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To help hospitality and food and beverage professionals understand more about Mexican cuisine, IFT hosted the Mexican Cuisine Cooking Demonstration Workshop on 18 & 19 September 2013. Chef Juan Miguel Prada was invited to share the concepts of Mexican cuisine and several recipes. Born in Mexico, Chef Juan Miguel Prada is the founder of Prada Consulting, one of the most renowned food and beverage consulting companies in Mexico. Because of his quality and experience, Chef Prada has acquired international recognition and has represented Mexican cuisine in several high-profile events in Europe and North America. Specialised in Mexican Haute Cuisine, Mexican traditional, fusion and contemporary cuisine, Chef Prada is a multifaceted cook who has collaborated with very important restaurants in Mexico, and has worked as Executive Chef for the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs. Chef Prada has a large experience representing Mexico in international culinary fairs and exhibitions, with the support of the Mexican Embassies and Consulates in many countries, including Canada, Germany, India, Spain and Sweden. He has been chef collaborator in writing award-winning cookbooks such as "La Vainilla Mexicana Cookbook" and "Mezcal Cookbook", as well as a columnist and food critic in several specialised culinary magazines. The workshop composed of five sessions: introduction to the demo Mexican culinary and its ingredients, recipe and mise-en-place of the demo Mexican culinary, key issues of the production process, Mexican culinary making demonstration, food tasting and Q&A. Participants gained a lot of basic knowledge about Mexican cuisine through the demonstration and recipe sharing. The workshop attracted a total of 31 chefs from hotels and restaurants. In 2010, Mexican traditional cuisine was inscribed to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This inscription was based on the acknowledgement of the Mexican cuisine's role in the cultural identity of the Mexican people, which has been transmitted from generation to generation. IFT has always been dedicated to organise promotions of different ethnic cuisines for the public. At the same time, it arouses the interests of food service industry in Macao to explore more ideas in cooking. Through "Master Chef Cooking Demo Series" IFT forms a communication platform for local and overseas chefs. The institute will make more efforts to offer more training programmes to help enhance the knowledge and skills of industry professionals.
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In places worldwide, the air traffic volume continues to increase. However, the conventional navigation relies heavily on the ground navigation waypoints; the design of air routes and flight procedures has therefore often been restricted by the configuration of the waypoints and the various navaids. This has given rise to a more and more congested airspace. With the increased popularity of satellite-navigation service, various area navigation procedures are developed by different states or administrations to cater for the increased traffic demand within their limited airspace. To unify the different applications of area navigation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires all states or administrations to implement the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures. With PBN, within the coverage of the navigation signals and within the capacity of the on-board aircraft navaids, the aeronautical authorities will no longer be restricted by the location of the waypoints in working out the optimization of the route spacing and the aircraft separation minima. This will benefit fuel efficiency and result in more environmental-friendly flight paths. In compliance with the ICAO requirement, Macau International Airport will implement its PBN procedures on 19 September 2013. PBN specifies that aircraft navigation performance requirements be defined in terms of accuracy, availability, continuity and functionality required for the proposed operations in the context of a particular airspace, when supported by the appropriate navigation infrastructure. This means that with the application of PBN procedures, and given that an aircraft is equipped with the required on-board navaids, the design of air route will no longer be restricted by the location of the navigation waypoints and the terrain. As long as it is within the coverage of the navigation signals and within the capacity of the on-board aircraft navaids, the route spacing can be designed in a more flexible way; the separation minima can be reduced; the airspace capacity will be enhanced. To reach unification of different applications, ICAO reviewed the various standards adopted by different states or administrations and finally published a standardized global navigation procedure requirement in 2006 known as PBN. This new navigation concept puts together the aircraft required navigation performance and the area navigation, covering the flight paths, the terminal maneuvering area operations, the aircraft approach and landing. PBN represents a shift from sensor-based navigation to performance-based navigation. In accordance with the ICAO requirement, all states or administrations in Asia Pacific must implement PBN procedures between 2013 and 2016. To comply with it, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM), CAM-Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., the Administration of Airports Ltd. (ADA) and Air Macau together formed the Macau International Airport PBN Procedures Working Team in June 2012 to carry out the project. The procedure design task was undertaken by CAM. The Shanghai Civil Aviation New Era Airport Design and Research Institute Co. Ltd. was contracted by ADA to work out the design details. Since the Macau Air Traffic Zone lies in between the Hong Kong Flight Information Region and the Guangzhou Flight Information Region, the PBN procedures must also require the approval of the Hong Kong and the mainland