News

The 2017 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (2017MIECF) will be held in Macao from 30 March to 1 April 2017 under the theme “Innovative Green Development for Sustainable Future”. Representatives of IPIM and the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), the Host Co-ordinators of the event, visited Portugal and Beijing in early December and organised a series of activities to promote MIECF to the Mainland and overseas environmental protection industries to further enhance the effectiveness of the event. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017, MIECF has gradually become a highly effective international exhibition for the environmental protection industry. The event helps to promote Macao as a co-operation and networking platform for the PPRD, particularly between the EU, China and PSCs. Various networking activities were organised to strengthen the publicity of MIECF in Portugal. The activities were participated in by the Secretary for Economy and Finance Leong Vai Tac, as well as representatives from various trade, economic and environmental protection associations in Portugal such as Portugal Global - Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP), Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), European Recycling Platform (ERP), Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILC), Portuguese Water Partnership (PPA) and the Portugal-China Association of Young Entrepreneurs (AJEPC). The activities received positive responses and the participants expressed interest in MIECF. During the visit in Portugal, a 2017 MIECF promotional seminar, co-organised by IPIM, DSPA, Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon (DECM), AICEP and AJEPC, was held at DECM. IPIM’s Executive Director Irene V. K. Lau and DSPA’s Deputy Director Vong Man Hung gave a detailed presentation on the event to further promote MIECF to overseas environmental protection sectors as well as fostering networking and co-operation of the environmental protection industry between the PPRD and Europe. It also aimed to promote business matching between the PPRD and European enterprises, as well as assisting trade visitors/buyers participating in MIECF to promote their environmentally-friendly commodities and technology transfer, so as to enhance the effectiveness of the event. During the visit, IPIM also attended a contract signing ceremony of the co-operation project between CESL Asia of Macao and MAGPOWER of Portugal. The project is the outcome of the connection between the two enterprises established during 2010MIECF. The Portugal section of the project commenced this year and the next objective is the collaboration in tapping the Mainland market and investing in environmental technology transfer. IPIM also organised the MIECF roadshow activities in Matosinhos and visited various renowned environmental protection enterprises and invited them to participate in the event. The activities received a favourable response and a number of Portuguese environmental protection enterprises expressed interest in participating in the event, aiming to learn more about the latest information and development of the Mainland’s environmental protection industry so as to serve as a reference and guidelines for the direction of future development. After the publicity activities in Portugal, the IPIM and DSPA delegation travelled to Beijing and plan to visit the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China Association of Environmental Protection Industry and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The delegation will provide information on the preparation of 2017MIECF and exchange views and discuss supporting and organising delegations wishing to participate in the event in Macao.
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A report on testing the hygienic condition and sugar contents of beverages with short shelf life is published in Consumer Council’s latest issue no. 279 Consumer Report. The sixty tested beverage samples all pass the hygienic standard of IACM’s guideline, however, about sixty percent of them contain high amount of sugar. The Council suggests consumers to choose beverages marked less sweet, or those without sugar, to avoid over intake of sugar that may affect human’s health. Hygienic condition of sixty samples are good Pre-packed or freshly made beverages both contain short shelf life and do not require re-heating, Consumer Council and IACM tested the effects of this kind of beverages on consumers’ health. The sixty samples tested include herbal tea, fresh juice, and Taiwanese style drinks, etc., national standards were quoted in the test. All samples tested pass the hygienic standard of IACM’s guideline, salmonella and Staphylococcus Aureus are not found in any of them. High sugar contents in most samples Although sugar is a necessary kind of energy to human’s body, too much sugar costs diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the World Health Organization strongly suggests an intake of less than 50g of sugar, which equals to ten cubes of sugar, for adults with a 2000-calorie daily intake. In 2015, the WHO further suggested to reduce the intake of sugar to 25g if possible. The test result shows that over sixty percent of the beverage samples contain more than the two suggested amount of sugar, consumers will be taking more than the suggested amount when consuming one whole bottle or cup of this kind of drinks. Pay attention to too much intake of sugar The Council suggests consumers to consume less drinks with sugar, or choose those with less sugar or no sugar to avoid too much intake of sugar that may affect human’s health. Meanwhile, consumers are advised to purchase beverages with short shelf life from renowned businesses that pay attention to the hygienic condition of their food containers. The test results can be found in the latest issue of Consumer Report. Other contents include enhancing consumers’ safety knowledge The current issue of Consumer Report also includes a consumer alert of China Food and Drug Administration regarding the produce of fruit jam and beer, as well as an article introducing worldwide different safety standards of car seats. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 26, Edf. Clementina Ho), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries, and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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The Macaology Translation Series, edited by Hao Yufan, dean of the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Social Sciences; and Prof Tang Kaijian from the Department of History, has added the Chinese version of Fidalgos in the Far East, 1550-1770: Fact and Fancy in the History of Macao, authored by Charles Ralph Boxer, to its list. The book was translated by Dr Li Qing from the Department of History and is published by the UM Publications Centre. This book on the early history of Macao was first published by Martinus Nijoff from The Hague in 1948. The second version was published by the Oxford University Press in 1968, and its Portuguese version was published by the Fundação Oriente in 1990.
