News

The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), organism under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), was invited to present concerts in Europe. The ensemble was recently in Linz, in Austria, to participate in this year’s edition of the Brucknerfest Linz Festival, on behalf of China, giving two concerts in the iconic concert hall Brucknerhaus Linz. OM maintained, from beginning to end, a steady and solid performance level, successfully breaking musical barriers and showcasing to an European audience the talent and charm of Macao’s musicians, and conquering, in return, the highest praise from all sectors. This tour is led by the Vice-President of IC, Leong Hio Ming, and is personally directed by OM’s Music Director and Principal Conductor, Lü Jia, who also conducted the Linz Bruckner Orchestra in the opening concert of the Austrian festival. The festival opening concert counted with the presence of the President of Austria, Mr. Hans Fischer, of the Chinese Ambassador to Austria, Mr. Zhao Bin, and of high-ranking governmental dignitaries. After the concert, the President of Austria praised Maestro Lü Jia and his extraordinary interpretation skills of European music. Leong Hio Ming and Lü Jia, among others, exchanged ideas on OM’s tour as well as the ensemble’s future development. OM presented two concerts at the referred music festival alongside Chinese musicians of the new generation, such as piano’s rising star Zhang Haochen, sheng instrumentalist Wu Wei and promising 15-year-old Macao violinist, Sophia Feinga Su, introducing the musical achievements of contemporary China. The Orchestra moved the audience thanks to its remarkable interpretation techniques, conquering a lasting and enthusiastic applause as well as a standing ovation from a large number of European spectators, well known for their levels of rigour and demand. The Director of Brucknerfest Linz, Hans-Joachim Frey, praised OM’s outstanding performance in both concerts, organizing a banquet for the musicians, while the staff from the Chinese Embassy in Austria commended the ensemble for its magnificent technique, thereby honouring the country. Likewise, the local media applauded OM’s technical strength, putting the ensemble on a par with top-notch orchestras, giving the Orchestra the highest ratings. During this visit, OM’s delegation, including the Vice-President of IC, Leong Hio Ming, Maestro Lü Jia and all the musicians were received by the Mayor of Linz, Mr. Klaus Luger, at the town’s City Hall. During this meeting, the Mayor expressed his thanks to OM for its visit and concerts of outstanding quality, thereby contributing for the understanding of the achievements of contemporary China in the cultural and musical fields as well as to the establishment of a friendship bridge between the two countries. Leong Hio Ming, in turn, thanked the local government for the invitation and offered a relief painting depicting the Ruins of St. Paul as a souvenir. OM is currently in the Austrian city of Erl, where it presented a concert on 17 September as a part of the Tiroler Festspiele Erl, followed by performances at the Tonhalle Zürich, in Switzerland on 18 September; the Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem, in Budapest, Hungary on 20 September; and at the MuTh - Konzertsaal der Wiener Sängerknaben on 21 September OM, returning to Vienna and bringing this tour to a close.
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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 surveys on fresh, refrigerated, and frozen pork on 18 September. 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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The Government will expedite adjustment on industry in the period of gaming consolidation, especially boosting economic vitality, optimising legislations and creating an environment favouring the small- and medium-sized enterprises. This is according to the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, who said at meetings with representatives of associations from different sectors, including the commerce, labour union, women’s affairs, import and export, and textile. Mr Leong stressed that the Government was financially stable, and had accumulated reserves that could cover public expenditure in four years, adding that he foresaw reserves in this year. In the meetings, Mr Leong said the Government paid great attention to propel community economy and support the emerging industries, such as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions) and the finance sector, which would further leverage Macao’s unique positions as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. He disclosed the Government planned to optimise legislations for a better business environment, and would launch a string of measures to simplify administrative procedures and would continue the tax relief measures if they had positive effects to the economy. On young entrepreneurship, the Government would give its support as always, not only financially but also providing training, consultant service, experience sharing and other one-stop services for the young people. In views of the concerns over employment opportunities, Mr Leong re-iterated one of the core tasks of his team was to stable the job market, such as to provide more on-the-job training opportunities to the workers and improve their upward mobility. The representatives whom Mr Leong met with had expressed support for the Government’s retrenchment measures, which involve expenditure-cutting for government departments without affecting its investment plan and spending on social welfare.
