News

The Macao Central Library under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong and the Macau Ricci Institute, jointly host the Exhibition "Between Science and Art: The Marvels of Asia in the Eyes of Polish Jesuit Michał Piotr Boym, SJ", to be opened on 8 November 2014, Saturday, at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library (No. 3, Largo de Santo Agostinho) at 6:00pm. Ground-breaking European sinologist Fr. Michał Piotr Boym, SJ (1612-1659) - acknowledged as the 'Polish Marco Polo' - was a renowned 17th century Polish missionary, sinologist and painter. The exhibition showcases several reproductions of Boym's works, including maps, scientific illustrations of fauna and flora as well as a human anatomy chart of immense historical significance and artistic value. The exhibition spreads to the garden of the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, displaying the animals painted by Boym with 3-D installations and it is hoped that Boym's world can be brought to the present from some 400 years ago. The exhibition will be held from 8 November 2014 to 18 January 2015 and it will be open from10:00am to 7:00pm from Monday to Saturday and from 11:00am to 7:00pm on Sundays. Admission is free.
The organisers invited scholars from Poland and Beijing to a seminar aiming at sharing the results of Boym's research on China. The seminar will be held on 8 November 2014 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and will be conducted in English and Mandarin (interpretation services will not be provided). Admission is free. For seat reservation, please contact IC until 7 November 2014 during office hours through tel. no. 2837 7117.
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Due to the rearrangement of programmes, the Concert "Dragon Rising, Tiger Leaping" by the Macao Chinese Orchestra under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, scheduled for Saturday, 13 December 2014 at 8:00pm, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 17 December 2014, at 8:00pm at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Chinese Orchestra, Pang Ka Pang, and the Fujian Folk Orchestra will join hands to present a number of works in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Macao's Handover to China. Tickets for this concert are available at the Macau Ticketing Network. Patrons who purchased tickets for the concert may exchange or refund them at the Macau Ticketing Network from today until 17 December 2014. In addition, the Macao Chinese Orchestra's Christmas Concert, initially scheduled for 19 December 2014, at 8:00pm at St. Dominic's Church, was cancelled. For enquiries, please contact the Macao Chinese Orchestra at (853) 8399 6679 or the Macau Ticketing Network at (853) 2855 5555. More details are available on the Macao Chinese Orchestra website: www.icm.gov.mo/ochm.
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Macao Post will issue a set of postcards on 12th November 2014 titled "Lotus". Lotus is considered as one of the symbols of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and this postcards Collection is especially designed with its unique flowering process. A full set of 4 postcards in exquisite cover is priced at MOP28.00 and available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters and all post offices. Macao Post will also launch 2 Gift Sets of Teacup, titled "Lotus Flower" and "Lotus Pod". Each gift set of teacup is packed elegantly together with a set of "Lotus" postcards. The selling price for each gift set is MOP320.00 and it is exclusively available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters. Limited Quantity! Get the opportunity!
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To celebrate the 61st Macao Grand Prix, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up behind the Lisboa Stand (Restriction area for ticket entry) and the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters on 15th and 16th November 2014, providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "61st Macao Grand Prix". Two designs of commemorative envelopes priced at MOP2.50 each will be issued on the respective dates. Various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. The service hours are as following: Behind the Lisboa Stand (Restriction area for ticket entry)
15/11 10:00 to 17:00
16/11 10:00 to 17:00 Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters
15/11 10:00 to 17:00
16/11 13:00 to 17:00 Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Professional Civil Servants Association of Macao, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters, at 9:00 to 12:00 on 8th November 2014 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the "United for 25 Years – Working Towards a Better Future". A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 2.3% quarter-to-quarter to MOP672 in the third quarter of 2014, and the average daily wage of local construction workers was MOP883, up by 7.0%. The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers was MOP677, up by 2.4% quarter-to-quarter. With an increase in demand for structural construction workers, the average daily wages of concrete formwork carpenters (MOP771), welders (MOP833) and plant operators (MOP927) increased by 9.5%, 9.2% and 7.3% respectively. As regards completion of buildings, the average daily wages of both air-conditioning mechanics (MOP635) and carpenters (MOP587) decreased by 11.3%. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of unskilled workers was MOP390, up slightly by 0.8%. After discounting the effect of inflation, wage index of construction workers (94.1) increased by 0.6% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, with the indices of concrete formwork carpenters and bricklayers & plasterers rising by 8.4% and 4.5%, but that of carpenters falling by 12.3%. Meanwhile, wage index of local construction workers (121.7) increased by 5.9% quarter-to-quarter in real terms. As regards construction materials, average price of concrete increased by 3.5% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP686 per cubic metre in the third quarter of 2014; average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars was MOP4,959 per tonne, down by 1.9%. Meanwhile, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings (130.1) in the third quarter of 2014 increased by 0.9% quarter-to-quarter.
