News

To commemorate the centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in grand style, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, starting in September, will hold a series of activities, including large-scale thematic exhibitions, conferences and seminars, historical guided tours of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's revolutionary sites as well as two musical events. It is hoped that this wide range of popular and academic promotional programs will not only enhance local residents' understanding of Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the 1911 Revolution in China, but also arouse public interest in the history and culture of Macao by revealing the important role the territory played in the 1911 Revolution., The Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau held yesterday afternoon (August 31st) a press conference at the Macao Museum Auditorium. It was hosted by the Director of the Macao Museum, Chan Ieng Hin, the director of the Macao Chinese Orchestra, Zhou You, and the director of the Special Project Division, Lam Chong Keong. Invited to attend and speak was the deputy director of the working committee for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in Macau, Chen Kin Ieng . Macao was an important basis for Dr. Sun Yat Sen to move out into the greater world and carry out his revolutionary activities. To this day, the cultural relics retained in Macao relating to Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his revolutionary activities bear a glorious historical imprint on Macao. Putting the 1911 Revolution into historical context, the exhibition For the People – Sun Yat Sen and Macao, which will be held at the Macao Museum of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, seeks to introduce Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his family's strong connection with Macao through the display of cultural relics. This collection comes from a number of cultural organizations and individual collectors from Macao, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taipei and Hong Kong and some of them are extremely rare and precious. The exhibition will be held on the 3rd floor of the Macao Museum and will run from September 24th to December 11th . There will also be a grand opening ceremony. Allegiance of Revolutionaries: Seminar commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution organized by the Macao Historical Archives will be held at the Macao Museum Auditorium on September 24th. Dr. Sun Yat Sen's granddaughter, Dr. Lily Sun, has been invited to attend this seminar alongside expert scholars from China, Hong Kong, Macao and Portugal to present various papers themed on the history of the 1911 Revolution, Macao's role in the 1911 Revolution and the impact of this Revolution. These experts will provide valuable information for the study of the historical relationships between Macao and the 1911 Revolution. Admission is free. In addition to this, two seminars will be given by local scholars: Macanese and the 1911 Revolution by Dr. Li Chang Sen, Professor of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, at 3pm on October 29th and The Newspaper Industry in Macau Before and After the 1911 Revolution by Dr. Agnes Lam Iok Fong, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities (FSH) in University of Macau, at 3pm on November 12th. Revolutionary pioneer Dr. Sun Yat Sen promoted revolutionary activities in Macao and left his indelible mark in different places. The Culture Affairs Bureau and the Macao Heritage Ambassadors Association will jointly launch the Tour of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Macau Revolutionary Trail, guiding participants and allowing them to revisit places which were once familiar to the "Father of Revolution". This guided tour will be held in Cantonese and will take place at 3pm every Saturday from September 10th to October 29th. The tours of September 24th and October 29th will be held in English. People of all nationalities are welcome. Through visits to sites which present Dr. Sun Yat Sen's life in Macao, this tour will provide a deeper understanding on the close relationship between Macao, Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his revolutionary causes from different perspectives. The route for the September tour will be: the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, the Lou Lim Ioc Garden, the Lok Kuan Reading Room, the Meeting Place of the Tong Meng Hui Union and the Kiang Wu Hospital Historical Museum.The route for the October tour will be: the Lilau Square, the Mandarin's House, the headquarters of the old newspaper- the 'Eco Macaense', the House of Secret Meetings of the Revolutionary Party Chong Hua, the Residence of Sun Mei, elder brother of Sun Yat Sen, Rua de Estalagens, N.º 80 and the Lou Kau Mansion. Applications for guided tours are currently being accepted. Application forms can be found in promotional leaflets or downloaded from the Cultural Affairs Bureau website. