News

An agreement between mainland’s General Administration of Customs and Macao to strengthen cooperation on the management of maritime waters and law enforcement was likely to be signed in May, said the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak. Mr Wong made the comments on Tuesday (8 March), after attending a graduation event and swearing-in ceremony for senior police officers and fire officers. Mr Wong said, on the sidelines of the event, that preliminary agreement between Macao and the mainland had been reached on maritime cooperation, and the specifics of law enforcement duties regarding the city’s 85 square kilometres of waters. He added this was the result of a recent visit to Beijing and a meeting with officials there. It included a meeting with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou. In response to questions from reporters, the Secretary said the Macao authorities were highly concerned that a member of the Public Security Police Force facing a disciplinary investigation had gone missing. The authorities continued to pursue an investigation into the case, he said. Mr Wong confirmed that the police officer under investigation had left Macao after providing assistance to a separate police investigation. No further information could be disclosed at this stage as the officer’s departure from Macao was itself still under investigation, he added. Mr Wong said any disciplinary investigation against a member of the Public Security Police Force could last up to 45 days under existing rules. An extension could be requested if it were deemed necessary. Neither a member of the police forces nor a public servant facing a disciplinary investigation could be dismissed prior to adjudication on such a matter, he stressed.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in March on 8 March for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Areia Preta, Mong Há and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais in N. Sra. de Fátima Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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. With reference to the local seven 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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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on fresh pork, ribs and lean meat from wet markets and supermarkets on 8 March. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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Macao Post will release the “Supplements for Philatelic Album of Macao 2015” on 10 March 2016, it will be available for sale at the Philatelic Shop of Macao Post Headquarters and the Communications Museum. The album pages are pre-printed with all the stamps’ images of 2015. Your collections of stamps and souvenir sheets of 2015 can be put into the pre-printed pages for convenient storage. The selling price of Supplements for Philatelic Album of Macao 2015 is MOP260.00.
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The Government is considering a plan that would enable local young people to get language training on the mainland or overseas. The idea would be to improve further the international outlook of young local people and their competiveness in the employment market. The information was disclosed by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, on Monday (7 March), during a meeting of the Youth Affairs Committee. The Secretary heads the committee. Discussions at the meeting included: a mid-term review of the Macao Youth Policy covering the years 2012 to 2020; updates on the committee’s Youth Awards 2015; a publicity campaign relating to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as “the Belt and Road” initiative); a redevelopment plan for the former Estoril Hotel building and adjacent swimming pool; and issues relating to occupational education. The Government aims to develop further its public policies to cultivate all-round talent among local people, said Mr Tam. Macao has a special role in the nation’s economic development and its policy of opening up to the rest of the world, he added, noting such facts provided development opportunities for local young people. Regarding youth entrepreneurship, Mr Tam said the Government would provide support on the theory and practise of business, and not only financial assistance to start ups. The Government would invite senior executives from different sectors, such as from local banks and commercial industries, to share their experience with young people. Regarding the former Estoril Hotel building and adjacent swimming pool, several committee members reported a positive response from the public regarding plans to redevelop the area; with hopes expressed it could be done soon. The Government proposed to demolish the former hotel and redevelop the area as a youth recreation and sports facility, enabling Macao’s young people to cultivate their creativity and their potential in the arts, and to stay fit, Mr Tam added. The Government would act in line with the Cultural Heritage Law with regard to a request – raised by about a hundred members of the public – to classify the building as a piece of cultural heritage, he said. Mr Tam stated the Government would pay close attention to different opinions from the people, noting that a third-party conducted survey showed more than 80 percent of respondents were in favour of the redevelopment proposal.
