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Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has been committed to protecting the environment, integrating environment-friendly concepts to its education, strengthening the faculty and students’ green awarenesses and calling upon everyone’s action to prevent wastage, aiming to build a healthy and green campus and society. Since 2015, IFT has been providing related trainings for its staff in order to enhance the environmental management and sustainable development. In June 2016, IFT passed Environmental Management System audit and successfully received ISO14001 accreditation. This year, IFT held again “The Healthy and Green Month” for the 5th consecutive year. A series of events were organised to promote the healthy lifestyle among its staff and students, and to build a healthy and green campus altogether with joint effort. Various interactive events and activities featuring health, environmental protection and safety were held during “The 2016 Healthy and Green Month” from 1 to 30 September. They are namely “Let's be a Green Walker” activity, “Homemade Edible Fruit Enzyme Workshop”, “Earth Hour/IFT Lights out for 1 Hour & No Elevator Day”, “Join the Cherish Food Corps” activity, a visit to Zero Carbon Building and Organic Farm in Hong Kong by the Institute’s staff representatives, “Resource Recovery Day”, “Vegetarian Snowy Moon Cake Workshop”, “Health ”, “Mooncake Container Collection Scheme”, “DIY Mini Plant Decoration”, a seminar about fire prevention and safety, “Coffee Ground Dyeing Workshop”, etc. There are more than 1,700 participation of the events and activities.
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According to the latest update of preliminary statistics (non-resident employees and students have been excluded from the figures of visitor arrivals) provided by Public Security Police Force, the overall visitor arrivals to Macao during the seven-day National Holidays Golden Week (1st – 7th October) hit a record of nearly 770,000 with a year-on-year raise of 19%. In addition, visitor arrivals from the Greater China and other markets both registered a double-digit growth. The number of visitors from the Greater China market exceeded 720,000 and constituted 94% of the total visitor arrivals to Macao during the National Holidays, an increase of 19% compared with the corresponding period of last year. Among them, the number of visitors from Mainland China registered a 17% year-on-year raise, whereas visitor arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan rose by 30% and 9% respectively. On the other hand, the total of visitors from other markets climbed up by 20% to over 47,000. The visitor arrivals to Macao during the National Holidays Golden Week released earlier included non-resident employees and students, Macao Government Tourism Office believes that the above figures can better reflect the visitor arrivals situation during this period.
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The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao has had outstanding outcomes, including measures – announced by Premier Li Keqiang – to push forward development in Macao, said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac. Those measures would help further advance an adequate level of economic diversification in the city, as well as maintaining Macao’s sustainability and boosting its bridging role between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr Leong made his comments on Wednesday (12 October) during a press conference outlining the achievements of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao. During the Ministerial Conference, member countries of Forum Macao signed a number of agreements to broaden cooperation in the period spanning 2017 to 2019. Agreements signed included the “Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation (2017-2019)” and a memorandum of understanding in relation to boosting cooperation on production capacity. The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao expanded opportunities for networking and exchanges among entrepreneurs and financiers – and among economic and financial officials – from member countries, said Mr Leong. Premier Li announced – while in Macao this week for a three-day inspection tour – a total of 18 measures to support the development of Forum Macao and the countries participating in the Forum; as well as another 19 supportive measures to drive further development of the SAR. The 18 measures to support Forum Macao and its member countries cover five major areas for cooperation, namely: production capacity; economic development; people-to-people and cultural ties; the marine sector; and enhancing Macao’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (known as the “Platform” policy). The Central Government also outlined 19 measures to drive further development of the SAR, namely via enhancing Macao’s role in connecting China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Those measures included supporting the Macao SAR to become a financial services platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Other measures involved establishing in Macao: the Association of Enterprise Directors of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; the Center for Cultural Exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; and a Chinese-Portuguese bilingual talent training base. The Secretary urged people across the community to develop their understanding of the measures, in order to grasp the development opportunities arising from them.