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will also hold two major events during the 25th Macao International Music Festival to commemorate the centenary of the 1911 Revolution. Running ten successive days from October 9th to 16th, Rising Sun - The Musical provides an innovative overview of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's young and frivolous years, explaining the various events surrounding Dr. Sun's immersion in discussing matters of great importance with his revolutionary comrades known as the "The Four Bandits" and his commencement of the Revolution. The Xinhai Revolution Commemorative Concert will be held at 8pm on October 15th at the Grand Auditorium of the Macao Cultural Centre. An event of significant importance, the Macao Chinese Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Pang Ka Pang has specially commissioned new music from four of the most distinguished Chinese composers of contemporary folk music, who will have their new works premiered in Macao. In addition to the above activities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau's magazine Review of Culture will launch two "Centenary of the 1911 Revolution" Special Commemorative Editions (Chinese Edition Issues 80 and 81) in the autumn and winter of this year, which will contain several academic research works on the 1911 Revolution. At the same time, a variety of beautifully-themed commemorative souvenirs will be available for sale to residents and tourists alike at the Mandarin's House and other locations. At the press conference, the deputy director of the working committee for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Xinhai Revolution in Macau, Chen Kin Ieng, announced that on September 4th a large-scale commemoration of the centenary will be held in Macao. Activity details can be obtained from promotional leaflets, the Cultural Affairs Bureau website at www.icm.gov.mo, or over the phone, via Cultural Affairs Bureau Hotline at 8399 6699. A series of activities commemorating the Centenary of the 1911 Revolution
(* Please find the attachment)
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The 15-day data collection of the 2011 Census concluded last Friday. The census officers have visited about 236,000 building units and the rate of completion stood at 95%, including 15,600 units opted to use e-Questionnaire. For the non-contact households of about 9,800 building units who might be travelling out of Macao, the census officers have left an appointment card, reminding them to contact the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) upon their return. In fact, there are returning households calling the Census Hotline in the last few days, to schedule appointment or complete the questionnaire. DSEC reiterates that completion of the census questionnaire is mandatory, while non-compliance is liable to fine; therefore, households who have not completed the Census questionnaire should contact DSEC as soon as possible. DSEC states that the successful conclusion of the data collection of the 2011 Census is attributable to the full cooperation and support of the population, members of the public and government departments. As a token of thanks, the Cooperating Household Lucky Draw will be held on 14 October; the list of winners will be notified by DSEC staff and posted at the Census Website: census.dsec.gov.mo DSEC is going to conduct the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) on 1-9 September to evaluate the quality of Census data collected. About 3,000 households will be selected by sampling, among the completed cases, to re-verify basic demographic data. DSEC requests continuous cooperation of these households to the PES, and be cautious to confirm the identity of the visiting census officer before interview. The census officer is wearing a white Census uniform (blue collar T-shirt with the 2011 Census logo printed at the front and the back), carrying a Census Identity Card and a blue Census satchel. In case of doubt, household should call the Census Hotline at 8809 8809 to confirm the name, Census ID Card number, gender, etc. of the visiting Census officer. After completion of the PES, DSEC will focus on data validation, processing and compilation of results. Preliminary results of the 2011 Census that include population size, gender and age structure, population by districts, etc. will be disseminated in December 2011. Detailed Census results will be published in April 2012, together with the release of the "2011 Census Geographical Information System". In addition, DSEC will disseminate the "Macao Population Projection 2011-2036" in the fourth quarter of 2012.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, left today with an official delegation to Urumqi, Xinjiang, for the first China–Eurasia Expo, which opens tomorrow. Speaking to the press before his departure, Mr Chui said he hoped the visit would strengthen co-operation with Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, based on the foundation of their partnership in education, tourism, trade, human resources training and other aspects in the past decade. Tomorrow the China–Eurasia Expo will open in the Xinjiang International Exhibition Centre, where Macao has set up a pavilion to promote its products and services to the delegates and international investors. Macao posted a 22.9 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of this year and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, who is a member of the official delegation, said he expected the annual growth rate would be more than 10 per cent. The momentum of economic expansion was mainly powered by gaming, tourism and public spending, he said. Mr Tam also said that the focus of the Government would be switched from economic growth to a balanced and sustainable development.