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Information from the Statistics and Census Service showed that in the fourth quarter of 2006, the overall average daily nominal wage was MOP519, of which the average wage of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers was MOP537 and unskilled workers MOP326. Among the various occupations of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers, the average daily nominal wage of carpenters was the highest, reaching MOP580. The overall nominal wage index increased 3.7% from the previous quarter. The nominal wage index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 4.3%, and that of unskilled workers edged down 0.3%. In terms of occupation of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers, the nominal wage index of truck drivers rose the most, up 17.0%, followed by painters and other skilled workers & semi-skilled workers, up 12.2% and 7.9% respectively, whereas that of iron workers registered the largest decline, down 5.7%. In addition, the overall real wage index increased 2.6% over the preceding quarter. The real wage index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 3.2%, and that of unskilled workers went down 1.4%. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2005, the overall real wage index increased 7.6%, of which the index of skilled workers & semi-skilled workers rose 7.1%, and that of unskilled workers went up 10.7%. In 2006, both the annual nominal and real wage indices of construction workers recorded year-on-year increments, up 20.0% and 14.2% respectively.
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The Prime Minister of Portugal, Mr José Sócrates, is to pay a two-day official visit to Macao on Friday (Feb 2). He is scheduled to arrive on Friday evening: the following day he is to meet with Macao's Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and attend a luncheon hosted by Macao SAR Government. The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a trade promotion forum, visit the University of Macau, the Macau Tower, the Portuguese School of Macao, the Instituto Português do Oriente (IPOR), and Portugal's Consulate General in Macao. Members of his delegation will include the Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Luís Amado; the Minister of State and Minister for Finance, Mr Fernando Teixeira dos Santos; the Minister for Economy and Innovation, Mr Manuel Pinho; the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Communications, Mr Mário Lino; and the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Mr Manuel Heitor. Mr Sócrates is visiting China today at the invitation of China's Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao. He is currently in Beijing and will visit Shanghai and Macao later.
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The Government is confident that the living standard of Macao residents would continue to rise with more and more jobs created by the expanding tourism and leisure industries, said the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today. Speaking at the banquet for the 57th anniversary of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions, Mr Ho said the two industries had absorbed many unemployed workers and provided many opportunities for people to rise in their careers. As the economy is expected to continue to grow, Mr Ho said he is optimistic that the living standard of the grass-roots residents would continue to improve. He said the Government would continue to create more jobs, protect the rights of workers with legislation, and continue its crackdown on illegal workers.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in December 2006 surpassed the two-million mark to a new record of 2,162,917, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 29.7%. Visitors from Mainland China; Hong Kong; and Taiwan, China grew 23.5%, 36.8% and 15.3% respectively. Meanwhile, same-day visitors accounted for 49.8% of the total arrivals, at 1,078,049. Visitors came mainly from Mainland China (52.8% of the total), Hong Kong (32.7%) and Taiwan, China (5.5%). Among those from Mainland China, 554,164 (48.5%) travelled to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme. Total visitor arrivals in 2006 peaked an all-time record of 21,998,122, up 17.6% compared with 2005. Visitors from Mainland China rose 14.6% to 11,985,617, which accounted for 54.5% of the total arrivals; those from Hong Kong and Taiwan, China shared 31.6% and 6.5% respectively. Furthermore, same-day visitors made up 51.4% of the total, at 11,315,459. Analyzed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by sea increased 13.9% year-on-year to 7,655,855 in 2006, with 7,284,102 arriving at the Outer Harbour. The majority of these visitors were from Hong Kong (60.1%) and Mainland China (27.2%). Visitor arrivals at the Inner Harbour surged 71.6% to 371,753. At the same time, the cumulative number of visitors arriving through the Border Gate rose 19.7% to 13,106,089. The majority of the visitors were from Mainland China (72.9%) and Hong Kong (19.2%). In addition, visitor arrivals by air were 1,236,178, up 18.9% compared with 2005, with 1,225,640 arriving at the Macao International Airport (+19.0%). Visitors from Taiwan, China (53.9%) and Mainland China (20.3%) were the major users of this access.
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The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organized a MICE industry seminar today (22nd) conducted by MGTO’s consultant Mr. Gary Grimmer, to introduce MGTO business tourism strategic plan. Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes attended the seminar – “Building Macau’s International Meetings Business”. The seminar was divided into two parts. First part was for industry leaders, while the second part was for the management level of sales and services. The seminar included theme talks, workshops, an introduction to MGTO’s business tourism strategic plan, activities of MGTO and Macau Business Tourism Centre as well as plans of industry education programs. MICE and business tourism are priorities in MGTO’s plan for 2007, and training is a very important aspect for this development. The seminar was conducted by Mr. Gary Grimmer, a well-experienced congress industry manager and consultant. Since last year, MGTO has appointed him as business tourism consultant. Mr. Grimmer is chairman of Gary Grimmer & Company, an international convention industry management, training and consulting firm. Prior to starting his own company, Gary was CEO of the convention bureau in Melbourne, Australia and Portland, USA. MGTO believes Mr. Grimmer will make a valued contribution in the course of putting Macau on the world’s business tourism map.
