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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the evening of 12 September, during his visit to Lisbon, Portugal. Both parties reaffirmed the significance of maintaining a good relationship between Portugal and Macao. During the meeting, the Chief Executive thanked the Portuguese President for inviting the Macao delegation. He briefed the president on the contents and results of the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting, which was held in the morning, and looked forward to strengthening cooperation on economics and language education in future. Discussing the economic environment, the Chief Executive said that the key for sustainable development of Macao was to actively promote adequate economic diversification and regional cooperation. He believed Macao and Portugal could cooperate in various areas. The Chief Executive continued that although tourism and gaming are still the leading industries of Macao, the Government will strive to promote non-gaming elements – including cultural and creative, Chinese medicine, convention and exhibition, and specialised financial industries, as well as developing high-end services industries via regional cooperation. He said the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, to be held next month, will give Macao an opportunity to demonstrate its function of “one platform and three centres”. He believed the forum will offer further opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said the visit of Macao delegation led by the Chief Executive reflected the friendship between China and Portugal, and the continuation of favourable cooperation between Macao and Portugal in financial, economic, cultural and language arenas. He emphasised the importance of the Portuguese language to Macao and Portugal, which is a key element for establishing good relationships with all Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. He cited the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries as an example of the Portuguese language’s function in promoting friendly relationships between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Portuguese Prime Minister will lead a delegation to Macao next month, for the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and he believed that the conference and the forum will benefit the forging of a closer relationship between Portugal and China, including Macao. Officials attending the meeting included the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Cai Run; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Portuguese President’s International Relations Advisors, José Augusto Duarte and Vanda Sequeira; and the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno. In the afternoon, the Chief Executive and delegation visited the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Luís Santos da Costa. The prime minister recognised Macao as an important bridge for maintaining a good relationship between China and Portugal. He believed the Chief Executive’s visit will help to strengthen Macao’s relationship with Portugal. Prime Minister Santos da Costa said Portugal has in recent years experienced speedy and innovative development of digitalisation, opening a new horizon for Portugal's development. Macao is actively promoting adequate economic diversification, which also opens the door for cooperation for Portugal, and helps to promote tripartite cooperation between Portugal, China and Macao in economic and new technology arenas. Portugal will certainly play an active role in this cooperation. Chief Executive Chui Sai On said he was glad to see Portugal's achievements in making progress with new technology. As Macao is also fostering the spread of technology, he believed both parties could cooperate in this area to boost Macao’s diversification. He also looked forward to enhancing exchanges between Chinese and Portuguese students, and considering increases to scholarships. Officials attending the meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister included the Ambassador of the People Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic, Cai Run; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, O Tin Lin; the Portuguese Secretary of Sate for International Affairs, Jorge Costa Oliveira; the Director of the Prime Minister Office, Rita Faden; the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Bernardo Lucena; and the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno.
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Chief Executive Chui Sai On today (September 12) co-chaired with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting in Lisbon. The meeting achieved constructive results, as both parties reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in economics and trade, and language education. This morning, the Chief Executive started his first event of this official visit by co-chairing the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, at the Necessidades Palace. During the meeting, Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that Macao and Portugal have long had close cultural affinity and a friendly relationship. The Macao SAR Government attaches great importance to the development of Macao-Portugal relations, and officials of both governments consistently pay visits to one another. The Macao SAR Government and the Consulate-General of the Portuguese Republic in Macao maintain friendly communications and cooperation, while frequent exchanges and contacts between public and private sectors of both sides also help to strengthen and consolidate bilateral friendship and cooperation. He then introduced Macao’s recent social and economic development, and reviewed the cooperation between Macao and Portugal in recent years. According to the Chief Executive, under the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic signed in 2001, recent cooperation between both parties has been consistent and efficiently implemented, in the forms of personnel exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, technology exchanges, professional consultancy and information sharing, setting a solid foundation for further cooperation. The most outstanding results were achieved in the areas of people-to-people exchanges, economics and trade, Portuguese language learning, and education. Following the signing of the Amendment of the Cooperation Framework Agreement in March 2014, the regular meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee has become an annual event instead of a biennial meeting. Looking forward, the Chief Executive believed that Macao and Portugal could in future focus on enhancing economics and trade and language education cooperation, and gradually expand the areas and scope of cooperation. Regarding economics and trade, both parties can make use of Macao’s advantages as a platform to continue promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Portugal, and supporting and arranging for local and mainland China enterprises to participate in commercial and trade activities in Portugal. Meanwhile, Macao will also promote and assist Portuguese enterprises