News

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in January 2017 increased by 17.6% year-on-year to 2,876,046 as the Lunar New Year, that fell in February last year, happened in January this year. Compared to December 2016, visitor arrivals went up by 2.2%. Overnight visitors increased by 18.9% year-on-year to 1,363,046 while same-day visitors rose by 16.4% to 1,513,000. The average length of stay of visitors was 1.1 days, down by 0.1 day year-on-year; the average stay of overnight visitors dropped by 0.1 day to 2.1 days whereas that of same-day visitors remained unchanged at 0.2 day.Visitors from Mainland China increased by 20.4% year-on-year to 1,997,355 in January, with those travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (1,128,516) surging by 43.8%. Mainland visitors came mainly from Guangdong Province (991,220) and Hunan Province (70,718). Visitors from the Republic of Korea (81,448) and Hong Kong (527,218) both increased by 17.6% while those from Taiwan (84,263) dropped by 2.0%. Long-haul visitors from the United States (15,434), Canada (6,089) and the United Kingdom (4,163) increased year-on-year whereas those from Australia (9,230) decreased.Analysed by mode of transport, visitor arrivals by land increased by 19.8% year-on-year to 1,798,536; those arriving through the Border Gate (1,527,153) rose by 15.0% while those through the Checkpoint of Cotai (270,214) soared by 57.3%. Visitor arrivals by sea increased by 14.1% year-on-year to 859,949; those disembarking at the Outer Harbour (551,151) and the Provisional Ferry Terminal in Taipa (308,798) rose by 16.4% and 15.3% respectively. Visitor arrivals by air increased by 13.8% year-on-year to 217,561, with those arriving at the airport (216,775) rising by 13.8%.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in January 2017 increased by 17.6% year-on-year to 2,876,046 as the Lunar New Year, that fell in February last year, happened in January this year. Compared to December 2016, visitor arrivals went up by 2.2%. Overnight visitors increased by 18.9% year-on-year to 1,363,046 while same-day visitors rose by 16.4% to 1,513,000. The average length of stay of visitors was 1.1 days, down by 0.1 day year-on-year; the average stay of overnight visitors dropped by 0.1 day to 2.1 days whereas that of same-day visitors remained unchanged at 0.2 day.
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Macao would dedicate further effort to boosting trade and investment cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with Fujian Province, in order to make further contributions to the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
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Prof Chen Xin from the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau (UM), and Dr Joost J Oppenheim from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), have made significant progress in a collaborative research project on safer and more effective treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases. They found that targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) can enhance anti-tumour immune responses and kill cancer cells, bringing new hope to cancer patients. The related findings have been published in Science Signaling under Science magazine.Prof Chen has conducted a series of groundbreaking studies on TNFR2’s role in the proper function and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Although counterintuitive and contrary to all previous reports, his research results have been replicated by many research groups from around the world, revolutionising the scientific community’s understanding of the subject. Scientists have been searching for safer and more effective treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases based on the discoveries made by Prof Chen. A new cancer immunotherapy developed by a research team led by Prof Faustman from Harvard Medical School based on Prof Chen’s research findings has been hailed as one of the most important breakthroughs in tumour research.In addition, Prof Chen has been invited by the Frontiers in Immunology journal to co-edit The Role of TNF-TNFR2 Signal in Immunosuppressive Cells and its Therapeutic Implicationswith Prof Magdalena Plebanski from Monash University in Australia.Prof Chen joined UM in 2014. Prior to that, he was a senior scientist at NCI for 15 years and received the Director's Innovation Award in 2010. Currently he is a research collaborator of the NCI.