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The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao has had outstanding outcomes, including measures – announced by Premier Li Keqiang – to push forward development in Macao, said the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac.
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The Government Headquarters Open Day sessions will this year be held during the weekend (15 and 16 October), from 9am to 6pm. The sessions will include a series of performances and thematic flower displays. During the two days, members of the public will have the opportunity to visit the Protocol Palace of the Government Headquarters – a brightly coloured landmark built more than 160 years ago – and its garden, located on Avenida da Praia Grande. There will also be guided tours of the ground floor of the Headquarters. There will additionally be a display in the Multi-purpose Room of the Protocol Palace, titled “Exhibition of Old Photos of Macao”. This year’s flower show is themed “Green Home”, inspired by the concept of urban dwellers that also seek a green life. The colourful blooms of the flower show will be in the front yard display zone, the lawn display zone and the flower rack display zone. There will be live musical performances by the Macao Police Band; and musical instrument performances, choir singing and dance performances by students from, respectively, the School of Music and the School of Dance – institutions both based at the Macao Conservatory. The original portion of the Government Headquarters – including the Protocol Palace – was built in 1849. It was used as the office for Macao heads of government prior to the establishment of the Macao SAR, and has been used for that purpose since then. Nowadays the building houses the Executive Council chamber; a Multi-purpose Room; and the Lotus Room. The office of the Chief Executive is on the first floor, together with the Green Hall, the Yellow Hall and the Blue Hall, which are for greeting guests and holding meetings and banquets. An application for digital devices called “GCE Macao” has been developed on behalf of the Chief Executive’s Office. It has more detailed information about the Headquarters and a schedule of Open Day session activities. Members of the public may download this application and at the same time enter a lucky draw game. For more information, please visit http://www2.gcs.gov.mo/openday or http://www.gov.mo.
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The 21st Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (21st MIF) will be held at the Venetian Macao - Resort – Hotel from 20 to 22 October, with the theme “Co-operation – Key to business opportunities”. More than 50 countries and regions will be participating in the Fair, more than 1,600 display booths spread throughout of the exhibition venue have been set up. This year’s MIF is in an area of approximately 30,000 square metres, which is similar to last year. Where this year differs is the distribution of display booths and the overall arrangements in order to highlight the newly formed “Partner Country” and “Partner City”. This year, at the main entrance of the Fair there is the “Partner Country Pavilion – Portugal Pavilion” and the “Partner City Pavilion – Beijing Pavilion”, occupying a total area of 800 square metres. The two Pavilions will represent the historical and cultural richness of Portugal and Beijing, as well as introduce their current investment environments and economic situations, so that the participants can feel their charm right at the entrance. With the aim of bringing better support with the ripple effect of the “Partner Country” and “Partner City” Pavilions, on both sides, in close proximity to the two pavilions, MIF has set up a “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition”, “Chinese Medicine Health Industry Pavilion” and the Provinces, Cities and Autonomous Regions of Mainland China Exhibition Zone which consists of nearly 20 provinces/regions/cities. Thus on the one hand the exhibitors are able to make a centralised presentation to the visitors, whilst on the other hand, the enterprises can benefit from the negotiations and the search of business opportunities. In addition to several themed pavilions, associated with Beijing becoming the “Partner City” of MIF, this time the Fair will introduce “Beijing’s Time-honoured Brands” Exhibition Zone for the first time. Besides, this year's MIF will still have the “Macao SME Pavilion”, “Portuguese-speaking Countries Products Exhibition Zone”, “Taiwan Pavilion” and “China's Ethnic Groups — Commodities, Culture & Handcrafts Pavilion”. With a rich and diverse array of contents, MIF aims to provide the participants with a rewarding journey. A series of free business matching services will be provided during the Fair. By means of an online business matching service platform, along with the exhibition pavilions, specialised business matching sessions, visiting delegations, business opportunities for development, transition and enterprise start-ups are all included. If you have any enquiries, please contact MIF Co-ordinators Administrative and Service Centre on +853-2882 8711 or via E-mail at info@mif.com.mo. For the latest news regarding the Fair, please add the WeChat official account: MIFMacau or browse the website: www.mif.com.mo.