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Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, today said the Central Government would continue to support Macao in fostering the “Centre and Platform” policies. Premier Li said there would be new measures and policies favouring Macao, in order better to make use of its position as 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 the “Centre and Platform” policies). The new measures are aimed at facilitating the further development of Macao and promoting wider economic diversification, in order to support the long-term prosperity and stability of the region. Premier Li made the remarks upon arrival in Macao at around 11am today at the Macau International Airport. Premier Li was greeted at the airport by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, officials and a cheering crowd. Premier Li said one of his tasks during his Macao visit was to attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao). Premier Li said he would engage with people from across the community during his stay in Macao. The acts of attending the Ministerial Conference and meeting local people were in order to demonstrate – to the international community and to Macao’s residents – the Central Government’s support for further developing the “Centre and Platform” policies. Premier Li said this was his first visit to Macao: he was pleased to meet some of the city’s residents and to see the happy faces of Macao children and hear them cheering, as he disembarked from the aircraft. During his address, Premier Li said he was in Zhuhai Prefecture six years ago, representing the Central Government at the ceremonial ground breaking for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; Premier Li said he then paid a special trip to the Lotus Bridge where he was able to view Macao’s skyline from a distance. Macao was a treasured lotus land, a beautiful and special place; in particular, a place that was successfully implementing the principle of “One country, two systems”, stated Premier Li. Premier Li said he hoped that during his three-day visit to Macao, he would be able to see more, visit more, hear more, and experience more regarding Macao’s development, local traditions and customs, as well as learning more about locals’ daily livelihoods. Later in the afternoon, Premier Li will meet the Chief Executive at the San Chok Un Guesthouse, and will receive briefings on several topics, including: strategies to boost the development of Macao; and work on various aspects of Government activities. Members of the Central Government delegation include: the Secretary General of the State Council, Mr Yang Jing; the Deputy Secretary General of the State Council, Mr Xiao Jie; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi; the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Xu Shaoshi; the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Gao Hucheng; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya; the Director of the State Council Research Office, Mr Huang Shouhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Wang Zhimin; and the Director of the Premier's Office of the State Council, Mr Shi Gang. Macao officials welcoming the Central Government delegation were: the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai; 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 Commissioner Against Corruption, Mr Cheong Weng Chon; the Commissioner of Audit, Mr Ho Veng On; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; and the Public Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang. Other officials at the welcoming ceremony included: the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Macao SAR, Major General Wang Wen; the Political Commissar of the PLA Garrison in the Macao SAR, Mr Zhang Zhimeng; the Deputy Director of the State Council Information Office, Ms Cui Yuying; the Vice Minister of Commerce, Ms Gao Yan; and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo.
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According to the preliminary statistics (the figures of visitor arrivals include non-local employees and students) provided by Public Security Police Force, the overall visitor arrivals to Macao during the seven-day National Holidays Golden Week (1st – 7th October) exceeded 1.15 million with a year-on-year raise of 8%. Among various markets, visitor arrivals from Mainland China surged by 6.9%. Nice performance of Greater China and various markets The number of visitors from the Greater China market hit 1.1 million and constituted 95.5% of the total visitor arrivals to Macao during the National Holidays, an increase of 7.6% compared with the corresponding period of last year. Among them, there were close to 970,000 visitors from Mainland China, which constituted 84% of the total visitor arrivals and registered 6.9% year-on-year increase. Visitor arrivals from Taiwan and Hong Kong rose by 15.7% and 12.5% respectively, both marking a double-digit growth. On the other hand, other markets also saw better performance than last year, with their visitor numbers climbing up by 16.5% to over 51,000. Hotel occupancy rate went well Up to date, the total number of rooms provided by all hotels and guest houses in Macao reached 37,627. According to figures provided by the local trade, the average occupancy rate of hotel establishments (guest houses and hotels) in Macao was 92.3% during the Golden Week, a year-on-year increase of 5.1 percentage points. Except for guest houses, all categories of hotels registered a rise in their average occupancy rate. The average occupancy rate of 5-Star hotels was 94.4%, up 5.5 percentage points; whereas the average occupancy rates of 4-Star and 3-Star hotels were 88.3% and 93.1%, which climbed up by 3.9 percentage points and 5.7 percentage points. The average occupancy rate of 2-Star hotels was 78.2%, up 5.7 percentage points, whereas the average occupancy rate of guest houses slightly