News

Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), a launching ceremony of the book titled “A Bibliography of Macao Literature 1600-2014” was held on Saturday, 9 July, at 4pm, in the “19th Macao Book Carnival”, at the Macao Polytechnic Institute Sports Pavilion. The launching ceremony was officiated by the Head of the Division of Research and Publications of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Wong Man Fai; the book’s author, Dr. Wong Kwok Keung; the President of the Macao Library and Information Management Association, Choi Chi Long; the General-Director of the Pen of Macau, Tong Mui Siu; the Principal of Macao Lingnan Middle School, Ao Kam Iong; the President of the Macao Association of Literacy Promotion, Chan In Wa; and the veteran Macao educator, Lao Sin Peng. “A Bibliography of Macao Literature 1600-2014” is the second book of the “Macao Museum of Literature Collection – History Series”. The planning and publication of this collection aims to offer original materials to academic studies through the collection of historical materials and works, thereby hoping to lead to the publication of even broader and more in-depth works on Macao’s literature. The author, Wong Kwok Keung, has years of experience in historical collection and investigation, having selected a bibliography of over 6000 book related to Macao’s literature. Through an analysis of the characteristics and trends in the aspects of the content, language, publishers, and among others, of Macao-related literary works, he seeks to introduce the current development of Macao’s literature in the Chinese, Portuguese and English literature sector, in order to offer valuable reference materials to the development of Macao’s literature. Wong Kwok Keung has been working at the University of Macau Library since 1987, he also worked as the Head of the Publications Centre in 2005. Now he is the assistant librarian of University of Macau Library. From 1990 onwards, he became an active participant of social activities and begun compiling a list of Macao-related studies and publications, offering an important foundation to studies on the city. In recent years, he published close to 100 articles related to Macao’s publications and research studies, mainly focusing on Macao’s publishing history, document bibliography, library and archives history, reading history and Macao and Southeast Asia history. “A Bibliography of Macao Literature 1600-2014” is available for sale at MOP150 at the Plaza Cultural Macau, Seng Kwong Bookstore, Livraria Portuguesa, Macao Historical Archives, Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza and Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. For more information, please contact Mr. Ao of IC through tel. no. 8399 6449, during office hours.
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Macao Post had launched the Android version of "Macao Post App" (Apps) on 9th October last year. In order to expand the service area of Macao Post and to become more convenient for the public to look for Macao Post’s information at all times, Macao Post will launch the "Macao Post App" (Apps) in IOS version on 9th July, 2016 for free download. Macao Post will continue to optimize the functions of mobile applications, in order to promote the electronic postal service and to enhance services quality. IOS version of "Macao Post App" is now available at the "App Store" for free download.
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Please be informed that, starting from 9:00a.m. on 18th July, 2016, the reprint label stamps “Old Streets and Alleys” will be available for sale at the automatic stamp vending machines in Macao (Attachment). The above machines will be temporarily suspended for the replacement of the reprint label stamps from 9:00a.m. on 17th July 2016. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. The label stamp “Old Streets and Alleys” was issued on 30th June 2015. The reprint label stamp maintains the original design, but with the wording “REIMP 2016” indicating the reprint year at the bottom of the empty selvage.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will attend a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on 27 July and answer legislators’ questions on Government policy and social issues. The session will start at 3pm and will be broadcast live on television and radio channels of public broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM). Members of the public also have the option of watching the proceedings online via: the website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo); the Macao SAR Government Portal (http://www.gov.mo); the website of the Office of the Chief Executive (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo); official channels on YouTube; and Government apps for mobile devices. The Chief Executive pays great attention to communication with the Legislative Assembly. Besides attending plenary sessions of the Assembly every year in order to deliver the Policy Address relating to the following fiscal year, the Chief Executive also attends two similar sessions each year. This is in order to update the public with the progress of Government work; to enhance communication with legislators; and to optimise administrative transparency.