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Organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee, with supporting organisations the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China Tourism Association, China International Culture Association, China Association of Port-of-Entry, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Institute of International and Strategic Studies of Peking University, the China∙Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo will be held from 31 October to 2 November at the Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Centre in Houjie town, Dongguan City. To promote trade and economic co-operation and liaisons between Macao and Mainland enterprises, IPIM's President Jackson Chang took a Macao delegation of 40 entrepreneurs to attend the Expo in Dongguan. IPIM set up the Macao Pavilion covering 688 square metres to promote Macao's current investment environment, IPIM's services, publicise latest trade and economic exhibitions and events in the city, Macao's role a s a trade and economic co-operation service platform between Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), focusing on IPIM's "One-Stop Service" for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, as well as the development of the local convention and exhibition industry. IPIM also organised 19 Macao and PSCs enterprises to participate in the exhibition showcasing products including food and beverages, souvenirs, health food and clothing. The Macao Pavilion has also set up an exhibition zone for food and beverages from Portuguese-speaking countries displaying food and beverage items from seven PSCs namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Portugal. The delegation attended the opening ceremony and international forum of the Expo in the morning of 31 October. Participating business associations were the Macao Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association of Macau, Macau Importers and Exporters Association, Macao Textile Merchants Association、Macau Shipper's Association, Macau Association of Banks, Macau Chinese Enterprises Association, Macao Convention and Exhibition Association, Macau Fair & Trade Association, Association of Advertising Agents of Macau, Macau Goldsmith's Guild, Federal General Commercial Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises, International Lusophone Markets Business Association, Travel Industry Council of Macau, Macau Air Freight Forwarding (Logistics) Association, Association of Property Agents and Realty Developers of Macau, Macau General Association of Real Estate and the Associação Comercial de Fomento Predial de Macau.
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The University of Macau (UM) has appointed the physicist Prof Da-Hsuan Feng as director of the Global Affairs Office and special assistant to the rector. Prof Feng expressed confidence in UM's future development. During his tenure at UM, he will assist the university to formulate and implement global affairs strategies and expand UM's international networking, to help UM leave a deeper international footprint. Prof Feng is a fellow of the American Physical Society. He is an expert in the fields of nuclear and nuclear astrophysics, quantum optics, and mathematical physics. He has outstanding achievements and rich experience as a scholar, researcher and leader in university development. He has more than 30 years of experience working at numerous universities and companies in the United States and Taiwan. He was M. Russell Wehr Chair Professor of Physics at Drexel University, director of the Division of Theoretical Physics of the United States National Science Foundation, vice president for research and economic development at the University of Texas at Dallas and professor in its Department of Physics, vice president of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), which is a Fortune 500 company, and senior vice president at Tsing Hua University and Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. Prof Feng has maintained close contact and collaborations with universities and other organisations in Europe, North America, and Asia. He has served as advisor and board member at numerous national labs and high-tech companies in the United States; visiting professor and honorary professor at 13 top universities in mainland China; as well as board member and advisor for science and technology at several universities in mainland China, Malaysia and Indonesia. Prof Feng noted that given Macao's unique position in the four Chinese-speaking territories (mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao) and the fact that the Macao SAR government attaches great importance to higher education, he has complete confident in UM's future development. "UM needs a brand new, multi-pronged global affairs strategy to lead its global affairs to new heights, and this will present an enormous challenge for my work," Prof Feng says. "I hope to deepen UM's existing relationships with Asia (particularly mainland China and Taiwan), North Asia (Japan and South Korea), North America (the United States), and West Asia. During my tenure at UM I will assist to formulate and implement global affairs strategies and expand UM's international networking, to help UM leave a deeper international footprint. I also hope to establish better strategies for recruiting students in such places as Southeast Asia and South Asia (India) as soon as possible, so as to attract the best students and further increase the diversity of the student body at UM."
UM said that Prof Feng will be able to assist the university to develop its global strategies and affairs in the 21st century and further strengthen UM's international collaboration. In addition to maintaining the good relationships with existing partners, Prof Feng will also seek to expand UM's strategic relationships with other parts of the world. By forging such strategic relationships, Prof Feng hopes that UM will leave a deeper international footprint.
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Consumer Council conducted a performance test on the heat retention of thermos vessels. 5 brands of thermos flasks and 10 brands of thermos mugs were tested. Details of the report can be found in the latest issue of Consumer Report no.254.
Many consumers like to use thermos vessels to keep beverages hot during fall and winter, and therefore Consumer Council conducted a performance test on the heat retention of thermos vessels. 5 brands of thermos flasks and 10 brands of thermos mugs were randomly chosen for this test.
Test results showed that the more expensive samples did not really show better performance in heat retention. For example, 2 brands of tested thermos flasks were rated under the same category, yet one brand was double in volume and with a price discrepancy of 20% when compared to the other. As for the results on thermos mugs, a brand with a lower retail price was found to perform better in heat retention when compared to the other brand that was double in price. Therefore, consumers are suggested to refer to the test result, published in Consumer Report no. 254, before making any purchase. Choosing the safe cooking oil is a concern to consumers recently and an article on how to choose cooking oil can be found in the latest issue.
The current issue also includes the article provided by Macau Breastfeeding Association on promotion on formula milk and the "International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes". The Association analyzed the sales techniques being used in the formula milk commercials to attract consumers to choose formula milk. Contents of the code was also introduced. Forms for the latest "Chinese crossword puzzle" can be found it the current issue and interested consumers and invited to participate in the game. Deadline for this "Chinese crossword puzzle" will be on 26th December, 2014 and 20 winners will be awarded with an electronic smartcard with a face value of $130 (deposit included). 10 winners from the previous crossword puzzle has been drawn and the list has been uploaded on the Council's website, winners will be notified separately. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Consumer Council conducted its eighth 'Supermarket price survey' in October on 30 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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