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Macao’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai China prominently displayed MSAR’s cultural dimensions and development process, the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On said today. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Macau Week in the Expo, Mr Chui said Macao could learn from the experience of other countries participating in the Expo, to better promote advances and progress in Macao. With the support of the Central Government, Mr Chui said, Macao had the honour to build Macao Pavilion in the Expo site and Tak Seng On in the Urban Best Practices Area to promote its harmonious atmosphere and efforts in preserving its cultural heritage. Mr Chui presided over the opening ceremony of Macau Week, attended a string of promotional activities and toured “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR)”. Attending these events with Mr Chui, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, told reporters that the Government would continue to listen to public opinion in deciding how to display Macao Pavilion in Macao in the long-term. According to the plan of the Expo authorities, the Macao Pavilion would be dismantled after the completion of Expo, while Tak Seng On would remain intact. Mr Tam said the participation of Macao in the Expo had received positive feedbacks. Macao Pavilion and Tak Seng On received several awards: the former was host to more than 1.3 million visitors. Mr Chui will leave for Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on Friday for a two-day visit to learn more about the development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
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A test on 14 biscuit samples for their hygienic condition and safety of additives has been conducted by Consumer Council and all tested samples are satisfactory. Test result has been published in the Council’s Consumer Report issue no.205.
Biscuit is a common snack and non-staple food. The Council tested 14 samples of normal and sandwich biscuits for their freshness, hygienic condition, preservatives and heavy metals contained. Acid value and peroxidation value are important indices for the evaluation of food freshness, and no samples in this test shows any potential sign of spoiling. No pathogenic bacteria have been found, and the values of mold and heavy metals contained are acceptable. For additives, preservatives and sweetener are tested and both values conform to the national standard. The levels of aluminium contained in all samples are satisfactory, though aluminium is considered a contaminant according to the national standard quoted this time and significant difference of aluminium value contained in the samples is observed, ranging from 1.6mg/kg to 73.7mg/kg.
Among the 14 samples tested, 80 per cent contain trans fat and have it stated on labels. Trans fat is vegetable oil after hydrogenation, the most common trans fat include margarine and shortening. Consumers need to pay attention to product labels when choosing biscuits as studies have shown that coronary artery disease can be caused by excessive intake of trans fat. As suggested by both WHO and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), daily intake of trans fat should be kept as low as 1 per cent of a person’s daily calories intake, which amounts to less than 2.2g if one takes in 2,000 calories a day. The Council reminds consumers to look for biscuits with longer expiration date and those in good condition with no shrinking in sizes or any contaminants. Result of this biscuit test can be found in the latest Consumer Report.
Reports on the signing of cooperation protocols between Macao Consumer Council and the Consumer Association of Jilin and Consumer Rights Protection Committee of Qingdao in September, as well as the participation of the Council in the promotional event held in Zhangchun, Jilin by the Macao SAR Government can be found in this issue of Consumer Report. Information about the 2010 symposium of the alliance for consumer rights protection is also covered, together with an article on the risks of prepaid consumption. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) or through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today left for Shanghai to officiate tomorrow’s opening ceremony of Macau Week in Expo 2010. Speaking to the press before his departure, Mr Chui extended his gratitude to the Central Government and the Shanghai Expo authorities for their support in Macao’s promotional activities in the global event. He said he was glad the Macao Pavilion, which showcased the development of Macao in the past decade since the establishment of the Macao SAR, was popular among visitors. After Shanghai, Mr Chui will head for Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he is scheduled to spend Friday and Saturday, to learn more about the development of the Yangtze River Delta region.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 91 hotels and similar establishments were in operation in 2009, consisting of 60 hotels and 31 guest-houses; number of hotels increased by 5 from 2008, of which 3 were five-star hotels. With the operation of 5 new hotels in 2009, total number of guest rooms grew by 12.0% from 17,586 in 2008 to 19,697 in 2009. In spite of the opening of new hotels, under the influence of the global financial crisis, the hotel sector had 26,337 persons engaged at the end of 2009, down slightly by 0.6% from a year earlier. Number of persons engaged in hotels totalled 26,183, down by 0.6% year-on-year; however, the 31 guest-houses had 154 workers, an increase of 2.0%. Total Receipts of the hotel sector increased by 6.1% year-on-year to MOP 11.02 billion in 2009. Analyzed by item, Receipts from Room Sales amounted to MOP 4.76 billion (43.1% of total), while Sales of Food & Beverages (MOP 2.39 billion) and Rent Received (MOP 2.03 billion) accounted for 40.1%. Total Expenditure of the sector decreased by 1.4% over 2008 to MOP 13.86 billion, of which 2 non-operational expenses, Depreciation of Fixed Assets (MOP 2.74 billion) and Interest Paid (MOP 1.58 billion) increased by 1.2% and 5.9% respectively. Operating Expenses (MOP 4.45 billion) and Compensation of Employees (MOP 3.73 billion) decreased by 5.3% and 2.7% from 2008; however, Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 1.37 billion) increased by 2.9%. In addition, Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy rose by 18.6% year-on-year to MOP 5.19 billion, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation dropped by 65.2% year-on-year to MOP 2.56 billion.
