News

Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13 2010, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has sealed a total of 144 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, and one more management staff was seized. Inspections involved investigations to a total of 684 occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, including 36 overstayers and 29 illegal immigrants, whose cases are being follow up by police authorities. Macau Government Tourist Office has waged a total of 144 sanctions and 32 operators who provided accommodation illegally were fined 200 000 patacas each according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". To date, two operators have voluntarily paid the fine of 200 000 patacas within the statutory period. At the same time, 21 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3,000 patacas each, among which 11 have already paid the fine. For those who failed to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP to deny reentry of the involved persons into Macau if they are non-residents. MGTO, together with PSP, will carry on operation to crack down illegal accommodation. Staff of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) continues to check the premises to ensure they remain sealed and supply of water and electricity suspended. MGTO stressed that damaging the seal and resuming supply of water and electricity is a criminal offence which will be submitted to judicial entity for follow up. The public can report suspected premises by calling the 24-hour hotline 2833 3000 or using the online report service launched in April by MGTO. Complainant can log on to MGTO's website (Chinese/English) http://www.macautourism.gov.mo and click the banner of "Online Complaint against Illegal Accommodation" to file a report. To further facilitate reporting by the public, MGTO has produced key chains printed with the hotline and website to be distributed by the General Union of Neighbor Association of Macau.
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Following the success of its Binding Workshops in 2010, the Historical Archives of Macao will organize two Bookbinding Workshops in July and August. Each workshop consists of two morning sessions over a single weekend, held in the Historical Archives building on Tap Seac Square. The workshops give participants a chance to learn how to create and protect handmade books, and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of how the Historical Archives of Macao safeguards Macao's documentary heritage. An experienced conservationist working in the Historical Archives, will introduce and demonstrate traditional techniques and support participants as they sew their own book and create a protective cover. Participants should attend both sessions in order to complete the workshop, at the end of which they can take home their own work. No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. (* Please find the attached file.) To register and pay the workshop fee please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30) on Tap Seac Square. Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For further details, please contact Ms. Ally Lai at 85986539.
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The University of Macau (UM) conferred Doctor of Letters honoriscausa on Dr. Louis Cha, a renowned martial arts novelist better known as Jin Yong, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to Chinese literature and culture. The award ceremony took place at the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, attended by the UM leadership and Dr.Cha's family and his friends. At the award ceremony, Dr. Cha received the certificate of the honorary degree from Rector Wei Zhao and the UM's University Council Chair Dr. Daniel Tse.Dr.Tse was also representing the Chief Executive of Macao, Dr. Chui Sai On who is the UM Chancellor. A scroll of citation handwritten in cursive style by Prof. Zhu Shoutong, head of the Chinese Department of UM, was also presented to him. In return, Dr. Cha gifted to UM a complete collection of his works. "I really thanked UM for this title," said Dr. Cha in his speech, adding that "actually I feel closely related to Macao – a place I've been to for quite a few times and a place which also houses a 'Jin Yong' library". He also expressed a keen interest to pay a visit to UM in the future. In the citation, Rector Zhao paid tribute to Dr. Cha's admirable achievements in Chinese literature and his promotion of Chinese culture. "In almost a uniquely Chinese way, Dr. Cha's creative worksare a grand spectacle of imagination,and with his extraordinary creativity,they display to the world the wonders of the Chinese language," Rector Zhao noted. Moreover, he was admired for his relentless effort in the pursuit of knowledge. "Even though at a senior age, Dr. Cha still in no way relaxes his effort to go toward the highest stage of education which crystallizesChinese culture learning in the mode of western orthodox education," Rector Zhao added. Dr. Cha's outstanding achievements won him accolades internationally. Rector Zhao pointed out that we should learn from his incessant quest for knowledge which is a reflection of his homage to the sanctity of Chinese culture and his zeal for knowledge learning. Finally, Rector Zhao said that in view of Dr. Cha's extraordinary accomplishments in the fields of literature, scholastic studies and news media, it was the honor of UM to have the opportunity to confer the honorary doctoral degree of Letters on him and UM was proud to have him inducted into the community of UM as one of its members. "From now on, a relationship is forged between Dr. Cha and our University – the one which is forever striding forward," Rector Zhao concluded. A native of Haining, Zhejiang Province, Dr. Cha was a journalist and editor and finally a publisher. Alias Jin Yong, Dr. Cha is one of the most influential contemporary Chinese novelists and his name is almost ubiquitous in the Chinese-speaking world. A distinguished literary writer aside, Dr. Cha is also a well-known political commentator. He is a founder of Ming Pao in Hong Kong. The editorials he wrote for the newspaper were taken seriously and commended for their sharp and critical analysis. During the late 70's and early 80's of the last century, he also participated actively in the political affairs of Hong Kong. The ceremony was attended by the First Vice Chair of University Council and Chair of the Honorary Degrees and Titles Committee Mr. Lei Pui Lam, University Council Treasurer Mr. Wong Chong Fat, Vice Rector (Research) of UM Prof. Rui Martins, Department Dean of Chinese of UM Prof. HaoYufan,UM Registrar Mr. Paul Pang Chap Chong. In addition, the family and friends of Dr. Cha, including Mrs. Cha, Mr. Andrew Cha, Ms. Edna Cha, Mr. Ng WaiCheong, Ms. Cheung Man-yee, Mr. Chip Tsao, Mr. Chua Lam and Mr. Li Chunen were present to witness the conferment.
