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A cooperation protocol signed between the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science of Portugal in 2015 marked the establishment of a significant platform for Luso-Chinese cultural exchange. In order to achieve resources sharing, “Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao”, jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre in Portugal, will be inaugurated on 8 March 2017, at 6pm, at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon. The exhibition features 100 photographs of the world heritage listed Historic Centre of Macao taken by local photographer Chan Hin Io, revealing the beauty and vitality of Macao’s cultural heritage and showing the charm of this small city through various angles.Chan Hin Io is a senior photographer nationwide and a recognised photographer in Macao. In recent years, he has been devoted to capturing Macao’s customs as well as the city’s landscapes, collecting several photography awards. Among his published works are The Neighbourhood of Macao – Documentary Photographs by Chan Hin Io, Memories of the Old Crafts and Trades in Macao, Life in Macao 2012 – Photographs by Chan Hin Io, and the album Where the World Heritage Shines – Photographs of the Historic Centre of Macao.The photography works in this exhibition offer new perspectives of the city’s World Heritage sites, including photographs taken from high altitude and long distance, taken through different angles and shooting times, which allow the public to get to know the Historic Centre of Macao through the eyes of Chan Hio Io and the changes it went through.“Where the World Heritage Shines – Photography Exhibition of the Historic Centre of Macao” was held in Macao and Zhongshan, China, last year. It will be held at the Macao Scientific and Cultural Centre in Lisbon from 8 March to 31 May 2017 and will be held at the Vila Flor Palace in Guimarães from 23 June to 15 August 2017. The exhibition is a manifestation of the friendly cooperation and resources sharing between cultural institutions in Portugal and Macao and an example of the growing Luso-Chinese cultural exchange.
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The University of Macau (UM) today (24 February) held an inauguration ceremony for its Centre for Chinese History and Culture. The centre aims to promote research in Chinese history and culture, increase the dissemination and influence of Chinese history and culture in Portuguese-speaking countries, and enhance Macao residents’ understanding of Chinese history and culture. Chan Hoi Fan, acting chief executive of the Macao SAR, says that the establishment of the centre will enable UM to consolidate its resources and maximise its strengths in order to make strong contributions to the study of Chinese history and culture and its promotion.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative would complement Guangdong-Macao ties, and in particular advance the two places’ development goals.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said participation in the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative would complement Guangdong-Macao ties, and in particular advance the two places’ development goals.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ inFebruary on 24 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Sé Parish.The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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.With reference to the local seven 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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The Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries and the Division for Planning and Developing Cultural and Creative Industries, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), will be relocated to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, located at Tap Siac Square, Macao, on Monday, 27 February 2017.New contact information will be as follows:Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative IndustriesAddress: Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, Tap Siac Square, MacaoTel.: (853) 2836 6866Website: www.icm.gov.moE-mail: info.dpicc@icm.gov.moDue to the relocation, the applications for the “2016 Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Animation Short Films” and the Macao Database for Cultural and Creative Industries, of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, must be henceforth submitted at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building located at Tap Siac Square, in Macao.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that owing to rising exports of services, GDP for the fourth quarter of 2016 expanded by 7.0% year-on-year in real terms, higher than the 4.4% growth in the previous quarter. Total exports of services increased by 8.2% year-on-year, underpinned by the continued expansion in tourism and gaming services, with exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services rising by 8.1% and 8.4% respectively; meanwhile, exports of goods weakened, declining further by 21.2%. Domestic demand slipped slightly, as private consumption expenditure dropped by 0.5%, government final consumption expenditure remained stable, and gross fixed capital formation rose marginally by 0.2%; imports of goods declined by 8.0% while imports of services went up by 1.6%. Moreover, the implicit deflator of GDP that measures changes in prices increased by 1.0% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2016. Economic growth for the second and third quarters was revised upwards to -6.8% and 4.4% respectively.For the whole year of 2016, the economy of Macao shrank by 2.1% year-on-year in real terms, an apparent improvement from the 21.5% drop in 2015. The economy contracted by 9.7% in the first half of the year, followed by a rebound of 5.7% in the second half.The economic contraction in 2016 was mainly due to the weakening of total demand. Domestic demand slackened, diminishing by 5.8% year-on-year; private consumption expenditure and gross fixed capital formation reduced by 1.3% and 13.3% respectively whereas government final consumption expenditure rose by 1.7%. External demand recovered significantly in the second half of the year; total exports of services declined at a slower rate of 2.5% amid continued growth in visitor arrivals and spending; exports of gaming services and exports of other tourism services shrank by 4.4% and 1.0% respectively whereas exports of goods dropped by 21.8%.In 2016, GDP amounted to MOP358.2 billion and per-capita GDP was MOP 554,619 (about USD 69,372). The implicit deflator of GDP increased by 0.9% year-on-year.Principal Indicators of GDP* Attachment