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Summary With the active cooperation of Macao’s banking sector, the full assistance of the Macao RMB clearing bank, the assistances rendered by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC)’s Shenzhen Central Sub-branch Immediate and Zhuhai Central Sub-branch Immediate, the Macao Renminbi Real Time Gross Settlements (RMB RTGS) System with participation of 28 financial institutions has formally been put into operation since 7 March, providing real-time settlement services for bank customers’ RMB remittances and interbank transfer of RMB funds. Putting the RMB RTGS System into operation marks a further enhancement to Macao’s financial infrastructure. It does not only help improve risk management and clearing efficiency of RMB funds but also further promotes the intensification of regional financial cooperation, facilitates the expansion of cross-border use of the RMB and fosters the development of Macao into a RMB clearing platform for trade settlement between Mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs). Full Release To further improve Macao’s financial infrastructure, mitigate settlement risk, enhance settlement efficiency, deepen regional financial cooperation and develop Macao into a RMB clearing platform for trade settlement between Mainland China and PSCs, after the launch of MOP RGTS System on 28 January 2013, the AMCM immediately initiated preparations for the establishment of Macao RMB RGTS System and formally started building the system in January 2015. With the full assistance of the Macao RMB clearing bank, active cooperation of all participating banks, the great support of Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of the SAR Government, the assistances rendered by the PBOC’s Shenzhen Central Sub-branch Immediate and Zhuhai Central Sub-branch Immediate, the Macao RMB RTGS System has been launched since 7 March after 15 months of development, integration, testing, simulation and drilling. Furthermore, the system is linked up with the RMB payment and clearing system in the Mainland, which allows real-time settlement services of local and cross-border RMB fund transfers between banks or between bank customers. Currently, the system runs smoothly and is stable with the participation of 28 financial institutions.
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The Marine and Water Bureau met with the Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau to discuss issues relating to cooperation on coastal administration, such as hydrographic surveying, the placing of marker buoys and channel dredging. The meeting was held on 3 March in Zhuhai. It followed the signing on 5 January of the Cooperation Agreement on Marine Traffic and Fairway Management for Waters Administered by the Macao Special Administrative Region. The agreement is between the Ministry of Transport and the SAR Government . During the meeting, the Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau and the Marine and Water Bureau exchanged views on dredging and hydrographic surveying cooperation. Guangdong and Macao will also share technical information to ensure efficient transportation via public waterways and navigational safety. Before the State Council demarcated the boundary of Macao’s jurisdictional waters in late December last year, the Marine and Water Bureau had placed approximately one dozen marker buoys in total at, respectively, the fairways of Shizimen, Inner Harbour and Cotai. The bureau will now provide its Guangdong counterpart with the technical specifications of those marker buoys that are located in waters administered by Guangdong. This is so the Guangdong authorities can place new marker buoys in the original locations.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released survey results of Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector for the fourth quarter of 2015. Survey coverage excludes junket promoters and junket associates. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2015, the Gaming Sector had 56,217 full-time employees, down by 2.7% year-on-year, of which 24,619 were dealers, down by 4.4% year-on-year. Shift working employees in the Gaming Sector accounted for 92.6% of the total. In December 2015, average earnings (excluding bonuses and allowances) of full-time employees in the Gaming Sector stood at MOP21,630, up by 4.6% year-on-year. Average earnings of dealers increased by 4.3%, at MOP18,780. Job vacancies totalled 462 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015, down by 379 year-on-year. Most of the vacancies were for clerks and service & sales workers, while no vacancies for dealers were recorded in this quarter. In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 42.0% of the vacancies required working experience; 70.6% required senior secondary education or higher; requirement for knowledge of Mandarin and English accounted for 88.7% and 55.8% respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2015, a total of 376 new employees were hired, a substantial decline of 80% from 1,968 in the same quarter of 2014, bringing the employee recruitment rate (0.7%) down by 2.7 percentage points year-on-year; meanwhile, the employee turnover rate (1.8%) and job vacancy rate (0.8%) fell by 0.8 and 0.6 percentage points respectively. The decrease of the indicators suggested a further slowdown in demand for manpower in the Gaming Sector. As regards vocational training, the Gaming sector had 34,527 participants attending training courses provided by the enterprise (including courses organized by the enterprise or in conjunction with other institutions, and those sponsored by the enterprise), up by 48.2% year-on-year. Most participants (53.9%) attended courses in Business & Administration, followed by Gaming & Entertainment Services (31.9%). The majority of courses were organized by the gaming enterprises, and number of participants accounted for 98.7% of the total.