aeronautical authorities. During the design process, the aeronautical authorities of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao were involved. AACM said, "In January of this year, the Working Team successfully validated the PBN procedures using the simulator at Zhuhai Flight Training Centre; then in March, the Working Team entrusted the Flight Inspection Centre of the Civil Aviation Administration of China to conduct the on-site flight validation and confirmed that the Macao PBN procedures meet the fly-ability, safety and accuracy requirements. The aeronautical authorities of the three places agreed that Macao implement its PBN procedures on 19 September 2013." AACM added that all Air Macau registered aircraft have been equipped with the required on-board navaids and the Authority has already granted the air operator the PBN approval for approach. Compared with the conventional sensor-based navigation, the advantages of PBN that are relevant to the application in Macao are reflected in the following aspects: 1. The new procedures can avoid the reliance on sensor-specific operations. The aeronautical authorities can optimize the route spacing, hence reducing flight time and achieving fuel efficiency. This will lead to lower operational costs. More importantly, the new procedures can reduce carbon emission and therefore support environment protection. 2. While en-route, the aircraft can calculate its exact location based on the data collected from different sources. This can increase the accuracy in locating the aircraft and reduce the separation minima, hence allowing more aircraft to fly in an orderly manner within the limited airspace, in other words, increasing the airspace capacity. 3. The new procedures can reduce the frequency of communication between the air traffic controllers and the pilots as well as the need to use radar navigation, trimming down the work chain and hence enhancing operational safety and efficiency. In consideration that not all the airlines which are now operating in Macau International Airport have obtained the relevant PBN approval from their state of aircraft registry, AACM pointed out that the PBN procedures and the conventional sensor-based operations will be in place concurrently for a considerable period of time.
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The current "Date Chop" has been in use since 16th June 1999 and will be ceased after 8th October 2013. The new "Date Chop" for stamps obliteration will be introduced with effect from 9th October 2013 in all post offices' counters that accept postal objects (excluding the Mail Handling and Delivery Centre). The new "Date Chop" design not only has the "★" symbol, but also has the indication of the latest posting time (excluding the chops of Philately Shop, Parcel Area, EMS Area and "Posta Restante" counters). The image sample shown as below is the new "Date Chop" of General Post Office: Meanwhile, General Post Office and all post office branches will apply the " Aceite Após o Horário de Aceitação " slogan die of franking machines（as shown below）on the postal object to identify the latest posting time starting from 9th October 2013.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (CAB) is now accepting, from October 17 to 21, applications from registered non-profit cultural associations for a series of subsidy programmes, namely the "Application for Financial Support for Cultural Activities/Projects", the "Programme for Human Resources Training in Cultural and Arts Management" as well as the newly created "Arts in the Community Financing Plan". The projects that meet the following criteria will be prioritised:
1. That take the community as a stage, encourage residents' participation and improve the community cultural atmosphere;
2. That make use of Macao's public spaces such as streets, squares, gardens, monuments, etc, research the history of the city's quarters, cultural aspects and architectural characteristics;
3. That include programmes of arts education, workshops and school tours for children and teenagers, related to human resources training in the cultural and arts area; 4. That encourage originality, in particular of scripts and literary works;
5. Related to contemporary art;
6. Related to the research, transmission, education, school promotion and dissemination of the intangible cultural heritage as well as complete performances of Cantonese opera;
7. Dedicated to the education, research and dissemination of Macao's cultural heritage as well as to raising awareness to its protection;
8. Creative programmes or specialised research in the fields of the city's culture, arts, literature and history;
9. Artistic production and specialised research exchange programmes with foreign cultural associations, scholars and artists; exhibitions and demonstrations abroad of local cultural and artistic creations;
10. That contribute to the training of local audiences and reinforce cultural consumption in Macau such as the implementation projects of ticket sales systems.
Annually, the CAB subsidises cultural activities related to literature, visual arts, Chinese calligraphy, photography, music, dance, theatre, Cantonese opera, traditional song, academic research, video, etc. The newly created "Arts in the Community Financing Plan" is aimed at encouraging local artistic associations to enter communities, promoting residents' collective production and participation, forging bonds within the communities, bringing residents' closer to the arts and boosting the territory's cultural development in several fields, thus promoting local cultural values and strengthening Macao's culture and arts' sustainable development. The application form and related documents can be obtained at the CAB building, located at Tap Seac Square, or downloaded from www.icm.gov.mo. Applicants should hand in the form and any relevant documents at the CAB building, daily from 10am to 5pm, from October 17 to 21 (including Saturday, Sunday and lunch breaks). For more information, please call 2836 6866, during office hours.