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The 13^thChina Expo Forum for International Co-operation (CEFCO 2017) was successfully concluded on 1 January 2017. The 3-day event attracted over eight hundred professionals from the convention and exhibition industry from 25 countries and regions. CEFCO promoted the exchange and co-operation between enterprises in Mainland China and overseas with their Macao counterparts, provided opportunities for the local enterprises to attract business from abroad and further promoted the development strategy of “Priority to Convention” for Macao´s convention and exhibition industry.Michael McCarty, Executive Director of Sales at Venetian Macau Limited, venue supplier for CEFCO 2017, said that members of his team felt very excited to be able to showcase their convention and exhibition meeting spaces to the trade fair organisers and congress organisers and also felt honoured for having the opportunity of serving them. Mr. McCarty believes that the greatest significance of the event was that it enabled participants to personally feel the special characteristics of Macao´s conventions and exhibitions. In addition, he stressed that both he and the members of his team have established friendly relations with potential clients and have even received confirmation that a number of customers will be holding meetings and exhibitions in Macao in 2018 and 2019.Elisa Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Top Holidays – P&E International Travel Co. Ltd., the company responsible for the reception and travel services of CEFCO 2017, said that her company attached great attention to this event, given that all the participants were “Big Brothers” of the MICE industry and disclosed that, after the event, her company received recognitions from the “masters”, which represents the greatest affirmation of the efforts of her dedicated team. She added that both the theme and the activities of the event had special characteristics and were rich in content. In particular, she noted that the convention and exhibition operators shared the latest information and explored market trends with each other, learnt from each other, with the focus on exploring business opportunities.Innovating information technology services to inject new dynamism to the convention and exhibition industryAs a showcase event of the convention and exhibition industry, CEFCO continuously pays attention to the latest developments in the said industry, while creating brainstorming opportunities for professionals in the MICE-related sectors. This will benefit Macao, as it creates a new environment for the local conventions and exhibitions. CEFCO also introduced and showed the VR (virtual reality) technology and cloud photography services, to enable the convention and exhibition industry to gradually enter into the artificial intelligence era, and also bringing a new impetus to the local convention and exhibition industry.Keyvin Bi, Managing Director of China-Macao Resources Advertising & Exhibition Co. Ltd. explained that cloud photography service allows a few minutes after a photo has been taken, for it to be accessible online. He said that this technology will be beneficial to increase the level of participation and interaction among the participants. At the same time, it could enhance both CEFCO and Macao´s image in the area of information technology. During CEFCO, the cloud photography service was much applauded by the participants, and above all, generated more co-operation opportunities for his company.Local operators of the MICE industry agree that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has produced positive resultsA “Macao MICE Business Zone” was set up at CEFCO, which attracted participants from Mainland China and Macao, who visited the zone for information enquiries and exchange. Through this zone, some companies were able to contact over a hundred entrepreneurs in the areas of site management, event organisation and material supplies, with positive results. Sidney Mok, Chief Operating Officer of Brothers Multimedia Lda. said that, besides conventions and exhibitions organisers, hotels and local suppliers also promoted their products and services at the CEFCO venue, thus deepening the exchange between local enterprises and contributed to the co-operation of the said enterprises through the “B2B” business model.Synthia Chan, Director of Sales at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre said that CEFCO´s presence in Macao has provided a totally new experience for the international operators of the convention and exhibition industry, who have never set foot in Macao or have never thought about organising events here. Thanks to the support of the Macao SAR Government, in facilitating visa procedures, along with perfect convention and exhibition support facilities plus strong the Chinese and Western cultural heritage, were all factors that contributed to show the fascination of Macao to the world. Nelson Liao, Manager of Conference and Exhibition Department of Nam Kwong International Conference & Exhibition Co. Ltd. said that CEFCO is an excellent platform where local companies have the opportunity to co-operate with enterprises in Mainland China and around the world and that local companies might also be invited to participate in exhibition activities, both in Mainland China and other countries and regions, with unlimited business opportunities.