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Organized by the Macau Special Administrative Region and hosted by the Macau Government Tourist Office, “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” and a series of related activities will be held in Shanghai from October 13 to 17. With the theme “Experience Macau”, the activities of Macau Week will take advantage of the international platform of Expo 2010 Shanghai China to showcase to the world the unique charm of Macau’s centuries of harmonious blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures and its developments and achievements in the 10 years after returning to the Motherland. Macau SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On will lead a 90-strong delegation comprising government officials, tourism industry representatives including members of the Tourism Development Committee and Macau Grand Prix Committee among others, media and other personalities to Shanghai on October 12 to take part in the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week”. The series of activities of “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” include the Inaugural Ceremony and Cultural Performance, parades, cultural performances, photo exhibitions, “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR)”, Macau World Heritage Photo Exhibition and stage performances at the World Expo site and the Financial Plaza at the Bund. Close to 450 performers from Macau will take part in the event. Macau SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On will officiate the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” Inaugural Ceremony and Cultural Performance in the morning of October 13 at the Baosteel Stage of Shanghai World Expo site. Leader of Shanghai Municipal Government, Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR Bai Zhi Jian, leader of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macau SAR Government, Florinda Chan, Secretary for Economy and Finance Francis Tam and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U will also attend the ceremony. Following the inaugural ceremony, Chief Executive and the delegation will enjoy the cultural performance, exhibitions and parade. Expo 2010 Shanghai China is a grand international extravaganza and exhibition, and Macau Week will utilize this platform as an opportunity to showcase Macau’s unique culture, history and its development into a modern city through cultural performances by Macau artists and entities, exhibits such as the “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region”, “Made in Macau” exhibition, Macau Events and Festivals and Macau World Heritage photo exhibitions among others, and parades. To enhance publicity and echo the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week”, MGTO in cooperation with Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and the People's Government of Huangpu District of Shanghai Municipality will organize the “Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week” series of activities at the Financial Plaza of the Bund from October 13 to 17. Grand models of world heritage sites - the Ruins of St Paul’s and A-Ma Temple - will be set up at the Plaza, in addition to tourism information pavilions, the “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region”, Macau Photo Exhibition and cultural performances, which will certainly attract Shanghai citizens and tourists to catch a glimpse of Macau.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to visit Shanghai and Hangzhou from 12 October to 16 October, for a five-day visit. Mr Chui is to officiate at the opening ceremony of Macau Week in Shanghai Expo on Wednesday. The variety of activities of Macau Week would include parades, cultural performances, photo exhibitions, “The Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR)”, Macau World Heritage Photo Exhibition and stage performances at the World Expo site and the Financial Plaza on the Bund. Almost 450 performers from Macao will take part in the event. After Shanghai, Mr Chui will head for Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he is scheduled to spend Friday and Saturday, to learn more about the development of Yangtze River Delta region. He had visited several cities in Jiangsu, including Nantong, Yangzhou and Nanjing, in May this year. Members of the delegation include the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U; the Secretary-General of the Executive Council and Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Ms O Lam; the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Cheung So Mui; the Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Mr João Manuel Costa Antunes; the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Office of the MSAR in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai; Advisors of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng and Mr Kou Chin Hung.