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The University of Macau (UM) welcomed back approximately 6,000 undergraduate students today (16 September), the first day of the new semester. Among the 6,000 students, more than 1,500 are first-year undergraduates. Regarding the class schedules, UM notes that for this semester, most of the courses will still be conducted on the current campus, because the various buildings on the new campus are undergoing quality inspection. UM hopes that when all UM students and staff move to the new campus, students will be able to experience firsthand the benefits of the university's unique "4-in-1" mode of education. This year UM received a record number of over 9,000 applications for undergraduate studies, up 21 per cent from last year. Of the 1,520 admitted students, undergraduates account for 80 per cent. To attract more outstanding local students, UM this year continues to provide scholarships to those recommended by their middle school principals. This year a total of 247 students received scholarships in this category. On the curriculum front, UM this year launched two new degree programmes, namely the Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedicine) Programme (Molecular Biology and Biomedicine), and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Programme. Adjustments have been made to four degree programmes, namely the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Programme (Accounting and Information Systems), the Bachelor of Business Administration Programme (Global Business Management), the Bachelor of Law (Day-time) Programme, and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Programme. Also, the original Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities has become two separate faculties: Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Arts and Humanities. UM is now providing full cooperation to the Macao SAR government and the contractor in carrying out the quality inspection and handover of the various buildings and facilities on the new campus, so that it can start full-scale operation on the new campus next spring. UM hopes that students can cherish their days on the current campus and, after moving to the new campus, experience firsthand the benefits of the unique "4-in-1" mode of education, which consists of discipline-specific education, general education, research and internship education, as well as community and peer education. Prof. Haydn Chen, vice rector for student affairs, made a special trip to the new campus this morning to check how students were doing on the first day of the new semester. In a thoughtful gesture to help cool the summer heat, UM prepared some ice cream, attracting over 100 students. Kary Lei, a new student from the Department of Communication, says, "The beautiful campus, the international faculty, and the all-English teaching environment are what drew me to UM in the first place." She is very excited about starting a new chapter in her life, saying that she will make the most of the four years and take active part in the various extracurricular activities organised by her residential college. Another new student named Toby Wong from the Faculty of Science and Technology highly praises UM for its various services aimed at helping students to adapt to the university life. He says he is particularly interested in the English writing consultation service and hopes to gain practical knowledge from it. He also plans to participate in UM's international exchange programme to broaden his horizons.
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The Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Co-operation Forum (Macao) will be held in Macao on 5-6 November. The two-day event, themed "New Starting Point, New Opportunity", will include the opening ceremony of the Ministerial Conference, the Ministerial Conference, several activities entrepreneurs from China and the Portuguese-speaking countries to meet, and business matching for the Fund for Co-operation and Development between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. In the decade since the Forum was founded, China and the Portuguese-speaking countries had worked closely with the Action Plan on trading, investment, agriculture, human resources, tourism, medical and health and culture, resulting in mutual developments and benefits. It contributed to the advance of the co-operative level of economic and trading between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Based on the past foundation, the fourth Ministerial Conference will continue to adhere to the principle of pragmatic and efficient signing of the trading papers for 2013-2016 to reinforce the co-operative area and target between China, and the seven Portuguese-speaking member countries. The Forum once again serves as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to boost the level of co-operation. Founded in 2003, the nature of the Forum is non-political international economic co-operation, organised by the government for the purpose of economic co-operation and development. It is aimed at strengthening economic relationships and co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to demonstrate Macao's importance as a platform between them and to promote the mutual benefits and development. Members of the Forum are Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, East Timor, Mozambique, Portugal and China.
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Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2013 is held from September 15 to 17 in Chengdu, China. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) sponsored the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Award Presentation on September 15.
The three-day PATA Travel Mart 2013 is held in Midwest China for the first time. The event gathers international buyers and sellers who utilize this professional platform to network and seek business opportunities, in addition, there were forum and workshops for exchanges. Representatives of 10 hotels, resorts, travel agencies, convention and exhibition centres from Macau participated in the Travel Mart.
MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards since 1996, so as to promote Macau tourism. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes congratulated all PATA Gold Awards 2013 winners during the announcement earlier on and has given a strong endorsement to the innovation and excellence performance. This year, 4 Grand and 22 Gold Awards have been presented.
PATA Chairman João Manuel Costa Antunes attended the luncheon and presented the awards with PATA CEO Martin J. Craigs to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of stakeholders in various tourism industry aspects.
Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. Macau has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958.
PATA has currently more than 42 chapters and 10 student chapters around the globe. PATA's membership boasts more than 80 government, state and city tourism bodies, nearly 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies.
