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University of Macau (UM) Rector Wei Zhao was elected academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences (IEAS) at its 16th plenary meeting held in Beijing, showing international recognition of his achievements in scientific research and higher education administration. Prof. Wei Zhao is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and he has made outstanding contributions in distributed computing, real-time systems, computer networks, and cyberspace security. During the time he served as the director of the Division of Computer and Network Systems in the United States National Science Foundation, Prof. Wei Zhao initiated studies of the Internet of Things (IOT) and was responsible for allocating funds for the project. He is currently the chief scientist for a project on IOT, which has been approved for funding under the "973 Programme", a key national research development programme in China, leading a team of scientists from UM, the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Tongji University and East China Normal University. In March 2011 he was awarded an honorary doctorate degrees by twelve universities in Portugal, in recognition of his achievements in scientific research and higher education. Founded in 1994, IEAS is an authoritative international organisation of natural scientists, engineering experts and social scientists. Its members include over six hundred academicians from forty-six countries. Current members of IEAS include Lu Yongxiang, former president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Xu Guanhua and Zhu Lilan, both former minister of science and technology of China; Sun Jiadong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and recipient of the 1999 "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Achievement Medal and the 2009 National Science and Technology Award; and Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung, vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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In accordance to the nomination of the Decoration Awards Committee, the Macao Government announced the recipients of Decorations, Medal and Certificates of Merit to 46 individuals and entities in recognition of their outstanding achievements, contributions and distinguished services rendered to the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). Decorations of Honour, including the Decoration of Honour - Grand Lotus, the Decoration of Honour - Golden Lotus and the Decoration of Honour - Silver Lotus, are awarded to individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the image and reputation of the Macao SAR. The recipients are: Decoration of Honour – Grand Lotus
Mr Lao Kung Po Decoration of Honour - Golden Lotus
The Macao Chamber of Commerce Decoration of Honour – Silver Lotus
Ms Au Ieong Iun Han
Mr Leong Chong Kao Seven types of Medals of Merit are awarded for: 1. Professions; 2. Industry and commerce; 3. Tourism; 4. Education; 5. Culture; 6. Philanthropy; and 7. Sport. Each of these categories of decorations is awarded to individuals or entities that have make major or excellent contributions in their respective fields The recipients are: Medal of Merit – Professions
Ms Iong Weng Ian
Mr Lei Chin Ion
Mr Paulino Do Lago Comandante
Mr Ao Peng Kong Medal of Merit - Industry and Commerce
Mr Cheang Chi Keong
Ms Ho Pui Fan
Mr Paulo Tse
Mr Chang Iok Meng Medal of Merit – Tourism
Mr Lui Yiu Tung Francis
Solmar Limitada Medal of Merit – Education
Mr Iao Tun Ieong
Ms Chu Sheung Maria
Mr Kou Kam Fai
Mr Lai Sai Kei Medal of Merit – Culture Mr Tang Keng Pan
Mr Lei I Leong Medal of Merit – Philanthropy Ms Leong Iok Wa
Mr Luis Lei Xavier
Ms Suzanne Devoy
Medal of Merit - Sport Mr Lo Keng Chio
Mr Chong Coc Veng
Mr Wong Hang Cheong
Ms Kuan Sok Mui Medals for Distinguished Services are awarded to public entities, organisations or their staff for outstanding performance of their duties or community service. The recipients are: Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Bravery
Mr Ma Io Weng
Mr Cheong Mun Hong Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Dedication Mr Ho Si Lo
Mr Iao Teng Fong Medal for Distinguished Service - Medal for Community Service Mr Lao Ion Fai
Ms Pang Siu In
Ms Lau Sut Man Certificates of Merit including the Honorific Title - Prestige and the Honorific Title – Merit, commend Macao SAR residents or other people who have made major contribution to the reputation, development or social progress of the Macao SAR. The recipients are: Honorific Title - Prestige Ms Chan Shuk Leung
Mr Liu Gangqi
Mr Chang Shin-Hsien
Mr Barry John Bland
China Space Foundation Honorific Title – Merit
Mr Wong Ka Fai
Mr Li Yi
Mr Lao Kun Wa
Ms Che Ngan Ngan
Mr Sou Chin Pang
Macao Roller Hockey Men's Team
Macao Youth Artistic Ability Volunteer Association The decorations, medals and certificates of merit awards ceremony will be held in the middle of December 2012.