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for July 2011 amounted to MOP585 million, down by 4.6% year-on-year, with exports of Textile & garment declining by 31.3%; value of domestic exports (MOP212 million) decreased by 16.0%, but that of re-exports (MOP373 million) increased by 3.4%. Increase in total merchandise import continued and rose by 46.3% year-on-year to MOP5.54 billion, of which imports of Buses registered a 25-fold increase to MOP106 million. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP4.96 billion in July 2011. In the first seven months of 2011, total value of merchandise export decreased by 6.1% year-on-year to MOP3.99 billion, of which value of re-exports declined by 8.7%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 38.3% to MOP33.38 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first seven months of 2011 widened by 47.8% year-on-year to MOP29.39 billion; the exports/imports ratio dropped by 5.7 percentage points year-on-year to 11.9%. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.69 billion), Mainland China (MOP673 million) and the USA (MOP349 million) in the first seven months of 2011 decreased by 8.8%, 0.8% and 30.2% respectively year-on-year. Exports of Textile & garment declined by 13.2% to MOP842 million; meanwhile, exports of Jewellery (MOP204 million) and Clocks & watches (MOP159 million) decreased by 63.9% and 38.2% respectively, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP360 million) grew by 71.1%. In the first seven months of 2011, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP10.26 billion) and the EU (MOP8.34 billion) expanded by 36.5% and 58.8% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 40.2% to MOP20.08 billion, with imports of Food & beverages (MOP4.73 billion), Gold jewellery (MOP3.17 billion) and Handbags & wallets (MOP1.71 billion) increasing by 34.1%, 79.0% and 118.5% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP6.19 billion) registered year-on-year increase of 74.4%. In the first seven months of 2011, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP37.37 billion, up by 31.7% compared with MOP28.38 billion a year earlier.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2011 expanded by 24.0% in real terms, which was spurred by the increase in exports of services, investment and private consumption expenditure. Exports of gaming services surged by 39.0%, total visitor spending (excluding gaming expenses) increased by 5.9%, investment expanded by 23.1% and private consumption expenditure rose by 11.3%; however, merchandise exports decreased by 8.2%. In the second quarter of 2011, implicit deflator of GDP that reflects changes in overall prices increased by 6.0% year-on-year. For the first half year of 2011, GDP increased by 22.9% in real terms; besides, economic growth for the first quarter of 2011 revised upward from 21.5% to 21.6% in real terms. In view of the continuous rise in total employment and income, together with low unemployment rate, private consumption expenditure rose by 11.3% in the second quarter of 2011, lower than the 13.0% increase in the first quarter. Household final consumption expenditure in the domestic market increased by 7.6%; at the same time, household final consumption expenditure abroad registered an increase of 21.3%, with that in Mainland China amounting to MOP 1.66 billion. Government final consumption expenditure went up by 8.1%, higher than the 1.2% decline in the first quarter, attributable to the 7.2% increase in compensation of employees and 10.2% rise in net purchases of goods and services. Gross fixed capital formation, the gauge of investment, expanded by 23.1%, lower than the 30.8% increase in the first quarter. Private investment grew by 24.4%, with construction investment and equipment investment increasing by 28.7% and 13.8% respectively. Government investment increased by 7.3%, of which construction investment expanded by 20.7%, while equipment investment shrank by 53.2%. Decline in merchandise exports continued, down by 8.2% in the second quarter, widening further from the 7.0% decrease in the first quarter. On the contrary, merchandise imports soared by 26.4%, higher than the 22.4% increase in the first quarter, attributable to the expansion in private consumption, visitor spending and investment. As regards trade in services, rising visitor arrivals and visitor spending supported exports of services to surge by 33.0% in the second quarter, higher than the 30.0% increase in the first quarter. Exports of gaming services expanded by 39.0%, and total visitor spending went up by 5.9%. In addition, imports of services increased by 36.1%, lower than the 38.4% increase in the first quarter.
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Macao Post announced that the mail delivery services to Dominican Republic (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet and Parcel) previously affected by a hurricane have resumed normal. Thank you for your kind attention.
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Owing to a hurricane in the United States of America, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to that country, particularly for the eastern areas, are subject to delay until further notice. Thank you for your kind attention.
