News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to be in Fujian Province from tomorrow to Sunday, to attend the Sixth Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Economic and Trade Co-operation Fair. During the three-day regional co-operation event in Fuzhou, Mr Chui will attend the opening ceremony and a cultural performance tomorrow evening, the opening ceremony of the exhibition hall and signing ceremony on Saturday, and a joint meeting with heads of government of the participating provinces and regions. He will also deliver a speech at a high-level forum on Saturday. Members of Macao’s delegation include the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and more than 15 senior officials from different entities. Representatives from Macao’s private sector will also participate in the trade promotion event. The Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation and Development Forum is co-organised by Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR. The Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuoc Va, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
…

The total number of personal credit cards in circulation was 383,246 at the end of June 2010, up 4.11% from three months ago. The numbers of Pataca (MOP) cards, Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) cards and Renminbi (RMB) cards were 307,620, 57,117 and 18,509 respectively. MOP cards, HKD cards and RMB cards witnessed respective increases of 4.47%, 1.72% and 5.69% quarter-to-quarter. Compared with a year earlier, RMB cards surged 109.35% while MOP cards and HKD cards grew 12.73% and 3.35% respectively. The introduction of MOP/RMB dual currency credit cards by local banks in the second half of 2009 largely accounted for the marked increase of RMB cards. As at the end of June 2010, credit card credit limit granted by banks in Macao amounted to MOP6.88 billion, up 3.37% from end-March 2010. Credit card receivables reached MOP1.13 billion while the rollover amount totalled MOP0.44 billion, accounting for 39.33% of credit card receivables. The delinquency ratio, i.e. the ratio of delinquent amount overdue for more than three months to credit card receivables, was 1.19%. In the second quarter of 2010, the credit card turnover decreased by 1.79% quarter-to-quarter to MOP1.78 billion. The cash advance turnover amounted to MOP0.12 billion, accounting for 6.60% of total credit card turnover. Credit card repayments, in which payments for interest and fees are included, dropped 12.38% from the previous quarter to MOP1.73 billion.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 9 premises from yesterday 5 p.m. until 5p.m. today (August 25). Two premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed and 12 occupants were taken for interrogations. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 313 premises were checked, of which 39 were normal residences, while 38 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the police will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, a total of 305 occupants were taken for interrogations, including 7 operators, 4 touts, 4 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and two occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. 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.
…

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, will visit Taipei and Taichung from 2 to 6 September, at the invitation of Chinese International Tourism Association, to launch a tourism promotion campaign and engage in a series of visits and exchanges with representatives of local tourism and cultural sectors. Acting Government Spokesperson Mr Chan Chi Ping and the Chief-of-Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Cheung So Mui, met the press today to announce the visit. Ms Cheung said the aim of the visit included enhancing understanding and trust and further perform the function of Macao as a services platform. Mr Chan said with the peaceful development of Cross-Straits Relations and frequent co-operation between the Mainland and Taiwan, the Macao SAR Government had suggested the strengthening of Macao-Taiwan relations and maintained close communications with the related authorities in Taiwan. He said the visit of Mr Cheong represented the benefits of the closer communications. The Macao-Taiwan relations had all along been steadily developed in accordance with Qian Qichen’s Seven Articles, he said. After the establishment of the Macao SAR, the Chief Executive and heads of related organs had actively participated in exchanges with Taiwan at a community level. The Macao SAR Government had already extended the visa-free period of stay for Taiwan residents from 21 to 30 days, and the Macao Foundation had supported important exchanges activities with Taiwan. The Government had also begun liaising with Taiwan authorities on the setting up an institution in Taiwan to better serve Macao students and citizens there, as well as the issue of recognising Macao academic qualifications in Taiwan, Mr Chan said. As for Mr Cheong’s visit, his Chief-of-Office said the delegation will learn more about Taiwan’s health insurance system, Chinese medicine industry, cultural and creative industry and tourism industry in order to enhance exchanges and strengthen co-operation. They will also meet Macao students in Taiwan to learn more about their living and studies so as to provide better services in the future, Ms Cheung said. Currently there are more than 3,000 Macao students in Taiwan. The deputy head of the delegation is the Vice Chairman of the Committee of Cultural Industry, Mr Leong Heng Teng, and the Director-General of Taiwan Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Macao, Mr Cheng Jinzhong, will be the advisor of the delegation. The delegation will visit National Palace Museum, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, the Red House, SPOT-Taipei Film House, National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, and Da Jia Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung County during the five-day visit.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today sent a letter to his Hong Kong counterpart, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, to express deep condolences and sympathy to victims and their families of the Manila tragedy, on behalf of the Macao SAR and its people. In his letter, Mr Chui said he was in deep sorrow to learn of the incident, during which the Macao people were deeply worried about the safety of the hostages. The Macao SAR Government would help in whatever way it could, he said.
…