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University of Macau (UM) Rector Wei Zhao was elected member of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences (IEAS) at its 16th plenary meeting held in Beijing, showing international recognition of his achievements in scientific research and higher education administration. Prof. Wei Zhao is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and he has made outstanding contributions in distributed computing, real-time systems, computer networks, and cyberspace security. During the time he served as the director of the Division of Computer and Network Systems in the United States National Science Foundation, Prof. Wei Zhao initiated studies of the Internet of Things (IOT) and was responsible for allocating funds for the project. He is currently the chief scientist for a project on IOT, which has been approved for funding under the "973 Programme", a key national research development programme in China, leading a team of scientists from UM, the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Tongji University and East China Normal University. In March 2011 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by twelve universities in Portugal, in recognition of his achievements in scientific research and higher education. Founded in 1994, IEAS is an authoritative international organisation of natural scientists, engineering experts and social scientists. Its members include over six hundred academicians from forty-six countries. Current members of IEAS include Lu Yongxiang, former president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Xu Guanhua and Zhu Lilan, both former minister of science and technology of China; Sun Jiadong, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and recipient of the 1999 "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Achievement Medal and the 2009 National Science and Technology Award; and Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung, vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2012 expanded by 5.1% year-on-year in real terms, attributable to the decline in exports of gaming services and slowing increase in total visitor spending. The economic growth was fuelled by the increase in private consumption expenditure and investment, of which private consumption expenditure increased by 9.1%, investment expanded by 10.3%, merchandise exports and imports rose by 28.3% and 7.1% respectively, total visitor spending went up by 2.3%, government final consumption expenditure edged up by 1.2%; however, exports of gaming services decreased by 0.1%. In addition, the implicit deflator of GDP that measures changes in prices increased by 6.4% year-on-year. In the first three quarters of 2012, GDP increased by 10.0% year-on-year in real terms. Rate of economic growth for the first and second quarters of 2012 revised to 18.5% and 7.8% respectively, while economic growth for the whole year of 2010 and 2011 revised upward to 27.5% and 21.9%. As a consequence to the increase in total employment and working income, as well as low unemployment rate, private consumption expenditure for the third quarter of 2012 soared by 9.1% year-on-year. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market increased by 8.6%, and consumption expenditure abroad rose by 10.0%, and the spending in Mainland China amounted to MOP2.07billion. Government final consumption expenditure increased by 1.2% year-on-year, of which compensation of employees rose by 6.6% but net purchases of goods and services declined by 4.4%. As the gauge of investment, gross fixed capital formation increased by 10.3% year-on-year. Private investment expanded by 14.3%, of which construction investment surged by 28.0%, while equipment investment shrank by 14.6%. Government investment decreased by 0.6% that was triggered by a notable decline of 66.3% in equipment investment; however, construction of the Hengqin Campus of the University of Macau, and the public housing brought about a 10.9% increase in public construction investment. Merchandise exports rose by 28.3% year-on-year, while increase in merchandise imports receded to 7.1% on account of the decelerating growth in visitor spending. In respect of trade in services, slowdown in visitor arrivals and visitor spending, as well as the decline in exports of gaming services contributed to a marginal rise of 0.6% in exports of services, far lower than the 19.1% increase in first quarter and the 5.6% rise in second quarter. In addition, imports of services contracted by 7.0% year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for October 2012 amounted to MOP637 million, up by 19.4% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP472 million) increased by 36.6%, but that of domestic exports (MOP165 million) decreased by 12.2%. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP5.92 billion, up by 9.