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The opening of “Heart Carving─Xue Yihan’s Scenes of Macao Collection Printmaking Exhibition”, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and co-organized by Albergue SCM and Beishan Lihe Creative Cultural Industries, Ltd., will be held on 11th March, Friday, at 6:30pm, at the Albergue SCM – A2 Gallery. This exhibition includes 30 priceless Macao-related prints by Xue Yihan which unveil images of bygone days. Xue Yihan (1937-2008), leader of the South China Sea fine arts school, began his printmaking activity in 1957, producing from that time several works portraying sailors enlisted in the Navy and participating often in military exhibitions throughout the country in all provinces. In the 1990s, he came to Macao several times, where he created works that, through a skilled technique of colour print in boards that allowed him to insert delicate colours into his designs, reveals a unique vision and style. The “Heart Carving─Xue Yihan’s Scenes of Macao Printmaking Exhibition” is on show in Albergue SCM until 22nd April, from Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 8pm, and from 3pm to 8pm on Mondays, including on public holidays, with free admission. For enquiries, please call IC through telephone no. 8988 4000, during office hours.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government was confident that – with support of the Guangdong Government – a proposed scheme to enable pleasure craft to travel between Macao and Guangdong Province would be ready this year. Mr Chui’s comments were made in Beijing during a meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan. Mr Chui was in Beijing to attend today’s opening of the 4th Session of the 12th National People's Congress. He will conclude his four-day visit to Beijing tomorrow. During the meeting, Mr Chui told Mr Hu that the Government would take into consideration the overall development of the Pearl River area when drafting a plan for Macao’s maritime economy. The newly demarcated area of 85 square kilometres of maritime waters to be administered by Macao – following a December decision of the State Council – would be a driving force for greater cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, Mr Chui said. Broadening and strengthening the partnership with Guangdong would help diversify Macao’s economy and contribute to the city’s sustainable development. Mr Chui sincerely thanked the support and cooperation of the Guangdong Government over the past year, especially during the process of demarcating Macao’s new maritime boundaries. Reviewing the achievements of the Guangdong-Macao cooperation last year, Mr Chui stated both governments had continued working towards the mid- and long-term development goals outlined in the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and the goals set out within the framework of the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference. Over the past year, the Macao Government strived to boost ties with Hengqin in Zhuhai Prefecture, Nansha in Guangzhou Prefecture, and Cuiheng in Zhongshan Prefecture. Several cooperation projects were successfully initiated, with assistance from the Guangdong Government. Mr Hu said he was pleased to meet the Macao Government delegation in Beijing. He also thanked the Macao Government for supporting the economic and social development of Guangdong. Other Macao Government officials attending the meeting included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung. Other representatives of the Guangdong Government at the meeting included: the Vice Governor, Mr He Zhongyou; and the Director-General of the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission, Mr He Ningka. On Friday (4 March), Mr Chui met in Beijing with State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Mr Guo Shengkun. They exchanged views on how to maintain Macao’s prosperity and strengthen bilateral ties. Mr Chui said there was already a well-established cooperation mechanism between the Ministry and the Government. He added the mechanism had allowed for effective enforcement of the rule of law, promoting a safe environment in Macao for both residents and visitors. Mr Chui also briefed officials attending the meeting on Macao’s latest developments. He said that, during the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry, the Government would step up efforts to maintain Macao’s social stability. These efforts included a closer cooperation with the Ministry, Mr Chui stated. The Government was confident about Macao’s development outlook, given that the city’s sound fiscal reserve system allowed local authorities to cope well with potential challenges, Mr Chui said, adding that the Government would continue to promote economic diversification. Mr Guo said that maintaining Macao’s long-term stability was part of the duties of his Ministry. Mainland police and its Macao counterparts would continue to improve communication, in a bid to ensure national public order while respecting the principle of “One country, two systems”. The Vice Minister of Public Security, Mr Chen Zhimin, and Macao officials Mr Wong Sio Chak, Mr Vong Iao Lek and Ms O Lam also attended the meeting.
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