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‘Belt and Road’ Initiative key to new round of Guangdong-Macao cooperation
The Government will step up efforts – jointly with the Guangdong Government – for the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, at today’s 2016 Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference. The cooperation will include exploring development opportunities available in the countries and regions covered by the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (known as the “Belt and Road” Initiative). The Guangdong Government and the Macao Government would jointly seek to enhance trade and investment – under the principle of “One country, two systems” – in order to create a greater number of urban communities of world-class standard. The routes for cooperation were covered in a Letter of Intent – signed at today’s meeting – between Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region regarding joint participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. A formalised system for communication between Guangdong’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the Chief Executive’s Office will facilitate such work. The Government was also setting up a committee to coordinate Macao’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” Initiative, said Mr Chui. The 2016 Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference was held during the morning, at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. At this year’s edition of the conference, the Guangdong Government and the Macao Government signed a total of 12 agreements that will further cooperation in the coming year. During the meeting, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, and the Vice Governor of Guangdong, Mr He Zhongyou, gave a summary of the achievements made in cooperation between the two places during the past year. They included in particular, seizing the development opportunities arising from: the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan; from the “Belt and Road” Initiative; from the Guiding Opinions of the State Council on Deepening the Cooperation Within the Pan-Pearl-River Delta Region; and from the specification of Macao’s administrative role in relation to its nearby waters. Such forms of cooperation would also create opportunities to help diversify the city’s economy and assist in the process of transforming Macao into 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 the “Centre and Platform” policies), said Mr Chui. Leading a Guangdong Government delegation at the meeting, the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan, said Macao’s network of contacts in the Portuguese-speaking countries would bring a new dimension to Guangdong-Macao cooperation and the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. Strategies to facilitate the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative included: the development of “Dawan area” – a logistics hub in coastal areas encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; support to enable a greater number of companies in Guangdong and Macao to invest in the countries and regions along the routes of the “Belt and Road” Initiative; and intensification of cooperation on tourism-related matters between Guangdong and Macao, in order to expand that economic sector’s cooperation with countries and regions covered by the “Belt and Road” Initiative. During a session with the media after the meeting, Mr Chui stated that the Government is paying close attention to public opinion on a range of issues, while at the same time developing cooperation with the Guangdong Government. With regard to matters relating to the nuclear power plant in Guangdong’s Taishan Prefecture, the Government was in regular contact with the Guangdong authorities – via a mechanism established for that purpose – in order to address in a timely manner any public concern that might arise. The highlights of the cooperation plans announced at the 2016 Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference were: - to complement the functions of the Guangdong Government and the Macao Government in order to further the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative and to facilitate the ability of companies in Guangdong and Macao to ‘go global’; - to advance exchanges and cooperation between young people in Guangdong and Macao, and to support entrepreneurship by young people; - to make better use of opportunities arising from the Guangdong-Macao liberalisation in trade and services and from development on the mainland: consequently, Guangdong-Macao cooperation will take a greater role in the development of pilot free trade zones and in further liberalisation in trade and services, and there will be greater financial participation by Macao in key projects in Guangdong; - to promote the development of Hengqin New Area in Guangdong’s Zhuhai Prefecture; - to promote the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone; - to seek greater partnership with economic development projects in Nansha in Guangzhou, in Cuiheng in Zhongshan, and in Daguang Bay in Jiangmen; - to bolster cooperation on improving the well-being of the communities involved; - to promote simplification of boundary crossing procedures; - to advance cooperation on tourism matters; - to help promote technical and professional sectors within the communities involved;. - to bolster communication between task forces set up for Guangdong-Macao cooperation, and; - to enlarge the roles of non-governmental think tanks in the two places, in order to inspire further cooperation. The 12 agreements signed today were: - the Letter of Intent between Guangdong Province and Macao SAR for joint participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative; - the Framework Agreement between the Government of the Macao SAR and the Zhongshan Municipal People's Government regarding the promotion of innovative projects and entrepreneurship among young people; - the Cooperation Agreement on strengthening exchanges between young people in Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR; - the Cooperation Protocol between Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR on the study and implementation of the model “one exam, multiple certificates”; - the Cooperation Agreement between Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR on the creation of a task force for the development of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone; - the Framework Agreement between the Macao SAR and the Jiangmen Municipal People's Government on the development of Daguang Bay Economic Zone in Jiangmen; - the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Guangdong development fund for Guangdong-Macao cooperation; - the Framework Agreement on cooperation between Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR regarding traditional Chinese medicine; - the Memorandum of Cooperation between Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR on exchanges regarding medical affairs and health; - the Agreement on entry to Hengqin of vehicles registered in the Macao SAR; - the Cooperation Arrangement among Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao search and rescue authorities for mutual recognition of "plans for cooperation between search and rescue services and regarding passenger ships"; and; - the Memorandum of Cooperation on Guangdong-Macao tourism cooperation. The Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference mechanism was established in 2003, with six priority projects for cooperation between the two places, including in the services sector, the Zhuhai-Macao Cross-border Industrial Zone, and research on the joint development of Hengqin.