declined by 1.9 percentage points to 75%. Hotel establishment Average occupancy rate Difference 5-Star hotels 94.4% +5.5 4-Star hotels 88.3% +3.9 3-Star hotels 93.1% +5.7 2-Star hotels 78.2% +5.7 Guest houses 75.0% -1.9 Slight decline in average hotel room rate The average room rate of hotel establishments (hotels and guest houses) in Macao was about 1,700 patacas during the Golden Week, a year-on-year decline of 1.2%. The average room rates of 5-Star and 4-Star hotels were around 2,000 patacas and 1,230 patacas respectively, up 2.1% and 2.8% respectively. The average room rates of 3-Star and 2-Star hotels were around 1,220 patacas and 750 patacas respectively, a drop of 9.9% and 11.4%. The average room rate of local guest houses was around 615 patacas, down 1.8%. Hotel establishment Room rate Percentage change 5-Star hotels 2,033.3 patacas +2.1% 4-Star hotels 1,234.1 patacas +2.8% 3-Star hotels 1,221.3 patacas -9.9% 2-Star hotels 748.2 patacas -11.4% Guest houses 615.5 patacas -1.8% Dedication of great efforts Before and during the past Golden Week, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) actively prepared for the peak period and carried out an array of tasks concerned, including operation of tourism notification system, more scrupulous inspections, sending out reminders to members of the travel trade, food guide publication and distribution as well as organizing a range of events and performances, etc. With the above measures, MGTO strived to cater for the needs of residents and visitors as well as to optimize the tourism environment and service quality in Macao. MGTO regularly releases the room rates of different room categories reported by hotels and guest houses in Macao on its website. Via its WeChat ID, the Office also advised visitors to make room reservation and prepare their itinerary ahead of their trip to Macao, while by mobile text messages, visitors were advised to visit popular sightseeing districts during off-peak hours. These measures were adopted to keep traffic situations and neighborhoods near tourist sites least affected in order to maintain a positive destination image. Personnel were arranged at ten different tourist locations to provide tourism information and guidance for visitors and assist in crowd management. MGTO carried out more scrupulous inspections at various tourist attractions, ports and districts in Macao while joining hands with police authorities to combat illegal accommodation, with MGTO’s inspectors standing by round the clock. The Office also increased the manpower at Tourist Information counters, whereas MGTO’s Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000 maintained its 24-hour operator service as usual. During the Golden Week, MGTO carried out a total of 64 inspections at various ports and tourist spots and carried out 8 joint actions. The Office also inspected 27 premises and sealed 5 premises allegedly operated as illegal accommodation. MGTO and Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province effectively operated their “Tourism Notification System for National Holidays Golden Week”. During the period, the Office strived to carry out reception work well in collaboration with relevant departments and units in charge of tourism reception.
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Further delegations from Portuguese-speaking countries are due to arrive in Macao for the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao, an event to be held on 11 and 12 October. Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, who will arrive in Macao tomorrow (10 October), is to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony 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. Government delegations from four of the participating countries are expected to arrive in Macao later today. They are: the 13-member delegation from the Federative Republic of Brazil, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Services, Mr Marcos Pereira; the 18-member delegation from the Republic of Cape Verde, led by the Prime Minister, Mr José Ulisses Correia e Silva; the 25-member delegation from the Republic of Mozambique, led by the Prime Minister, Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosário; and the 23-member delegation from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr Estanislau Aleixo da Silva. Two delegations due to arrive in Macao tomorrow are: the 28-member delegation from the Portuguese Republic, led by the Prime Minister, Mr António Costa; and the 17-member delegation from the Republic of Angola, led by the Minister of Economy, Mr Abrahão Gourgel. The 18-member delegation from the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, led by the Prime Minister, Mr Baciro Djá, arrived in Macao on Friday (7 October). A total of four delegations from the seven Portuguese-speaking countries are led by their respective prime minister. This shows participating countries place great significance on the 5th Ministerial Conference, and the increasing influence of Forum Macao in boosting cooperation and fostering development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The theme of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao is "Moving towards a Stronger China-Portugal Trade and Economic Relationship: Jointly Discussing Cooperation, Constructing Platform and Sharing Development". The Ministerial Conference aims to advance further Macao’s unique functions in connecting China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and boosting cooperation initiatives between them. Forum Macao was established in Macao in October 2003. It was initiated by the Central Government and organised by the Macao Government, with participation from seven Portuguese-speaking countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor. The previous editions of the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao took place in October 2003; September 2006; November 2010; and November 2013.
