News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today continued with his series of visit to nine neighhouring cities with a tour to Guangzhou and Zhongshan. Mr Chui and his delegation of Government officials arrived in Guangzhou in the morning and met the Secretary of Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Zhang Guangning, and the Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr Wan Qingliang. Mr Zhang emphasised the importance of the relationship between Macao and Guangdong and urged for more bilateral co-operation. Mr Chui responded that Guangzhou had all along been supporting Macao in different areas and he hoped that the city could facilitate Macao in its drive to diversify its economy. After the meeting, Mr Chui visited the Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center and Guangzhou South Railway Station at the accompany of Mr Wan. In the afternoon, the delegation left for Zhongshan where members visited a textile factory set up by a Macao businessman and a business district in the city, before meeting with the Secretary of Zhongshan Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Chen Genkai. Mr Chen said that the Government and business sector of Macao had made important contributions to the development of Macao and he hoped that Macao would continue to support and help develop Zhongshan. In response, Mr Chui said that Macao and Zhongshan may further co-operate in services industry and finance industry. The delegation included the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Secretary-General of Executive Council, Ms O Lam, the Director of Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng and Mr Kou Chin Hung, and Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, Ms Tam Ka Wa.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government will organize an Academic Research Lecture in the Cultural Affairs Bureau Auditorium (Edifício do Instituto Cultural, Tap Seac Square, Macao) at 6:30pm on Friday 14 May. Chan Wei Ming, professor at the College of History of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, will give a lecture on “Issues Relating to the Standard of Living and Consumption in Macao during the Qing Dynasty”. The lecture will discuss the development of consumption pattern of Macao people in the Qing Dynasty and the implications of economic and cultural evolution for such development. It will make a historical interpretation of the means of livelihood, the level, fashion, type, structure and characteristics of the consumption of Macao people back in the Qing Dynasty. Based on his in-depth analysis, the speaker will share his social consumption research approaches and his views on aspects related to consumption and culture. Chen Wei Ming, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts in Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, a professor at the university's College of History and a Ph.D. supervisor at the university, received his Ph.D. in studies of history of Ming and Qing Dynasties from the University of Hong Kong's School of Chinese in 1990 and M.A. in studies of ancient Chinese history from the University of Jinan University's College of History. He has successfully led projects in the Mainland, Macao and Hong Kong, including research projects for National Social Science Foundation of China, planning projects for the Ministry of Education, planning projects for Guangdong Province, projects for National Commission for Classics Editing & Research by Institutions of Higher Learning and science research projects for Macao and Hong Kong institutions. He is the author of over ten specialized teaching materials and over 140 academic research papers in the Mainland, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In 2007, he was awarded a research grant by the Cultural Affairs Bureau to study the standard of living and consumption of Macao during the Qing Dynasty.
The lecture will be given in Mandarin with Cantonese, Portuguese and English simultaneous interpretation.
Entrance is free. For further details, please contact Ms. Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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News in connection with property mortgage related credits granted by banks has had the attention of the Monetary Authority of Macao (“AMCM”) recently. All along, property mortgage related credits have accounted for a significant portion in Macao banking business. As the financial regulatory body, AMCM has been keeping a close watch on the development of property mortgage business, maintaining surveillance on the quality of underlying assets, requiring or reminding banks to stay vigilant and remain prudent, on a timely basis. At times, AMCM reviews the methodology of credit risk management to avert undesirable market competition, prevent over expansion of mortgage related credits, and reinforce relevant risk management. Back in February 2008, AMCM rolled out a consultation paper relating to guideline on risk management of property mortgage business. Based on the bedrock of the same paper, AMCM is conducting consultations with banking practitioners regarding supervisory requirements. Reference will be made to a series of events happened in the past in the mortgage market which have caused concern, such as low interest rates, 90% or above loan-to-value ratio. New supervisory guideline will be formulated to set lower loan-to-value ratio and other more prudent requirements. It will help banks in the upkeep of continued stability in the face of market competition.
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Commissioner for Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Philip Yung led a delegation to Macau for the third annual meeting between the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau SARs today (May 5). Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U hosted a luncheon for the delegation.