to understand and benefit from the favourable policies in free trade zones in mainland China, and seize the opportunities for developing businesses in the vast and rapid growing mainland China market. The MSAR Government will continue inviting Portuguese economics and trade departments and enterprises to participate in conventions and exhibitions in Macao. Chief Executive Chui Sai On said that promoting the Portuguese language is an important part of the Government’s overall policy objective. Students may choose to learn Portuguese while receiving tertiary or non-tertiary education, and there is a system for training professional bilingual personnel. The Government will further enhance training of talented Portuguese-speaking people to cater for local demands and the country's needs. He believed that Macao will become a better Portuguese language training centre in future. In supporting Macao’s five-year development plan, the Government intends to launch a training programme for Portuguese-speaking professionals, with scholarships and subsidies for university students to study finance, accounting, law, medicine and engineering in Portugal. After the meeting, Chief Executive Chui Sai On and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, held a joint press conference. The Chief Executive told the media that his visit to Portugal and participation in the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting reflect the solid foundation of bilateral cooperation that has been established since 2001. He looked forward to enhanced cooperation and constructive results achieved through discussions in the committee. He said that, through the joint efforts of both parties, Macao and the Portuguese Republic have signed cooperation agreements on more than 120 projects, covering 33 fields and professions. He was satisfied with the overall fruitful results, and hoped to make further enhancements in bilateral cooperation. The meeting also focused on discussion of cooperation in education and economic areas. It was agreed to increase quotas for exchange students on both sides. The Chief Executive also expressed his gratitude for the Portuguese Republic’s support in developing Portuguese language education in Macao. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, welcomed Chief Executive Chui Sai On and his delegation to Portugal, and reaffirmed that the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee is the key element for Portugal’s success in cooperation with China and Macao. Mr Augusto Santos Silva also said that in October, the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic will lead a delegation to Macao to attend the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and the MIF. To him, Macao is for businessmen an important and excellent exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; whilst also serving as an important platform in the Greater China region for Portuguese language training and education. On cooperation in education, Mr Augusto Santos Silva said he was aware of an important part of Macao’s five-year development plan – popularising Portuguese as a teaching medium in Macao schools. The Portuguese government is duty-bound to offer appropriate support. He also said that training for Portuguese-speaking professionals should be enhanced. He hoped the foundations for technological development on both sides could help establish communications in future for strengthening cooperation in science and technology. Macao officials attending the fourth Macao-Portugal Joint Committee meeting were the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive's Office, O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Victor Chan; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Fung Sio Weng; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, O Tin Lin. Portuguese officials attending the meeting included the Portuguese Secretary of Sate for International Affairs, Jorge Costa Oliveira; the Director General for Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Duarte Lopes; the Consul-General of the Portuguese Republic in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Paulo da Costa Sereno; the President of the Camoes Institute, Ana Paula Laborinho; the Secretary-General of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Alexandra Carvalho; the Directorate-General for Education, José Vítor Pedroso; and the Director-General of Higher Education, João Queiroz.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork and vegetables from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 7 September to 13 September are used for comparing the selling prices of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Organized by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government and the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong S.A.R. Government, in cooperation with the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong S.A.R. Government, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and the Henan Provincial Department of Culture, and presented by the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the China International Exhibition Agency, the “2016 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale” was inaugurated on 1st September at the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum, and was attended by representatives of Cultural Bureau (IC). The Biennale, themed “Interactive Times”, introduces works in the fields of art and design from Mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong. The Deputy Director of the Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Li Jiangang, noted in his speech that four editions of the Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale have been successfully held since its inception in 2008. It not only allows the audiences from Mainland China to understand the visual arts of Hong Kong and Macao, but also has become an important exchange platform between Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. The head of the Department of Exhibitions and Museums of IC, Lei Lai Kio, referred in her speech that the Biennale introduced the previous winning works to the public from Mainland China. In addition, it also presented original animations and representative advertising videos as well as the light shows introduced in Macao in the recent years, taking visitors on an extraordinary visual journey. This year marks the fifth time the Macao S.A.R. participates in the “Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale”. In this edition, Macao’s exhibition space is dedicated to the theme “Macau Good Design” and features a total of 16 art pieces in the four categories of Graphic Design, Animation, Video Design and 3D Mapping Show, as well as information on the works in mobile apps, thereby strengthening the public’s understanding of the works. On the same day, a sharing session with the artists was held. Nearly 20 curators and artists from the three regions were invited to share their experiences in creativity and discuss the current circumstance of the arts in each region. After the exhibition ends in Beijing on 9th of September, it will be staged at Dunhuang in Gansu as part of the “Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo” from 20th of September to 8th of October and at the Henan Art Museum in Zhengzhou from 19th to 30th of October. In particular, Macao’s cultural and creative works will be included at the “Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo”, in connection with the international cooperation and cultural exchange platform of the expo established within the framework of the national policy “One Belt, One Road”, strengthening the exhibition of Macao’s original works.