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Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, will arrive in Macao tomorrow (10 October) for a three-day visit. Premier Li, who will lead a Central Government delegation, will on Tuesday (11 October) deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao). During his three-day visit to Macao, Premier Li will meet Government officials and receive briefings on several topics, including: strategies to boost the development of Macao; strategies regarding the city’s economy; progress on large-scale construction projects; and work on various aspects of Government activities. Premier Li will meet people from across the community, and pay several inspection visits, in order to gain further understanding of the latest developments regarding Macao. The 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao will be held in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday. The visit of Premier Li shows the Central Government’s great support and significant encouragement for the Government regarding the pushing forward of development in Macao.
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More than 500 media representatives will soon gather in Macao to cover events relating to the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao, to be held on 11 and 12 October. The Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, will deliver a keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao). The host body is known as Forum Macao. More than 500 media representatives from a total of 76 news organisations have registered with the authorities. Among them are 270 representatives from a total of 36 local news outlets; nearly 180 people representing 12 news agencies from the mainland; and about 70 media representatives from news organisations outside Macao, including some from the Portuguese-speaking countries. The theme of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao is: Working Toward Stronger Sino-Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Trade and Economic Relations – Combining Efforts, Jointly Building a Platform, Sharing Fruits of Development. The Ministerial Conference aims to advance further Macao’s unique functions in connecting and boosting cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Forum Macao was established in Macao in October 2003. It was initiated by the Central Government and organised by the Macao Government, with participation from seven Portuguese-speaking countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor. The previous editions of the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao took place in October 2003; September 2006; November 2010; and November 2013.
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In order to allow the public to have better understanding of the St. Joseph’s Seminary and the history of the development of the Catholicism in Macao, as well as to appreciate the Seminary’s valuable collections, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has worked with the St. Joseph’s Seminary and the Diocese de Macau to establish the “Treasure of Sacred Art of St. Joseph’s Seminary” at the St. Joseph’s Seminary, which was officially inaugurated today (7 October) at 6pm. The opening ceremony was officiated by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Cai Siping; the Bishop of Diocese de Macau, Stephen Lee Bun Sang; Priest of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jojo Peter Ancheril; and the Head of the Department of Exhibitions and Museums of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Lei Lai Kio. Prior to the opening ceremony, the Sanctus Thomas Choir of the St. Joseph’s Seminary Choir presented a series of sacred music performance. On inauguration day, 8 October, admission to the “Treasure of Sacred Art of St. Joseph’s Seminary” was free and was open to residents and tourists. St. Joseph’s Seminary is located at St. Augustine’s Square. In 2001, the seminary received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, and became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macao in 2005 and was inscribed in the World Heritage list. It has became an important part of the Historic Centre of Macao. In 1728 the Jesuits founded the St. Joseph’s Seminary, which became an important base for Catholic training. Built in 1758, the adjacent church became the second higher education institution of the Jesuits for educating missionaries in Macao, where the complex was commonly known as “Sam Pa Chai” among the local population. From 1762, the Seminary went through several hands and vicissitudes, returning only to the management of the Jesuits in 1930. This historical seminary is closely connected to the evolution of Macao’s society and it has greatly contributed to the city’s culture, education, art and charitable endeavours. St. Joseph’s Seminary had been the second and third site of Colégio Diocesano de Sao José, with several religious relics, such as ancient books, oil paintings, statues and ritual supplies collected. In order to allow the public to appreciate these valuable historical collections, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has worked with the St. Joseph’s Seminary and the Diocese de Macau to establish the “Treasure of Sacred Art of St. Joseph’s Seminary”, featuring nearly 110 valuable items and sets. Residents and tourists can learn more about the history of the Seminary and the history of the Catholicism in Macao, as well as the history of cultural exchanges between China and the West after their visit to the Museum. In response to this initiative, the organizer also host two lectures on 8 October, at 10am and 11:30pm, at the St. Joseph’s Seminary. The first lecture, titled “The First University of the Far East in Macau : The Commitment of the Jesuits to Higher Education in Asia”, is conducted by the Director of the Macau Ricci Institute, Stephan Rothlin, S.J.,; while the second lecture, titled “Contributions of St. Joseph’s Seminary on Music in the 20th Century”, is conducted by the Professor of the School of Arts of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, Dai Dingcheng,. The “Treasure of Sacred Art of St. Joseph’s Seminary” is open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed on Wednesdays). Admission is free. From 22nd October onwards, guided tours in Cantonese are available to the public every Saturday and Sunday, from 3pm to 4pm. For more information, please call through tel. no. 2835 7911, during office hours.