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Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May 2016
Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI for May 2016 increased by 2.64% year-on-year to 108.17, down further from the 3.02% growth in April, representing the lowest year-on-year rise since August 2010. Among the various sections of goods and services, year-on-year growth in the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Housing & Fuels, etc. showed continuous slowdown; meanwhile, the price index of Clothing & Footwear, Communication and Recreation & Culture decreased by 3.93%, 0.75% and 0.14% respectively. On the contrary, increases in tobacco tax, tuition fees, rentals for parking spaces and prices of motor cars pushed up the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, Education and Transport by 42.69%, 8.98% and 7.71% respectively year-on-year. The CPI-A (108.28) and CPI-B (107.27) rose by 2.56% and 3.40% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for May 2016 increased by 0.14% month-to-month. Higher prices of some cigarette brands drove up the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco by 4.33%. Price index of both Transport and Clothing & Footwear rose by 0.82% on account of dearer prices of gasoline and women’s summer clothing. On the other hand, notable decrease in vegetable prices offset the rise in prices of fresh pork and eating out, bringing the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages down by 0.27%. Moreover, price index of Housing & Fuels decreased by 0.09% due to lower rentals for dwellings, but rising prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas curbed the decline. The CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 0.13% and 0.21% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended May 2016, the average Composite CPI increased by 3.90% from the previous period. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+33.84%) and Education (+7.46%) showed marked increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B went up by 4.04% and 3.32% respectively over the previous period. The average Composite CPI for the first five months of 2016 increased by 3.33% year-on-year, with the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, Education and Transport rising by 39.11%, 8.95% and 7.10% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 3.33% and 3.31% respectively. The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.
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Announcement of competition schedule (final version) and jury list of the Macao Young Musicians Competition
The 34th Macao Young Musicians Competition, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, this year comprising the categories of Chinese instruments and western instruments, will be held between 27 July and 5 August at the Dom Pedro V Theatre and the Institute for Tourism Studies (main campus). The contest for Special Prizes takes place at the Dom Pedro V Theatre on 7 August, with the competition spanning a total of 12 days. The Macao Young Musicians Competition has always sought to promote the development of music in Macao, raise the performance level of young musicians, offering valuable performance and learning opportunities, thereby increasing their music level and offering support and awards to young musicians with an ambition to continue their music studies. The awards consist of cash prizes and in each category a First, Second and Third prizes will be awarded as well as a Certificate of Merit and a Certificate of Competence. The organization will continue to offer Special Awards in recognition of the First, Second and Third prizes in each level, offering also the “Award for Best Group Performance”. The “Cultural Affairs Bureau Prize” will be awarded to the First Prize-winning individual among all advanced levels and it consists of a scholarship equal to the net amount of the winner’s first year tuition fee in a music-related course. Each contest takes place either in the afternoon or in the evening. Contestants must register at the respective counter at the competition venue with their valid Macao Resident Identity Card in order to collect their performance number. There are over 30 judges from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan judging the competition and at the end of each contest, the judges will make comments and will exchange points of views and share the performing skills with the participants. The competition is open to family members of the participants as well as to the general public. The jury list, the final version of the competition schedule and the sign in information are available at the Macao Young Musicians Competition’s website (www.icm.gov.mo/cjmm). For more information, please contact IC through numbers 8399 6911 or 8399 6979, during office hours.