The 9-member delegation comprising the Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong held the third annual meeting with the Macau Government Tourist Office. Members of the delegation included Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Anthony Lau and Executive Director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong Joseph Tung, among others. The delegation met with Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires and heads of relevant departments to review the tourism performance in 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, to exchange information on the major tourism initiatives and events launched in 2009 to counter the effects of the global financial crisis, to discuss the outlook of tourism development in 2010, to report on progress of “honest and quality tourism” initiatives and also exchange crisis management framework and experience. The officials also discussed tourism cooperation issues such as promotion of “multi-destination” itineraries, MICE market development and tourism quality enhancement. Speaking at the luncheon, Secretary Cheong U expressed that Macau and Hong Kong are popular destinations for the Mainland and overseas visitors, who are attracted by each of the cities’ distinctive tourism features that, when complemented with each other in developing “multi-destination” itineraries, can achieve a win-win situation for the tourism industry of the two places. At the same time, he believed the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau can further strengthen cooperation through experience exchange and joint promotion. With their joint efforts and dedication, the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and Macau have achieved effective results in promoting quality tourism practices, enhancing service quality and improving the handling of tourist complaints.
Chief of Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cecilia Cheung, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Ung Vai Meng, President of the Institute for Tourism Studies Fanny Vong, President of the Consumer Council Wong Hong Neng, Secretary General of the Tourism Development Committee Nadia Leong and members the Tourism Development Committee also attended the luncheon. Some members of the Hong Kong delegation joined a site inspection to the Mandarin’s House and the Science Center in the afternoon. MGTO and the relevant tourism authorities of Hong Kong held the first annual tourism meeting between the Hong Kong and Macau SARs in 2008, which set a framework for the tourism authorities of the two places to meet and exchange regularly.
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Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), João Manuel Costa Antunes was elected Vice Chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for the year 2010-2012, and at the same time, Chairman-Elect of PATA for the next term. This year, PATA’s Annual Meeting was held between April 22 to 26 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. On April 24, the council elected João Manuel Costa Antunes Vice Chairman of PATA for the year 2010-2012. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. MGTO has been a member of PATA for over half a century since 1958. PATA is recognized as a leading tourism organization in the Asia Pacific Region. It has currently over 800 full members and 7,474 chapter members around the globe. PATA's membership boasts about 104 government, state and city tourism bodies, 51 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA Chapter is the foundation of the Association with 39 chapters all over the world, of which PATA Macau Chapter was set up in 1983 and it has over 70 members at present. There has been a close tie between Macau and PATA. MGTO has participated in different tourism events and activities organized by PATA. Between 1980 and 2002, PATA conducted 5 task force projects to provide guidelines and recommendations of tourism development in Macau. These projects include “Macau – A study of Tourism Development” in 1980 regarding the balance between preservation and tourism development; “Macau Education Task Force” in 1990 that concerning overall education and training framework to meet short and long term manpower needs; “Macau tourism in Transition” in 1994 which is about development of a MICE destination; “Macau Tourism Marketing – A new Focus for the Millennium” in 1996 which talked about setting up overseas representation office; “A study of the Future of Macau’s Tourism and its International Airport in the Context of the Pearl River Delta Region” in 2002 regarding market diversification and interrelationship between aviation network and marketing promotion. Since 1996, MGTO has been supporting the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon, so as to promote Macau tourism. In 2005, the 54th PATA Annual Conference was successfully held in Macau and its MICE industry then entered a new era.
Antunes was awarded PATA Life Membership in 2005. Previous to the appointment as the Chairman-Elect, he played a role as the member of Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Audi & Finance Committee, Honours Committee, as well as Chair in the Nominating Committee and Government/Destination Committee. According to the bylaws of PATA, the Chairman-Elect will serve for a two-year term with immediate effect, and shall succeed to the Office of Chairman upon expiration of the preceding Chairman’s term, for another two years. Macau SAR Government extends her warmest congratulations to Director Antunes for the appointment and believes his role can further strengthen cooperation between PATA and MGTO, boosting the multi-diversification development of Macau, consolidating Macau’s position as an international leisure and business tourism destination. PATA Travel Mart 2010 – one of the largest travel fair in Asia will be held in September in Macau, and the Macau SAR Government will take an active role for the preparatory work for the success of this prestigious event.
