News

Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on tissue papers on 23 December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council’s ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI for November 2015 increased by 3.77% year-on-year to 107.04, down from the 4.16% growth in October 2015. The increment was attributable to higher rentals for dwellings, rising charges for eating out and dearer rentals for parking spaces. In comparison with November 2014, notable increase was observed in the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, up by 39.43%; price index of Education and Household Goods & Furnishings increased by 8.99% and 6.54% on account of higher tuition fee and rising wages of domestic helpers. On the contrary, price index of Clothing & Footwear (-2.10%) and Communication (-0.43%) registered decrease. The CPI-A (107.28) and CPI-B (105.05) rose by 3.89% and 2.76% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for November 2015 increased by 0.10% month-to-month. Higher prices of alcoholic beverages & tobacco and women’s winter clothing & footwear drove up the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and Clothing & Footwear by 2.48% and 1.98% respectively. On the other hand, price index of Miscellaneous Goods & Services and Transport decreased by 0.47% and 0.40% respectively owing to reduced prices of jewellery, clocks, watches and other personal effects such as handbags and wallets, as well as lower prices of gasoline and airfare. In spite of the increase in prices of fruits, receding prices of vegetables and fresh pork tapered off the increase in the price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages. The CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 0.11% and 0.01% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended November 2015, the average Composite CPI increased by 4.71% from the previous period. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+14.25%) and Housing & Fuels (+8.69%) showed marked increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.08% and 3.85% respectively over the previous period. The average Composite CPI for the first eleven months of 2015 increased by 4.64% year-on-year, with the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco and Housing & Fuels rising by 15.50% and 8.43% respectively. The average CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 4.98% and 3.74% respectively. The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.
…

The exhibition “The Mastery of Shipbuilding – Fishing Junk Models by Wan Chun”, organised by the Historical Archives of Macao under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be inaugurated on the premises on 29 December (next Tuesday) at 6:00pm. Several fishing junk models crafted by experienced Macao shipbuilder Wan Chun will be exhibited, illustrating the aesthetics of his craftsmanship and embodying the techniques and spirit of shipbuilding. Shipbuilding is a traditional industry of Macao, established over one and a half centuries ago. Many shipyards were scattered throughout the city. At the end of the last century, due to the high technical level of the local shipbuilders, Macao became a sizeable shipbuilding centre of wooden fishing junks in South China. Following the recent decline of this industry, experienced Macao shipbuilder Wan Chun crafted several miniatures of fishing junks based on his shipbuilding techniques experience and skills from memory, producing a series of lively miniature fishing junk replicas, allowing the public to get to know this almost extinct art. The exhibition “The Mastery of Shipbuilding – Fishing Junk Models by Wan Chun” will be open to the public at the gallery of the Historical Archives of Macao from 30 December 2015 to 9 April 2016, from 10:00am to 6:00pm except on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free. For more information, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao website: www.archives.gov.mo or call the HAM through tel. (853) 2859 2919 for enquiries during office hours.
…

The University of Macau (UM) has appointed Dr Kou Mei as its new vice rector for administration for a term of five years, following a strict process of international recruitment and selection. Dr Kou will assume office on 2 January 2016. Dr Kou is a registered accountant. She grew up in Macao and is a Macao-educated professional. She received her associate degree (with specialty in business and accounting) from the University of East Asia and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from UM. She pursued her master’s studies in educational management at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, and received a PhD degree in business administration from the Macau University of Science and Technology. Dr Kou has more than 15 years of experience in public administration and public financial management, with specialty in financial planning and budget management for large projects. She is conversant with work practices and procedures in accounting, procurement, human resources, engineering, and quality management, and has a deep understanding of the laws and regulations governing public administration, public finance, and labour relations in Macao. Dr Kou is currently serving as vice chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Union of Associations of Professional Accountants of Macau, and vice president of the General Assembly of the Macau Society of Registered Accountants. Her work experience in government departments and other public sector organisations, as well as her extensive knowledge of the local society, are expected to benefit the university’s future development by promoting society’s understanding of and support for the university and by coordinating on policies concerning the university. UM believes that Dr Kou’s experience and expertise will help to perfect its financial management and administrative structure and enhance its quality of administration, thereby providing a better teaching and research environment for faculty and students. Under the leadership of Rector Wei Zhao and other members of the management team as well as the joint effort of faculty, students, and alumni, UM are more determined than ever to pursue the goal of becoming a world-class university.
…