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The 2016 UNCITRAL Emergence Conference on ‘Regional Perspectives on Contemporary and Future Harmonization Agenda in International Trade Law’, co-organised by the University of Macau (UM) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law – Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (UNCITRAL-RCAP), will be held on 13 December and 14 December in the Lotus Room of the World Trade Center Macau. This year’s event is supported by the World Trade Center Macau, the International Chamber of Commerce - International Court of Arbitration Asia, and the Asian Business Law Institute. During the two-day conference, nearly 40 experts and scholars from Australia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, the United States, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao will discuss various contemporary and emerging issues in the areas of international trade law and commercial law, including ‘Development of the Digital Economy: New Ways of Doing Business Domestically and Cross-Border’, ‘Enhancing Global Supply Chains by Reducing Legal Obstacles’, ‘Contemporary and Emerging Issues Related to Finance and Investment’, ‘Emerging Legal Issues in the Commercial Exploitation of Deep Seabed, Space and Artificial Intelligence’, and ‘Rule of Law and Access to Justice in the context of Climate Change, Finance and Investment’. The conference will be a unique event leading up to the UNCITRAL Congress on ‘Modernizing International Trade Law to Support Innovation and Sustainable Development’ to be held in July 2017 in Vienna. All are welcome. For registrations and enquiries, please contact the Faculty of Law of UM, at 8822 4191 or visit the following website www.umac.mo/fll/umuncitral.
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Please be informed that starting from 31st December 2016, the sale of the Label Stamp with face value at MOP 1.00 and MOP1.50 will be terminated at all the Stamp Vending Machines. Therefore, starting from 12th December 2016 to 30th December 2016, the sale of the mentioned Label Stamp will be gradually terminated at the Stamp Vending Machines in Macao.