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Jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, the People’s Government of Xiqing District of Tianjin, the Chinese Academy of Arts and the Macao Museum, an exhibition entitled “Auspicious Blessings -- Chinese New Year Prints from Yangliuqing” will be presented to the public on the 3rd floor of the Macao Museum between 20 January and 25 March, aiming at welcoming the Chinese New Year and increasing the Macao residents and visitors’ awareness of the Chinese intangible cultural heritage and its protection by the public. Named after the town located in western suburb of Tianjin, the Yangliuqing New Year prints, nianhua (woodblock prints for Chinese New Year), is the most representative folk art form among the others in China. With its unique artistic features and decorative beauty, diverse contents as well as propitious leitmotivs, pleasing both reined and popular tastes, the Yangliuqing nianhua, amid the other New Year prints, has been greatly appreciated by large numbers of people and become the most celebrated and artistic item for greeting the Chinese New Year. For that reason, it was listed by the State Council of China as one of the first national intangible cultural heritages in May 2006. Originated in the reign of Chongzhen Emperor (1628-1644) of the Ming dynasty and marked its height during the reign of Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795) of the Qing dynasty, the Yangliuqing nianhua has a history over three hundred years. It came to decline and was nearly brought to its brink of extinction during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945). After the founding of the new China, especially ever since the launch of the open door policy, this traditional Chinese art, the Yangliuqing nianhua, has regained a new life. The process of producing Yanliuqing nianhua is relatively complicated. A preliminary design is copied to a woodblock and engraved until the lined pattern is ready on the woodblock. Prints are taken from the woodblock monochromatically, or combining the technique of chromatography and followed by hand-coloured painting. The whole production process requires strict rigour in every part of the work, thus masterful techniques are demanded. The present exhibition of Yangliuqing nianhua aims at further promoting and popularizing national folk art, speeding up cultural exchanges, enhancing Macao people and visitors’ recognition and protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Sixty-four prints with woodblocks and tools from Yangliuqing will be displayed in the exhibition, interpreting the subjects from door gods, beauties and chubby children, Chinese opera characters to auspicious emblems and historical tales, etc． A series of activities and printing workshops will be held during the exhibition period to further promote the understanding of the nianhua’s art. They are scheduled as follow: The Teachers’ Sessions: On Sunday, 21 January, 10am to 12pm & 2:30pm to 4:30pm, demonstrations of producing nianhua by the masters from Yangliuqing. Discussions with teachers will be followed after the demonstrations. School Workshops: From 7 February, on every Wednesday afternoon, 3pm to 4pm & 4pm to 5pm; and on every Saturday morning, 10am to 11am & 11am to 12pm, printing workshops of “Let’s Paint & Colour” for students. Family Workshops: Sundays of 28 January, 4 and 11 February, 10am to 12pm, “Way to Yangliuqing nianhua” workshops for families. Guided Tours: Guided tours are offered to schools and community groups by prior appointments. The numbers of participants to the workshops are limited. Starting from today, earlier register is necessary on the basis of first come, first served. For further information, please call: 28357911 or consult the website: www.icm.gov.mo and www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.
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The English-language edition Macao Yearbook 2006, an annual publication published by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 19 January Meanwhile starting from tomorrow, any purchase of the three different language editions of Macao Yearbook 2006 will get a complimentary CD-ROM of the yearbook in the corresponding language. Enriched by some 177 photographs, the 617-page Macao Yearbook 2006 is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Macao Yearbook 2006 is separately published in Chinese, Portuguese and English. The book that retails at a price of just 120 patacas/Hong Kong dollars per copy, will be available at the following places: major local bookstores; the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch; Government Printing Bureau and its outlet at the Public Administrative Building on Rua do Campo. During the promotion period lasting until 31 March 2007, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2006. Anyone who buys the 2006 edition will also enjoy a 50-percent discount on the purchase of any of the previous editions (i.e. Macao Yearbook 2005, Macao Yearbook 2004, Macao Yearbook 2003 and Macao Yearbook 2002). The Chinese and Portuguese editions of the Macao Yearbook 2006 have been launched earlier.
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The Henan Provincial Government today unveiled a trade promotion seminar and a photo exhibition in Macao, with the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, attending the opening ceremony. On behalf of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Ho received a gift, a bronze vessel, from the Henan Provincial Government. Speaking at the seminar to introduce the business attractions in Henan, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said the central China province occupied an important strategic location on the Mainland and enjoy excellent advantages in manufacturing, agriculture and pasturage industries. He said he hoped that Macao and Henan could co-operate in trading and tourism industries under the framework of CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement).
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The current visit of Henan officials to Macao would enhance Macao's relationship with the central China province, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today. Mr Ho said this tonight at a dinner he was hosting to welcome the Henan delegation, which included the province’s Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Provincial Committee, Mr Xu Guangchun, and the Governor, Mr Li Chengyu. Mr Ho said since Macao’s reunification with the Mainland, the city had continued to prosper under the support of the Central Government and other provinces. He believed that staging events to promote Henan’s business environment would enhance bilateral relations between Macao and the central China province, said Mr Ho. Henan’s Governor, Mr Li Chengyu, said that the residents of Zhengzhou, Henan’s capital, could travel to Macao under the Facilitated Individual Travel (FIT) scheme, and this would provide more opportunities for the two places to bolster co-operation. Moreover, he said that Macao could co-operate with Henan in areas such as extracting natural resources and developing agriculture and tourism industries.
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The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms Helen Clark, has arrived in Macao, leading an official delegation on a one-day visit. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, met with Ms Clark at the Santa Sancha where Macao’s high-ranking officials, including the President of the Legislative Assembly, Ms Susana Chou; the Secretary for Administration and Justice; Ms Florinda Chan; and the Secretary for Economic and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. Ms Clark arrived in the morning and visited some scenic spots such as the Ruin of St. Paul and the Guia Lighthouse. The delegation left in the afternoon.
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