News

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is launching the 2017 edition of the Macao Cultural and Creative Map (CCM Map)in paper and its mobile app in order to promote Macao’s cultural and creative industries close by residents and tourists, thereby enhancing the reputation of Macao’s cultural and creative spaces. IC will select cultural and creative spaces from the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries (hereinafter referred to as “Database”) to be included in the CCM Map; any entities that have not yet registered in the Database are welcome to apply for inclusion before Wednesday, 22 February.The first edition of the CCM Map was launched in 2014. It covers Macao’s seven parishes, introducing the cultural and creative spaces with vivid illustration and text; it also provides information about World Heritage sites, museums, tour routes specialized in culture and creativity and bus routes, allowing residents and tourists to have better understanding about local cultural and creative spaces and to experience the diversified cultural development of the territory. The CCM Map has been printed more than 700,000 copies since the first edition and is distributed in over 180 locations in Hong Kong and Macao, including at border checkpoints, museums, hotels, travel agencies, cultural and creative entities, among others. The CCM Map is well received by the tourists and residents. In the meantime, IC also released the CCM Map mobile app for users to explore the cultural and creative spaces along the way and know more about related products and activities, experiencing the diversification of cultural features in Macao.The cultural and creative spaces eligible for inclusion in the 2017’s CCM Map should be open to the public in the long term under the operation and administration of the entities registered in the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries, and they should be in the field of selling cultural and creative products or organizing related activities. The selection will be made after a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the potential development of cultural and creative industries in the space, as well as past events, product sales, brand image and the opening hours of the space.Details and the registration form for the Database can be downloaded from IC’s website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). Interested parties should submit the completed form in print, together with an electronic copy of the form and attachments at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, located at Tap Siac Square, or at the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries, located at No. 567, Av. da Praia Grande, Edif. BNU, 12^th floor A-D, Macau. The entities which have already registered in the Database do not need to re-apply but may submit any supplements or updates to IC if necessary. For enquiries, please call Mr. Wong or Ms. Lau, staff members of IC, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours or by e-mail to info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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Prof Jin Xiaoqing, a distinguished professor from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau (UM), has been elected president of the East Asia Section of Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (EASIAM), for a two-year term starting from 1 January 2017. As a leading figure in the mathematics field in Macao, Prof Jin has spared no effort to promote the development of applied mathematics in Macao. The appointment of Prof Jin as EASIAM president shows international recognition of Macao’s leading position in the field.Besides teaching and research work, Prof Jin has being serving as the editor of five mathematical journals. He has also served as the head of the Department of Mathematics of UM, a council member of the China Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, a board member of the China Society for Computational Mathematics, and an executive member and the vice president of the EASIAM. In addition, Prof Jin received the second prize of the First UM Research Award in 2001 and jointly received the second prize of the Macao Natural Science Award in 2016 with Prof Vong Seak Weng and Prof Cheng Che Man.In 2014, the Macau Mathematical Society was established under the leadership of Prof Jin, with the aim of promoting mathematics education and strengthening communication between mathematicians in Macao and other parts of the world. The establishment of the society laid the groundwork for further development of mathematics in Macao.The EASIAM was initiated in 1998 by the notable mathematician Gilbert Strang, who was the former president of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, and a professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Founded in 2001, the EASIAM has organised annual academic conferences in different countries and regions in East Asia. The 11^thEASIAM annual conference was held at UM last year. The event attracted more than 150 mathematicians and scholars from over ten countries and regions.Former presidents of the EASIAM were all well-known mathematicians, including Prof Shi Zhongci, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof Tang Tao, former vice president of Hong Kong Baptist University; Prof Sheen Dong Woo, a chair professor of Seoul National University and vice president of the Korean Society for Computational Sciences and Engineering; and Prof Lai Ming-Chih, a chair professor of Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP815 in the fourth quarter of 2016. The average daily wages of local construction workers (MOP1,041) and non-resident construction workers (MOP721) rose by 8.3% and 4.9% respectively quarter-to-quarter.The average daily wages of some occupations increased due to the commencement of interior finishing works of hotels and large public housing projects and the near completion of the superstructure works of several private residential projects. The average daily wages of bricklayers & plasterers (MOP691), plumbers (MOP842), air-conditioning mechanics (MOP882) and carpenters (MOP1,184) increased by 6.1%, 4.6%, 3.9% and 3.7% respectively. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers went up by 6.0% quarter-to-quarter to MOP819, while that of unskilled workers rose by 1.2% to MOP408.After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (103.8) for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased by 3.8% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, and that of local construction workers (131.6) rose by 5.2%. For the whole year of 2016, the average wage index of construction workers (101.9) went up by 1.6% year-on-year in real terms, and that of local construction workers (128.2) grew by 2.3%.As regards construction materials, the average price of concrete, after falling for two consecutive quarters, rose by 3.4% quarter-to-quarter to MOP824 per cubic metre in the fourth quarter of 2016; the average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars increased by 2.1% to MOP4,504 per tonne. Meanwhile, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings was 133.9 in the fourth quarter of 2016, up by 1.5% quarter-to-quarter; the average price index for 2016 edged up by 0.8% year-on-year to 132.8.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets on 2 February. Prices of different types of pork, including pork chop, ribs, pork belly, lean meat, etc., and were collected; average prices of 5 different vegetables during 25 January to 31 January were also collected.The specific product price survey on fresh pork can be found on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone & Android apps, and the Council’s official WeChat account. The average prices of 5 different vegetables can also be downloaded at the Council’s website.For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The mega festive event for Chinese New Year, entitled the “Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster”, came into spotlight tonight (30 January), presenting an array of fantastic highlights for residents and visitors including an opening show, float parade, procession of performance groups, finale show of cultural performances, fireworks display and float exhibition. The entire parade was live broadcast on two local TV stations and on LED screens installed at nine locations in Macao, so that people around the city could share the joy of festive celebrations and experience Macao in the style of “events”!The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Alexis Tam; Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ip Peng Kin; Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of Management Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares; President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; Chief of Sports Facility Management Department of Sports Bureau, Joe Ho, and Director of Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Li Jian Ping, officiated the launch ceremony to kick off the annual festive Parade together with other guests at the front square of Macao Science Center at 8 p.m. Hong Kong celebrity hosts Bob Lam and Sarika Choy were invited to host the activity. The stage was dazzled by pheonix dancers and Hong Kong pop band C AllStar. Following that, 14 dazzling floats and 688 performers started in procession, making a grand march towards a brighter year ahead with spectators.The Parade is held under the theme of “All Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix for the Dawn of Spring” this year. In the story, birds of all kinds gather in Macao to welcome the phoenix, which breaks through the golden eggshell and bestows wishes of happiness, good fortune, longevity and prosperity to residents and visitors in Macao at the dawn of Chinese New Year. The dazzling procession of floats and performance groups passed through Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen on Macao Peninsula until Sai Van Lake Square in front of Macau Tower. Along the way, they won applause and cheers from spectators, which filled the parade route with joyful vibes; spectators keenly took selfies and photos for each other while enjoying the Parade.A finale show of cultural performances was then staged at Sai Van Lake Square at 9 p.m. Local singers Ari, Alan Tse and Viviana Lo joined hands with Hong Kong singers Fred Cheng and Joyce Cheng to make a fantastic show for the night, followed by a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m which enlivened the city with a joyful atmosphere.
MGTO Director Senna Fernandes expressed that the Parade has become an annual signature event of the city. She hoped that this dazzling festive event, combining colorful dimensions of different cultures, would bestow the warmest wishes upon Macao residents and visitors from around the world. Besides, MGTO will make continuous efforts to take the events to a new level of scope and impact such that visitors from a wider diversity of markets around the world will find Macao a fascinating destination as more local residents are prompted to join the events.There will be another float parade and finale show of cultural performances on the eighth day (4 Feb) of Lunar New Year. This year, MGTO and Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association have jointly organized the “Chinese New Year Parade Float Snapshot” Competition. Between 30 January and 7 February, residents and visitors can upload their photos of the “Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster” to Instagram. After that, they can add the hashtags “@heritage.mo”, “#macao2017” and “#cnyparade2017” and then share the photos for a chance to win cash prizes. For more details about the competition, please browse MGTO’s website: http://www.macaotourism.gov.mo.