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said the outcomes of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao would surely lift ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to new a level.Mr Chui made the comments on Wednesday (12 October) during meetings respectively with: the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Ulisses Correia da Silva; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosário; and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Mr Estanislau Aleixo da Silva.The guests were in Macao for the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao.The Prime Minister of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr José Ulisses Correia da Silva, said Forum Macao was important to the development of Cape Verde. He added he was pleased to lead a delegation to attend Forum Macao events.Mr Correia da Silva said the tourism industry was a major sector in Cape Verde. He also noted he looked forward to further cooperation with Macao relating to talent development initiatives.Mr Chui said Macao and Cape Verde had a relationship of close cooperation: the SAR Government would make further efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, relating in particular to the cultivation of talent via training.The Chief Executive noted there had been a number of investments in Cape Verde from the mainland and from Macao: he hoped these investments would help boost Cape Verde’s economy.In a separate meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosário, told Mr Chui about Forum Macao’s significant influence on Portuguese-speaking countries in general, and the development of Mozambique in particular. Mr Rosário said he noted a large number of Mozambicans had received training in Macao relating either to law or to science and technology. He hoped training could be extended to other disciplines, as Mozambique needed to expand its pool of talented workers during the nation’s ongoing industrialisation.Mr Chui said Macao and Mozambique had established an adequate number of channels for communication. Macao – in its role as a bridge between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries – would organise more visits to Mozambique by Chinese investors. He believed a further round of promising cooperation opportunities would soon be available to Macao and Mozambique.In another meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Mr Estanislau Aleixo da Silva, said Forum Macao has assisted East Timor in its efforts to establish friendly relations with countries that participate in Forum Macao. He hoped Macao and East Timor would strengthen cooperation in fields including: trade, tourism, agriculture, industry and fisheries.Mr Chui said Macao and East Timor had developed a solid foundation for cooperation: Macao would provide more support to East Timor in a bid to enhance bilateral ties, and would study closely opportunities for fresh cooperation.Following the meetings, the Government hosted a banquet to welcome delegations from some Forum Macao member countries attending the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao.During his speech, Mr Chui said trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries had seen significant growth since the establishment of Forum Macao in 2003. Forum Macao’s Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation (2017-2019) set out a clear vision and direction for the development of cooperation among the participating countries, he said.Macao would make further use of its bridging role in order to further the involvement of the Portuguese-speaking countries in the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Chui stated.Wednesday’s banquet was attended by delegations from: the Republic of Angola; the Federative Republic of Brazil; the Republic of Cape Verde; the Republic of Guinea-Bissau; the Republic of Mozambique; and the Democratic Republic of East Timor.Government officials at the banquet included: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosario; 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.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Mr António Costa, to exchange views on matters relating to Macao’s role in connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries. During the meeting at Santa Sancha on Wednesday (12 October), Mr Chui extended his warm greeting to Mr Costa, who had been leading a Portuguese delegation to Macao for the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao. Mr Chui said his most recent visit to Portugal in September had been fruitful. He added it was a basis for the SAR Government to dedicate further effort to strengthening ties with Portugal. Premier Li Keqiang had given clear direction – while he was in Macao this week – that the city would make further use of its unique connecting and platform roles, said Mr Chui. He noted Premier Li had also said Macao would take further steps to enhance its strategic position, enabling it to become a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). Mr Chui said he believed that, under the guidance of the Central Government, Macao would further develop shared platforms and establish further multilateral cooperation mechanisms, in order to facilitate jointly the development of the mainland, the Portuguese-speaking countries and the Macao SAR. Mr Costa said he was pleased to be in Macao, and to meet the Chief Executive. He said Macao had been playing an important role in boosting trade and cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Portugal paid great attention to Sino-Portuguese relations, and to its links with Macao, said Mr Costa. He stated he looked forward to expanding the existing cooperation with Macao on education, training and judicial matters; and expanding collaboration to include other fields. The Chief Executive added that Macao and Portugal had developed a profound and friendly cooperation over the years: continuing this bilateral effort would surely also advance the development of China and of Portuguese-speaking countries. Officials representing the Portuguese Republic at the meeting included: the Minister of Economy, Mr Manuel Caldeira Cabral; the Portuguese Ambassador to China, Mr Jorge Torres Pereira; the Secretary of State of Internationalization, Mr Jorge Costa Oliveira; the Secretary of State of Industry, Mr João Vasconcelos; the Head of Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Ms Rita Faden; and the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Mr Vítor Sereno. Officials representing the SAR Government included: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosario; 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.