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The Macao film project selection for the 2016 Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Film Production Investment and Trade Fair (“The Fair”) was completed on 2nd July with seven submissions selected. The applicants of the selected film projects will be invited to attend the Fair on 16th and 17th August, where they can meet with film investors and producers from the three regions, promote selected film projects and have the opportunities for collaboration. Committed to explore potential Macao film projects and broaden the communication channel of local film creators and filmmakers, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) called for submission of Macao film projects for the Fair. A total of eight applications were received. The adjudication panel selected eligible film projects based on creativity of the story, experience and execution ability of the applicant, the executive producer and production team as well as the rationale of budgeting. After assessment, there are seven eligible applications and all seven applications were passed, they are: Maxim Bessmertnyi, António José Caetano de Faria, Ho Fei, Hoi Kuok Meng, Lou Ka Hou, Fernando Manuel Nunes dos Santos Eloy and Wong Kong Po. Members of the adjudicating panel for this selection include Zheng Dawei, Secretary-general of the Guangdong Motion Picture Industry Association; Agnes Lam, Assistant Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Macau; Albert Chu Iao Ian, President of the Macau Association of Audio-Visual “CUT” and Chan Peng Fai, Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. During the assessment process, the panel also offered their advices to each film project. IC will then provide the advices integrated from the panel to the applicants of the selected film projects, hoping them have a better performance during the Fair. The Fair is co-organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the Guangdong Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television since 2014. It aims to provide a high-level and convenient communication platform for film investors and producers from the three regions. It not only helps to build a channel for film investment and co-operation, but also cultivates filmmaking talents and promotes the film industry in the three regions. Applicants of selected film projects will receive notification from the Cultural Affairs Bureau in several days. For enquiry about the results, please contact Mr. Chong or Mr. Leong of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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The Ministerial Conference between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, to be held in Macao later this year, would help take economic cooperation and trade between Cape Verde and Macao to a new level. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the remarks on Thursday (7 July) in a meeting with the former president of the Republic of Cape Verde, Mr Pedro Pires. The 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries is to be held in Macao. Through this event and other steps, the Government would use its utmost efforts to increase the number of business opportunities available to China, the Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao. The Government pays great attention to relations with Portuguese-speaking countries and to Macao’s bridging role between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, said Mr Chui. The Government is committed to the goals of transforming Macao into, respectively: a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Portuguese-speaking countries; a goods distribution centre; and a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portugal Mr Pires said he hoped his visit would facilitate deeper bilateral exchanges between Cape Verde and Macao. Reinforcing ties with Macao would help Cape Verde strengthen cooperation with China, countries in Africa and other Portuguese-speaking countries, he added. Mr Pires was visiting Macao for the first time, following an official visit to Beijing. He said he was impressed by Macao’s beautiful cityscape and robust social and economic developments. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, also attended Thursday’s meeting. Representatives of the Republic of Cape Verde that were are the meeting included: the Honorary Consul of Cape Verde in Macao, Mr David Chow Kam Fai; the wife of the former president of Cape Verde, Adélcia Pires; and the President of the Cape Verde-China Friendship Association, Mr José Correia.