Due to hostage-taking tragedy in Manila which claimed the lives of eight from Hong Kong, the Tourism Crisis Management Office reminded Macao residents planning visit the Philippines and those who are there to exercise due caution to their personal safety. In case of emergency, Macao residents should contact the local police immediately and, If necessary, call the Macao Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000 for assistance. Seven Macao tourists in Manila originally scheduled to return tonight would return earlier via Hong Kong. The Tourism Crisis Management Office had contacted 11 Macao residents who had joined a tour group to Cebu via Hong Kong: they are safe and would continue with their itinerary and return on Friday. It is expected that no Macao residents would visit the Philippines in tour groups in the near future as there is no scheduled tour groups to the country from Macao and Hong Kong. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Tourism Administration had also reminded Chinese nationals to exercise caution in visiting the Philippines. Those who are currently in the country must pay attention to security risks. In case of emergency, they should report to the local police and contact the embassy in the Philippines (Tel: 0063-2-8482409, 0063-9178972695), Consulate in Cebu (Tel: 0063-32-2563456), Consulate in Laoag (Tel:0063-9178051226), or the Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tel: 010-65964088).
…

Due to the serious kidnap incident that happened in the Philippines, resulting in casualties and injuries, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has today (23 August) raised the travel alert to black. The Tourism Crisis Management Office would like to remind Macao residents to be attentive to the situation in the Philippines, and those who are currently travelling in the country to exercise due caution to their personal safety. In case of any emergency, please report to the local police. If necessary, Macao residents may also call the Macao Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000 for assistance. Following contacts with the local tourism industry, the Tourism Crisis Management Office understands that 7 Macao residents are currently travelling on a tour group in the Philippines. All are safe and will return to Macao tomorrow according to their itinerary.
…

The Cross-departmental Working Team checked 4 premises from yesterday nightfall until 5p.m. today (August 23). One premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally was sealed and one operator was detained. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, a total of 254 premises were checked, of which 24 were normal residences, while 31 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed with electricity and water supply cut. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. MGTO and the police will continue investigation on unanswered doors which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. When necessary, MGTO can request a judicial order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. To date, a total of 249 occupants were detained, including 7 operators, four touts, 4 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and one occupant who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Among the occupants, there were five overstayers and one illegal immigrant. In line with the newly implemented law, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau have launched various promotional and educational activities such as putting up posters at concerned districts and major checkpoints while deploying staff at Macau International Airport, Border Gate, Macau Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal to distribute leaflets and brochures. 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 will be denied reentry into Macau. 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.
…

With reference to some media reports on the new Instrument Guidance System in Estrada de Sede Tanques in Taipa, due to the fact that some of the description was not accurate, AACM takes this opportunity to provide the following factual information: Most of the systems operated by Macau International Airport have been running for more than 10 years. For this reason, the airport has been working on the renewal of the systems since some years ago, including the installation of the new Instrument Guidance System (IGS). During the planning stage of the renewal of the new IGS, as the residence construction plan belonging to a private developer might have interference on the signals transmitted by the original IGS, the private developer proposed to CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd. that they could assist CAM in removing and renewing the original IGS in advance. Following the agreement between CAM and the private developer in cost settlement as well as following the assessment done in compliance with the safety standards of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) by AACM, CAM, Administration of Airports, Ltd. and other relevant entities on the new site, it was agreed among all relevant entities that the new site will not affect the flight procedures. AACM then provided technical guidance to CAM on the system design in accordance with the ICAO requirement on the subject. The construction of the project was completed in 2008 and launched in August 2009. The operation has been satisfactory. Considering that the costs for personnel training and flight checks should not be settled by government money or CAM’s budget but by the private developer being the constructor of the new system, AACM and CAM requested the private developer to arrange the respective training and flight checks. To ensure aviation safety, the construction and the personnel training of the new IGS was carried out under the close monitoring of the Authority and all relevant airport entities, In what regards whether the heights of the buildings in Estrada de Sede Tanques in Taipa would affect aviation safety, according to Portaria No. 233/95/M of 14 August, the heights of the buildings in that area are within the limits as stipulated in the Portaria, as well as within the limits restricted for the COTAI area.
…

Representative of the Identification Services Bureau met with the protesters who request for family reunion again this afternoon. This Bureau has reaffirmed that the SAR Government believes the issue of “Adult Children” has reached a reasonable and complete settlement. In pursuant to the stipulation of Article 22 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, Mainland residents entering Macao for residence is governed by the Central Government. Therefore, relatives of Macao residents in the Mainland must lodge the application to relevant authorities in accordance with the existing requirements of the Mainland.
…