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Ever since the scheduled air services between Macao and Japan have been launched in 2007, the flights have attracted residents of both places as well as those in the Pearl River Delta Region to respond favourably to the market. The passenger volume increases year on year. In order to further liberalize the air transport market between Macao and Japan so that the development of air passengers and cargo between the two places will be enhanced, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) and the Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan met in Macao on 13 and 14 July 2011 to renew the Record of Discussions (ROD) relating to air services between the two places. According to the new ROD which was signed by both parties, Japan agreed to increase the Tokyo capacity to the Macao designated airline with 7 flights per week from 2012 and then eliminate all Tokyo capacity restrictions from 2013 when the capacity at Narita Airport has increased. In addition, Japan agreed to grant fifth freedom traffic rights to the Macao designated airline for all points in Japan, except Tokyo. The new ROD has created more advantageous conditions for the operation of air services by the Macao designated airline. In accordance with the old ROD which was signed in 2009, Macao can fly to all points in Japan with no capacity restrictions. However, the operation to Tokyo Narita Airport was only limited to 3 flights per week; besides, fifth freedom rights were not granted to Macao. The new ROD has removed these restrictions. From 2012 summer season, the Macao designated airline can fly 7 flights per week to Tokyo; from 2013 summer schedule when the capacity at Narita Airport has increased, the Macao designated airline is allowed to operate flights to Tokyo with unlimited frequencies. In the aspect of traffic rights, the Macao designated airline can enjoy fifth freedom rights for all points in Japan except Tokyo. In the aspect of code-sharing for domestic segments, the old ROD only allowed up to 5 segments with 2 frequencies per segment. The new ROD has lifted these restrictions. During the discussions, the Macao side stated that the number of Japanese tourists to Macao increases year on year and ranks the fifth position in Macao's inbound travel. Affected by the earthquake in March this year and the radiation impact that followed afterwards, the number of Japanese tourists to Macao has decreased by 10%; Air Macau Co. Ltd. was forced to either suspend or reduce the frequencies for their flights to Tokyo and Osaka. But as the aftermath has slowly steadied and the tourism activities in Japan are gradually turning back to normal, Air Macau Co. Ltd. has gradually resumed their normal flights to the two cities since July. In addition, the Macao side also took the opportunity to explain to the Japanese side the open skies policies in the territory and the vision of Macao's participation in Pearl River Delta (PRD) cooperation. Guangdong, HongKong and Macao will intensify their cooperation to cope with the need for regional integration; the construction of the new road transport network between the cities in PRD, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will enhance the accessibility of Macau International Airport by the cities in the Region. As Macao itself does not generate enough passengers to support its air transport, it is therefore the aim of Macao International Airport to extend its catchment area from its own population to the PRD area. In the meeting, the Japanese side stated that Japan is now facing economic downturn. The earthquake in March has brought a big impact on their international air services. Japan therefore hopes to recover its economy soon. In the aspect of aviation, Japan will further liberalize their skies, for example, granting fifth freedom traffic rights, and strive to fully utilize the potentials of their airports and airlines, for example, privatizing the airports in order that the resources will be better allocated to increase operational benefits. Furthermore, the Macao side expressed their wish to operate to the Haneda Airport. However, the Japanese side stated that the capacity at the Haneda Airport is fully saturated and therefore does not have slots to offer to new airlines. However, the Haneda Airport is planning to increase the daytime slots. Japan has always been the market that the SAR Government is eager to exploit and consolidate. With the support of the SAR Government, the airline in Macao has played an active role in developing the market between the two places. The passenger throughput has increased from 21,569 in 2007 to 93,406 in 2010, the number of which has grown more than three times. These