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The 28th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest will be held above the sea area across Macau Tower on 3rd, 10th, 15th and 24th September and 1st October, featuring ten contesting teams ready to dazzle the skyline with spectacular fireworks displays that bring out a special theme each of the five scheduled evenings. The themes of the fireworks nights include “Pyro Fantasia”, “Tribute to Bond”, “Mid-Autumn Harmony”, “Stars from afar” and “Celebration in the Sky”. The Macao International Fireworks Display Contest is organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). During the press conference today (7th July), MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes unveiled the event program of this year. Looking back, Director Senna Fernandes was glad to see so many prominent fireworks companies coming from across the globe to grace the contest over the last 27 years. The event has, for over two decades, drawn a multitude of visiting spectators to Macao. She stated that in the days ahead, MGTO will carry on with its efforts to stage a wider diversity of fascinating events. In pursuit of stronger collaboration with the tourism and travel-related sectors, the Office will strive to incorporate various elements with tourism as well so that more visitors from around the world would love to come and experience the city in different styles. Its endeavor is in line with Macao’s goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Outstanding fireworks teams The contest has pit a range of globally-acclaimed pyrotechnic companies against each other over the past editions, and without exception, features a strong line-up of competitors this year. A total of ten teams are from different countries as follows (in order of appearance in the contest): Thailand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Romania and China. This is the first time for the contest to feature a team from Romania; on the other hand, the Canadian company is making its debut in Macao. The Japanese and Korean teams will present their fireworks shows on 15th September, the Mid-Autumn Festival, whereas the teams from Romania and China will come on stage on 1st October, the National Day. The ten teams are outstanding and well-matched, ready to bring on an array of stunning fireworks displays for residents and visitors. Established in Canada in 1999, Feu d’artifice Orion stages more than 80 fireworks shows over the province of Québec and the world annually, including various displays in celebration of Québec’s National Holiday and Canada Day; in 2015, the company won the first prize in the World Championship Blackpool England. As the contest’s first Romanian team, Pyro-Technic Transilvania Ltd. was founded in 1998 and organizes over 250 fireworks shows for major festivities and prestigious sports events in Romania every year; in 2006, the company won the championship in the Romanian National Fireworks Contest. The other eight teams all shined in the contest in Macao before, with several of them ranking among the top three. Based in Portugal, Macedos Pirotecnia, Lda joined the contest four times in the past and won the first prize in the 12th edition; boasting over 80 years’ pyrotechnic experience, the Portuguese company once presented the then biggest fireworks display in the world for New Year Eve on Madeira Island in 2006, an achievement recognized by the Guinness World Records, and held the record until 2012. Second-prize winner in the 12th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, the British company Pyro 2000 Ltd. stages fireworks displays in the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland each year. Specialized in orchestrating fireworks displays to live music performance, Pyro 2000 Ltd. is among the key players of musical fireworks displays in the United Kingdom. Established in Switzerland in 1967, SUGYP SA brings on over 250 fireworks shows across Switzerland and the world every year, and won the third prize in the 25th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. Coming from Japan, Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. won the first and third prizes in the 5th and 19th editions of the contest in Macao before. Taking pride in its over 150 years’ experience in pyrotechnics, the Japanese company is set to enthrall its audience with unforgettable fireworks displays in “Edo-Tokyo style”, which combines modern innovation of Tokyo and traditional techniques of pyrotechnic craft dating from the Edo period in Japanese history. Based in Hunan Province, famed as the “Hometown of firecrackers” in China, Hunan Jingtai Fireworks Co., Inc. has been manufacturing fireworks for over three decades and exporting its products to Asia, Europe, North America and other parts of the world. Taking the Macao contest’s championship back home the year before, the company now comes back to compete against other teams. For the rest of the teams, Thailand Fireworks, Daehan Fireworks Co. from Korea and Orzella Fireworks from Italy all joined the Macao contest before. Music and laser light effects This year, MGTO again requests the teams to choreograph their fireworks displays to both music and laser light projections, not only to bring out their display’s theme and character but also to present a light and sound spectacular. Spectators can enjoy the fireworks shows live broadcast on TDM – Macao TV Channel with their background music streaming from TDM - Radio Macao's Chinese Channel (FM 100.7) as well every scheduled evening. Publicity via various channels The Office will vigorously promote this year’s contest through an array of international, regional and local media and publicity channels, including advertisements broadcast through international media in neighboring regions and promotion via key media and travel magazines in Macao, Hong Kong and Mainland China. Other means include poster and leaflet distribution, etc. The Office will widely spotlight the event in regional and overseas travel fairs and exhibitions, as well as on the Internet as a publicity