The State Council today released an updated map of administrative divisions for the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). It includes 85 square kilometres of water to the east and south of the Macao SAR. The details are contained in today’s Decree No. 665 of the State Council. The new map comes into force today, while the old map, which was issued in 1999, is revoked. According to the new map, the Macao SAR also takes on administrative responsibility for an area of land where the Border Gate with Zhuhai is located, and a section of Canal dos Patos. Maritime zones of the Macao SAR under the new map include: the Inner Harbour; the Cotai channel; the sea areas to the south, east and north of the Macao SAR; and the water around a piece of land reclaimed for urban use and known as Zone A. The Macao SAR Gazette issued today Chief Executive Notice No. 128 featuring the official Chinese and Portuguese versions of the Decree of the State Council and the new administrative map of the Macao SAR.
…

The Government would press ahead with efforts to integrate gaming and non-gaming elements in the city’s tourism sector, as a way of furthering economic diversification and as a way of boosting – particularly in relation to the maritime economy – regional cooperation. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made these comments today at the sidelines of a reception to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Mr Chui outlined to reporters the key aspects of work the Government is doing to sustain development of the gaming industry. They included: a close examination – making use of the mid-term review of Macao’s gaming concessions – of how to promote effectively a healthy development of the industry; and a continuous optimisation of gaming regulation. It was also the Government’s policy to look at how Macao’s integrated resorts were going about their role of advancing opportunities for local employees, including their upward or horizontal career development. Looking ahead, the Government is confident of achieving a balanced budget and in managing a modest public surplus in the coming year, stressed the Chief Executive. The public finances are stable, with 570 billion patacas of accumulated reserves and no public debt, Mr Chui said. He added that Macao had a well-established system for managing Macao’s fiscal reserve. The Government expected gross gaming revenue in 2016 would amount to 200 billion patacas, equivalent to an average of 16.6 billion patacas per month, he said. Mr Chui said there had been a significant growth in areas not related to gaming in 2013 and 2014, such as construction, financial services, hotel, wholesale, and food and beverage. Non-gaming features now accounted for 90 percent of offerings in newly open gaming resort projects, he added. The Government would continue to promote development of non-gaming attractions in gaming resorts, in order to meet the aspirations of the Central Government – as outlined by President Xi Jinping during his visit last December – for an adequate economic diversification of Macao and the city’s sustainable development, said Mr Chui. In addition, Mr Chui said the Government was prepared for its additional administrative roles arising from Macao’s new administrative map, namely in terms of regulations, trained professionals, and necessary equipment and facilities. The State Council has today promulgated a new administrative division map for the Macao SAR. According to the regulation, an area of 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding the SAR – and also the land area where the Border Gate with Zhuhai is located – comes under Macao’s management.
…

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government would continue to make good use of the Central Government’s supportive policies, in order to sustain the stable and successful development of Macao. Mr Chui gave a speech this morning at a reception, held at the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Mr Chui said a new map of administrative divisions of the Macao SAR, recently approved by the Central Government, was an example of the Central Government’s strong support to Macao. It also related to the principles of Macao being governed according to the rule of law; the promotion of adequate economic diversification; the promotion of enhanced regional cooperation; and the improvement of people’s livelihoods. The a new map of administrative divisions, recently approved by the State Council, demarcates an area of 85 square kilometres of waters surrounding Macao as being under Macao’s jurisdiction. It also gives Macao administrative responsibility for an area of land where the Border Gate checkpoint with Zhuhai is located. The Chief Executive said the Government was studying economic development strategies relating to its newly demarcated waters. He added the Government would work to strengthen regional cooperation regarding administration of inshore waters, for Macao’s benefit and that respectively of its neighbouring cities. During his speech, the Chief Executive expressed heartfelt thanks to the Central Government, the Guangdong Government and the Zhuhai Municipal Government for their continuous support regarding this matter. Mr Chui said the Government would spare no effort in order to maintain Macao’s stability and economic vitality during the ongoing adjustment period for the city’s gaming industry. He stated that the Government would work to ensure that Macao’s overall economy would continue to be healthy, with stable public finances and a relatively low unemployment rate, despite the global economic environment being complicated and ever changing. The Chief Executive additionally noted that the Government is determined to continuing the implementation of the “Centre and Platform” policies. They refer to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and to Macao becoming a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. He said the Government would apply itself diligently to the organisation of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, an event to be held in Macao next year. Mr Chui stated the Government was preparing, for the first time, a top-level policy initiative involving the planning, over a five-year period, of Macao’s development. It would be based on the concept of developing Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure. This planning would help Macao better to realise its economic growth and to integrate that process in the nation’s overall development. The Chief Executive said that Macao’s role in national development – outlined in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan – would be achieved by making use of Macao’s unique advantages. The result would be to elevate Macao’s position and function in national economic development and in the nation’s opening-up policy, while ensuring growth at local level in Macao. The Government would also actively contribute to the policies relating to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (also known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), by maximising Macao’s cooperation with the nation’s free trade zones. At local level, improving livelihood of the people remained a core element of Government policy, stressed Mr Chui. The Government would continue to consolidate and improve several long-term mechanisms for such improvement, namely in education, social security, healthcare, housing, and cultivation of local talent. The Government would also press ahead with projects focusing on promoting respect for the elderly, support for young people, and care for the underprivileged, he said. Approximately 980 guests attended today’s reception. They included: the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Chen Sixi; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo; the Commander of the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Mr Wang Wen; the President of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho Iat Seng; and the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai. In the morning, more than 250 guests had attended the flag raising ceremony in Golden Lotus Square in celebration of the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR.
…

