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As scheduled, the exchange period of the four previously issued Zodiac Banknotes (including the Dragon, Snake, Horse and Goat Zodiac Banknotes) will end on 20 November 2015 (Friday). In consideration for convenience to the public, a grace period has been set up this year from 23 November (Monday) to 27 November (Friday) 2015. Registrants who have not yet conducted the note exchange are advised to exchange for their subscribed notes during business hours at their previously selected location within the grace period. In respect of the terms and requirements concerning note exchange and the exchange conducted by authorized representatives, please browse the webpage of AMCM (www.amcm.gov.mo) or call our hotline (Tel: 2856 5071 / 2856 5072) for enquiry.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total spending (excluding gaming expenses) of visitors in the third quarter of 2015 amounted to MOP 12.47 billion, down by 19.5% from MOP 15.49 billion in the same quarter of 2014 and up by 1.8% from MOP 12.25 billion in the second quarter of 2015. Spending of overnight visitors totalled MOP 9.81 billion, down by 23.8% year-on-year, while that of same-day visitors increased by 2.0% to MOP 2.66 billion. In the third quarter, per-capita spending of visitors decreased by 18.0% year-on-year to MOP 1,540, and dropped by 7.7% compared with the second quarter (MOP 1,668). Per-capita spending of visitors from Mainland China decreased by 20.0% year-on-year to MOP 1,776, of which spending of visitors from Guangdong Province rose by 2.9% to MOP 1,440, while that from Fujian Province fell by 24.0% to MOP 1,106. Per-capita spending of Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) declined by 25.4% year-on-year to MOP 2,057, with those from Guangdong Province and Fujian Province spending an average of MOP 1,652 (+5.3%) and MOP 2,207 (-25.5%) respectively. Moreover, per-capita spending of visitors from Singapore (MOP 1,632), Japan (MOP 1,620), Malaysia (MOP 1,611), Hong Kong (MOP 913) and Taiwan (MOP 1,402) also registered year-on-year decrease. Among the long-haul visitors, per-capita spending of those from the United States (MOP 1,353) rose by 16.7% year-on-year, while that from Australia (MOP 1,312) dropped by 12.4%. Per-capita spending of overnight visitors decreased by 23.9% year-on-year to MOP 2,519, while that of same-day visitors increased by 5.6%, at MOP 632. Overnight visitors from Mainland China (MOP 2,948), Taiwan (MOP 2,753) and Singapore (MOP 2,605) had relatively high per-capita spending, though year-on-year decreases were recorded. Among the same-day visitors, per-capita spending of Mainland visitors topped at MOP 759, up by 7.2% year-on-year, and that of IVS visitors rose by 6.3% to MOP 1,260. Analysed by consumption structure, visitors spent mainly on Shopping (43.6%), Accommodation (25.7%) and Food & Beverage (21.9%). Per-capita shopping spending dropped by 27.2% year-on-year to MOP 671, which was mostly spent on Local Food Products (33.0%). Visitors from Mainland China spent an average of MOP 907 on shopping, with IVS visitors spending MOP 1,274, down by 28.0% and 26.2% respectively. Meanwhile, long-haul visitors spent primarily on Accommodation and Food & Beverage. According to the results of Visitors’ Comments Survey in the third quarter of 2015, about 88.8% of the visitor-users were satisfied with the services and facilities of hotels, down slightly by 0.2 percentage points quarter-to-quarter; those who complimented about the services of travel agencies (86.0%) and retail shops (85.1%) rose by 2.7 and 1.5 percentage points respectively. About 85.5% of the visitors commented that the environmental hygiene was satisfactory, up by 3.2 percentage points, while those commented that points of tourist attractions were adequate rose by 3.9 percentage points to 45.1%. Moreover, 72.5% of the visitors were satisfied with public transport services, down by 1.8 percentage points quarter-to-quarter, while those considered that the services should be improved rose by 1.1 percentage points to 13.7%.