statistics prove that Macao is proactive in developing the Japanese market and good results are achieved. The favourable response by the passengers also proves that there is a big potential in developing the air transport market between Macao and Japan. The AACM President, Mr. Simon Chan said, "In our previous talks with the Japanese aeronautical authorities, we have always requested Japan to grant us Tokyo in the route operated by the Macao designated airline. However, due to the saturation in the capacity at the Narita Airport, Japan could only give us Tokyo with operational limitations. But with these years of thriving traffic performance achieved by our airline and the increased capacity at the Narita Airport in the future, Japan has now agreed to liberalize the conditions of our operations to Tokyo." Mr. Simon Chan also pointed out that among the Japanese tourists, only less than 10% choose to arrive in Macao by air, there is a big potential to increase our air traffic by attracting these tourists to take the air mode to Macao. He therefore hoped that the airline in Macao will operate the flights between Macao and Japan with endeavours and therefore make the most use of the aviation resources, such that the trade and commerce, tourism and cultural exchange between the two places can further be enhanced. The Chief Air Talks Officer, CAB, MLIT of Japan, Mr. Mitsuo Kawakami, and Mr. Simon Chan represented the two authorities to sign the new ROD. Apart from the officials from the two aeronautical authorities, the delegations also comprised representatives from Air Macau Co. Ltd., CAM-Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong, Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. and All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that TPI (111.28) for the second quarter of 2011 rose by 11.43% year-on-year; the increment was led by hotel accommodation that contributed 6.06 percentage points to the TPI increase. Price index of Accommodation (+29.82%); Miscellaneous Goods (+16.81%); and Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+10.48%) recorded notable increase, attributable to rising hotel room rate, as well as dearer prices of food and gold jewellery. TPI for the second quarter of 2011 decreased by 1.42% quarter-to-quarter, of which the price index of Accommodation Services registered a decrease of 12.10% on account of lower hotel room rate from the first quarter. On the contrary, price index of Clothing & Footwear; Entertainment & Cultural Activities increased by 8.54% and 3.65% respectively. The average TPI for the last four quarters ended the second quarter of 2011 increased by 12.22% from the previous period, with index of Accommodation and Miscellaneous Goods increasing by 24.33% and 20.39% respectively. For the first half year of 2011, TPI went up by 12.99% year-on-year, with notable increase being observed in Accommodation Services (+31.00%) and Miscellaneous Goods (+19.08%). The 2009/2010-based TPI reflects the price changes of goods and services purchased by visitors. Sections of TPI goods and services are based on the consumption pattern of visitors, namely Food, Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco; Clothing & Footwear; Accommodation; Restaurant Services; Transport & Communications; Medicine & Personal Goods; Entertainment & Cultural Activities; and Miscellaneous Goods.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP225.7 billion (USD28.16 billion) at the end of June 2011. The reserves rose by 4.6% from the revised value of MOP215.8 billion (USD26.94 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP62.0 billion or 37.9%. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-June 2011 represented 40 times the currency in circulation or 315.3% of Pataca M2 at end-May 2011. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, fell by 0.21 points month-to-month and 5.47 points year-on-year to 86.82 in June 2011.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to lead a high level delegation to Nansha in Guangzhou on 18 July for the first Guangzhou-Macao Co-operation Meeting.
Announcing this today the Office of the Government Spokesman said the two governments would discuss details on the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) jointly by Guangzhou and Macao in Nansha, a zone of Guangzhou city.
They would exchange views on enhancing bilateral co-operation including trade, tourism, culture, education and other services.
Four agreements and memorandum to enhance co-operation on tourism, trade and convention and exhibition will be signed in the meeting. The Macao delegates would include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, who is also the convener of the Macao side, and other officials.