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The Patane Library, under the auspices of the Department of Public Library Management of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, was inaugurated on Friday, 9 December, at 11am. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Chairman of the Macau Library and Information Management Association, Wong Kwok Keung; the President of the Patane Mutual Aid Association, Lok Nam Tak and the Head of Department of Public Management, Tang Mei Lin. Curators of several high school libraries, the Principals and representatives of several schools in the Patane district attended the opening ceremony. After the opening ceremony, the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng exchanged views with the first batch of readers in the library. Some of the readers are old residents in the Patane district. They recalled the appearance of the original buildings of the library and their living conditions. They were happy that the buildings were transformed into a library. The Patane Library is comprised of a group of seven old buildings with a history of over 80 years. Built in the 1930s, the buildings of the Patane Library are typical arcade buildings along the coast of the Inner Harbour. Arcade buildings feature an architectural form combining the architectural features of both Europe and Southeast Asia, and only a few arcade buildings are left in Macao at present. The Cultural Affairs Bureau has renovated the buildings and transformed them into the Patane Library. It aims not only to provide more reading space to local residents, but also to preserve and safeguard the buildings with special value and significance in the urban development, thus allowing the next generations to know more about precious historic buildings in Macao. Aside from enhancing the environment of the Inner Harbour, the renovation project has transformed the buildings into a place for the transmission of culture and knowledge. The three-storey Patane Library covers an area of around 1,130 square meters, and provides approximate 150 seats for readers. In addition to the reading service of newspapers and magazines, the library also provides other basic services such as access to the general collection and children’s collection. The library, dedicated to film and music, features a multimedia zone for holding regular film screenings, concerts and other activities. The library holds about 20,000 volumes, 7,000 audiovisual materials, 80 types of newspapers and 600 types of magazines, in order to satisfy the reading demands of readers in the Patane and nearby districts, hoping to create an environment with a reading atmosphere for residents. The Patane Library, located at No. 69-81, Rua da Ribeira do Patane, Macao, opens from 11am to 8:30pm on the day of the opening ceremony. The Library opens from 9:30am to 8:30pm from Tuesdays to Sundays, and from 2pm to 8:30pm on Mondays, except on public holidays. For enquiries, please contact Mr. Lam, staff member of IC, through tel. no. 2825 9220 or 2825 9221 during office hours or visit the Macao Public Library website at www.library.gov.mo.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, was in Portugal to learn more about policies introduced by the Portuguese Government to support start-up companies, and how these policies are helping young entrepreneurs launch their own business. During an official visit to Lisbon, Portugal, Mr Leong and a Macao delegation – accompanied by Portugal’s Secretary of State of Industry, Mr João Vasconcelos – toured several government-backed venture capital firms investing in innovative start-ups and in new projects related to tourism and hospitality. During a meeting with some of the representatives of the venture capital firms, Mr Leong was briefed on the investment requirements and application procedures used by those companies when selecting their respective investments, and he also learned more about successful investment cases. The SAR Government delegation also visited a business-support centre for start-ups in Lisbon providing one-stop services covering markets in China, Brazil, Angola and Europe. The centre’s services include training, offering access to working space, and business networking. Secretary Leong noted that the Portuguese Government was stepping up efforts to enhance the country’s business environment and to support entrepreneurship. During the visit to Lisbon, Mr Leong also met with the Chairman of AICEP Portugal Global, Mr Miguel Frasquilho, to exchange views on trade and investment promotion. Mr Leong additionally met with Portugal’s Secretary of State Assistant and of Environment, Mr José Mendes, to exchange views on green vehicles and how to boost further Macao’s role as a bridging platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries on environment-related matters. During the meeting, Secretary Leong extended an invitation to Mr Mendes to attend the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF), to be held in Macao from 30 March to 1 April. Other members of the SAR Government delegation included: the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union in Brussels, Ms O Tin Lin; the Director of the Macao Economic Services, Mr Tai Kin Ip; and Executive Director of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Ms Gloria Batalha Ung. Mr Leong returned to Macao on Thursday (8 December). During their official visit to Europe, from 3 to 7 December, Mr Leong and the Macao delegation visited Brussels, in Belgium, and Lisbon.