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Co-organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Artist Society, the “Solo Exhibition by Ho Si Man” will be inaugurated on Sunday, 26 February, at 12pm, at the Lakeside Gallery in the Anim’Arte NAM VAN. The public is welcome to attend and enjoy local artworks.The exhibition will showcase a total of 20 watercolour and acrylic works by Ho Si Man, including categories such as Macao scenery, travelling stories and inner feelings, which cover unrealistic, uncommon, twisted, parallel, tranquil and other themes. The works, specially created for this exhibition, show an abundant imagination and a variety of textures. Ho Si Man is a local female artist of the 1990’s generation; she is currently studying bachelor degree in oil painting. Her artworks have been shown in Mainland China, Korea, France (Paris) and Hong Kong, among other places. She is an executive member of the Youth Committee of the Macau Artist Society and an officer of the Art Club of the International Women Artists Association–Macao.The “Solo Exhibition by Ho Si Man” is open until 26 March, at the Lakeside Gallery in Anim’Arte NAM VAN, located at Nam Van Lakeside Plaza at Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, and is open daily from 11am to 10pm. Admission is free. The exhibition is open to the general public and the artworks are available for sale.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that protecting the wellbeing of the Macao public was the Government’s prime concern when studying whether to retain smoking lounges in local casinos.Mr Chui made the remarks to reporters this morning at the city’s airport before leaving for Fuzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province for a Fujian-Macao high-level meeting on the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative.Macao’s contribution to the country’s development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “Belt and Road” initiative) is part of the city’s strategic development programme.In his remarks before setting off on his trip, Mr Chui reviewed the Government’s efforts to promote a tobacco-smoke-free Macao.He noted the Health Bureau was currently analysing a joint proposal – by the six local gaming operators – regarding a set of higher technical standards for the existing smoking lounges in local casinos.The Chief Executive said the Government had submitted last year a proposed amendment to the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control. The amendments related to smoking in casinos, among other topics. The initiative was part of a scheduled review of the tobacco prevention and control regime. Such review was timetabled three years on from original implementation.Last year’s proposal by the Government was now being discussed at the Legislative Assembly.The original version of the Regime on Tobacco Prevention and Control became effective on 1 January 2012. It banned smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories. Since 1 January 2013, smoking has been banned in major public areas in casinos, including mass gaming floors, and in all bars, dance halls, saunas and massage parlours.In other remarks, Mr Chui commented on the appointment in 2015 of former public prosecutor-general, Mr Ho Chio Meng, as the head of a commission for the study of the criminal law system. Subsequently Mr Ho was held by the Macao authorities for investigation.His 2015 appointment was made on the basis of Mr Ho’s experience and ability, the Chief Executive said. For a civil servant to be interviewed by law enforcement authorities did not necessarily mean the person was suspected of any wrongdoing. Mr Chui said he had not been aware – when he made the appointment – that Mr Ho was a subject of an investigation. He noted such types of investigation were typically conducted on a confidential basis.Mr Chui also made comments regarding the redevelopment of the Estrada de Lai Chi Vun area in Coloane – a previous hub for ship repair work. Mr Chui stressed that ensuring public safety was the top priority of the Government when formulating a redevelopment plan for the area.The plan would include conservation measures and efforts to revitalise the surroundings. The scheme as proposed would involve a number of Government departments, Mr Chui added.
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In order to ensure the proper operation of its information technology system, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) will perform regular maintenance on its servers on 25 February (Saturday) from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Therefore, the operation of several web pages will be suspended until the conclusion of the mentioned tasks, including the web pages of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Art Net, Cultural Heritage of Macao, Macao World Heritage, Macao Conservatory, Macao Archives, Macao Museum, IC Press Page, Macao Cultural and Creative Industries, C² Magazine, other sub-pages as well as the respective mobile versions. Besides, IC’s Activity Registration System, news services, activities and the update function on the “WH Macau” mobile application, as well as the operation of the “Macau eBooks” application will also be unavailable during the above mentioned period. The normal operation of the service will resume once the maintenance work is completed.