channel. Side activities bring a lively vibe MGTO strives to organize a variety of vibrant events and activities in partnership with various public departments, entities and non-governmental organizations to encourage participation among residents and bring out a greater synergistic effect. The Office will hence join hands with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau again this year to present the Fireworks Carnival, filling the event with fun and colorful dimensions. Last year, the five-day carnival welcomed in excess of 77,000 participants. Applications forms are available starting today (7th July) for the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest of the 28th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. A prize-giving ceremony was held today (7th July) for winners of last year’s contests. This year, residents and visitors can choose to enjoy the fireworks at “Anim’Arte Nam Van”, the new landmark for leisure, culture and creativity in town, while relishing gourmet delights served at the cafe. It is also a place where they can enjoy different artistic performances with unique color with the craft market alongside cultural and creative shops to stroll around for a relaxing evening. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/index.php
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The Government, as always, adheres to Macao’s laws and regulations when handling issues concerning land concessions. In particular, land concessions relating to Area C and Area D in the Nam Van district are being handled in line with the Urban Planning Law, which has been in place since 1 March 2014. In relation to the use of land parcels in Area C and Area D at Nam Van, Order No. 69/2001 of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works states the concession for a plot identified as C7 is to expire by 21 August 2026. Other plots in the area – namely C2, C15, C16, D3 and D4 – are publicly-controlled sites; C2 is for a temporary office of the Court of First Instance. The Government is analysing options for the use of the other four land parcels that are publicly controlled. The Government notes that the company responsible for the construction of the temporary office of the Court of First Instance took the initiative to request – from the respective owners – the use of land plots near to the C2 plot in order to store construction material and equipment. The Government points out it was not involved in that process.
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The CCAC has recently uncovered a case where a chief and a former chief of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), for a long period of time, covered up for two subordinates who were late to work and left early from the workplace. Given that these facts constituted a crime of abuse of power under the Penal Code, the case has been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office. According to the investigation, two public servants of the IACM frequently came in late to work and left early between 2011 and 2014. Such tardiness and early departures should be considered unjustified absences under the Staff Regulations of the IACM and the internal attendance policy. However, despite that the said two chiefs of the IACM had come to know from different sources the acts of the two subordinates, they wilfully did not, for almost four years, fulfil their duties and obligations as chief – neither did they take any measures to stop the acts of indiscipline of their subordinates, nor did they inform the superior about the problems. Instead, they continuously allowed their subordinates to be tardy to work and leave early as they pleased. In the course of CCAC’s investigation, one of the two chiefs involved, with the intention to conceal the illegal act of covering up for the subordinates for a long time, accepted several dozen absence records without proper evidence or explanation as justified, albeit with the knowledge that such act would go against the legal procedures. According to the relevant provisions of the public servant ordinance, unjustified absences, besides the disciplinary consequences they may carry, shall always determine forfeiture of remuneration corresponding to the days of absence. Over a period of four years the two public servants of the IACM were found to have over 600 unjustified absences in total. Due to the concealment of their acts by the two chiefs, the IACM improperly paid them the full remuneration, which resulted in a direct loss of some MOP550,000 to the SAR Government.
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Macao’s wet markets will resume retail sales of live poultry tomorrow (7 July), after it was confirmed that poultry imported today was disease-free. The batch of live birds – including a total of 7,500 chickens and 1,920 pigeons – was imported from Zhuhai Prefecture, and is the first such import since a ban in Macao on sales of live poultry was introduced on 22 June. To safeguard public health, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau has increased its checks, in order to monitor a larger number of the poultry animals that are imported to Macao and are stored in the city’s wholesale market prior to sale in neighbourhood wet markets. All Macao wet market stalls that usually sell live poultry have undergone thorough cleaning and sterilisation since the ban on sales of live birds was imposed on 22 June. Under current policy, all stalls in wet markets must be cleaned after every business day, and via a large-scale sterilisation every two weeks. Additionally, the wholesale market is cleaned thoroughly every two weeks. On 22 June the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau found an environmental sample from a live poultry stall at the Iao Hon Market that tested positive for avian influenza virus; an H7 subtype. A public health contingency response was immediately put into effect: measures taken included a ban on sales of live poultry in markets, and a cull of 9,000 birds at Macao’s wholesale market.
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