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) and the Transport and Housing Bureau of Hong Kong SAR met today in Macao and agreed to renew the bilateral air services arrangement between the two places, allowing the designated airlines of both sides to enter into inter-modal code-sharing cooperation with the operators that provide sea, land and helicopter services between Kong Kong and Macao. To facilitate the travelling of both Hong Kong and Macao residents as well as the visitors coming to Hong Kong and Macao, the two places have been communicating with each other on this issue in recent years and agreed to eventually hold talks in Macao to finalize the amendment to be adopted in the “Air Services Arrangement between the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. The discussions were conducted in a friendly and cordial manner. The two parties signed the respective Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). From now on, the designated airlines in Hong Kong and Macao may enter into inter-modal code-sharing with operators providing sea, land and helicopter transport services between Hong Kong and Macao, that is, to connect sea, land and helicopter transport services between Hong Kong and Macao, with flight services operated by the designated airlines originating from Hong Kong or Macao or destining for Hong Kong and Macao, in order to provide an extended service of the flight, and market such extended service under the name of the designated airlines provided that the passenger is appropriately notified of the mode of transportation. The meeting was convened in the conference room of AACM’s office. The two delegations were composed of officials from the relevant government entities of the two sides and the aviation industry representatives. The two delegations also exchanged with each other about the development of the air transport market between Hong Kong and Macao. The President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Transport and Housing Bureau of Hong Kong SAR signed the MOU on behalf of the two governments. The MOU will be submitted to the Central Government for approval. With the integrated development in the Pearl River Delta Region and the operation of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge down the line, the traffic network in the Region will be greatly enhanced further increasing the accessibility to and from the different administrative zones. Since a few years ago, the airlines in Hong Kong and Macao have been studying the adoption of inter-modal code-sharing services with the objective of facilitating the travelling public. Being a world tourism and leisure hub, Macao will benefit from the adoption of the new services which are expected to facilitate local residents in their travels as well as visitors coming to Macao.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau has released today a new edition of the Macao Cultural and Creative Map (CCM Map) to introduce 49 local cultural and creative entities as well as information about Macao’s World Heritage sites, museums, performance venues and among others. The traditional Chinese and English versions are released first, followed by the simplified Chinese and Portuguese versions. The CCM Map will be distributed at 180 locations in Hong Kong and Macao. The number of “Tour Routes for the Experience of Culture and Creativity” included in the new edition of the CCM Map has increased from four to six, with the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Senado Square as starting points, including information about local cultural and creative entities, Macao’s World Heritage sites, museums and performance venues with bus routes as reference for residents and tourists. The CCM Map is illustrated by Macao illustrator Chan Wai Lam, taking Macao’s seven parishes as its frame theme in order to elaborate the features of each cultural and creative space, World Heritage sites and performance venues as well as Macao’s festivals and customs. The design of the CCM Map fully manifests the creativity in Macao. The CCM Map is distributed at all immigration checkpoints, museums, hotels, travel agencies and cultural and creative spaces. For details of the distribution locations, please refer to the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com). The CCM Map was first launched by the Cultural Affairs Bureau in 2014. It aims to promote the cultural and creative industries close by the public and to elevate the reputation of the local cultural and creative spaces and local original products. A CCM Map mobile app has also been released to facilitate public access to information about the local cultural and creative venues. For information about the CCM Map, please call Mr. Wong or Ms. Lau staff members of IC, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040, during office hours.
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The University of Macau’s (UM) Zhuhai Research Institute (UMZRI) has received approval for research grants of RMB 4.35 million from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for 12 research projects, according to the results of grants application for the year 2016 recently released by the NSFC. This year, UM submitted funding applications to the NSFC for 40 research projects, of which 12 applications, or 30 per cent, have been approved, a success rate higher than those of the previous two years. Five research projects from UM have been granted funding by the NSFC in the General Programmes category. These projects are headed by Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) assistant professors Chen Long, Li Yongjie, and Wong Fai; Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) professor Li Shaoping; and Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) senior instructor Chen Qiang, respectively. Only projects with significant research merits, sound theoretical basis, and original academic ideas will be considered for research funding by the NSFC. The other seven research projects from UM have been granted funding by the NSFC in the Young Scientists Fund category. This fund aims to encourage young scientists to undertake innovative research projects independently and to train backup talent for basic research. The seven projects are headed by FST associate professors Ma Shaodan and Mok Seng Peng, and assistant professor Zhang Yibo; Faculty of Social Sciences assistant professor Du Hongfei; ICMS assistant professor Zhao Jing; FHS post-doctoral fellow Sun Heng, and State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI assistant professor Zhu Yan.
