News

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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The Government is looking forward to closer, multi-regional cooperation with the mainland in order to develop Macao’s maritime economy. Such cooperation is a strategic step to boost further Macao’s economic diversification and sustainability. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the comments today in a meeting in Beijing with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou. Mr Chui is on a four-day visit to Beijing. He will attend tomorrow’s opening of the 4th Session of the 12th National People's Congress. In today’s meeting, Mr Chui stated that Macao’s unique cultural heritage; tourism attractions and commercial links to the Portuguese-speaking countries would help the city take a more prominent role in the development of the nation’s “Belt and Road” initiative. This refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Mr Chui sincerely thanked Minister Yu for his department’s support during the process of demarcating Macao’s 85-square-kilometres of waters. The clear definition of such boundaries was an important step in furthering Macao’s economic and social development, said Mr Chui. Minister Yu spoke highly of the Macao Government’s cooperation in the process of updating the divisional map of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The next phase of work would include optimisation of relevant legislation so as to ensure effective enforcement of the rule of law along the coast between the mainland and Macao. An agreement regarding enhancement of law enforcement was expected to be endorsed this year, Minister Yu stated. Such an agreement would serve as a foundation when drafting further judicial cooperation and setting up cooperation mechanisms in other areas of shared responsibility, he added. The Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Sun Yibiao; and Macao’s Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; along with the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; and the Director of the Representative Office of the Macao SAR in Beijing, Ms Hong Wai, were present in the meeting. Later in the day, Mr Chui had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi. Officials of that Ministry that were present at the meeting included the Director-General of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, Mr Feng Tie; and one of the Deputy Directors-General, Mr Hou Yue. Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; Mr Wong Sio Chak and Mr Vong Iao Lek also attended the meeting. The Chief Executive briefed those attending the meeting on the current development of Macao. He stated the Government would continue efforts – in line with guidance from the Central Government – to transform Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and into a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The initiatives are known collectively as the “Centre and Platform” policies. The Government would use its best efforts in supporting 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 later this year. Minister Wang said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would give full support to the task of maintaining Macao’s stability, and to implementing the principles of “One country two systems” and “Macao people governing Macao”. The Ministry would support Macao in its efforts to organise the Ministerial Meeting of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, he added. Mr Chui also discussed – in a meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Jinlong – work relating to the cultivation and development of talent among Macao’s youth. Mr Chui proposed the creation of an interactive platform between Beijing and Macao in fields such as education, culture and sports. Such platform would initially cover projects in the fields of medicine and culture. The areas for cooperation under this platform would change annually. This would help Macao’s young people to have a better understanding of the nation and to take part in its development, said Mr Chui. Mr Guo expressed his support to the proposal. He said Beijing and Macao already had strong cooperation in areas such as, commerce, tourism and cultural exchanges. During the remainder of the year, the two cities would have the opportunity to increase such cooperation, in particular supporting young people and developing their potential, Mr Guo said. The delegation accompanying Mr Chui on his Beijing visit included: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.
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A planned private residential project on Estrada do Campo in Coloane does not currently have a construction permit, says the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau. The Government has yet to issue such a permit, as the project’s developer has not so far submitted a final construction plan. Starting construction on any project without a building permit is against the law, stressed the Bureau. As the developer has yet to submit finalised building plans and technical drawings, the criteria for applying for a construction permit have not at present been met. The Bureau emphasised that a building permit would be issued for a project only after such building plans and technical drawings were approved. The Bureau would also solicit opinions from the relevant authorities when considering such an approval process. The standard consideration for approval would be given by the Bureau to the project in the event that a finalised building plan is submitted.
