News

The “Parade through Macao, Latin City”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) in celebration of the 16th Anniversary of Macao’s handover to China and the 10th Anniversary of the Inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” on World Heritage List, was held on 6 December and was greatly acclaimed by both residents and tourists. The organiser now will give the popular “Revellers” that appeared at Tap Seac Square this year for adoption, in order to carry on the Parade’s creativity and vitality and spread the power of “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration”. This year, local illustrator Lam Ieong Kun was invited to create four appealing “Revellers” for the Parade. The four brothers have different appearances and different colours, blue, green, red and orange, respectively. On the day of the Parade, a large number of “Revellers” appeared at St. Lazarus' Square and at Tap Seac Square, participating in the extraordinary multimedia closing performance of the event. Their unique and colourful features were greatly acclaimed by the public. In order to make good use of the existing resources, promote local creativity and share the joy of the Parade with the citizens, the organiser is launching an adoption scheme for “Revellers”. There will be 100 “Revellers” for the public to adopt. Each “Reveller” is made of fibreglass, and measures 50cm (height) by 50cm (waist) and is supported by a base. Interested parties can apply for adoption from 16 December 2015 to 15 January 2016 by filling the application form available at the Parade’s page on Facebook and website or through IC’s WeChat account. Each applicant can only submit one application. Results will be announced on 22 January 2016. Successful applicants will be notified by email regarding the pickup date of their respective “Reveller”; the colour of the “Reveller” will be decided by drawing lots. In addition, Hong Kong’s TVB will broadcast a special programme about the Parade on 15 December at 7pm, featuring the event’s highlights. For more information about the Parade’s activities, please access the respective website www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade and page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
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The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said the recently announced cooperation between Alipay and a local third-party payment company could foster the development of Macao’s e-commerce sector. Such cooperation by a local company with Alipay – a leading third-party online payment platform on the mainland – would further promote regional economic integration, Mr Leong told reporters on 13 December. The Government would closely monitor transactions made via the Alipay platform and make sure such transactions complied with existing legislation, he said. Mr Leong additionally said no casinos were among the businesses in Macao accepting payments made via the Alipay platform.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, stressed that adherence to the rule of law was the principle of governance in Macao, adding it was the principle by which issues relating to the land concession for Pearl Horizon would be handled. The Government was paying close attention to the question of the land concession of Pearl Horizon – an unfinished private housing project – and the rights of buyers of units in the project, Mr Chui told reporters on 13 December. Mr Chui detailed the reasons why the Government had decided to revert to the administration the land for Pearl Horizon when the concession expires on 25 December. The decision had been made after listening to a range of professional advice: that from a cross-departmental taskforce; from a team of legal professionals; and independent analysis by respectively the Public Prosecutions Office and the Commission against Corruption. Adherence to the rule of law was a fundamental value of Macao: the Government could not overreach the constraints of the law simply in order to respond to a specific situation, reiterated the Chief Executive. Regarding the project developer’s decision to lodge an appeal via the courts against the reversion of the land, Mr Chui said the Government would formulate a response in order to challenge the lawsuit via the courts. Commenting on suggestions by legislators that the current Land Law required revision, Mr Chui said the Government has been acting in line with the terms of the Land Law since it came into force on 1 March last year. He added his cabinet was available to explain to legislators in further detail the Government’s decision in relation to Pearl Horizon. The Chief Executive additionally stated that if legislators – in their role as members of the Legislative Assembly – proposed revisions to the Land Law, the Government would, as always, cooperate in administrative matters relating to such requests. Mr Chui also said he noted there were examples of other, already-implemented, laws being amended, or complemented via administrative regulation, in order either to improve such laws or to provide them with complementary competences.