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In September 2015, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange announced to impose an annual limit of 100,000 yuan on overseas cash withdrawals per Mainland bank card starting January 2016, while the daily limit of 10,000 yuan on overseas cash withdrawals per Mainland bank card is still in effect. In order to further strengthen the measures to regulate Mainland bank card cash withdrawals, limit per transaction of cash withdrawal by Mainland bank cards is set at MOP/HKD5,000 with effect from 9 December 2016, while the daily limit remains unchanged. The above measure is not expected to have any impact on day to day ATM cash withdrawal through ATM by Macao residents, neither normal overseas cash withdrawal by Mainland bank card holders will be affected.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau has introduced new components to Anim’Arte NAM VAN. A number of three-dimensional art installations, of two illustrated characters, “Pipi” and “Lulu” are the theme of the Macao Cultural and Creative Map (CCM Map). The first batch of “Pipi” and “Lulu” art installations has been presented at Anim’Arte NAM VAN. All are welcome to appreciate the local creations and take photographs with them. The Macao Cultural and Creative Map and its mobile app were released in 2014. The main characters of the CCM Map, “Pipi” and “Lulu” were designed by local illustrator Blue Chan. The six three-dimensional art installations of “Pipi”, “Lulu” and a pair of swallows installed in Anim’Arte NAM VAN were produced by local artist Wong Ka Long based on Blue Chan’s graphic images. Each art installation is 1.3m high on average and features a vivid image. In conjunction with all the space and distinctive elements in Anim’Arte NAM VAN, “Pipi” and “Lulu” introduce in different shapes the cultural and creative stores, café and performances in Anim’Arte NAM VAN. Jointly managed by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Sports Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Institute for Tourism Studies under the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, Anim’Arte NAM VAN, located at Nam Van Lakeside Plaza, combines distinctive cafés, pedal boats, cultural and creative stores, weekend crafts markets, exhibitions and performances. The project has been well-received by the public and has attracted many local residents, visitors and families since its opening in June. The Cultural Affairs Bureau plans to introduce new components to Anim’Arte NAM VAN in order to enhance Macao’s cultural and creative product offerings while providing a diversity of cultural tourism facilities for the public, and thereby intensifying the cultural aura of the city. The CCM Map is distributed at 180 locations in Hong Kong and Macao. For details of the distribution locations and the CCM Map, please refer to the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com); the mobile app of CCM Map can be downloaded from the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com/app/). A selection of over 100 local cultural and creative products is available for sale at the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Map-themed shops located at Anim’Arte NAM VAN.
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The 1st International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (“IFFAM”) officially commenced with an Opening Ceremony grandly held at Macao Cultural Centre at 8 p.m. tonight (8 December). Around 800 guests dazzled the red carpet and the Opening Ceremony, including the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis Tam, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA) and Executive Vice President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Alvin Chau, various prominent film festival directors, internationally-acclaimed film directors and movie stars, industry professionals and personages coming from different parts of the world. IFFAM’s Honorary Advisor Eric Tsang, famous artists Bowie Tsang and Derek Tsang were invited to be the hosts and together created a lively atmosphere for the night. A dazzling lineup of guests graced the Opening Ceremony tonight including international movie star and IFFAM Image Ambassador Zhang Ziyi; IFFAM Talent Ambassador Jang Keun Suk; Directors and Festival Ambassadors Choi Dong Hoon, Clemens Klopfenstein, Kim Jee Woon, and Lu Chuan; Artistic Director of Toronto International Film Festival, Cameron Bailey; Director of Far East Film Festival in Italy, Sabrina Baracetti; Director of International Film Festival Rotterdam, Bero Beyer; Artistic Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival, Mark Adams; Busan International Film Festival Director Kang Soo Hyun and Chairman Kim Dong Ho; other film stars include Jessica Sooyoun Jung, Rosamund Kwan Chi Lam, Myolie Wu, Zhang Jin, Kara Wai Ying Hung, Vanessa Yeung, Ludi Lin, Celina Jade, Lisa Lu and Nanami Sakuraba. MGTO Director and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, expressed in her remarks, “Macao is a place where cultures from the East and West were orchestrated into a beautiful symphony. It has served as the location for a number of film shootings. Events of international stature demonstrate our capabilities and introduce world-class exchange opportunities to the local cultural and creative industry. The synergy between culture and tourism enriches visitors’ experience in Macao, and steers the tourism industry and the cultural and creative industry towards sustainable development, ultimately supporting Macao's quest to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.” Following an eye-dotting ceremony officiated by 11 officiating