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The University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF) received a donation of MOP 30 million from Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon Shum, Chairman of Sun Wah Group and member of the University Council of the University of Macau (UM) on behalf of the Choi Kai Yau Foundation. The donation will be used to fund a residential college on the new campus and will bring UM one step closer towards implementing whole-person education and nurturing innovative future leaders for Macao and China. Today UM held a cheque presentation ceremony in which Dr. Tse Chi Wai, Chair of the Executive Committee of UMDF and Chair of the University Council of UM, received the donation from the Choi Kai Yau Foundation on behalf of UMDF. “Dr. Choi Koon Shum, like his late father Mr. Choi Kai Yau used to be, is a successful businessman who is devoted to the support of education, science and technology, charitable causes, and public welfare,” remarked Dr. Tse Chi Wai. “Dr. Choi’s father advocated by example the support of higher education in Macao and China. On the 25th anniversary of UM he donated MOP one million to UM, which resulted in a substantial improvement of the teaching conditions at the university. Dr. Choi Koon Shum has inherited his father’s commitment to contributing to the country’s prosperity through industrial development. Dr. Choi is a long-time supporter of the educational cause in Macao and China. As a member of the University Council, he has been actively contributing ideas about how to improve the university. Dr. Choi’s remarkable contribution to education has earned him recognition from people from all walks of life, just like his father did. Today Dr. Choi, on behalf of the Choi Kai Yau Foundation, made a generous donation of MOP 30 million to UMDF, which will allow students to study and grow in a better environment. To express thanks to Dr. Choi and his father, UM will name one of the to-be-built residential colleges ‘Choi Kai Yau College’. In the future UM will continue to work towards fostering a culture of donation in the community and will strive to become a universally acknowledged world-class university by enlisting support from society.” Dr. Choi Koon Shum is the Chairman of Sun Wah Group which was founded by his late father Mr. Choi Kai Yau who was known as the “King of Seafood”. A staunch believer in “reinvigorating China through the development of science and technology”, Mr. Choi Kai Yau founded a succession of not-for-profit schools and education funds and sponsored educational and scientific research activities of various kinds in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao—all in an attempt to provide the best possible education for the next generation. “Residential colleges will create the conditions that will allow UM to carry out whole-person education, because students living in residential colleges will be able to learn from one another, make more friends, expand their networks and gain experience through a variety of activities,” said Dr. Choi Koon Shum. “It is my hope that our donation to UM will have some positive impact on the long-term development of education in Macao and will help UM nurture some innovative future leaders for the country. I also hope that students can avail themselves of the wonderful learning and living environment offered by the residential colleges to study diligently and constantly seek self-improvement so that one day they can become movers and shakers of society. ” UM will implement on the new campus the residential college system adopted by many top universities worldwide. The residential college system, which aims at “cultivating people”, and the faculty-based system, which focuses on “imparting knowledge”, will perfectly complement each other. There will be approximately ten residential colleges, and each one will be able to accommodate 300 to 500 undergraduate students. Every student will simultaneously belong to a residential college and a faculty. Students of different majors and years of study will have the opportunity to take part in various competitions and recreational activities and thereby learn from one another and improve interpersonal skills. Moreover, residential colleges will create an atmosphere conducive to learning beyond classroom settings. Through four years of living and dining together and participating in various activities organized by the residential colleges, students will be able to interact with teachers on a regular basis, meet friends of different academic backgrounds, develop a sense of social responsibility, innovative thinking ability and leadership skills, expand their networks, and grow into future pillars of society with a tolerance towards different cultures. So far six to-be-built residential colleges of UM, namely Choi Kai Yau College, Cheng Yu Tung College, Stanley Ho College, Lui Che Woo College, Henry Fok College, and Cao Guang Biao College, have each received a donation of MOP 30 million.
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Today (9 October 2010) the University of Macau (UM) Congregation 2010 was held at the Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion. Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR and Chancellor of UM, presided over the ceremony. More than 1000 bachelor’s and master’s graduates received their degrees and graduation certificates from UM Rector Wei Zhao, and PhD graduates received their degrees and certificates from Dr. Chui Sai On. Dr. Chui said at the congregation that Macao SAR government will increase input in education and UM should stick with its established long-term goals and strive to become a world-class university and produce high-calibre graduates. UM Rector Wei Zhao said that UM has formulated a new “‘4-component-based’ structure” as the university’s new pedagogical model, with a view to “providing a unique holistic education” and nurturing outstanding graduates that can serve as “the driving force for the development of society”. More than 2000 people, including UM’s top management University Council Dr. Chair Tse Chi Wai, Rector Prof. Wei Zhao, Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) Prof. Simon Ho, Vice Rector (Research) Prof. Rui Martins, and Vice Rector (Administration) Dr. Alex Lai, as well as members of the University Assembly and University Council, UM staff, government officials, community leaders and students’ parents, attended the congregation, joyful in the knowledge that this milestone event signals the start of a new chapter in the students’ lives. In his speech Dr. Chui said that Macao SAR government will adhere to the guiding principle of “invigorating Macao through education” and will increase input in education to improve teaching environment, support educational institutions, accelerate the training of professionals in various fields for the local community, and enhance the cultural quality and overall competitiveness of Macao. He said that the government is studying the feasibility of establishing a higher education fund and will continue to provide postgraduate scholarships for permanent Macao residents to create favorable conditions for people who wish to pursue further education. He said the aim of doing so is to create a society committed to lifelong learning. He noted that the construction of the new UM campus will be completed in three years, and that UM should stick with its established long-term goals and strive to become a world-class university with distinctive regional features and constantly seek to enhance the quality of its graduates. In his speech UM Rector Wei Zhao said that “disciplinary education”, “general education”, “research and internship education”, and “community and peer education” are all essential components indispensable to the growth of students, and that UM has formulated this new ‘4-component-based’ structure” as the university’s new pedagogical model with a view to nurturing graduates who, “with integrity and aspiration, can live up to the maxim of ‘love China, love Macao; learn extensively, practice earnestly’ and be the driving force for the development of the society”. He said that for years UM has been holding on to this education mode and has accumulated rich experience in this respect. He said the excellent performance of the graduates further strengthens UM’s “determination and faith to bring our ‘4-component-based’ model to perfection”. In closing, Rector Wei Zhao congratulated students on entering a new stage of their lives and reminded students to always bear in mind that their great responsibilities for Macao, China and the world, saying that such responsibilities “are best discharged by the contributions” they make to the alma mater and society. Student representative Ms. Mak Hio Wa said in her speech that UM has all along been committed to nurturing excellent graduates for society and has attained marked progress over the years. She said that she believes the new campus will offer a better learning environment for students and will allow UM to make greater contribution to society by nurturing more outstanding graduates. She expressed hope that several years from now all students present at today’s ceremony can reunite to celebrate new milestones of their alma mater. In closing she wished UM a brighter future. This year UM produced 1107 bachelor’s degree graduates, 276 master’s degree graduates, six doctoral degree graduates and 133 graduates of postgraduate certificate programmes. At the congregation, UM granted numerous academic awards and scholarships to students with academic excellence.