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Festive joy livens up the city as the Year of the Rooster dawns. Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) sincerely wishes Macao residents and visitors an energetic and blissful year ahead. The Office also wishes that Macao’s tourism industry will keep forging ahead with diversified and sustainable development, and Macao will be successfully transformed into a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”.On the first day of Lunar New Year (28 January), MGTO partnered with Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau to present Chinese New Year celebrations at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Senado Square to share the festive joy with residents and visitors.Macao welcomed over 30 million visitors last year. During Chinese New Year holidays, a great number of visitors are expected to come from the Mainland and neighboring regions to spend their vacation in Macao. Visitors of different nationalities also choose to visit Macao during this time of the year to experience the ambience of Chinese New Year. MGTO thus takes the opportunity to express New Year wishes to residents and visitors and extend warm hospitality to the latter on behalf of the city.MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Management Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares, MGTO Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong, officiated the eye-dotting ceremony for the golden dragon and dancing lions together with representatives of the local trade and other guests at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and ignited firecrackers together at Senado Square to kick off the celebrations on the first morning of Lunar New Year. Following that, the guests joined the God of Fortune to distribute “Lai Si” and festive souvenirs to residents and visitors at Senado Square, filling the heart of the city with joyful blessings. “Lai Si” given by the God of Fortune conveys the best wishes to Macao for a flourishing and prosperous year ahead.The 238-meter-long golden dragon led a parade across major tourist districts and demonstrated vigorous moves accompanied by vibrant young lions. Their lively performance bestows wishes that Macao will brim with vigor and vitality in the Year of the Rooster and rise to a new level of development. The Chinese zodiac animal “Rooster” symbolizes auspiciousness and vitality, wishing Macau residents a year full of joyful blessings as they join hand in hand for the brighter future of Macao.MGTO keeps the tradition to distribute “Lai Si” to visitors during Lunar New Year. Starting on the first day of Lunar New Year, “Lai Si” containing phrases of New Year blessings are distributed at MGTO’s Tourist Information counters while stock lasts. Each “Lai Si” contains 10 cents and symbolizes auspicious wishes.As another highlight, eight performance groups coming from different countries and regions for the "Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster" are giving performances in advance at various tourist spots on the first and second day of Lunar New Year. Among them, the performance groups from Colombia, Portugal, Mainland China and Hong Kong performed at Rua do Cunha and the Taipa Houses on Taipa, as well as Iao Hon Market Garden and Macau Fisherman’s Wharf on Macao Peninsula respectively on the first day of Lunar New Year. The groups from Japan, Spain, Germany and the United States will perform at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple and the Taipa Houses on the second day of Lunar New Year. Each performance lasts for 5 to 15 minutes.In addition, MGTO will present the grand outdoor festive event, the “Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster”, on the third and eighth night of Chinese New Year. This year, revolving around a story about golden eggs prepared by the God of Fortune in celebration of the New Year, the event is ready to captivate audience with fantastic float parades, mega joint performances and more. MGTO hopes to bestow the brightest wishes upon Macao residents and visitors from different parts of the world with this spectacular festive event shining with characteristics of different cultures. The Fireworks Display for Celebration of Chinese New Year will be held on the third night of Chinese New Year, wishing local and foreign spectators a great start of the New Year.MGTO rolls out an array of activities during Chinese New Year. Residents and visitors are welcome to browse the program on MGTO’s website: http://www.macaotourism.gov.mo.The Office will allocate staff at ten major tourist attractions to provide guidance and tourism information for visitors between the first and ninth day of Lunar New Year (28 January – 5 February) while assisting in crowd management. For local dining, visitors can find award-winning restaurants and eateries listed in the publication “Star Merchant Award – Restaurants and Eateries Guide”. MGTO has also published the "Macao Food Guide during Spring Festival" (Chinese version only) together with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, the Industry and Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District as well as the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao. Offering a contact list of restaurants and eateries open during Chinese New Year, the handy food guide familiarizes visitors with operation information of the relevant restaurants in Macao.During Chinese New Year, MGTO's Tourism Hotline 2833 3000 maintains its 24-hour operator service to answer enquiries and attend to visitors’ needs: http://en.macaotourism.gov.mo/useful/hotline.php