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A research paper by scholars from the University of Macau (UM) has been ranked the No 1 downloaded paper in the month of October, 2015, in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, the most prestigious journal in the field of microelectronics. The paper, entitled ‘Nested-Current-Mirror Rail-to-Rail-Output Single-Stage Amplifier with Enhancements of DC Gain, GBW and Slew Rate’, is co-authored by Dr Yan Zushu, a graduate from the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI and the Faculty of Science and Technology; UM faculty members Prof Mak Pui-In, Dr Law Man-Kay, Vice Rector (Research) Prof Rui Martins; and Prof Franco Maloberti, an honorary professor at UM. According to the record of the IEEE, there are currently more than 3,800,000 papers in the IEEE Xplore, a digital database that makes available all IEEE publications to IEEE members. The database provides publications in electrical engineering, computer science and electronics. Each month, the database generates a list of top 100 downloaded papers, which represent the most significant topics. The research paper from UM was the only JSSC paper to make the October list and was ranked No 48 on the list. ‘The ranking is significant. “Most downloaded” means the paper has generated great interest from researchers and engineers worldwide,’ says Prof Mak. ‘The ranking shows once again that our state key lab not only produces excellent research results that keep attracting the world’s attention, but also produces excellent graduates to contribute to the development of IC in the world.’ The first author of the paper is Dr Yan Zushu, who is a graduate of UM. Dr Yan currently works as a senior engineer at the US-based company Qualcomm Inc, which is the world’s No 1 wireless chip provider. Yan was also the first student from Macao to receive the 2014 Predoctoral Achievement Award from the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society. The paper concerns a high-performance, single-stage amplifier highly suitable for next-generation, ultra-low-power Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) in portable and wearable devices. The team’s research results show that this high-performance, single-stage amplifier outperforms even state-of-the-art two-stage and three-stage amplifiers. The paper, which is now included in the JSSC, is widely referred in the academia and industry.
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According to the statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector retreated slightly in the third quarter of 2015. At end-September 2015, the share of international assets in total banking assets fell marginally to 86.1% from 86.6% at end-June 2015, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities decreased mildly to 82.3% from 83.0%. Non-local currencies continued to be the dominant denomination in international banking transactions. At end-September 2015, the shares of the pataca in total international assets and total international liabilities were 0.6% and 1.7% respectively. Hong Kong Dollar, US Dollar, the renminbi and other foreign currencies accounted for 37.0%, 37.4%, 19.3% and 5.6% of total international assets as well as 39.5%, 37.8%, 16.7% and 4.3% of total international liabilities respectively. International Banking Assets At end-September 2015, total international assets advanced by 1.9% from a quarter ago and by 18.9% from a year earlier to MOP1,199.6 billion (USD150.3 billion). Within this total, external assets increased by 19.3% year-on-year to MOP899.5 billion while local assets in foreign currencies went up by 17.9% to MOP300.1 billion. As a major component of international assets, external interbank loans grew by 19.6% to MOP424.4 billion. International Banking Liabilities Total international liabilities increased by 1.5% from three months ago and by 19.6% year-on-year to MOP1,146.0 billion (USD143.6 billion). Of this total, external liabilities and local liabilities in foreign currencies expanded year-on-year by 35.9% to MOP672.7 billion and 2.2% to MOP473.3 billion respectively. Foreign currency deposits held by residents and the MSAR government in local banks continued to form a major component of international liabilities. This type of deposits grew by 3.0% to MOP436.7 billion at end-September 2015 from MOP423.9 billion at end-September 2014. Breakdown of External Banking Assets and Liabilities by Region The majority of external assets and liabilities were related to the regions of Asia and Europe. At end-September 2015, claims on Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China, and Singapore occupied 32.6%, 28.5% and 3.4% of total external assets correspondingly, while claims on Portugal, the United Kingdom and Germany took up 3.7%, 2.1% and 0.9% respectively. On external liabilities, Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China and Chinese Taiwan accounted for 42.2%, 26.0% and 4.8% of the total respectively while France, Portugal and Luxembourg took up respective shares of 1.5%, 1.1% and 0.6%. The compilation of International Banking Statistics follows the methodology advocated by the Bank for International Settlements in order to facilitate Macao SAR’s participation in the “Locational International Banking Statistics” project of the international organisation.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, has outlined in his policy programme for next year, three strategies to promote economic development and to overcome challenges arising from the adjustment in the gaming industry. Mr Chui today disclosed more details on the Government’s plans when he took questions from members of the Legislative Assembly regarding the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2016. Mr Chui said the Government’s three strategies included: strengthening support for integration of gaming and non-gaming elements in the city’s tourism offerings; accelerating economic diversification; and promoting regional cooperation. He noted that revenue generated from non-gaming elements was about one third of the gaming industry’s takings, providing more than 45 percent of employment opportunities in large-scale resorts and hotels, compared to only 10 percent in the past. The Chief Executive also shared with legislators the Government’s economic estimates for 2016. The Government estimated that: gross gaming revenues would be 200 billion patacas for next year, namely about 16.6 billion monthly; the local inflation rate would fall to four percent; and the unemployment rate would stay below two percent. He said he was cautiously optimistic about the future of Macao, given that Macao has a well-established fiscal reserve system and many other favourable conditions. After more than 10 years of rapid economic development in Macao, the Government had developed a stable financial position. It had more than 570 billion patacas in its fiscal reserve and had no outstanding liabilities, Mr Chui