The co-operative project of Macao and Nansha has been stipulated by the Guangdong and Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement in March 2011. In the following month, a specialised Guangzhou-Macao co-operation group had been set up during the meeting of the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference. The set up of the specialised group symbolised the closer co-operation between the two governments.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 2.2% year-on-year to 582,596 in May 2011. Visitors from Mainland China (431,562); Taiwan, China (31,321); Hong Kong (25,170) and Republic of Korea (21,055) increased by 2.2%, 47.1%, 23.6% and 43.1% respectively. On the contrary, visitors from Japan (13,724) decreased by 39.4%. In the first five months of 2011, visitor arrivals in package tours decreased by 1.6% year-on-year to 2,534,151. In May 2011, Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours decreased by 10.1% year-on-year to 17,180, with those to Thailand increasing significantly but those to Japan seeing substantial decrease. The most popular tour itineraries are Mainland China (78.1% of total), Thailand (6.2%) and Malaysia (4.4%). In the first five months of 2011, outbound residents in package tours increased by 2.5% year-on-year to 90,797. At the same time, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies surged by 30.0% year-on-year to 48,046; the main destinations were Mainland China (41.2% of total); Hong Kong (20.7%); and Taiwan, China (18.1%). Those travelling to Thailand and Republic of Korea also registered notable increase. In the first five months of 2011, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 26.7% year-on-year to 220,861. At the end of May 2011, total number of available guest rooms of hotels and guest-houses increased by 1,945 (+9.9%) year-on-year to 21,518 rooms, attributable to the opening of new 5-star hotels. Hotels and guest-houses received 689,495 guests in May 2011, up by 5.9% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (54.3% of total) and Hong Kong (18.5%). The average length of stay of guests decreased by 0.01 night to 1.5 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses was 82.0%, up by 4.1 percentage points year-on-year. Average occupancy rate of hotels stood at 82.6%, with 4-star hotels leading at 88.2%. Hotel guests increased by 2.7% year-on-year to 3,284,327 in the first five months of 2011; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 81.9%, up by 2.7 percentage points compared with 79.2% a year earlier. In the first five months of 2011, visitor-guests of hotels and guest-houses accounted for 61.3% of the total number of tourists (overnight visitors), higher than 60.8% in the same period of 2010.
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The 16th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will take place from October 20 to 23, this year. As in the past editions, a Macao SME Pavilion will be set-up at the venue this year, tentatively with 140 booths. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will continue to subsidize local Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises by offering the following benefits: Participation Incentives
- Originally costing MOP9,000.00, after subsidy provided by the Organizer, rental of a nine square metres standard booth will be reduced to MOP3,600.00
- Registration before July 20, 2011 will enjoy 10% discount
- Participants in previous local exhibitions organized or coordinated by IPIM will be entitled to a 10% discount. Advertisement in Macao Trade and Invest Kiosks
Each exhibitor is entitled to broadcast its short advertising video (15-second versions) in the Macao Trade and Invest Kiosks, free-of-charge, for 24 weeks (i.e., 32,256 times). Applications for the above-mentioned benefits should meet the following conditions:
1. Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (employing in Macao less than 100 staff)
2. Be a Macao taxpayer and have registered as such with the Macao Finance Bureau for not less than two years (as of October 20, 2011).
3. At least 50% of the company´s shareholding is held by Macao-residents or Macao-incorporated companies.
4. Fulfil one of the following requirements:
a. The applicant has previously participated in local exhibitions organized or coordinated by IPIM
b. The applicant must be an enterprise trading in "Made in Macao" products, or holder of one or more "Macao Brand" products or is a "Macao Agent" of imported merchandises. Application for exhibition at the "Macao SME Pavilion" is open as from the date hereof until July 27, Mondays to Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Applicants should come in person to the MIF Administrative and Service Centre (address: Alameda Dr. Carlos d´Assumpção, n.º 263, China Civil Plaza, 20th Floor). Each SME may only apply for one booth, on a first-come-first-served basis. Booths arrangement will be made on account of business activities and respective positioning will be decided by drawing lots. For further information on the 16th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), please contact the MIF Administrative and Service Centre at (tel.) 853-2882 8711, (fax) 853-2882 8722 or browse the following official website: www.mif.com.mo.
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Macao Post announced that the mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) previously affected by the strike action taken by the workers' union in Uruguay have resumed normal. Thank you for your kind attention.
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