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The Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election announced the following preliminary results of the direct and indirect elections of fifth-term Legislative Assembly early this morning, shortly after the completion of vote-counting: Direct Election:
1 Nova União para Desenvolvimento de Macau (New Macau Development Union): 13,086 2 Liberais da Nova Macau (New Macau Liberals): 3,227
3 Associação de Activismo para a Democracia (Association of Macau Activism for Democracy): 923
4 Associação de Promoção de Direitos dos Cidadãos (Citizens' Rights Promotion Association): 848
5 Associação de Novo Macau Democrática (Democratic New Macau Association): 8,826
6 União Para O Desenvolvimento (Union for Development): 11,961
7 Observatório Cívico (Macau Civic Watch): 5,224
8 União de Macau-Guangdong (Macau-Guangdong Union): 16,248
9 Nova Esperança (New Hope) : 13,118
10 Associação para Promoção da Democracia, Liberdade, Direitos Humanos e Estado de Direito de Macau (Ideais de Macau) (Democracy, Liberty, Human Rights and Rule of Law Promotion Association of Macau (Macau Dream)): 1,006 11 Associação Esforço Juntos para Melhorar a Comunidade (Association of Joint Efforts to Improve the Community): 2,306
12 Aliança Pr'A Mudança (Alliance for Change): 8,755
13 Associação dos Cidadãos Unidos de Macau (Macau United Citizens Association): 26,385
14 União Promotora Para O Progresso (Progress Promotion Union): 15,816
15 Frente do Movimento Operário (Labour Movement Front): 227
16 Supervisão pela Classe Baixa (Grassroots Supervision): 368
17 Aliança da Democracia de Sociedade (Social Democratic Alliance): 179
18 Ações Inovadoras (Breakthrough Action): 1,641
19 Associação de Próspero Macau Democrático (Democratic Prosperous Macau Association): 10,986
20 Cuidados para Macau (Caring for Macau): 5323 Indirect Election:
Industrial, Commercial and Financial Sector - União dos Interesses Empresariais de Macau (Macau Union of Employers' Interests ): 701
Labour Sector - Comissão Conjunta da Candidatura das Associações de Empregados (Federation of Employees' Associations): 769
Professional Sector - União dos Interesses Profissionais de Macau (Macau Union of Professional Interests): 441
Social Services and Educational Sector - Associação de Promoção do Serviço Social e Educação (Association for Promotion of Social Services and Education): 1,327
Culture and Sport Sector - Associação União Cultural e Desportiva Excelente (Excellent Culture and Sport Union): 1,165 President of the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election, Mr Ip Son Sang, told a press conference that there were 151,881 ballots, recording a voting rate of 55.02% for the direct election. He also revealed that there were 4,345 invalid votes and that the General Counting Committee will summon a meeting to analyse them. The Legislative Assembly is the sole legislature in the Macao Special Administrative Region. The fifth-term Legislative Assembly is composed of 33 members, 14 of whom are elected directly, 12 indirectly and seven appointed by the Chief Executive. There were 20 interests groups with a total of 145 candidates running for 14 directly-elected seats; on indirect election, there were 12 candidates from five sectors contesting 12 indirectly-elected seats in the election.
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The President of the Electoral Affairs Committee for the Legislative Assembly Election, Mr Ip Son Sang, said the election today (15 September) went on smoothly and the polling stations operated in a fairly good order during today's election. He made the remarks when he gave a conclusion of the general situation of the polls which closed at 9:00pm. In a stand-up briefing at 11:00pm, he said the operation of the Committee had been delayed for one hour and 10 minutes because of two candidates' behaviour at two polling stations before vote-counting, adding that one was taken away by Public Security Police after disobeying repeated orders by polling officers to stop. He expressed his regret and denounced their conduct, pointing out that candidates should have stronger law-abiding consciousness and higher morality. He also said the incident had resulted in delaying the entire process of the Electoral Affairs Committee, including the statistical data and the release of voter turnout information. Electoral Affairs Committee staff would speed up vote-counting and complete the work as soon as possible, Mr Ip said. He said that 13 voters had been detained by police for further investigation for allegedly taking photographs of their votes with mobile phones: one was required to assist in the investigation. He added the Electoral Affairs Committee had repeatedly appealed and issued clear guidelines against the use of mobile phones in polling stations. Mr Ip said also said the voting rate was a bit lower than the previous election, for various reasons including the increase of registered voters. The authorities would have further studies on this, he added.
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Director-General of the Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai Hang, returned to Macao from a business trip just in time to cast his ballot in today's Legislative Assembly election. Mr Choi went to the polling station at the Chinese-Portuguese Primary School to vote this evening. He urged voters who had not yet turned out to go to the polls as time was running out, noting that the present election's turnout rate was so far lower than that of the previous election. But this year's election was conducted more smoothly compared with previous elections, he added.
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