said. Seizing development opportunities arising from national strategies – such as pilot free trade zones in Hengqin and Nansha in neighbouring Guangdong province – would also help Macao’s economy to thrive and achieve its goals of becoming a “World Centre for Tourism and Leisure” and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policy initiative), the Chief Executive stated. Regarding housing, he said the Government was committed to fulfil residents’ housing needs. Any “idle” land plots reverting to the Government in the future would be used for public housing, he added. Mr Chui said the Government would soon initiate planning for those undeveloped plots already designated as “idle” following a due legal process. Such designation was because holders of those land concessions had failed to develop them in the agreed period of time and under the agreed terms. To address Macao residents’ housing needs, he had directed his team to accelerate the administrative processes regarding approval for building private sector homes. The Government’s housing policy aims to find a balance between housing supply constructed by private developers and by the public sector. In addition, Mr Chui’s programme had proposed building 32,000 public housing units, including 4,000 supplied by private sector developers, in the new urban Zone A, a land reclamation area on Macau peninsula where the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge is due to have a landing point. But such extra housing had to be supported by other urban infrastructure, in order to maintain the city’s quality of life, he stated. Mr Chui disclosed that the Government was working on a proposal to solve a dispute regarding pre-sales of private sector homes – i.e. sales prior to construction being completed – in an unfinished local development. The proposal would be presented prior to 10 December, following careful research and also consultation with the Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang. Mr Chui said it would not only support the interests of the affected buyers, but would also be in line with existing legislation. When legislators asked about investment of the fiscal reserve, Mr Chui reiterated the Government would only consider large-scale or country-led projects with guaranteed returns and with low risk of losses. If it was going to make such investment it would only do so after receiving approval from the Legislative Assembly, Mr Chui added. The Chief Executive said cultivation of local talent was crucial to a robust economy, adding the Government was determined to maintain the employment of local residents, and to provide more on-the-job training to improve their upward mobility or alternatively, horizontal mobility within their chosen career or job. Regarding improvement of the city’s transportation, Mr Chui suggested a range of measures limiting the growth in the number of motor vehicles. These included: increasing vehicle tax; cancelling a tax waiver for passenger vehicles used in the tourism industry; and shortening the intervals at which a vehicle needed to undergo an examination for mechanical safety. Mr Chui also mentioned a proposal for building a fourth bridge in Macao, which would connect new urban Zone A in Macao and Zone E in Taipa, as a way to ease Macao-Taipa traffic congestion. Issues raised by legislators during today’s question and answer session covered: public housing; cultural, creative and other emerging industries; labour protection; accountability of senior civil servants; healthcare services; Macao’s preparation in managing its customary waters; reforms in public administration and government-related consultative bodies; sports and technology development. This question and answer session followed the Chief Executive’s presentation on 17 November, of the Government’s policy programme for 2016. There Mr Chui’s theme was “Focusing on livelihoods, boosting the economy and ensuring stable development”.
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The United Nations Committee Against Torture holds its 56th session in Geneva, Switzerland from 9 November to 9 December this year and has considered the periodic report of the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region) on the implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”) on 17 November. The part related to the Macao SAR is its second period report and has been included in the sixth periodic report of the People’s Republic of China. The Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organisations in Switzerland, Wu Hailong, led the Chinese Delegation to attend the meeting, with members of the Macao SAR Delegation including Director Chu Lam Lam of the Law Reform and International Law Bureau, Director Liu Dexue of the Legal Affairs Bureau, Director Lee Kam Cheong of the Macao Prison, Adviser Zhu Lin of the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Adviser Adriano Marques Ho of the Office of the Secretary for Security, Deputy Director Vong Yim Mui of the Social Welfare Bureau and Senior Officer Wong Kio Chan of the Law Reform and International Law Bureau. In fact, the Macao SAR Government has been paying great attention to the Convention since its application to the Macao SAR and has ensured its efficacious implementation in the Macao SAR through laws and different policy measures. At the meeting, Director Chu Lam Lam briefly introduced to the Committee the various laws and policy measures, including the amendment to the Organic Law of the Commission Against Corruption, the amendment to the legal system for legal aid for strengthening the protection of the right of individuals to resort to law, the consolidation of the fight against human trafficking through new laws and the signing of bilateral agreements, the drafting of the Domestic Violence Prevention Law for fighting and preventing domestic violence, and the abolition of the provision regarding the solitary confinement of minor offenders or prisoners in the form of an Order for strengthening the protection of children, which were adopted by the Macao SAR for the further implementation of the various provisions of the Convention since the consideration of the Macao SAR’s first implementation report by the United Nations Committee Against Torture in 2008. During the consideration on 17 November, committee members raised questions about the provisions regarding torture in the Criminal Code, the use of electric shock devices on prisoners, solitary confinement of prisoners, the content of the draft Domestic Violence Prevention Law and so forth. The Macao SAR delegation will answer those questions raised by the committee members in the meeting held in the afternoon of 18 November (Geneva time). For more information on the content of this consideration, please refer to the web page of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=1002&Lang=en) or that of the Law Reform and International Law Bureau (http://www.dsrjdi.ccrj.gov.mo/cn/tratadoscn.asp).