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors amounted to MOP 14.79 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, up by 13.3% year-on-year and 1.0% quarter-to-quarter. Total spending of overnight visitors (MOP 12.02 billion) and same-day visitors (MOP 2.77 billion) went up by 15.8% and 3.6% respectively year-on-year. For the whole year of 2016, total spending of visitors reached MOP 52.66 billion, up by 3.0% from MOP 51.13 billion in 2015; total spending of overnight visitors (MOP 42.10 billion) increased by 4.8% while that of same-day visitors (MOP 10.56 billion) dropped by 3.6%.In the fourth quarter of 2016, per-capita spending of visitors was MOP 1,830, up by 10.2% year-on-year and 1.3% from the previous quarter (MOP 1,806). Per-capita spending of visitors from Mainland China rose by 11.3% year-on-year to MOP 2,157, with spending of those from Guangdong Province (MOP 1,839) and Fujian Province (MOP 1,596) rising by 12.9% and 17.0% respectively. Per-capita spending of Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) reached MOP 2,431, up by 3.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, per-capita spending of visitors from Singapore (MOP 1,836) increased by 5.9% year-on-year, while spending of those from Thailand (MOP 1,086) dropped by 25.1%. Among the long-haul visitors, per-capita spending of visitors from Australia (MOP 1,467) and the United States (MOP 1,371) increased year-on-year, while spending of those from the United Kingdom (MOP 1,229) recorded decrease.Moreover, per-capita spending of overnight visitors increased by 2.4% year-on-year to MOP 2,798, with spending of those from Mainland China (MOP 3,260) and Taiwan (MOP 3,100) rising by 0.6% and 6.6% respectively year-on-year. Per-capita spending of same-day visitors went up by 11.2% year-on-year to MOP 731, with spending of those from Mainland China (MOP 906) increasing by 14.3%.With regard to type of spending, visitors spent mainly on shopping (44.3%), accommodation (26.9%) and food & beverage (20.8%). Per-capita shopping spending increased by 6.1% year-on-year to MOP 811, of which spending on local food products (MOP 232) and cosmetics & perfume (MOP 186) rose by 6.7% and 22.3% respectively. Analysed by main purpose of visit, visitors coming to Macao for shopping and for MICE events had relatively high per-capita spending, at MOP 2,832 and MOP 2,826, up by 9.8% and 25.4% respectively year-on-year.For the whole year of 2016, per-capita spending of visitors was MOP 1,701, up by 2.2% from MOP 1,665 in 2015. Per-capita spending of same-day visitors rose by 3.7% year-on-year to MOP 693, while that of overnight visitors dropped by 4.5%, at MOP 2,681. Analysed by countries and places, visitors from Mainland China had the highest per-capita spending, at MOP 1,975, up marginally by 0.5% year-on-year, with spending of IVS visitors falling by 1.4% to MOP 2,260. Meanwhile, per-capita spending of visitors from Singapore (MOP 1,773) and Japan (MOP 1,708) went up by 2.8% and 12.1% respectively year-on-year. Per-capita spending of those from Australia (MOP 1,438) increased year-on-year, while spending of those from the United States (MOP 1,262) and the United Kingdom (MOP 1,242) declined.Per-capita shopping spending of visitors in 2016 decreased by 2.4% year-on-year to MOP 744 (43.7% of per-capita spending), of which spending on local food products and cosmetics & perfume accounted for 29.5% and 21.1% respectively. Meanwhile, per-capita spending on accommodation (MOP 463) and food & beverage (MOP 355) rose by 9.3% and 3.2% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by main purpose of visit, per-capita spending of visitors coming to Macao for MICE events reached MOP 2,700, up by 10.1% year-on-year; the corresponding proportion of visitors made up merely 0.7% of the total, yet representing a year-on-year increase of 0.3 percentage points.According to the results of the Visitors’ Comments Survey, 89.7% of the visitor-users in the fourth quarter of 2016 were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels, down slightly by 0.8 percentage points quarter-to-quarter; the proportion of visitors who expressed satisfaction with services of gaming establishments rose by 1.3 percentage points to 84.8%. Meanwhile, more than half of the visitors (51.3%) commented that the points of tourist attractions were adequate, up notably by 6.3 percentage points quarter-to-quarter. For the whole year of 2016, the proportions of visitors who were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels (90.1%) and services of travel agencies (85.3%) were the highest, up by 1.5 and 2.1 percentage points respectively year-on-year, while the proportion of those who expressed satisfaction with the services of gaming facilities (84.2%) remained stable. Meanwhile, a relatively low proportion of visitors were satisfied with the services of public transport (69.4%), down by 3.3 percentage points year-on-year. Moreover, 44.8% of visitors commented that the points of tourist attractions were adequate, up by 2.3 percentage points year-on-year.
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This number of the Review of Culturefeatures a compilation of articles devoted to this remarkable figure, founder of the D. Melchior Carneiro Institute, and to the leading role he played in Macanese society for half a century. Educator, historian and writer, Benjamin Videira Pires, S.J. is here honoured by Jorge A. H. Rangel, Aureliano Barata, António Aresta, Ana Cristina Alves, Celina Veiga de Oliveira, Jorge Bruxo, Maria de Lurdes Escaleira and Jorge de Abreu Arrimar. An article on the categorization of the Early Literature of Macao and the role of Tang Xianzu, by Cai Jiehua and Roderich Ptak, introduces a new chapter devoted to literature, where as well the novel Os Doresby Henrique de Senna Fernandes, serves as a subject of study for the two academics to produce an insight into Macao.The Asian discovery of the Great South Land and the sandalwood trade Timor-Macao are issues discussed by Geoffrey Gunn in the chapter that concludes this number.TheReview of Culture (RCI), published by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, is available at the Portuguese Bookstore, Cultural Plaza, Seng Kwong Bookstore, Macao Archives and Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. It is also available for consultation at the Central Library, at the Archive of Macao and at the libraries of Macao universities.
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