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Three local bachelor of engineering programmes fully accredited by HKIE for the first time(new version)
Three bachelor’s degree programmes in engineering offered by the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), namely Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, have received full accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Students starting the three programmes between the 2011/2012 academic year and the 2018/2019 academic year will be eligible to apply for HKIE membership upon graduation to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. UM received accreditation from the HKIE for its bachelor of science degree programmes for the first time in 2012. Later, it gained accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and recognition from the signatories to the Washington Accord. The HKIE is a signatory of the Washington Accord and the only statutory qualifying body for engineers in Hong Kong. It is responsible for setting and maintaining professional and technical standards and undertakes professional accreditation to evaluate the quality of engineering degree programmes. The HKIE accreditation evaluates the quality of a programme at four levels: namely the university level (support for the accreditation exercise and future development), the faculty level (overall operation), the departmental level (faculty development, student training, and programme management), and the programme level (programme content and preparation for career development and further studies for students). To better understand the FST’s programmes from these four perspectives, the HKIE accreditation team and representatives of the Macau Institution of Engineers met with UM’s rector and vice rectors, the dean and all the faculty members of the FST, FST advisory board members, departmental advisors, and representatives of alumni and students. After the meeting, the accreditation team noted that UM has outstanding faculty, a solid academic foundation, and extensive resources to provide quality education to students from the three engineering programmes.
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Consumer Council conducts price survey on selling prices of fresh pork and vegetables from Zhuhai, HK, and Macao
For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork and vegetables from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 15 to 21 June are used for comparing the selling prices of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Consumer Council released latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ Surveyed spots included over 10 supermarkets in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish
Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 20 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta, Mong Há and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais in N. Sra. de Fátima 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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Regional legal cooperation bill withdrawn to allow further study
The Government’s decision to withdraw from the Legislative Assembly a bill – on regional cooperation with the mainland and Hong Kong regarding legal matters – was a strategic one taken for internal administrative reasons relating to the legislative process. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, on Saturday (18 June) said the Government would need more time than had been anticipated, in order to address the question of the significant differences between the legal systems of the three jurisdictions. The Government needed to study carefully those differences; in particular regarding issues relating to maintaining the coherence of Macao’s own legal system. The discussion on regional legal cooperation was not yet at a final stage, she said. The Government would continue working closely with authorities from the mainland and from Hong Kong. This was in order to address the differences between the three jurisdictions; while at the same time adhering to the principle aims of the proposed legal cooperation, and thus improve the effectiveness of this specific law. In addition, Ms Chan commented on the relocation of the First Public Notary Office from the Holy House of Mercy at Senado Square, to the Northern District Public Services Centre at Areia Preta. She said that following the relocation, the city’s three offices of the Public Notary would maintain the same services as previously. She added that members of the public would continue to have available the services of the Second Public Notary Office, located at the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo; and the Islands’ Office of the Public Notary, in Rua da Bragança, Taipa.
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Residents of Macao and Australia can use each other’s automated immigration clearance system
The Public Security Police Force, the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau and the Identification Services Bureau have been maintaining close communications and cooperation with the Australian Government on studying the technical requirements of using each other’s automated immigration clearance system, preparing for residents of the two places to use the automated immigration clearance system on a mutual basis for immigration clearance. Starting from 20 June 2016, Macao SAR electronic passport holders can use Australia’s automated immigration clearance system, which will expedite the process of immigration clearance for Macao residents. For more information, please visit the website of the Identification Services Bureau (www.dsi.gov.mo/download/ep_autogate_e.pdf) and the website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au/smartgate). Please be aware that the visa requirements or formalities for Macao residents to travel to Australia remain unchanged. For the information on the visa requirements and formalities, please visit the relevant website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au). To be in line with the immigration facilitation that Australia granted to Macao residents, with effect on the same day, Australian passport holders can also use Macao’s automated immigration clearance system. For more information, please visit the website of the Public Security Police Force of Macao (http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/psp_top5_22_2.html). Eligibility and formality of Macao residents to enter Australia with Australia’s arrivals SmartGate Macao residents who are aged 16 or above and hold a valid Macao SAR electronic passport can enter Australia with Australia’s automated immigration clearance system (i.e. arrivals SmartGate). Upon arrival in Australia, eligible users need to proceed to the designated kiosk (i.e. arrivals SmartGate kiosk) for completing certain operation and printing a ticket as instructed. After that, the passport holders can go to the arrivals SmartGate with the ticket to enter Australia. When proceeding through the gate, the passport holders will need to conduct photo-taking and facial recognition. Besides, the passport holders have to retain the arrivals SmartGate ticket and present it with their completed Incoming Passenger Card to the Border Force officer