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Organizada pelo “Trade Development Council” de Hong Kong, realizou-se nos passados dias 20 a 23 de Abril, no Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, a 25.ª edição da “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”. Trata-se do maior certame deste género na Ásia, para a mostra dos últimos produtos de lar e têxteis, em que participaram mais de 2400 expositores provenientes de 32 países e regiões. A entidade organizadora apoiou na constituição de 122 delegações comerciais, compostas por mais de 5500 compradores internacionais, que se deslocaram a Hong Kong especificamente para visitar a referida feira. O recinto estava dividido em várias zonas temáticas. Na “Galeria de Essência”, estavam expostas marcas e designs de elevada qualidade de 42 empresas internacionais, provenientes da Austrália, Canadá, Itália, Japão, Holanda, Hong Kong, Espanha, Suíça, Taiwan e Tailândia. A área de produtos para animais de estimação foi um dos principais pontos de atracção da Feira, dado que se encontravam aí reunidos vários produtos e serviços destinados a animais de estimação, além de produtos aquários, artigos de pet care, equipamentos para decoração de lojas e materiais para embalagem, tudo isto tendo em mira satisfazer à procura cada vez mais crescente do mercado. Conjuntamente com o referido evento, foi realizada a “Hong Kong International Homes Textiles Fair”, onde estavam patentes diversos tipos de tecidos de moda, tanto para uso doméstico como comercial, incluindo artigos para casas de banho e quartos de dormir, tapetes e revestimentos para pavimentos, acessórios para decoração do lar, mesas, cadeiras e artigos têxteis para refeições, visando oferecer mais oportunidades de negócio aos expositores. Ao longo dos anos, o Instituto de Promoção do Comércio e do Investimento de Macau (IPIM) tem apoiado a “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”, nomeadamente, através da organização de delegações comerciais para visitar a mesma, com o objectivo de oferecer às empresas de Macau oportunidades para explorar novos negócios e expandir a sua esfera comercial para o exterior, agarrando nas oportunidades que lhe são deparadas. A referida iniciativa do IPIM foi acolhida com bastante entusiasmo por parte das empresas. Assim, para a presente edição, 10 empresas locais, representando vários ramos de negócios, nomeadamente, móveis, decorações para o lar, artigos para casas de banho e tesouras, além de outros, participaram no evento com inscrição feita através do IPIM. De acordo com os membros da delegação, através da presente exposição, tiveram oportunidades para manter contactos com os seus actuais parceiros comerciais e estabelecer parceria com novos clientes. Durante o período da feira, os empresários de Macau negociaram encomendas da ordem dos seis milhões de patacas, tendo ficado satisfeitos com os resultados obtidos. O Pavilhão de Macau estava situado no Salão de Exposições 3 e contou com uma área de 108 metros quadrados. Pretendeu-se, através do referido pavilhão, promover o ambiente do investimento em Macau e dos serviços prestados pelo IPIM. Foi também aproveitada a oportunidade para promover a Feira de Franchisising de Macau 2010 e a 15.ª Feira Internacional de Macau (MIF). O IPIM irá organizar mais uma delegação de empresários de Macau para participar na próxima edição do “Hong Kong Houseware Fair”, a realizar-se de 20 a 23 de Abril de 2011. As empresas locais interessadas em participar no referido evento são bem-vindas a contactar a Sra. Wong do Departamento de Actividades Promocionais do IPIM, através do telefone número (853) 8798 9295.
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Dedicated to the annual “International Museum Day”, Macao Museum will hold a series of celebration activities. In order to make it more convenient for the public to visit museums, beside the routine free entry day on the 15th of each month, Macao Museum and Tak Seng On Pawnshop will especially open free to public on May 18th (Tuesday), the exact day of “International Museum Day”. On that day, activity “Explore the Museum” will be held in addition to the free guided tour services in Macao Museum. There will be games themed on museums and live demonstrations of kneading “Mr. Dough” which provide a great opportunity in promoting the Traditional Handicrafts of China’s Non-material Cultural Heritage. Therefore, the Museum can achieve the goal of this year’s International Museum Day “Museums for Social Harmony”. Residents and tourists are welcome to participate in the games and enjoy the demonstrations of the precious traditional Chinese handicrafts from 11am to 1pm, and from 3pm to 5pm.