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The Student Orientations on 25 and 29 August marked the commencement of IFT bachelor degree and diploma programmes for academic year 2011/2012. Academic staffs, new students and more than thirty international exchange students participated in the ceremonies. In the ceremonies, President Dr. Fanny Vong extended the warmest welcome and the most sincere congratulations to the new faces. President Vong said 478 students chose IFT as their cradles of knowledge and competence reflected their confidence in IFT. She reminded the students, in addition to the devotion to their studies, they were also expected to actively involve in various activities and community services so as to develop their abilities and well equip themselves for making contributions to building Macao a World Travel and Leisure Hub. Their decisions in specialising in Hospitality, Tourism and service related programmes, at the time that our country announced her support to Macao's positioning as the World Travel and Leisure Hub, will bring them countless opportunities and challenges in future. Students should confront the challenges and grab the opportunities in order to find their ways to success. On the other hand, President Vong mentioned that the application figures of 2011/2012 academic year were quite satisfactory. In particular, for the brand new bachelor degree programme of Culinary Arts, number of the applicants was almost 9 times of the admission figure. In recent years, there have been many international hotels and resorts entering Macao which results in the lack of local talents in fine dining sector. To meet the demand of talents, professionals have been imported from other countries and regions. As the prospect of employment grows more optimistic, it is believed that the Culinary Arts degree programme will become the first choice among the prospective students who plan to devote to the related sector. To cater for industry members or individuals who are interested in taking tourism and service related programmes, IFT launched two evening bachelor degree programmes of Hotel Management and Tourism Event Management last year, with Chinese as the medium of instruction. In President Vong's welcome speech, special acknowledgement went to the evening programme students for their determination and perseverance in continual study. IFT is welcoming its 16th Anniversary in September. Since established, IFT has been introducing diversified programmes at different levels, well balancing theoretical and practical teaching by working closely with the industry, and maintaining strong networks with a good number of renowned international institutes as well as organisations in the tourism fields. Through various forms of cooperations with these partners, students are enriched with international perspectives. At the same time, IFT also encourages students to step out for internship and exchange programmes that connect to partner institutes in Asia Pacific, North America and major European cities. The Institute looks forward to progress and innovate with its students. Together they share the responsibilities of serving Macao.
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In view of the rising inflation, Macao SAR government initiates a one-off subsidy distributed in cash form to its residents to alleviate the inflationary pressure. The relevant administrative regulation has been published at the Official Gazette and came into effect on 30 August 2011. Holders of valid or renewable Macau SAR resident identity card on 30 June 2011 are eligible to receive the payment. Every Macao SAR permanent and non-permanent resident identity card holder is granted 3,000 patacas and 1,800 patacas respectively.
To cope with the payment, Macao SAR government has established a Support Centre for Cash Subsidy to cater for public enquiries regarding payment and render assistance on problems associated with receiving the subsidy. The Centre enters into service today (30 August 2011) at Avendia da Praia Grande 762-804, China Plaza Bldg., 1F, shop AJ. Its opening hours are from Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m., with no lunch break. It provides a hotline number 2822-5000 and facsimile number 2822-3000. Public may also visit the website of cash subsidy (www.ap.gov.mo) for updated information and enquiry regarding payment. Should anyone fails to receive the cheque ten days after the receipt dates, he or she can resort to the Centre for help or reissuance of cheque staring from the date as shown for the purpose at the schedule for cash subsidy payment.
The postal address for mailing the cheques is the same as that of Wealth Partaking Scheme 2011. Residents can change their postal address either at the website of Identification Bureau (www.dsi.gov.mo) or that of the Support Centre for Cash Subsidy. Application form can also be returned directly to the Identification Bureau after completion. The schedule for the cash subsidy payment is as follows:
(Please find the attached file.)
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for May-July 2011 held stable at 2.7%, same as the previous period (April-June 2011); the underemployment rate was 1.1%, down by 0.1 percentage point. Total labour force was 340,000 in May-July 2011 and the labour force participation rate stood at 71.8%, with the employed population increasing by about 2,200 over the previous period to 331,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of the Hotel Sector and Retail Trade saw increase, while that of Real Estate & Business Activities registered decrease. Number of the unemployed was similar as the previous period, at 9,000. Fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job stood at 12.3%, up by 4.9 percentage points from the previous period attributable to the increase of graduates entering the labour market. In comparison with May-July 2010, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate dropped by 0.2 and 0.7 percentage point respectively; meanwhile, the labour force participation rate rose by 0.3 percentage point.
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