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.28 billion for October 2012. In the first ten months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 21.5% year-on-year to MOP6.79 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP4.87 billion) increased by 33.8%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.92 billion) decreased by 1.5%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 16.8% to MOP58.18 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first ten months of 2012 amounted to MOP51.39 billion. From January to October 2012, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP3.45 billion) and Mainland China (MOP1.12 billion) increased by 42.3% and 25.1% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP421 million) and the EU (MOP261 million) decreased by 8.3% and 19.0% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP5.89 billion) in the first ten months of 2012 expanded by 32.4% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.21 billion) and Articles for casino (MOP296 million) surged by 168.7% and 39.8% respectively; yet, exports of Textiles & garments (MOP892 million) decreased by 21.4%. Domestic exports of Tobacco & wine (MOP440 million) rose by 22.7%, while exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP280 million) declined by 24.8%. Re-exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP1.20 billion) soared by 171.7%. In the first ten months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP18.81 billion) and the EU (MOP13.72 billion) increased by 23.2% and 11.0% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 16.2% to MOP35.61 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP6.18 billion), Watches (MOP4.27 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP2.69 billion) increasing by 20.4%, 35.8% and 40.0% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP10.54 billion) registered a year-on-year increase of 22.3%. External merchandise trade reached MOP64.97 billion in the first ten months of 2012, up by 17.3% compared with MOP55.40 billion a year earlier.
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As part of its continued effort to facilitate the use of Macao's rich archive of historical documents by students, researchers and the general public, the Historical Archives of Macao, a subsidiary of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, today launched a new and improved home on the internet. The updated website features a greater array of enhanced functions, granting visitors more in-depth access to the Archives' collections and aiding in the location and retrieval of documents. These enhancements will facilitate a more frequent use of archival materials as a resource for academic studies and research on Macao. Enhanced Search System
Documentary heritage is preserved for the purpose of future research. The website of the Historical Archives of Macao now offers distinct search options such as "Archives Catalogue", "Books Catalogue", "Official Gazette" and "Arquivos de Macau", allowing users to confine their searches to specific collections within the Archives. In the past, only basic information on public records was available online, and users would need to visit the Archives in person to access the content. From today, users of the new website in Macao and abroad are now able to access complete digital versions of numerous records and documents. This tool for more convenient and comprehensive research into the Archives even includes digital versions of all "Official Gazette" editions published from 1850 to 1999. Richer Content
The new homepage includes an "Online Exhibition" tab, which displays material including historical photographs, manuscripts, exhibit venue design and informative plaques from several of the Archives' recent exhibits, as well as the "Archival Gems" tab featuring highlighted and thematic collections. The page also contains the latest news on the Archives' recent and upcoming activities, as well as multimedia presentations and historic materials documenting the Archives' own evolution, illustrating the Archives' role in the cultural development of Macao. Private donation to the collections In addition to collecting records and documents from public agencies, the Archives place great importance on compiling privately donated documents and materials of public interest related to the history and culture of Macao. The "Notes on Donation" tab offers guidelines for making individual and private contributions to the Archives and displays digital examples of donations previously received from members of the community. It is hoped that the website will encourage more individuals and community organisations to contribute to Macao's historical legacy and cultural continuity. As the Archives' window to the general public, the website provides detailed contact information and a message box for interaction with users. The Archives' "Performance Pledge" is also available for public review. The Historical Archives of Macao is committed to the protection and preservation of Macao's documentary heritage and takes responsibility for the safeguarding of Macao's original records and the promotion and development of community study and research.