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At the 14th Macao-wide English Speech Contest & 21st ‘21st Century Cup’ National English Speaking Competition (Macao Regional Contest), six students from the University of Macau (UM) Public Speaking Team won the championship in the college category and several other prizes, including a second prize in the college category, the Best Impromptu Speaker Award, and the Most Humorous Speaker Award. Romina Eloisa Abuan, a first-year student from the Faculty of Business Administration, won the first prize in the college category and the Best Impromptu Speaker Award. Bianca Margarita, a first-year student from the Faculty of Social Sciences, won a second prize in the college category and the Most Humorous Speaker Award. Zhang Yixin, Simone Chan, Wu Zenan, and Liu Shanshan each received a merit award. The topic of the final contest in the college category is ‘Citizenship in the 21st Century’. In the final, each contestant was required to deliver a four-minute speech and a two-minute impromptu speech and answer two questions. The theme of this year’s contest is ‘Global Values’. There are six categories in the competition, including the open category, the college category, and the high school category.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 28 banks in Macao and number of full-time employees totalled 5,928 at the end of the third quarter of 2015, an increase of 255 year-on-year. Analysed by occupation, there were 1,632 directors and managers, and 2,046 clerks (including 750 bank tellers). In September 2015, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees amounted to MOP24,910, up by 8.0% year-on-year. Average earnings of bank tellers increased by 12.3% to MOP14,690. At the end of the third quarter of 2015, job vacancies remained stable as a year ago, at 247; vacancies for clerk totalled 110, including 37 for bank tellers. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 58.3% of the vacancies required working experience, 93.1% required tertiary education, and requirement for knowledge of Mandarin and English accounted for 96.4% and 96.8% respectively. In the third quarter of 2015, the Banking Sector hired 483 new employees; the employee recruitment rate (8.3%) and the employee turnover rate (5.7%) fell by 1.0 and 0.8 percentage points respectively year-on-year, indicating that the manpower situation of the Banking Sector was relatively stable in this quarter. As regards vocational training, the Banking Sector had 6,065 employee participants attending training courses provided by the employer (including courses organized by the banks or in conjunction with other institutions, and those sponsored by the banks). About 83.3% of the participants attended courses organized by the banks. The majority of the participants (68.8%) attended Business & Administration courses, followed by Law courses (20.0%).
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The University of Macau (UM) Fencing Team recently won two silver medals at the 21st All China University Fencing Championship held at Tianjin Foreign Studies University. This year’s competition attracted 533 students from 32 universities in China. Zhang Mila, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), won a silver medal in the Women’s Individual Foil Group A category. Guo Zeqian, a postgraduate student from the Faculty of Business Administration; Ruan Yishuo, a fourth-year student from the FSS; Liu Yuchen, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Science and Technology; and Shi Xin, a fourth-year student from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, won another silver medal in the Men’s Team Sabre Group A category.
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The Government is conducting a three-month public consultation about the Macao SAR’s Five-Year Development Plan – covering the period 2016 to 2020 – which is designed to transform Macao into an international city. The consultation aims to collect views from the public on topics including how to create more favourable living and working conditions in Macao, and regarding transport, travel and entertainment in Macao. The information was disclosed by some members of the Committee for Development of the World Centre for Tourism and Leisure, at a press conference on 17 November. The press conference followed the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2016 delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, at a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly. Details of the public consultation was given by Government Spokesperson, Mr Chan Chi Ping; Advisor to the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Lei Ngan Leng; and Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office, Mr Ung Hoi Ian. The consultation document, composed by the Committee, mentions seven major planning goals for the coming five years. These are: to maintain economic vitality; develop the structure of local industry; optimise infrastructure in pursuit of creating an international tourism city; to enhance local people’s quality of life; to improve the quality of education; to raise awareness on environmental protection; and to strengthen the effectiveness of governance and the rule of law. The Committee also plans to promote a more in-depth understanding on how to develop Macao’s strategic position as a world centre for tourism and leisure, (known as the “Centre” policy). The Committee will also outline four development phases for realising the “Centre” policy. Members of the public are welcome to contribute their opinions before 16 February 2016, via the website of the Committee (http://www.cccmtl.gov.mo/); or by email to message@gep.gov.mo; or by fax to 2882 3426; or by telephone on 2882 3610.
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