News

The Cultural Affairs Bureau will perform regular monitoring to the facade of Ruins of St. Paul’s by using a three-dimensional scanner to conduct a comprehensive scan of the surface of the facade and make data records for safety measures and research purposes. The monitoring works will be carried out in three periods of time, on 7th, 14th and 21st October respectively, from 11pm to 6am on the following day. The stone platform in the front part of the Ruins of St. Paul’s will be partially closed. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.
…

The Government is preparing warmly to welcome member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, who will inspect Macao from 10 to 12 October. During his three-day visit, Premier Li will on 11 October attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao); a body also known as Forum Macao. The visit of Premier Li shows the Central Government’s great support and significant encouragement for the Government to push forward economic development in Macao. The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be held in Macao from 11 to 12 October inclusive. The theme will be: Working Toward Stronger Sino-Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Trade and Economic Relations – Combining Efforts, Jointly Building a Platform, Sharing Fruits of Development. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Ulisses Correia e Silva; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Baciro Djá; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosário; the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Mr António Costa; the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Angola, Mr Abrahão Gourgel; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Services of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr Marcos Pereira; and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Mr Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, will lead their respective government delegations to join events of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao. The opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be held in the morning on 11 October, and will be officiated by the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Gao Hucheng. The Meeting of the 5th Ministerial Conference will be held in the afternoon on 11 October. It will focus on the development vision and direction for cooperation among the participants, in relation to the period 2017 to 2019. Delegates representing the participating countries will sign several memorandums of cooperation. Meetings between entrepreneurs from China and those from Portuguese-speaking countries will be held in the morning on 12 October. The Government hopes the holding of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be a further step in reinforcing and strengthening Macao’s bridging functions as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as the “Platform” policy). Since its founding in Macao in October 2003, the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) has recorded satisfying achievements; in particular advancing Macao’s roles in connecting and boosting cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. On top of the solid foundation laid over those 13 years, the Government would further the effort to promote Macao’s Platform policy and respectively: the city’s strategic position as a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Portuguese-speaking countries; Macao’s role as a goods distribution centre; and the city’s role as a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portugal. These roles are known collectively as the “Three Centres”.
…

The aeronautical authorities of Macao SAR and the Republic of Turkey held air talks on 01 October 2016 in Montreal and initialed the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA). The signed Agreement belongs to one of the most liberal standards as set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and will help to create a liberal environment for the development of the air transport market between the two places. Taking the opportunity during the attendance at the 39th ICAO Assembly at Montreal as part of the China Delegation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) met the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Turkey to hold the bilateral ASA talks there. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Considering that any designated airlines of both parties will be able to enjoy the liberal conditions once they are interested to operate the route between the two places in the future, the two delegations adopted an open manner in their discussions and agreed that no limitations should be imposed. At the meeting which was held on 01 October 2016 (Montreal local time), the parties eventually confirmed and initialed the Agreement text. According to the Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties can enjoy multiple designation of airlines; the designated airlines can enjoy no restrictions on capacity in their operation of scheduled passenger and all-cargo flights; they can also enjoy fifth freedom traffic rights and no limitation on the number of points to be served. The President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the DGCA of Turkey, Mr. Bilal Eksi, initialed the Agreement on behalf of their governments. The Minister of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Arslan, presided at the signing ceremony as witness. Macao has concluded ASAs with 49 foreign countries; in other words, the framework which is necessary for the operation of scheduled services has already been established through the conclusion of these agreements. AACM emphasizes that these foreign countries are the main air transport markets in the world; most of these agreements belong to the liberal criteria. In the future, the SAR Government will continue to adopt flexible and facilitation measures to encourage both local and foreign airlines to operate services to and from Macao. In recent years, the number of visitors to Macao has been increasing; the passenger volume of Macau International Airport has also been reporting continuous growth; the air network has also been extending. Presently, a total of 30 local and foreign airlines operate in our airport, flying to a total of 45 destinations.
…