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Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition “Innovative Inspiration – Painting of Mak Kuong Weng Winner of the Best Creation Special Prize of the XXXI Collective Exhibition of Macao Artists” was inaugurated on 9th September, at 6pm, at the Chun Chou Tong Pavilion of Lou Lim Ioc Garden, featuring 39 works by Mak Kuong Weng. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Representative of the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Head of the Department of Exhibitions and Museums, Lei Lai Kio; the Director of the School of Arts of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, Hsu Hsiu-Chu; the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Macao Daily News, Lio Chi Heng; the President of the Macau Artist Society, Lai Ieng; and the artist of the exhibition, Mak Kuong Weng. Mak Kuong Weng has won the Best Creation Special Prize of the “Collective Exhibition of Macau Artists” on four occasions. His upcoming solo exhibition comprises two series, namely the “China landscape” and the “Ink kingdom”, showcasing ink painting in a unique style. The “China landscape” series underline the rhythm and stereoscopic perception of Chinese landscape painting while incorporating modern expression of art. On the other hand, the “Ink kingdom”, inspired by the rhythm of traditional Chinese calligraphy, runs after the spiritual imagery of arts via abstract techniques. The exhibition “Innovative Inspiration – Painting of Mak Kuong Weng Winner of the Best Creation Special Prize of the XXXI Collective Exhibition of Macao Artists” is open from 10th September to 16th October at the Chun Chou Tong Pavilion of Lou Lim Ioc Garden, located at No. 10, Estrada de Adolfo Loureiro, Macao, and is open daily from 9am to 7pm, including on public holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries about the exhibition, please call IC through tel. no. through 8988 4100, during office hours.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) both decreased in July 2016. With regard to the outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed monthly increases. New lending approved In July 2016, new RMLs approved by Macao banks decreased by 25.7% month-to-month to MOP3.5 billion. Of which, new RMLs to residents, accounting for 98.2% of the total, fell by 5.7% while those to non-residents shrank by 94.0% from a higher comparison base in the previous month. When compared with the same period of 2015, new approvals of RMLs decreased by 16.5%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased moderately by 4.3% from the preceding month to MOP234.0 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 94.8% of the total, increased by 4.6% from the previous month. Attributable to the higher comparison base in the same period last year, new equitable mortgage approved dropped by 71.0% on an annual basis. New CRELs shrank by 45.8% month-to-month to MOP3.5 billion; of which, 62.6% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents dropped by 50.2% and 36.5% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs declined by 72.2%. Outstanding balances As at end-July 2016, the outstanding value of RMLs was MOP177.2 billion, an increase of 0.4% from one month earlier or 6.1% from a year ago. The resident component made up 93.6% of the total. Compared to end-June 2016, outstanding RMLs to residents rose 0.4% whereas those to non-residents dropped by 0.5%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose by 0.3% month-to-month or 15.0% year-on-year to MOP169.6 billion. Residents accounted for 87.5% of the loans. Compared with a month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents increased by 0.1% and 1.5% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of July 2016, the delinquency ratio for RMLs was 0.12%, up 0.03 percentage points from a month ago or 0.06 percentage points from a year earlier. The ratio for CRELs was 0.03%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago but down 0.02 percentage points from end-July 2015.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation leaving Macao tomorrow for a six-day visit, from 10 to 15 September, to the Portuguese Republic. The visit takes place following an invitation by the Portuguese President, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. During the visit, the Chief Executive is to meet with Portugal’s Prime Minister, Mr António Costa. Mr Chui will also preside – alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Augusto Santos Silva – over the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee. While in Portugal, Mr Chui will meet with young people from Macao studying in that country, in order better to understand their needs while living and studying overseas. During the meetings with Portugal’s leaders, Mr Chui will brief them on the latest developments of the Macao SAR, including the city’s first-ever Five-Year Development Plan. Both sides will engage in discussions regarding further cooperation opportunities arising from the plans to transform Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure; and to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). During the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee, the Government will additionally review the results of the long-term cooperation between the two sides. The meeting will also aim to explore new ways to deepen exchanges in fields such as education and training of professionals. It will also help to boost bilateral cooperation in trade and economic services. The Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was established under the Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas. The first meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was held in Lisbon, in April 2011. Macao and Portugal have solid relations, highlighted by deep history and cultural ties. The Macao SAR Government pays great attention to maintaining friendly relations with Portugal and to strengthening bilateral exchanges. Macao is home to many Portuguese citizens – including Macanese and Portuguese working in Macao. All of them have made significant contributions for the development of Macao SAR over the years. The Macao law properly protects Portuguese citizens living in Macao. Portuguese citizens are a living statement of Macao’s harmonious society and its fusion between Chinese and Western cultures, being crucial for the prosperity of the Macao SAR. Officials accompanying the Chief Executive to Portugal include: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin. The delegation will return to Macao on 15 September. During Mr Chui’s absence, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be Acting Chief Executive.
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