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Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is the Macao government department designated to be in charge of the overall co-ordination, promotion and development of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry. This year, IPIM again organised a delegation with representatives from Macao’s convention, exhibition and tourism industries to participate in the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2017 (AIME 2017) held in Melbourne, Australia. Through the participation in the event, the set up of a Macao Pavilion, the organisation of a networking cocktail reception filled with Chinese New Year atmosphere and various diverse and interesting means, the delegation aimed to present to Australian as well as international MICE event organisers, senior managers and professionals the strengths of Macao’s convention and exhibition industry, as well as IPIM’s “One-stop Service” for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao. It also aimed to reinforce the liaisons between Macao´s convention, exhibition and tourism operators with their counterparts abroad, as a mean to push forward the development of the industry in Macao.A Macao Pavilion, covering an area of 120 square metres, was set up by IPIM under the theme ““Macao – your business events destination”” at the AIME venue. A promotion counter was set up in the Macao Pavilion to promote IPIM’s services and to handle enquiries. Following the steady development of the MICE industry in Macao and also in response to the increasing demand of local convention and exhibition enterprises in promoting their businesses, the exhibitors in the Macao Pavilion, apart from IPIM, also included 18 hotels, tourism agencies, professional meetings and event organisers, destination management companies, conference service providers. The exhibitors jointly promoted the strengths of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry, in a bid to attract to the city more international MICE-related events. During the two-day event, the Macao Pavilion has arranged over 300 business matching sessions and received enthusiastic feedback. In addition, IPIM´s representatives also participated in more than 20 business matching sessions arranged by the AIME organisers, to discuss with prospective buyers and promote Macao as an ideal destination for conferences and events.In addition to the promotion counter in the Macao Pavilion, IPIM also organised a networking cocktail reception under the theme of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals which was in line with the Lunar New Year in February. Exhibitors of the Macao Pavilion shared Chinese horoscope information with the guests, which on one hand, was a continuity to the festive season and, on the other hand, fostered mutual understanding in an interesting and relaxed atmosphere and promoted co-operation. The cocktail reception attracted more than 50 potential buyers and representatives of the convention and exhibition industry from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.AIME is one of Asia´s most influential events in the convention and exhibition industry. Last year´s event was participated by over 700 exhibitors and more than 3000 qualified buyers from over 50 countries and regions, and served as an important exchange platform for the convention, exhibition and business tourism operators from around the world.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in February on 22 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António 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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Libraries are a city’s cultural name card. In order to allow Macao’s sustainable cultural development, promote knowledge to the general public and consolidate cultural pillars, the MSAR Government considers the construction of the New Central Library an important cultural task, which will become a cultural landmark of the city after its conclusion.Fully preserve the Old Court Building’s patent cultural valueAccording to the views of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), central libraries of small and medium-sized cities should be located in the city centre, giving diversity to users, thereby highlighting the unique advantages of a central library. Therefore, the Old Court Building and the former headquarters of the Judiciary Police, located in the city centre, meet the requirements of the above-mentioned location. In addition, these buildings are located in the eastern entrance to the World Heritage Historic Centre of Macao and have a deep and rich cultural and historical meaning.The street-facing side of the Old Court Building and the east wing of the former headquarters of the Judiciary Police feature an eclectic style. The Old Court Building is classified as a building of architectural interest and is a building of important cultural significance. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will strictly abide to the provisions of the “Cultural Heritage Protection Law” regarding the protection of this heritage building and, on this basis, draft a construction project for the New Central Library . Such project includes the overall preservation of the Old Court Building, which will not be demolished; the preservation will include the façade and roof, the inner structure, the floors as well as characteristic spaces and elements, among others. With regards to the former headquarters of the Judiciary Police, one section will be expanded; while the façade in eclectic style located in the east wing and the inner spaces with distinguishing features will be preserved.By selecting the best architectural project, the New Central Library, after its completion in the future, will be an excellent example of a building which harmoniously combines historical and modern architectural features.Create a cultural space of sustainable developmentBased on the preservation of the features of the two above mentioned sites, it is estimated that the New Central Library will have, taking into account the new floors and deposits to be built, 11 stories divided into three major spaces, namely the Library’s collection spaces, public spaces and technological support spaces, thereby offering a comprehensive reading service space.One of the priorities of the project is the Library’s users flow management. Readers from different age groups, occupations and communities, and each group uses the library according to the type of services they require and to their schedules. The New Central Library will meet the needs of readers of different social levels in order to achieve cultural equality. Additionally, a rational plan for the flow of people will be designed in order to avoid crowding. Taking also into account that the current use of the Old Court Building as an exhibition and performance venue does not lead to an agglomeration of visiting tourists, it is not estimated that the New Central Library will cause an overload of people after it comes into operation.Introduce monitoring mechanisms for rational use of public fundsConsidering Macao’s current social development and economic transformation, the New Central Library is particularly important to the city’s cultural development. The initially expected budget of 900 million is based on the average cost of large-scale public construction projects, taking into account the annual inflation rate. In the future, following the conclusion of the New Central Library’s in-depth design, a more precise budget will be announced to the public. Likewise and as required, the Commission Against Corruption and the Commission of Audit, among other departments, will be invited to supervise the execution and progress of the project as well as to ensure an adequate use of public funds.
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