after crossing the gate. At present, Macao SAR electronic passport holders have been able to access Australia’s arrivals SmartGate on a trial basis at Australia’s eight major international airports including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Eligibility and formality of Macao residents to leave Australia with Australia’s departures SmartGate Macao residents who are over 120cm tall and hold a valid Macao SAR passport or Macao SAR electronic passport can use Australia’s automated immigration clearance system (i.e. departures SmartGate) when departing from Australia. For children who are over 120cm and are able to follow the automated clearance process by themselves without assistance can also use the departures SmartGate. Eligible users will need to conduct passport-scanning, photo-taking and facial recognition as directed by the gate, and they have to deposit their completed Outgoing Passenger Card at the Border Force officer’s desk after proceeding through the gate. At present, Macao SAR passport holders or Macao SAR electronic passport holders can use Australia’s departures SmartGate at Australia’s six major international airports including Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. For more information on Australia’s automated immigration clearance service, please visit the website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au/smartgate). Eligibility and formality of Australian travellers to enter and leave Macao with Automated Passenger Clearance System Australian travellers who are aged 11 or above and hold a valid Australian passport can register for entering and leaving Macao with the Automated Passenger Clearance System (i.e. e-Channel). Eligible travellers are required to complete a registration in person at the arrival halls of the Border Checkpoint at the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, the Border Checkpoint at the Taipa Ferry Terminal, the Border Checkpoint at the Border Gate, or the Immigration Department Office Building at Pac On of the Public Security Police Force of Macao. After the registration, they can use the Macao e-Channel at the Border Gate, Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macao International Airport and Cotai checkpoints for entering and leaving Macao with their registered Australian passport. For more information on the registration for using Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System, please visit the website of the Public Security Police Force of Macao (http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/psp_top5_22_2.html).
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The 21st MIF Exhibitor Registration for Macao SME Pavilion to start on June 20th
Hosted by IPIM and co-organised by 15 local, Mainland and Hong Kong economic and trade departments and trade associations, the 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (21st MIF) will be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre of the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 20 to 22 October 2016. About 100 booths for local SME exhibitors In this year’s MIF, the Macao SME Pavilion will be jointly organised by IPIM and the Macao Chamber of Commerce, with Macao Small and Medium Enterprises Association and Macao Business Women’s Association as co-organisers. Approximately 100 booths are planned for the “Macao SME Pavilion”, mainly focusing on marketing the “Made in Macao”, “Macao Brands” products and products with Macao enterprises as agents (priority will be given to products from Portuguese-speaking Countries), which includes products like souvenirs, food and beverages, cultural and creative products and household items, electronic gadgets plus handcrafts/accessories. The MIF Organiser will provide financial incentives for participating Macao enterprises and continues to provide support and subsidies for exhibitors. Please refer to the terms and conditions below for application for the financial incentive programme: 1. The products of participating enterprises should be “Made in Macao”, “Macao Brands” or those with a Macao enterprise as an agent (priority will be given to products from Portuguese-speaking countries); 2. Fulfilled tax obligations and registered with Macao Finance Services Bureau (DSF) for at least two years (before 20th October); 3. At least 50% of the company shareholders are Macao residents or a wholly-owned Macao enterprise; 4. Due to limited space, the principle of “first come, first served” is adopted. Late applications will not be accepted. “Creative Exhibition Area” attracting cultural creative enterprises The “Creative Exhibition Area” added last year created a platform for the displaying and promotion of local small and medium-sized enterprises in the area of the cultural and creative industries. This year, MIF will again provides incentives to qualified exhibitors or entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries and help them to use the area to market their brand products through on-site demonstrations and sales to test market responses and explore potential business co-operation opportunities. Additionally, interactive activities such as on-site demonstrations and small workshops will be held in the area to encourage interaction and sharing between the public and the exhibitors. Qualified local SME exhibitors may receive discounts on the price of the booth from the organiser; the price will be reduced to MOP 2,800 (for 9m2 booth). Exhibitors referred by related cultural and creative organisations/associations or have previously participated in cultural and creative exhibitions organised by the government (documentary proof must be submitted) will have a discounted exhibition fee of MOP 2,000 per booth (for booth of 6m2). A cashier service for credit card payment At the same time, the “Macao SME Pavilion” this year will continue to provide a series of enhanced services. Based on previous year’s experience, a cashier for credit card payments will be set up in the Macao SME Pavilion this year, aiming to improve payment efficiency. Moreover, the organiser will work with the MIF partner banks to provide capital management consultation service to SMEs exhibitors. The “Subsidy Programme on New Business Opportunity Cultivation for SME” will be provided again this year. The organiser will provide free promotion for SMEs that participate through several means, such as releasing information on their special offers on related mobile phone apps and social media platforms in order to help attract more visitors to the exhibition. Exhibitor applications starts in June The organiser will accept applications to “Macao SME Pavilion” from 20th June to 4th July, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 17:30. The applicants should submit their registration form and required information in person to the offices of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (1) Address: 20th Floor, China Civil Plaza Building, 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção, Macao or, (2)Address: 4th Floor, World Trade Centre, 918, Avenida da Amizade. For further information on the 21st MIF, please contact the Administrative and Service Centre of the MIF Co-ordinator on 853-2882 8711, Fax: 853-2882 8722, or follow the MIF WeChat official account: MIFMacau.