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and the Tou Tei Mio Patane Mercy and Charity Association co-organized the establishment of the “Patane Night Watch House” located at No. 52-54, Rua da Palmeira. The “Patane Night Watch House” opened to the public on 18 December, Friday, at 3:30pm. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Director of the Macao Government Tourist Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Representative and Assistant of the Chief of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Shao Bin; the Vice-President of the General Union of Associations of Macao Residents, Ho Ion Sang; the Chairman of the Tou Tei Mio Patane Mercy and Charity Association, Vong Su Sam; and the Chairman of the Patane Mutual Aid Association, Wong Wa Keong. The night watchers in ancient China served to report time and remind people to take precautions against fire and theft. However, this community service gradually vanished following the modernisation of the city. The Patane Night Watch House, the only one existing in Macao, reflects the night watch practice (night watchmen) of the city in the past. In order to revitalize the Patane Night Watch House, IC undertook a construction survey and mapping, structural recovery and façade renovation along other works. Thus the original layout of the night watch house was reinstated along with the reproduction of unique features like a large retaining stone and a fresco inside the house. In addition, IC commissioned a complete historical research on Macao’s night watch house and night watch system as the basis of the exhibition theme and space planning of the Patane Night Watch House. The exhibition space of the renovated Patane Night Watch House is divided into two thematic exhibition halls, namely “Macao’s Night Watch Houses” and “Image of Night Watchmen”. In the exhibition hall “Macao’s Night Watch Houses”, there are pictures and documents which tell the story of the night watch house and introduce the regulations of the night watchman’s duties and the reporting time methods, etc. It also includes tools and objects related to the job of the night watchman, such as gongs, wooden beaters, fire hose nozzles, silver whistles and service receipts, among others. The exhibition hall “Image of Night Watchmen” features graphic images of night watchmen created by Macao artists and tells the story of night watchmen in the past such as time reporting, public safety, precautions against fire and their warning duties and contribution, through interviews with former watchmen. The exhibition is therefore lively in description and rich in information. The establishment of the “Patane Night Watch House” reveals the close relationship between night watchmen and the community in the past, allowing the citizens to understand the urban development, the promotion of traditional values of mutual assistance and the provision of community services. The Patane Night Watch House opens to the public today. The House opening hours are from 10:00am to 6:00pm, including public holidays (no admission allowed after 5:30pm) and it is closed on Mondays. Admission is free. For enquiries, please call IC though tel. no. (853) 8399 6699 during office hours.
…

The Photography Contest “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and the Easy Photography Association, provide a learning platform for photography aficionados to have mutual exchange. In order to encourage the citizens to actively participate in the local cultural events, the organizer held a photography contest during the Parade, inviting all citizens to participate and capture the event’s highlights. Under the theme “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, in celebration of the 16th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, the Contest accepts works that feature scenes from the Parade, such as performances, artists and activities. The Contest includes two categories, Youth (citizens aged between 13 and 24) and Public (citizens aged 25 or above). Works must be uploaded on the webpage photoblog.ecpz.net/latincity, and each participant is allowed to upload 10 works in maximum. Applications are accepted until 26 December. Each category includes prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as well for 10 merit awards. More information on the Contest and the respective regulations are available at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, the Easy Photography Association, the digital photos output stores Digital Chi Pak, Foto Digital Fantastic and Foto Digital Tin In, and can also be downloaded from the Easy Photography Association’s website (www.ecpz.net). For details of the Photography Contest “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, please browse the webpage photoblog.ecpz.net/latincity. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Lei at (853) 6644 2644 from the Easy Photography Association during office hours. In addition, through the platform of IC on WeChat, users can participate in the Contest “Find the Treasure and be Eligible to Win Plane Tickets” by subscribing on WeChat and completing the required tasks, which is open from today until 31 December. Participants will have a chance to win a round trip Air Macau plane ticket for one person to a destination of their choice; only two tickets will be awarded. For more information on the Parade’s activities, please visit the event’s web page and page on Facebook at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade and www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
…

Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters at 9:00 to 17:30 on 20th December 2015 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Definition of waters leads to prosperity”. A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps!
…