society of Macao, reviewed the recent developments of SSL and LED. He noted that as an effective way to realise efficient use of energy, SSL technology has attracted considerable international attention over the past few years. The development of SSL now plays an important role in enhancing national welfare and people’s quality of life. The workshop is expected to promote innovation in and development of the related industries in Macao, so they can become new-technology pillar industries in Macao. The workshop was jointly initiated by UM, the Physical Society of Macao, the University of California, Santa Barbara, Guangdong Illuminating Engineering Society, and Tsing Hua University. It aimed to provide a platform for leading scientists in the field and industry leaders from the United States, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and mainland China to exchange ideas on the emerging trends and lighting technologies and to seek new opportunities and growth points in the optoelectronics industry. Prof Nakamura and Prof Tang served as the co-chairs of the workshop. Prof Da-Hsuan Feng, director of global affairs and special advisor to the rector at UM, was the consultant of the workshop. The workshop received great support from MGM MACAU. On the day following the workshop, Prof Nakamura will give a public talk at UM on the invention of high efficient blue LEDs and the future solid state lighting. He will also share his research experience with the audience.
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