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The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China expresses strong opposition to the content relating to Macao carried in a report lately issued by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China of the United States of America. Foreign countries have no right to interfere in China’s domestic affairs and should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of Macao. The 2016 annual report, produced by a self-styled commission of the U.S. Congress, is groundless and baseless. Since the return to the motherland, the Macao SAR has made remarkable achievements in various aspects. These achievements have been widely recognised by international communities and agencies.
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The Government Headquarters Open Day sessions will this year be held on 15 October (Saturday) and 16 October (Sunday), 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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Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), in co-organization with the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the 19th Lusofonia Festival associated with the culture of the Macao Portuguese-speaking communities will be held from 21 to 23 October, at the Taipa Houses-Museum in three consecutive days. The Festival offers excellent activities including gastronomy, music, dance and games, as well as street decoration in the surrounding areas of the Taipa Houses-Museum in Portuguese style, allowing visitors to feel like travelling in a foreign country. All residents and tourists are welcome to participate in the event, and experience the Portuguese customs and feel the Festival’s cheerful atmosphere. The 19th Lusofonia Festival Press Conference was held on 6 October at the Auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Representatives who attended in the Press Conference included the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Cheng Wai Tong; the Head of the Department of Cultural Events of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; and the Head of the Division of Recreational Activities, Cheang Kai Meng. The first edition of the Lusofonia Festival was held in 1998, aiming to celebrate the Portuguese Expatriate Day on 10 June as to honour Portuguese-speaking individuals who resided in Macao and contributed to Macao’s development. The programme of this edition is as diversified as in previous years. Different cultural booths of Macao Portuguese-speaking communities from ten countries/regions, namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Daman and Diu, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Macao and East Timor, will be set up, introducing their countries or regions’ traditional music, photographs, arts and crafts, costume, literary books and gastronomy, thereby putting vitality in the Lusofonia Festival as well as allowing visitors to have in-depth understanding of the Portuguese-speaking countries and regions’ culture. Three ensembles of the art groups from nine Portuguese-speaking countries or regions will perform different styles of music and dance every evening; several local Portuguese-speaking performing art groups will also offer performances in the afternoon and evening. Every night starting from 7:30pm, music performances by local groups will be held at the Carmo Square, allowing the public to enjoy music in a relaxed environment while tasting Portuguese-inspired delicacies. In addition, activities also include Portuguese-inspired gastronomy restaurants (providing daily roasts of Portuguese flavour at lunch and typical dishes from the different Portuguese-speaking countries at dinner), a Macau Grand Prix Simulator with the Guia Circuit raceway and Portuguese traditional games such as pole climbing, bigfoot game, tug of war and sack racing, as well as activities for children (children can ride on Irish ponies in about 1-meter height and take photographs, participate in group games for children and workshops) and a table-football competition (for under 15 and over 16 years of age in two categories). A radio station will also be installed on site to broadcast Portuguese music throughout the day. The 19th Lusofonia Festival features will be held from 7pm to 10pm on 21 October (Friday), from 12pm to 11pm on 22 October (Saturday) and from 12pm to 10pm on 23 October (Sunday) at the Taipa Houses-Museum, featuring singing, dancing, games and gastronomy in three consecutive days. In this 19th edition, the Festival further demonstrate the vibrancy of Macao as a tourism city through a diversified programme and continues to pass on rich Portuguese-inspired local culture. For more information, please access the IC’s website at www.icm.gov.mo or call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.
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A delegation from Guangzhou Medical University (GMU), led by the university’s president Wang Xinhua, recently visited the University of Macau (UM). During the visit, the two universities signed an agreement on increasing collaboration in health sciences and training medical professionals. The agreement was signed by Wang and UM Rector Wei Zhao. This is the second collaborative project between the two institutions. Earlier in March, a delegation from UM visited GMU’s State-Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, while in July the two universities signed a Letter of Intent. After the signing ceremony, the delegation visited the laboratories of UM’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine to learn more their developments and achievements. The guests also exchanged ideas with the researchers from the two facilities. Wang praised UM for its faculty and lab equipment and expressed hope that the two institutions will work closely together to achieve breakthroughs in research and talent development.
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