The 28th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest concluded in splendour. Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan won the championship, followed by the fireworks teams from Romania and Canada as the first and second runners-up. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong attended the ceremony together with other guests and presented the awards to the winners. Giving a speech on behalf of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam, Director Senna Fernandes remarked that over the years, MGTO has dedicated incredible efforts to organize this annual spectacular and keep surprising the audience with new elements in the Contest. Every year, the Office seeks a new range of outstanding fireworks companies from worldwide to bring into the limelight so as to raise the standard of performance. She added that the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture strenuously promotes cooperation among its sub-departments and strengthens its collaboration with the private sector to combine various elements of culture, sports and tourism, in order to bring out greater synergistic effects and enrich the diversity offered by Macao’s tourism and leisure industry. Besides, MGTO also joins hands with local organizations and businesses to hold relevant activities concurrently during the Contest each year, promising more colorful and diverse festive experiences for residents and visitors. Various famous fireworks companies came from worldwide to join the past editions of the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. This year, the ten teams came from different countries as follows (in order of appearance in the Contest): Thailand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Romania and China. The Contest marked its first time to feature a Romanian team this year. The pyrotechnic company from Canada also made its debut in Macao. In this year’s Contest, the fireworks displays were designed to bring out a special theme each scheduled evening. The theme for tonight (1 October) is “Celebration in the Sky”, with splendid fireworks presented by the teams from Romania and China in celebration of the 67th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Their fireworks displays added a festive vibe in town on the National Day. Visitors came from different parts of the world to enjoy the final evening of the Contest, joining locals’ celebration for this grand occasion. Different vantage points on Macao Peninsula and Taipa were bustled with spectators. Besides the Fireworks Carnival, the Macau Lantern Festival, held at the waterfront promenade of One Central Macau, and “Anim’Arte Nam Van”, the new landmark for leisure, culture and creativity, were both great places to enjoy the fireworks this year and enlivened with a festive ambience. Since the inaugural edition unveiled by MGTO in 1989, the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest has developed into one of Macao’s signature mega events and drawn a vast number of spectators from around the world to Macao every year. In addition, an array of side activities including the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest are held during the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest to encourage participation among local residents. The Fireworks Carnival, filled with diverse elements, is also staged every fireworks evening of the Contest each year. The Office also partnered with a local business to roll out the first Macau Lantern Festival, showcasing over 40 artistic lanterns until 10 October. In the future, MGTO will keep making a great effort to present more fascinating events and festivals filled with innovative elements, and magnify the scale and effect of mega events through cooperation with different government departments, entities and local organizations, in order to attract a broader diversity of market segments, encourage locals’ participation and boost the destination profile internationally, in line with the goal to build Macao into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
…