Macao Museum will also take part in the “Museum Fair of Macao, Hong Kong and Guangdong Province 2010” launched by museums in Macao and held in Tap Seac Plaza on Sunday, May 9th, 2010. The Fair will include exhibitions, performances and games, aiming to strengthen the tie between museums and the public. At the same time, it is also meant to raise public awareness of museums' functions in the promotions of local culture, history and education. Participating museums include those from Guangdong Province and Hong Kong which diversify and colorize the Fair with their distinguishing features. “Traditional ‘Mr. Dough’ Kneading Workshop (Parent-child)” will be held in the Fair by Macao Museum from 2pm to 6:30pm. The Workshop will be held nine times, and each takes half an hour with a maximum of 15 people. Anyone who joins the workshop can take their finished or semi-finished works home as souvenirs. Advance sign-up is recommended. For those who are interested, please contact Mr. Ho at 8394 1217 or Ms. Wu at 8394 1210 during office hours. First register, first serve. Quotas are limited, please register as soon as possible. Macao Museum of the Macao S.A.R. Government Cultural Affairs Bureau will hold a large-scale special exhibition “Traveler’s Home: Master Works by George Chinnery” on the 3rd floor of the Museum from May 29th to August 29th, 2010. George Chinnery is regarded as the most acclaimed Western artist among those who arrived in China during the early century. He is also the one who most influenced India and Southern China in the 19th century. In honor of this British artist who arrived in China 185 years ago, in this especial exhibition, Macao Museum will especially showcase Chinnery’s works from different time periods (from 1790s to 1840s), including oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and sketches. In addition to his pieces, 142 works by some important artists of the day who have been strongly influenced by Chinnery will be exhibited too. Viewers not only can appreciate the works of art but also gain a better understanding of Macao local history. This special exhibition is considered as one of the key projects in this year’s Macao Arts Festival. During the exhibition, thematic seminar series on George Chinnery will also be arranged in Macao Museum Auditorium, including "George Chinnery and Macao" held by Dr. Chan Kai Chon (in Cantonese, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, May 29th 2010), “The World of Far East through the Eyes of George Chinnery” held by Patrick Conner, a senior researcher (in English with Cantonese interpretation services available, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, June 5th, 2010), and “Macao, Guangzhou and Hong Kong in Chinnery’s Time” held by Dr. Joseph S.P. Ting, the Former Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History (Cantonese, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, June 19th, 2010). Those who are interested may contact Ms. Wu at 8394 1210 or Mr. Ho at 8394 1217 during office hours. First register, first serve. Quotas are limited, please register as soon as possible. For more information about activities of “International Museum Day” held by Macao Museum, please contact the Museum at 2835 7911 during office hours, or visit the website of Macao Museum at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.
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The International Council of Museums identifies that a museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for purposes of education, study and enjoyment. In the internet era of the 21st century, human life has become more changeable and sophisticated. Hence, promoting the communication among people and the cultural exchange of different nationalities is an important goal for achieving peace and harmony in this century. As social and cultural organizations, museums should be serving the society for its development. We should be clear about our positioning in the society, active in innovation and serve as bridge for human relationship. Consequently, we shall be able to perform our function of achieving social harmony by uplifting the quality of the city, its citizens and culture. To celebrate the annual International Museum Day on 18th May, admission to all the museums in Macao will be free from 15th May (Sunday) to 18th May (Tuesday), respectively. Each museum will prepare a series of special features and promotional activities in May, including seminars, thematic exhibitions and workshops, etc. in order to let Macao citizens feel the unlimited power of the museums to the society. For details of free admission and special activities, please refer attachments or visit the portal of the Museums of Macao (http://www.museums.gov.mo). One of the most important celebrations this year is “The Museum Fair of Macao, Hong Kong and Guangdong Province 2010” at the Tap Seac Square from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on 9th May. Museums from the Guangdong Province and Hong Kong were invited to participate and attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony that will be held at 3:00 p.m. In addition to several exhibitions and booth games, there will be many types of comprehensive performances arranged for the visitors to quickly experience the characteristics of the museums from the Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao simultaneously. There will be dynamic shows with great varieties; including music, dancing, and dramatic theatre for the whole afternoon. There will be also lucky draws with rich and attractive prizes. Macao Post will issue a commemorative envelope for free distribution to the public and provide commemorative cancellation service for stamp collectors at the Temporary Postal Counter from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The organizers of the celebrations of International Museum Day 2010 are: Natural and Agrarian Museum, Grand Prix Museum, Fire Services Museum, Maritime Museum, Communications Museum of Macao, Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, Handover Gifts Museum of Macao, Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macao, Macao Science Center, Macao Tea Culture House, Dr. Sun Iat Sen’s Memorial House in Macau, Macao Museum, Macao Museum of Art, Wine Museum and the Taipa Houses-Museum.
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The Historical Archives of Macao will hold another of its popular conservation workshops on Saturday 15th of May from 14.00 to 17.00. This time the focus will be on making a protective box with support for a book. No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Starting 10th of May, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30, Sat, 13.00-18.00) on Tap Seac Square to register and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20 (inclusive of materials and equipment for the workshop). Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. For more information about individual workshops this year, please visit http://www.archives.gov.mo/cn/news/. For further details, please contact Ms. Esther Chu of the Macao Historical Archives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at 85986537.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government was very concerned with the Labour Day demonstrations and hoped that people would express their opinions and requests peacefully. Mr Chui expressed his sympathy to the injured and wished them a speech recovery. Forty-one people were injured, three requiring hospital admission. Mr Chui, who returned after attending the opening ceremony of World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and a visit to Jiangsu province, said the police had restrained themselves when they dealt with protesters. He said that the Government was very concerned with the demands and opinions aired by unemployed workers. Government officials had met their representatives, drafted regulations that ensured the employment of local workers, and introduced temporary measures and subsidies to help them, he said.
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