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This year marks the 35th anniversary of the University of Macau (UM). UM will kick off celebrations of the anniversary on 19 March with an opening ceremony for the celebration, the UM Open Day, and the UM Sports Day (Part 1). This will be the first anniversary in UM’s history to be celebrated on the new campus. At the Opening Ceremony for the Celebration of the 35th Anniversary on 19 March, there will be a tree planting ceremony signifying UM’s commitment to producing outstanding graduates for society. The UM Open Day and the First UM Sports Day (Part 1) will be held on the same day. Activities on the Open Day will include an international food festival, information seminars on undergraduate application, guided campus tours, and student performances. The various faculties, residential colleges, and laboratories will also open to the public. Later this year, UM will organise a series of academic events and invite leading scholars from around the world to exchange ideas with local teachers, students, scholars, and residents on various academic topics.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, money supply continued to grow in January. As total deposits increased whereas total loans decreased, the overall loan-to-deposit ratio of the banking sector dropped from a month earlier. Money supply Currency in circulation and demand deposits grew 8.8% and 3.5% respectively. M1 thus increased 4.5% from one month earlier. Concurrently, quasi-monetary liabilities dropped 0.4%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, increased 0.2% to MOP473.8 billion. On an annual basis, M1 grew 3.6% whereas M2 dropped 4.0%. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 30.7%, up 0.8 percentage points from a month ago or 3.9 percentage points from a year earlier. The share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 51.2%, down 0.3 percentage points month-to-month but up 0.6 percentage points year-on-year. The share of Chinese Yuan (CNY) was 6.4%, down 0.4 percentage points month-to-month or 6.3 percentage points year-on-year. The share of United States Dollar (USD) was 9.5%, down 0.2 percentage points month-to-month but up 1.6 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits Resident deposits kept virtually stable from the preceding month at MOP460.7 billion. Of which, MOP and other foreign currency deposits increased at respective rates of 2.2% and 2.8%. HKD, CNY and USD deposits decreased 0.3%, 5.1% and 1.6% respectively. Non-resident deposits rose 6.7% to MOP286.1 billion. Public sector deposits with the banking sector decreased 0.9% to MOP130.0 billion. As a result, total deposits with the banking sector grew 2.0% from a month earlier to MOP876.8 billion. The shares of MOP, HKD, CNY and USD in total deposits were 20.8%, 43.4%, 8.7% and 24.0% respectively. Loans Domestic loans to the private sector kept virtually stable from a month ago at MOP389.3 billion. Among which, MOP108.6 billion was MOP-denominated, MOP258.7 billion was denominated in HKD, MOP2.1 billion was denominated in CNY and MOP16.2 billion was denominated in USD, representing 27.9%, 66.5%, 0.5% and 4.2% of the total respectively. On the other hand, external loans dropped 1.9% to MOP364.5 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP, HKD, CNY and USD accounted for 1.6% (MOP5.8 billion), 26.0% (MOP94.7 billion), 18.8% (MOP68.4 billion) and 48.0% (MOP175.1 billion) respectively. Operating ratios At end-January, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector grew 0.2 percentage points from the previous month to 65.9%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors dropped 2.5 percentage points to 86.0%. The one-month and three-month current assets to liabilities ratios stayed at relatively high levels, marked at 66.3% and 59.8% respectively. The non-performing loan ratio, an indicator for bank asset quality, was 0.1%, virtually unchanged from one month earlier and one year ago.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the total population was 646,800 at end-2015, an increase of 10,600 (+1.7%) year-on-year; female population accounted for 51.0% of the total. The proportion of population aged 65 and over (9.0%) increased by 0.6 percentage points year-on-year, and that of population aged 0-14 (11.9%) rose by 0.5 percentage points; meanwhile, the proportion of population aged 15-64 (79.1%) decreased by 1.1 percentage points. A total of 7,055 live births were delivered in 2015, a decrease of 305 year-on-year. The sex ratio of the newborn stood at 109.2, corresponding to 109.2 male babies per 100 female babies. Mortality totalled 2,002 in 2015, an increase of 63 year-on-year; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms (734), Diseases of the Circulatory System (504) and Diseases of the Respiratory System (321). In 2015, there were 8,468 Chinese immigrants, up significantly by 2,579 (+43.8%) year-on-year; individuals granted right of abode totalled 1,784, down by 494. Meanwhile, a total of 1,778 illegal Chinese immigrants were repatriated to the Mainland, an increase of 369 year-on-year. Non-resident workers totalled 181,646 at end-2015, an increase of 11,300 year-on-year, representing a slower growth of 6.6%. In 2015, marriage registration totalled 3,719 cases, down by 366 year-on-year; a total of 1,168 divorce cases were recorded, a decrease of 140 year-on-year. At end-2015, number of households totalled 192,700, up by 3,100 year-on-year.