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours decreased by 2.6% year-on-year to 706,000 in December 2016, a slower decline compared with November. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (554,000) dropped by 4.1% year-on-year, while those from the Republic of Korea (36,000) and Taiwan (39,000) increased by 17.8% and 11.0% respectively. For the whole year of 2016, visitors on package tours totalled 7,544,000, down by 23.4% year-on-year; those coming from Mainland China (5,968,000) and Taiwan (427,000) decreased by 26.2% and 21.3% respectively, while those from the Republic of Korea (371,000) increased by 14.1%.Outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 127,000 in December 2016, down by 4.1% year-on-year. Residents travelling on package tours decreased slightly by 0.7% year-on-year to 57,000, of which those visiting Mainland China and the Republic of Korea took up 65.5% and 12.9% respectively. For the whole year of 2016, outbound residents using services of travel agencies dropped by 14.3% year-on-year to 1,256,000. Residents travelling on package tours (501,000) decreased by 17.9%, with those going to Mainland China (342,000) falling by 27.9% while those to the Republic of Korea (51,000) surging by 135.5%.There were 107 hotels & guesthouses operating at the end of December 2016, up by 1 year-on-year. Number of guest rooms increased by 4,000 to 36,000, with that of 3-star hotels rising significantly by 3,000. Guest rooms of 5-star (22,000) and 4-star (7,700) hotels accounted for 60.1% and 21.2% of the total respectively.In December 2016, number of guests of hotels & guesthouses increased by 11.1% year-on-year to 1,177,000, coming primarily from Mainland China (720,000) and Hong Kong (183,000), up by 14.7% and 5.2% respectively. The average length of stay of guests held stable at 1.4 nights as in December 2015. The average occupancy rate of hotels & guesthouses was 89.7% in December 2016, up by 6.2 percentage points year-on-year, with that of 4-star hotels (92.5%) exceeding 90.0%.For the whole year of 2016, guests of hotels & guesthouses totalled 12,001,000, up by 13.6% year-on-year; guests from Mainland China (7,607,000), the Republic of Korea (304,000), Hong Kong (1,782,000) and Taiwan (477,000) grew by 12.8%, 34.3%, 17.8% and 24.7% respectively. The average occupancy rate of hotels & guesthouses stood at 83.3% in 2016, up by 1.8 percentage points year-on-year; 4-star hotels had the highest rate at 86.3%, followed by that of 5-star hotels (83.7%), which climbed up by 5.7 percentage points and 0.3 percentage points respectively. The average length of stay of guests was 1.4 nights, down by 0.1 night year-on-year. Visitor-guests accounted for 72.0% of the total overnight visitors, up by 2.6 percentage points year-on-year.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for December 2016 amounted to MOP753 million, down by 16.1% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP597 million) dropped by 17.1%, with that of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP64 million) falling by 31.3%; meanwhile, value of domestic exports (MOP156 million) slid by 12.2%, with that of Tobacco (MOP42 million) decreasing by 32.2%. Total merchandise import dropped by 2.9% year-on-year to MOP6.78 billion, of which imports of Motor cars and Mobile phones declined by 52.5% and 46.1% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.03 billion.In the fourth quarter of 2016, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.31 billion) and merchandise import (MOP19.61 billion) fell by 8.7% and 7.3% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP17.30 billion.For the whole year of 2016, total value of merchandise export dropped by 6.0% year-on-year to MOP10.05 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP8.08 billion) decreased by 8.9%, but that of domestic exports (MOP1.96 billion) increased by 7.8%. Owing to the decline in demand for products, such as Motor cars (-55.1%), Mobile phones (-40.0%) and Watches (-23.3%), total value of merchandise import fell by 15.7% year-on-year to MOP71.35 billion. Merchandise trade deficit totalled MOP61.31 billion in 2016.Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China decreased by 4.7% year-on-year to MOP1.75 billion in 2016, of which exports to the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP1.64 billion) fell by 7.4%, and exports to Hong Kong (MOP5.56 billion) dropped by 12.1%. Meanwhile, exports to the EU (MOP175 million) and the USA (MOP156 million) reduced by 22.7% and 20.6% respectively, whereas exports to the Portuguese-speaking Countries (MOP6 million) jumped by 594.6%. Exports of Non-textiles declined by 5.1% year-on-year to MOP9.36 billion, of which value of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP825 million) dropped by 28.8%, but that of Tobacco & wine (MOP832 million) grew by 35.6%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP691 million, down by 16.8%.By place of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP25.84 billion) and the EU (MOP17.03 billion) in 2016 decreased by 18.9% and 9.6% respectively year-on-year. However, imports from the Portuguese-speaking Countries (MOP666 million) increased by 10.7%. Analysed by place of consignment, merchandise import from Mainland China declined by 5.3% to MOP12.02 billion, of which imports from the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP11.35 billion) fell by 6.4%. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 11.5% to MOP44.74 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP4.78 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP1.33 billion) decreasing by 23.3% and 53.5% respectively. Moreover, value of imports of Fuels & lubricants (MOP6.11 billion), Mobile phones (MOP4.79 billion) and Construction materials (MOP1.96 billion) declined by 11.4%, 40.0% and 37.7% respectively.External merchandise trade totalled MOP81.40 billion in 2016, down by 14.6% compared with MOP95.36 billion in 2015.
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The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election, Mr Tong Hio Fong, said today the Commission would soon call a meeting to discuss the arrangements for the election, which is to be held later this year.The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, appointed – via an Executive Order – Mr Tong Hio Fong as Chairman of the Commission. The other members of the Commission are: Mr Lai U Hou; Mr José Maria da Fonseca Tavares; Mr Kou Peng Kuan; Mr Iong Kong Leong; and Mr Chan Chi Ping Victor.The Chief Executive this afternoon presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the Commission, held at the Government Headquarters.Mr Tong told reporters that the first meeting of the Commission would be convened after the Lunar New Year holiday period. The Commission plans to hold meetings on a regular basis and would brief reporters after each meeting, he added.The Commission would first adjust its work programme according to the updated Legislative Assembly Election Law and review the work done during the last election for the Legislative Assembly, held in 2013. The dates for this year’s election and for the campaign period would be discussed at a later stage.The Commission will continue to issue in advance all guidelines and rules related to the election, to make sure that each campaign team can follow closely the Legislative Assembly Election Law. The Commission would take immediate action against any wrongdoings by campaign teams, and would also be in close communication with the Commission Against Corruption in matters related to the election process, said Mr Tong.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, today said the Government was progressing with plans – in a pragmatic manner – to launch a minimum wage system that would apply to all employees in Macao.Before launching such a system, the proposed plan would need to go through a public consultation process and the necessary legislative procedures, i.e. the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly, Mr Leong added.Speaking to reporters today following a meeting of a Legislative Assembly committee, Mr Leong said the Government strived and hoped to create a city-wide minimum wage system, within three years of the enactment of the Law on Minimum Wage for Cleaning and Security Workers of the Property Management Industry.The Law on the Minimum Wage for Cleaning and Security Workers of the Property Management Industry came into force on 1 January, 2016.Nonetheless, an effective date for the launch of a city-wide minimum wage system would only be proposed after a public consultation, taking into consideration the opinions from different sectors of society, and in particular the comments from members of the Legislative Assembly.The Government is currently evaluating the implementation of the law on the minimum wage for cleaning staff and security workers. Once that review is completed, the Government would initiate the preliminary work for a city-wide minimum wage system, including preparatory works for a proposal for public consultation, said Mr Leong.In addition, the Secretary also made comments regarding the decline in the number of gaming promoters in Macao, saying such decrease was due to the Government’s strengthened supervision of the sector. The Government had launched stricter guidelines regulating the work of gaming promoters. This could have resulted in a number of gaming promoters deciding not to continue their activity, as they would have to face stricter rules and supervision.The Government is committed to raising the amount of capital companies are required to pledge to become eligible for a gaming promoter licence, in a bid to enhance service quality and in order to enable a healthy and orderly development of the industry.
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