guests: Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Alexis Tam; Spouse of Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Winnie Fok; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Xue Xiaofeng; Head of the Section of Public Diplomacy and Information of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Li Nan; Jury President of IFFAM, Shekhar Kapur; Jury members of IFFAM, Giovanna Fulvi, Jung Woo Sung, Stanley Kwan and Makiko Watanabe; MGTO Director and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, MFTPA President and Executive Vice President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Alvin Chau; a 3D mapping show officially unveiled the 1st IFFAM with a symphony of visual art, music and dancing lions. Gracing the Film Festival with its unique color, the opening French film “Polina, danser sa vie” was shown. The story of the film revolves around its major character Polina, who grew up as a classic ballet dancer and embarked on a journey of self discovery in contemporary dance. Fascinating six-day program The IFFAM program encompasses an array of highlights and activities including the Competition Section, an array of film premieres and red-carpet presentations, Industry Hub, Masterclass, media exchange sessions after numerous press screenings, short film competition, screenwriting competition and Awards Ceremony, etc. A spectacular lineup of 54 international films IFFAM will screen a total of 54 films from over 20 countries and regions across the globe. For most of the films, this will be their world or Asian premiere. As a major highlight in IFFAM, the Competition Section will pit 12 feature films against each other for a total of 8 awards including Best Film, Jury Award, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best New Actor or Actress Award, Best Scriptwriter and Best Technical Contribution. The most popular film with the most votes cast by local audience will be presented the Macao Audience Choice Award. The 12 films will debut at Macao Cultural Centre or Macau Tower. Besides the above awards, the Career Achievement Award will be presented during the event; in addition, the Asian Blockbuster Film 2016 Award will be jointly presented by the IFFAM Organizing Committee and Variety Magazine while the “MFTPA Special Award for Contribution to Chinese Film” will be presented by Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association to selected winners. The above awards are set up to commend outstanding films and filmmakers. In addition, there will be a range of film screenings including Hollywood Special Presentation (1 film), Gala (3 films), Hidden Dragons (9 films), Crossfire (12 films), Best of Fest Panorama (9 films), Actress in Focus: Gwei Lun-Mei (3 films) as well as Special Presentation showing two European films and two short films from Korea. Hollywood and Oscar-winning master filmmakers share insightful experience Two Masterclass will be lectured by acclaimed master filmmakers on 10th and 11th December respectively. Famous Hollywood producer Gianni Nunnari, will share his experience regarding the topic of “Producing in Hollywood – Big budget blockbusters, independent genre films and what Hollywood and Asia can learn from each other”. The director and co-writer of Oscars 2016 Best Picture "Spotlight”, Tom McCarthy, will discuss and express his perspectives on the topic of “The Art of Storytelling using the Personal to Elevate the Political”. Three-day Industry Hub enhances interchanges The Industry Hub will take place at Macao Science Center from 9th to 11th December. Around 200 film industry professionals from worldwide have been invited to participate in the event, so as to enhance interchanges and create business opportunities in the industry. The three-day program includes Crouching Tigers Project Lab, Industry Panels, Industry Screenings and Networking Activities. Diverse and remarkable activities Other concurrent activities during IFFAM include “Macao Short Film Competition” Award Ceremony, “BFI Film Academy Project” Short Film Premiere and Certificate Presentation Ceremony, “CINEFANTASY International Short Film Screenwriting Competition 2016” Award Ceremony, etc. Among them, the “BFI Film Academy Project” Short Film Premiere and Certificate Presentation Ceremony will take place at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre on 11th December. IFFAM Talent Ambassadors Jang Keun-Suk and Rhydian Vaughan will be in Macao to meet the audience and fans during the Film Festival. Jang Keun-Suk will present two short films at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre and meet with the audience for an exchange of ideas, whereas Rhydian Vaughan will host a press conference at Macao Cultural Centre on 13th December to introduce a new film which will be directed by a Portuguese film director and filmed in Macao. Around 300 media accredited from home and abroad Besides local media, the Organizing Committee has specially invited over 200 representatives of film media from across the region and the globe to cover the event in depth especially through feature articles about IFFAM’s feature films, thus widening media coverage of the event. As a result, it will produce dual effects of wide publicity and in-depth coverage directed towards the film industry, which will raise Macao’s profile to a new level. TDM – Macao TV Channel has recorded and will broadcast the Opening Ceremony of IFFAM later and will live broadcast the Awards Ceremony on 13th December. FOX Networks Group will also produce a special TV program about IFFAM for broadcast later. For more information and latest news of the 1st IFFAM, please visit http://iffamacao.com/en/
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