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The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will present the first chamber music concert of this season, The Dual Faces of Russia, on 5 November, Saturday, at 8pm, at Dom Pedro V Theatre, demonstrating the flamboyant notes and heroic passion of Russian ethnic culture. Tickets are now available through the Macau Ticketing Network. Russians have an extraordinary feeling towards music – some say that music can be found in every Russian’s consciousness. Russian music often bears traumatised memories as well as passion due to the history of the race. The chamber music concert The Dual Faces of Russia will present Prokofiev’s dynamic quintet and Borodin’s unadorned and affectionate string quartet No. 2, which exemplify two extremes of Russian music. In tandem with the theme of this concert season “My Time with Music”, an exclusive activity for Friends of OM titled “Music Hour with Musicians” will be held at the Mirror Hall of the Dom Pedro V Theatre at 7:15pm on that day, conducted by violinist Vit Polasek and the Principal Oboe of the Macao Orchestra, to demonstrate these musical pieces. Admission to the exchange session is free. Music fans are welcome to share their views with musicians. Tickets for the concert The Dual Faces of Russia are priced at MOP120 and MOP100, with various discounts packages available. Ticketing Hotline: 2855 5555. All interested parties can register for “Music Hour with Musicians” between 14 and 28 October through tel. no. 2853 0782 during office hours, or through OM’s WeChat official account “Macao Orchestra”. For details of the programme, please visit Macao Orchestra’s webpage www.icm.gov.mo/om.
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The 21st Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (hereinafter referred to as MIF) will be held at the Cotai Strip Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel from 20 to 22 October (Thursday to Saturday). The Cultural Affairs Bureau will set up “Macao Creative Pavilion” at the MIF, organizing the local cultural and creative entities to participate and jointly promoting Macao’s handicrafts and design products. All are welcome to attend. The Cultural Affairs Bureau has set up “Macao Creative Pavilion” at MIF annually since 2010, organising the local cultural and creative entities to participate and promoting assorted local original brands and products, so as to allow the public to know about and support Macao’s cultural and creative industries. This year, “Macao Creative Pavilion” will continue to use the theme of the “Shenzhen International Cultural Industries Fair–Macao Creative Pavilion” held in May this year, featuring Macao’s handicrafts and design products, including daily utensils, accessories and handmade products and among others. Occupying an area of 135m2, the Pavilion features multiple hues and irregular colour patches, which symbolise the urban vitality of Macao in a distinctive way. This year, ten local cultural and creative entities selected from the Macao Database for Cultural and Creative Industries have been invited to participate and exhibit their products at the “Macao Creative Pavilion”. The participating entities include Macau Creations Limited, Soda Panda Product Design, Casa de Artesanato Nam Fan Lou, Leathership Creation Limited Company, San Seng Fung, JE Handcrafts Co., Ltd., Mobiliário Urbano Designers Limitada, Follow Design Company Limited, Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District and Macau Handcraft and Creative People Association.
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