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The Macao Orchestra, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presented two sessions of Journey into the World of Music – The Lost Elephant, a Comedy Concert on 6 December at the Macao Tower Auditorium. Students from Escola Caritas de Macau and Concordia School of Special Education and their parents were invited to watch the performances and experienced the art of music in such a close distance. Children were provided with adorable animal masks, and the performances went under a pleasure atmosphere. Targeting for education, Journey into the World of Music is an annual music series presented by the Macao Orchestra. With the elements such as mime and magic as well as bilingual interpretation in Chinese and English added to the show this year, children learned from the games. Parents acclaimed the new concepts of performance and hoped that there would be more similar concerts organised by the Macao Orchestra, as these could help to broaden children’s artistic perspectives. The Macao Orchestra invited more than 100 students from Escola Caritas de Macau and Concordia School of Special Education along with their parents to share the beauty and virtue of music. The principals from the two schools were appreciated for the respective arrangements, they considered it as a valuable experience for students to learn from various aspects. The Macao Orchestra will visit several charitable organisations and elderly centres next month, during which they will host a New Year Concert for seniors and minority groups. They will share the New Year blessing and warm regards with the audience, promoting the caring message of communion cross generation and harmony.
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With the aim to promote security and sustainable development of the financial system of the Macao SAR, the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) has been cooperating with international and Mainland supervisory authorities to combat illegal cross-border financial activities and money laundering. In order to avoid or mitigate the possible negative impact as a result of those illegal activities, AMCM has requested Macao banks/acquirers to implement enhanced due diligence, ongoing monitoring and enhanced training to merchants, as well as to the regular submission of information on high-risk merchants and the timely notification of suspicious transactions of merchants. To follow up the consensus reached in the joint meeting of last year, AMCM will be implementing the new “real-time monitoring system of Mainland bank cards” on high-risk merchants. In this connection, AMCM has organized an explanatory session on 11 December 2015. The initial phase of the real-time monitoring system will be implemented on high-risk merchants near casinos, most of which are jewellery and watches merchants. The real-time monitoring system will be extended to other high-risk merchants selling high-value products in the second phase. In view of the comparatively high turnover incurred, China Union Pay cards related transaction will be focused at the initial stage. The focus will be extended to other bank cards such as Visa, Master at a later stage. The real-time monitoring system is designed with the aim to verify the genuine relationship between card holder and the bank card in the process of acquiring goods or services in order to protect the lawful rights and interests of cardholders, merchants and banks. The implementation of the real-time monitoring system is going to help Macao fulfill the relevant responsibilities as a member of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) -Style Regional Body, in particular, to strengthen the Know Your Customers (KYC) procedures on customers of high-risk transactions.
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Developing cooperation on environmental issues will be an important element of a visit to Brazil by the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) authorities including Macao, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today. The trip is part of efforts to boost intra PPRD cooperation as well as links with the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Pan-Pearl River Delta Region covers nine provinces and two regions, and is also known as the “9+2”. It consists of: Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian; plus the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR); and the Macao SAR. The PPRD covers an area of nearly 1.92 million square kilometres, with an aggregate population of approximately 400 million. The PPRD cooperation policy provides a platform for these provinces and regions better to foster regional cooperation and strengthen their economies. Mr Leong disclosed the Brazil trip as he led an official delegation for the 2015 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Chief Executive Joint Conference in Fujian. The visit to Brazil would include a tour to get a better grasp of green economy issues as they relate to that country. The tour would also highlight measures taken to protect the Amazon basin, including its rivers and rainforest, and cooperation measures between Brazilian states, Mr Leong said. He additionally announced that the Government would set up a representative trade office in Beijing, as well as such offices in Portugal and in Brazil. This would help Macao to enhance its role as a service centre and platform linking the mainland to the Portuguese-speaking Countries. In particular setting up such offices would assist Macao in its bridging role between cities in the PPRD and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, said Mr Leong. The Government would work with the nine provinces and two regions of the Pan-Pearl River Delta in order better to implement the objectives of the nation’s 13th Five-Year Plan. Mr Leong noted that the existing bilateral cooperation between Macao and the other PPRD authorities had over the past 10 years brought great successes for all involved. Mr Leong outlined three major tasks for the coming year, as a way to advance intra PPRD cooperation. These were: to strengthen tourism cooperation between regions and areas in the PPRD; to promote Macao’s bridging role between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries; and to work together in contributing to the “Belt and Road” initiative. He was referring