Casinos’ gross gaming revenues have been in positive territory for two consecutive months, namely in August and September, noted today the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. In September, casino gross gaming revenue totalled 18.396 billion patacas, representing a 7.4 year-on-year growth for that month. Speaking at the National Day reception hosted by the Government, Mr Leong said the Government was confident that casino gross gaming revenue in 2016 would reach the Government’s target of 200 billion patacas. Factors favouring the likelihood of such an outcome included: the positive performance in gaming revenue in September, a month that is commonly considered an off-peak period for inbound tourism to Macao; and the seasonal peak in tourism expected in October. August’s casino gross gaming revenue totalled 18.836 billion patacas, a 1.1 percent year-on-year growth. The August increase was probably due to the peak travel period in summer; the increase in the number and type of non-gaming offerings in the city; and the launch of more entertainment projects, Mr Leong said. The Government would closely monitor the possible challenges posed to Macao by the volatile environment in international markets, added Mr Leong. In addition, the Secretary also commented on the proposed revision of the Regulation on the Conditions of Entering, Staying and Gaming in Casinos, including a restriction on casino workers entering casinos during their leisure hours. The Government was collecting opinions from local associations and businesses, in order to optimise the regulation while protecting the rights of employees. Mr Leong said the Government was currently preparing the budget for the fiscal year 2017 and collecting data from public departments. In drawing up its budget, the Government would follow closely the principle of keeping expenditure within the limits of its revenues. The Government would additionally make sure all public funds were used properly.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today prosperity and strength of the country are the driving forces of the city’s development and a strong backing for the stability of Macao.Speaking in the morning at the reception hosted by the Government to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Chui said further active integration with the country’s development would significantly enhance Macao’s strength for comprehensive growth.The Government will, as always, spare no effort in advancing economic development and livelihood betterment; and promoting democracy and social harmony, Mr Chui stated in a speech delivered during the reception with more than 1,300 guests.The Government will devote more effort to push forward Macao’s strategic development as a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies).Mr Chui said at present and in the near future, the Government will dedicate more effort on implementing the following tasks:1. Implement the instructions from the Central People’s Government to strengthen coordination and planning. The Government officially announced in early September Macao’s first Five-Year Development Plan in order to sustain the implementation of the national 13th Five-Year Plan. The Five-Year Development Plan serves as a strategy for Macao to improve governance and respond to the demands of the city’s short-, medium-, and long-term development. In addition, the Government would continue the work on the long-term planning for development of the 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding Macao, in order to promote further sustainability.2. Strive to stabilise the economy and protect employment. The Government has been working out to stabilise employment, optimise human resources and maintain the current low unemployment rate. The Government would continue to promote the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industries; traditional Chinese medicine and cultural and creative industries; and would continue to boost new development concepts – such as specialised financial industry, community economy and young entrepreneurship – to expedite the sustainable development and adequate economic diversification.Mr Chui said the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – which to be held in Macao from 11 to 12 October – was a great opportunity for Macao to reinforce its bridging roles and functions.3. Improve livelihood and promote social harmony. The Government launched optimisation on long-term mechanisms on social security, healthcare, housing and education, in order to allow Macao people to enjoy a happier life. The Government also increased many allowances and subsidies for supporting the underprivileged.4. Promote regional symbiosis and expedite integration. The Government will continue to follow the schedule of major tasks under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and to work in line with the instructions from the State Council regarding deepening regional cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. The Government will consolidate advantages of regional cooperation and Macao’s unique functions in order to make further contribution in the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).In the morning, some 300 guests had attended the National Day flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square.Guests attending the ceremony included: the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Wang Zhimin; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Assembly; Macao’s delegates to the National People’s Congress and to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and people from across the community.Later in the day, Mr Chui also officiated at the launch ceremony and then the award presentation ceremony of a 2016 National Day event called “Macao People Celebrate the National Day - World Walking Day Fun Run”.A number of Government departments will hold events to celebrate the anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. They include: a variety show – organised by the Sports Bureau – at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, starting at 2pm; and an acrobatic performance called “The Legendary Swordsman” staged at 8pm tonight.Pyrotechnic displays for the 28th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest – by a team from Romania and a team from China – will take place on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40pm tonight.Macao Post will offer commemorative stamp covers for sale to mark National Day. A stamping service will be available at its headquarters building from 9am to 5.30pm today.
…

The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said maintaining public safety was the top priority of the police, while at the same time safeguarding public order and satisfying the public’s right to information. Mr Wong commented today on a recent incident involving reports that a bomb had been placed in a local hotel. He said 60 percent to 70 percent of reports related to perceived risk to public safety were in fact false alarms. The police needed to ensure public safety and verify supplied information before sharing it with the media. He noted that the mechanism by which the security forces communicated with the media had continual scope for enhancement. The Secretary stated the police were not selective in terms of which incidents were reported to the public and the media. He added he hoped members of the public and the media could understand the need to protect public safety, public order and the general interests of the public. In addition, Mr Wong said he hoped the Government would hold in November a visit to the nuclear power plant in Taishan, Guangdong Province. It was proposed that the visit would include community members. The Government had been discussing the matter with the Central Government. Detailed work was needed in order to further the consultation process between the Government and the mainland authorities.
…