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Wide-ranging briefing on steps taken to ensure nuclear safety at Taishan
The Government would organise shortly a visit to the construction site of the nuclear power plant in Taishan Prefecture, Guangdong Province, said today the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak. The delegation would include Government representatives, members of the media and community representatives. It is one of a number of steps taken by the Government to allay any public concern regarding the safety of the Taishan nuclear facility. Mr Wong made the comments this afternoon at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, during a briefing session organised for the media. The briefing covered the corporate development of the China General Nuclear Power Group and an update regarding the progress of the nuclear power plant facility being constructed in Taishan. Protecting public health and safety is the Government’s priority. The Government pays great attention to the public’s interest in safety issues regarding certain nuclear energy generating facilities located near Macao. As a consequence of the attention to this issue, the Government has raised the matter with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and has invited mainland experts in nuclear energy to visit Macao in order to share their knowledge with the public on this topic. Mr Wong said the Government was establishing a mechanism for regular communication with the Guangdong Government, in order to share with members of the public – in a timely manner – any information regarding nuclear safety. The Government had also invited experts to suggest any revision – if it is required – to the city’s contingency plan for dealing with any nuclear incident that might occur. The Secretary said the Government had additionally been keeping an eye on the need to optimise Macao’s emergency response measures to cope with any possible nuclear incident in neighbouring areas. Such measures had been developed since 1995. They had been updated in 2011, by which time more than 40 public agencies were involved in the process, covering a wide range of disciplines. Mr Wong said that even if the most serious category of nuclear incident were to occur – within a 20-kilometre radius of Macao – no special protective measure, including that of evacuation, would be required. This was in accordance with guidelines established by the International Atomic Energy Agency, he added. Were an incident categorised as serious to occur in a nuclear facility located within 100 kilometres of Macao, then authorities would have to implement special measures regarding imports of food and water from the affected area, he added. Speaking during the briefing session, the General Manager of the Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co., Ltd., Mr Guo Limin, said the company had prepared its own set of detailed emergency plans even though the nuclear power plant in Taishan met international standards in terms of its facilities. Macao is 67 kilometres away from Taishan, which meant no evacuation measures would be necessary even if an incident categorised as of the most serious type were to occur. Another representative of the company, Mr Wang Xiaofei, said the China General Nuclear Power Group – the entity responsible for the Taishan nuclear project – had a comprehensive system to manage the use of nuclear power. In addition, the project was closely monitored by the National Nuclear Safety Administration. Prior to the media briefing session, the Government held a briefing in the morning for Government officials, in order to give more information about the country’s nuclear energy policy; the development of nuclear energy in Guangdong Province; and an update of progress on the construction of the nuclear power plant facility in Taishan. Representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the National Energy Commission; the Emergency Management Office of the China Atomic Energy Authority; and the China General Nuclear Power Group shared more information on a range of topics. They covered: the advanced nuclear technology employed at the Taishan plant; the strict safety standards in place; regulation regarding management of the facility; and the detailed plans prepared in the event of any emergency. The morning briefing session was attended by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; Macao’s delegates to the 12th National People’s Congress; Macao’s delegates to the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and by Government officials.
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