to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, two policies for national development. Mr Leong said factors assisting Macao’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative included the city’s unique culture; its network of returned overseas Chinese; its trade and business environment; and the development of the Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park. The country’s “Centre and Platform” policies – designed to turn Macao into a world centre for tourism and leisure and into a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries – would also promote Macao’s special position at a national level, he said. Regarding intra PPRD tourism cooperation, Mr Leong said the Government would step up efforts to develop a multi-destination travel model, so that travellers experience not only Macao but also the many tourism attractions of the “9+2”. Mr Leong added that the Government was encouraging the further development of training for tourism professionals, with the establishment of a training centre affiliated with the World Tourism Organization, known as UNWTO. During his stay in Fujian, Mr Leong also met with the Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr Zhang Xiaoqin. Mr Leong said Macao’s bilateral cooperation with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region would be extended to the business travel sector via the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry; to environmental protection; and to Chinese medicine. Mr Zhang said his Region hoped to pursue bilateral ties via Macao’s Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the mainland, also known as CEPA. He added that another route for exploring development opportunities was via business links Macao has with firms from countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Members of the Macao delegation visiting Fujian included the President of Administrative Committee of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Cheong Chou Weng; the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung; the Consultants to the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Vong Sin Man and Mr U U Sang; the Consultant to the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Leong Veng Han; and the Deputy Director of the Macao Economic Services, Mr Tai Kin Ip.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in December on 11 December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Please be informed that the office hours of Communications Museum Shop located at Estrada D. Maria II, N.º 7, Macau, with effect from 1st January, 2016 (Thursday), will be changed as follows: Mondays to Sundays: 09:00 ~ 17:30, closed on public holidays.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) declined in October 2015. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New lending approved In October 2015, new RMLs approved by Macao banks decreased 31.8% month-to-month to MOP2.5 billion; of which, 98.5% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents decreased 30.5% and 68.3% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2014, new approvals of RMLs fell by 46.8%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) dropped by 69.3% month-to-month to MOP0.3 billion. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 95.4% of the total, fell 68.0%. When compared with the same period of 2014, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units decreased by 62.1%. New CRELs decreased by 3.5% month-to-month to MOP10.1 billion; of which, 95.1% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents decreased 7.9% while those to non-residents rose 855.7%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs rose by 162.8%. Outstanding balances As at end-October 2015, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP170.3 billion, an increase of 0.1% from one month earlier or 14.1% from a year ago. The resident component made up 94.1% of the total. Compared to end-September 2015, outstanding RMLs to residents rose 0.1% while those to non-residents dropped 0.3%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 3.9% from end-September 2015 and was up 36.4% from end-October 2014 to MOP159.9 billion. Residents accounted for 88.6% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 4.1% and 2.7% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of October 2015, the delinquency ratio for RMLs remained virtually unchanged from a month ago or up 0.02 percentage points from a year ago, at 0.08%. The ratio for CRELs was also unchanged from a month ago or down 0.06 percentage points from end-October 2014, at 0.01%.
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Two PhD students from the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology, namely Ren Chang’e and Zhang Tong, recently received the sole Best Conference Paper Award and one of the two Best Student Paper Outstanding Awards, respectively, at the 2015 International Conference on Fuzzy Theory and Its Applications (iFuzzy2015). More than 120 papers were presented at this year’s conference. Ren’s paper, titled ‘Adaptive Consensus Control for Nonlinear Multi-agent Systems’, concerns a new adaptive consensus control algorithm for multi-agent systems with heterogeneous nonlinear dynamics. The fuzzy neural networks and adaptive distributed algorithm are applied to deal with unknown nonlinear dynamics. The new adaptive consensus control algorithm not only allows multi-agent systems to reach leader-following consensus simply based on local information from its neighbour, but it also reduces online learning time and computation burden. Ren’s paper is co-authored with Dr Chen Long from the FST and FST Dean Prof Philip Chen. Zhang’s paper, titled ‘A Novel Image Segmentation Approach Based on Spatial Shadowed Fuzzy C-means and I-Ching Operators’, concerns a novel clustering algorithm for image segmentation, which is based on I-Ching operators and shadowed FCM. A comparison of global optimisation ability and performance shows that the new algorithm achieves better accuracy than other traditional approaches. Zhang’s paper has been recommended for publication in the International Journal of Fuzzy Systems (IJFS), a journal indexed in the SCI-Expanded. The paper is co-authored with Dr Chen Long and Prof Philip Chen. It was one of the nine papers that made the final list of best student papers.
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