The Government will host tomorrow (1 October) a series of activities, including a flag raising ceremony, a reception, a variety show, and firework display, to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At 8am on National Day, there will be a flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Lotus Square. The ceremony is to be attended by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; and representatives from, respectively, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; and the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army; as well as by heads of the Macao legislature and judiciary; principal officials; and people from across the community. The flag-raising ceremony will be broadcast live on television channels of public broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM). The Chief Executive will then attend the National Day reception held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre at 9.30am. Later in the day, Mr Chui will preside at the start of a running event to commemorate National Day, and later present awards to participants. A number of Government departments will hold events to celebrate the anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. They include: a variety show – organised by the Sports Bureau – at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, starting at 2pm; and an acrobatic performance called “The Legendary Swordsman” to be staged at the Macao Forum at 8pm tonight and again on Saturday night. Pyrotechnic displays for the 28th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest – by a team from Romania and a team from China – will take place on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at, respectively, 9pm and 9.40pm tomorrow. Macao Post will offer commemorative stamp covers for sale to mark National Day. A stamping service will be available at its headquarters building from 9am to 5.30pm on Saturday.
…

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Macao International Music Festival, the Cultural Affairs Bureau hosted the “Macao International Music Festival Forum” themed “Music and Arts Festival as Drivers of a City’s Cultural Development” from 30 September to 1 October at the Macao Cultural Centre Conference Room, to explore how international arts festivals and events contribute to the sustainable development of a city. Various renowned guests from cultural sectors from both overseas and the nearby regions discussed and explored the influence between music and arts festivals and the urban cultural development in various regions. The two-day “Macao International Music Festival Forum” features a number of sessions covering a wide range of themes, from city branding, programming, audience development, cultural tourism and Internet marketing, to study how a long-term development strategy and elements such as arts and local history and culture, heritage buildings, geographic environment, boosting the international image and profile of the cities while driving the development in fields such as the economy, society and culture. Several prominent practitioners from overseas and nearby regions were invited to conduct the talks in the Forum, including the Managing Director of the Barbican Centre, Sir Nicholas Kenyon; the Founder and Executive Director of the Verbier Festival, Martin Engstroem; the CEO of Arts House Limited, Singapore, Lee Chor Lin; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Tisa Ho; the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s Music and Arts Festival, Jay Forster; the Digital Strategist of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s Music and Arts Festival, Simon Bratt; the Dean of the School of Music of Shanghai University, Wang Yong; the Director of the Shanghai Culture Square, Zhang Jie; and the General Manager of Wu Promotions, Wu Jiatong, among others, in an effort to facilitate exchange between Macao and other places and together explore new approaches to the development of arts festivals in cities. The “Macao International Music Festival Forum” was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, and several speakers of the talks; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the EMA Co-Programme Leader and Adjunct Professor of the Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tseng Sun-man; the experienced writer of South China Morning Post, Oliver Chou; the Hong Kong classical music composer and critic, Dennis Wu; the members of the Art Advisory Group of the Macao International Music Festival, Lü Jia, Cao Yi Ji and Yang Yan Di; the Head of the Department of Cultural Events of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; and the Head of the Division of Performing Arts of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Paula Lei.
…

As 1 October is approaching, consumption by citizens are expected to increase, so are the number of inbound tourists. The Consumer Council held a meeting earlier with Economic Services Bureau (DSE), Macao Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service, Civic and Municipal Affairs Council (IACM), Health Bureau (SS), and Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT) to discuss on the protection of consumer rights for local citizens as well as inbound tourists. Consumer Council reminds consumers and tourists that if anyone finds his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint with the Council or other departments and provide all necessary detailed information. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 0900 to 1800 from 1 to 4 October. Consumer Council hotline: 8988 9315.
…