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, said today Macao would continuously participate in Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) regional co-operation, especially in regional tourism to boost mutual benefits. With great support from brotherhood provinces and regions, Macao's economy had steadily grown despite unfavourable global economic conditions, Mr Tam said in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum being held in Haikou, Hainan, from 28-30 November. He said Macao was dedicated to diversifying the economy by speeding up development on leisure tourism, exhibitions, retailing, creative culture, traditional Chinese medicine, and acting as a business service platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Meanwhile, the Macao Government would pragmatically support the promotion of "multi-destination travel" – travelling with different stopovers in the PPRD region to overseas markets, he said. At the end of the ceremony, Mr Tam visited the Macao Pavilion before meeting with the leaders from Hainan and Yunnan provinces, to exchange views on tourism and business and trading co-operation. During the meetings with the Deputy Governor of Hainan Province, Mr Tan Li and the Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr Li Jiheng, respectively, Mr Tam introduced Macao's latest economic development and expressed that Macao would strengthen tourism co-operation with the two provinces. The Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr Li said that Macao is a channel for Yunnan to access to the world: he said he expected to foster co-operation on exhibition, tourism and business and trade with Macao. The Deputy Governor of Hainan Province, Mr Tan said that Macao's tourism industry has reached international level and Hainan will take Macao's development experience as a reference. A memorandum was signed between Macao and Hainan tourism departments to further promote tourism co-operation by setting up a communication mechanism. Mr Tam will attend the Leader Joint Conference to be held in Sanya on 1 December before returning to Macao
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Consumer Council conducted its specific product price survey on eggs earlier. Survey result, together with data from previous months, showed that prices of eggs were stable, and the greatest price difference of the same egg brand sold at different retail outlets recorded was 21.28 percent. The Council conducted a price check on 9 brands of eggs from 13 supermarkets on 27th November. In comparison with the data from September's survey, egg prices remained stable. 'Surewin Egg/8 pcs', which were sold at $12.0 to $14.5, observed a price difference of 20.83 percent, 'Fred Meyer Grade AA Extra Large Eggs/12 pcs', which were sold at $18.8 to $22.8, recorded a price difference of 21.28 percent. Other surveyed brands observed a general price difference of about 10 percent. Prices of 'Fresh eggs (Hubei Jinsheng)/8 pcs', which were on sale at two branches of Park'n Shop, had dropped $1.6 in its highest price in comparison with last time's survey and resulting in a price difference of 11.22 percent this time. Consumer Council indicates that its specific price survey aims at helping consumers make price comparison for the same product, consumers are therefore advised to check with the 'Specific product price information platform' prior to making purchase. The specific price survey on eggs is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that consumption of Electricity increased by 10.7% over the previous quarter to 1.26 billion kWh in the third quarter of 2012. Consumption of Electricity by the Business sector (73.7% of total) increased by 6.9% quarter-to-quarter to 928 million kWh, with that of the Gaming sector rising by 6.5%; consumption by Households went up by 25.3% to 273 million kWh. Imports of Electricity increased by 22.5% quarter-to-quarter to 1.213 billion kWh in the third quarter, bringing its relative importance to the available supply to rise by 8 percentage points to 91.2%; meanwhile, local generation of Electricity decreased by 40.4% to 128 million kWh. For the first three quarters of 2012, consumption (3.219 billion kWh) and imports (2.95 billion kWh) of Electricity increased by 9.2% and 26.6% respectively year-on-year, while local generation (453 million kWh) of Electricity dropped significantly by 42.1%. In the third quarter of 2012, consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) decreased by 6.2% quarter-to-quarter to 9,399 tonnes; meanwhile, imports of LPG declined by 8.6% from the previous quarter to 9,279 tonnes, with the average price of imports falling by 19.4% to MOP8.11 per kilogram. For the first three quarters of 2012, consumption of LPG (32,165 tonnes) rose by 0.7% year-on-year. In the third quarter of 2012, the average price of Unleaded Gasoline (MOP12.15 per litre) and Gas Oil & Diesel for automotive (MOP12.95 per litre) both increased by 0.6% quarter-to-quarter, but that of Bottled LPG (MOP13.92 per kilogram) dropping by 11.4%. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, stock of Fuel Oil (18.21 million litres) and Gas Oil & Diesel (19.67 million litres) increased by 34.4% and 1.5% respectively quarter-to-quarter, while stock of LPG (1,541 tonnes) decreased by 14.1%.