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The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be held from 30 April to 29 May. This edition of the MAF is themed “Time” and has “Reshape your Imagination. Experience the Spirit of the Times” as slogan, conveying the message that the performing arts have undergone thousands of years of condensation, development and transformation. The classics, enriched by the spirit of the age, manage to provide guidance to our growth. The MAF presents 27 excellent shows and artistic exhibitions as well as an outreach programme, in a total of over 100 activities that bring the audience into the spaces of the Chinese and Western cultures. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of the western world literary giant William Shakespeare and of Ming Dynasty’s famed Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu. The MAF will present “Thematic Highlights” in tribute to the two virtuosos. The Festival will kick off with Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, rendered by the Shakespeare Theatre Company from USA, featuring stunning and delicate sceneries and wardrobe. The Festival will draw to a close with an adaptation of Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies, presented by Third World Bunfight from South Africa, a show exploring a vision of the world through a post-colonial African scenery and the historical and current relations between Africa and the West. Tang Xianzu’s two acclaimed works will be staged, namely Excerpts of The Peony Pavilion, performed by the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe from Mainland China, and the romantic tragedy The Legend of the Purple Hairpin, performed by renowned Macao Cantonese opera artist Chu Chan Wa and by other local Cantonese opera artists. The event also presents Micro-Shakespeare and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) for the audience to explore in depth the masterpieces by these two literary giants. In order to develop an even broader perspective of the performing arts, the MAF introduces innovative and cross-disciplinary performances: Krapp’s Last Tape, Samuel Beckett’s famed work directed and performed by internationally acclaimed theatre and director Robert Wilson; Jérôme Bel and Swiss Theater HORA’s Disabled Theater performed by actors with cognitive disabilities reveals how these can question the contemporary society; the abstract dance pieces 6&7 by extraordinary choreographer Tao Ye and TAO Dance Theater which explore the potential of the human body; the dance piece Obsession by Japanese dance masters Saburo Teshigawara and Rihoko Sato, illustrating how an inner obsession torns the conscious while creating a poetic space; and the concert Coppia, an amazing journey in which dance and music play in a tennis court. The MAF is dedicated to promoting local creativity, the transmission of traditional culture and the arts in the community. In this context, this edition of the Festival features Shelf Life, a combination of visual art and installation; the musical performance The Fairy Tales from the World of Chaos; the uplifting experimental concert Journey to the Last Frontier - Concert; the satiric play in Patuá A Tea for a Dream; Mu Guiying Battling in Hongzhou by the Macao Kaifong Cantonese Opera Juvenile’s Troupe, which inherits the essence and aestheticism of intangible cultural heritage; and the play Someone in “Outlaws of the Marsh” featuring elements from Cantonese Opera. Aside from this, the Yue opera Lu You and Tang Wan performed by a top female Yue opera troupe from Mainland China, the Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, presents the poetic style and aesthetics spirit of the region south of the Yangtze river. Several family shows, such as the fantastic In Chants, suitable for children between 6 months and 3 years of age, The Assembly of Animals, in which scientific experiments meet puppets, the high level ice skating and dance show Glide, the interdisciplinary performances featured in the Outdoor Performing Arts Showcase which promotes arts in the community, and the children’s puppet play Circles, which explores issues of marine conservation, among others. These, together with concerts by the Macao Orchestra and the Macao Chinese Orchestra, as well as two large-scale thematic exhibitions, reveal the diversity and richness of culture in Macau. Tickets for the 27th MAF are available at the Macau Ticketing Network from 10am on 13 March (Sunday). Reservations can be made by phone or online from 12pm onwards on the same day. On the first day of ticket sales, each person can purchase a maximum of ten tickets per performance, except for the performances The Assembly of Animals and Circles, a maximum of four tickets per person and In Chants, a maximum of two children packages and two observer tickets per person. Early bird discounts of 30%, subject to certain criteria, are available from 13 to 20 March and 20% discount will be offered from 21 March onwards. Members of the public who purchase their tickets with a BOC Multi-currency Credit Card or BOC card will receive a 30% discount on tickets for the opening and closing performances, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth, as well as a 20% discount on all other shows. A 20% discount for all shows is also available for those who purchase their tickets with ICBC Macao, BCM Bank, OCBC Wing Hang Bank or Tai Fung Bank MasterCard, Visa or Unionpay cards. A 50% discount will also be offered to holders of Macao Senior Citizen Card or the Disability Assessment Registration Card, with purchases limited to one ticket per person. For each purchase over MOP800 (net amount after discount), purchasers may receive a discount voucher and exclusive offers at MGM Macau’s selected restaurants and SPA (available while stocks last). In addition, the show In Chants offers special packages. For more information, please refer to the MAF’s booklet. This edition of the MAF has the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office, TDM – Teledifusão de Macau, Air Macau and MGM Macau. The Macao Arts Festival website: www.icm.gov.mo/fam; email: fam@icm.gov.mo. For enquiries regarding the programme, please contact the Cultural Affairs Bureau through tel. 8399 6699 during office hours. 24-hour ticket reservation hotline: (Macao) 2855 5555; (Hong Kong) 2380 5083; (Mainland China) 139 269 11111; online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com. The 27th MAF’s press conference took place on 3 March, at 4pm at the MGM Macau The Grand Ballroom. Present at the press conference were the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Head of Destination Marketing Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Betty Fok; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, Grant Bowie; the Deputy General Manager of Bank of China (Macau Branch), Ip Sio Kai; the General Manager of Marketing of Air Macau, Ringo Chan; the Manager of Social Culture and Economic Program Department, TDM, Ltd., Yip Kuok Va; the Head of the Department for the Development of the Performing Arts of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ieong Chi Kin and the Head of the Division of Performing Arts Activities of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Paula Lei.
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