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From yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (Oct 9) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally. An illegal immigrant was found in the premise and handed over to the police for investigation. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 652 premises were checked, of which 76 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 65 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found eight premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 644 occupants, among whom 328 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 12 operators, 9 touts, 9 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and 4 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation (among the four occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation, one has paid the fine). Among the occupants, there were 14 overstayers and 12 illegal immigrants. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. According to the new law, operators and person who manage the premise that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau remind travelers that, according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation", occupants found in premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally have the obligation to provide information or will be fined 3,000 patacas for violating the duty of cooperation. Occupants providing false information need to bear criminal responsibility. Non-residents who fail to pay the fine by due date might be denied reentry into Macau in the future.
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As the National Day Golden Week holiday comes to an end, preliminary figures show that visitor arrivals to Macau surpassed 680,000, an increase of nearly 13% compared to the same period of last year. Among the total arrivals, more than 470,000 were from the Mainland, a surge of 12.38%. Total visitor arrivals during the National Day Golden Week holiday period this year (1-7 October) reached 685,056, 12.94% more than the figure during the National Day Golden Week holiday period last year. 630,000 visitors came from Greater China with a 14% growth, among which, close to 480,000 were from the Mainland, an increase of 12.38%, while visitors from Hong Kong exceeded 140,000, a significant growth of 22.27%. International visitors also surpassed 480,000, with a slight increase of 0.32%. Performance of the hotel industry of Macau was satisfactory during the National Day Golden Week holiday. Average occupancy rate of three-to-five-star hotels reached 90%, a 2.7 percentage points increase compared to the same period of last year. The daily average number of occupied rooms of three-to-five-star hotels was 17,236, increasing by 14.89%. The average room rate of three-to-five-star hotels was 1,422 patacas, up 16% on the Golden Week period of last year. The average occupancy rate of hotels saw a rise during the National Day Golden Week holiday. The average occupancy rate of three-star hotels hit 91.36% (+1.23 percentage points), while that of four-star hotels reached 86.86% (+4.54 percentage points) and five-star hotels hit 91.77% (+2.32 percentage points). The average room rate of different categories of hotels and guesthouses in Macau also increased, with the average room rate of guesthouses in these seven days registering 272 patacas (+16%), two-star hotels 506 patacas (+4.56%), three-star hotels 1,226 patacas (+18.63%), four-star hotels 1,087 patacas (+20.91%) and five-star hotels 1,954 patacas (+11.92%). From October 1 to 7, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), together with Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration and Fujian Provincial Tourism Administration operated the tourism notification system, which together with the close collaboration among various departments and the support of tourism and related entities, helped to enhance the hospitality of the city to welcome visitors during the Golden Week. During the golden week period, MGTO inspectors intensified surveillance at Macau's most visited sites and border checkpoints, as well as carried on with the operations against illegal accommodation. MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) cooperated in a new promotion and education campaign against illegal accommodation, launched on October 1. Besides distributing flyers of the new campaign at MGTO information counters and immigration counters, MGTO received the support of Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration for promotion and education initiatives in the source market, to safeguard the rights of the visitors. Macau Consumer Council also carried out promotions on the topic with its Mainland counterparts. During the Golden Week holiday, MGTO information counters and the tourism hotline 28 333 000 continued to operate. The tourism hotline was attended by operators around the clock. This press release is available at: www.macautourism.gov.mo
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