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Prof. David Chung-Laung Liu, a world-renowned computer scientist, education expert and Doctor honoris causa of the University of Macau (UM), today (28 November) gave a lecture entitled "Poetic Mathematics and Mathematical Poetry", at UM's Cultural Centre, to a full-house audience of UM staff and students, local secondary school teachers and students, as well as members of the general public. UM Rector Wei Zhao gave a speech before the lecture, in which he mentioned four reasons that make Prof. Liu the pride of all Chinese people. First, Prof. Liu received his early education in Macao, and after graduation from high school, he went to Taiwan and then the United States to pursue further education, and eventually attained remarkable academic accomplishments. Second, during the time he served as the president of Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, the university progressed by leaps and bounds, which is testament to his brilliant leadership skills. Third, he answered the famous "Qian Xuesen Question" by educating a student (Prof. Andrew Chi-Chih Yao) who later became the first and only Chinese to receive the Turing Award, which is considered the Nobel Prize in computer, since the founding of the award. Fourth, he gave up his tenured professorship in the United States to return to Taiwan and devoted himself wholeheartedly to educating Chinese—this admirable decision of Prof. Liu has motivated a large number of Chinese scholars to do the same. Prof. Liu opened his lecture with discussion of a chessboard, and went on to intriguing examples of questions, problems and phenomena in our everyday lives that could be easily explained by mathematical theories. He unveiled the mathematical aspect of poetry and the poetic aspect of mathematics through ingeniously interwoven examples of maths theories and problems and quotes of Chinese and foreign poems, both ancient and contemporary, to an entranced audience, who frequently interrupted his speech with thundering applause and laughter. Prof. Liu also shared some of his life experiences, especially the period when he was studying in Macao. He stressed that education knows no boundaries, and every life experience could be a disguised opportunity to learn something. The essence of maths, explained Prof. Liu, is to find and establish connections between things where others don't see any. Therefore, noted Prof. Liu, maths and literature are like two different paths leading to the same destination—to discover and appreciate what's beautiful in life and in the world. The audience lingered long after the lecture was over, taking turns asking Prof. Liu questions. Prof. Liu advised the participants to have extensive interests in the pursuit of knowledge, to explore in an in-depth manner, to imagine boldly, to listen with an open mind, to think critically, to strive for perfection, to have a sense of humility, and most importantly, to never give up. He also encouraged everyone to be a diligent reader and thinker. Towards the end of the Q&A session, Rector Wei Zhao presented a souvenir to Prof. Liu on behalf of UM. Prof. Liu received his bachelor degree from Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, and received his master's and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States. A world-class computer scientist and a dedicated educator who has nurtured many outstanding students, Prof. Liu is the pride of Chinese people. He has successively taught at MIT, the University of Illinois, and Tsing Hua University (Taiwan), for over forty years. He is currently William Mong Honorary Chair Professor of Computer Science at Tsing Hua University, Taiwan. He is a member of the Academia Sinica and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Association for Computing Machinery. He has received honorary doctorates from UM and Chengchi University, Taiwan. His major awards include the Phil Kaufman Award from IEEE's Council on Electronic Design Automation, the Technical Achievement Award from IEEE's Real Time Systems Technical Committee, the Technical Achievement Award from IEEE's Circuits and Systems Society, and the IEEE Education Medal. His research interests include computer-aided design of VLSI circuits, computer-aided instruction, real-time systems, combinatorial optimization, and discrete mathematics. He has published over 180 technical papers, eight technical books, and seven essay collections in Chinese.
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