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Consumer Council received over 3,500 cases in the first half of this year (2015). The total number of cases of the top 3 categories of complaints, namely telecommunication equipment and supplies, telecommunication services and public transportation amounted to around 900. Result of a quality test on infant underwear can also be found in the current issue no. 264 Consumer Report for consumers’ reference. The Council handled a total of 3,556 cases in the first half year of 2015, including 2,655 enquiries, 887 complaints and 14 suggestions. Out of all the cases handled, around 75% were enquiries. The top three categories of complaints were telecommunication equipment and supplies, telecommunication services and public transportation respectively. 137 complaints about telecommunication equipment and supplies were received, which was an increase of 35% compared to the number of complaints received under the same category in Q1 and Q2 of 2014. The main concern of the complaints were the quality and after sales services on 3G mobile phones, and the complaints on prices received in this first half year had dropped sharply to only 7 cases. This reflects that the promotion work carried out by the Council and its cooperation with the competent departments have achieved, to some extent, the result of deterring those retailers from adopting dishonest sales practice such as raising the retail prices. The number of complaint cases of telecommunication services had dropped by about 18 percent compared to the first half year of 2014. 79 complaints were filed about telecommunication services, of which, most were on the charges of various telecom services. As for the complaints about public transportation, 50 out of the 76 cases received were related to the MERS outbreak in Korea. The complaints involved were mostly about refund or cancellation of flight tickets, and most of them had been resolved. 9 other complaints about public transportation were on taxis service, and this was an obvious decrease compared to same period last year. A detailed analysis on the cases handled by the Council is available in the latest issue of Consumer Report. The Council randomly chose infant underwear and conducted a comparative test on their quality. With reference to the Mainland’s “National General Safety Technical Code for Textile”, 16 samples were tested. The samples were also tested for azo dyes banned in EU. Results showed that all the samples passed the test. Details of the comparative test and suggestions on choosing infant underwear can be found in the current issue of Consumer Report. Issue no. 264 Consumer Report also features details including the workshop held earlier by the Council and the Portuguese Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE). Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) held two sessions of Islamic Culture in Tourism Workshop in Hong Kong for tour guides, employees of hotels and tour operators from Macau as well as MGTO staff on 4 September and 18 September. The purpose of the Workshop is to familiarize travel industry personnel with the religion of Islam so that they can provide more proper and considerate service for Islamic travelers to Macau. Dr. Au Chi Kin, an academic advisor of training courses for tourism industry personnel under the Hong Kong Association of Registered Tour Co-ordinators, and Imam Uthman Yang of the Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, were invited to lecture the Workshop actively participated by industry partners. The Workship included a theory lecture and a field trip to Mosque. The lecturers introduced to trade attendees the beliefs and daily life of Muslims as well as the role and meaning of Islam, followed by a visit to a Mosque where attendees could observe their ritual prayer. The Workshop enabled trade attendees to gain a deeper understanding of things they should pay attention to when serving Muslim guests. Both industry partners and MGTO staff showed a great interest in the workshop content. In recent years, Macau has welcomed a growing diversity of visitors. To cater for the demand by the tourism sector and foster tourism diversification, MGTO regularly organizes workshops and courses in partnership with different training institutes to enhance both the service quality and hospitality skills of tourism industry personnel.
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The Government would provide lands to build more public facilities for the betterment of the people’s livelihood, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. He said the Government had set priority to plan more healthcare, education, cultural and sports facilities in the upcoming construction projects, as to create more space in the community to accommodate social development and population growth. Speaking to the press at the graduation ceremony of the Institute for Tourism Study on 17 September, Mr Chui said there were applications of building residential housings in Nam Van Lake C and D areas during governance of the SAR Government and the former Portuguese administration. He said he was aware of opportunities to develop public-serving facilities in the area. The Chief Executive re-iterated the Government would closely follow the principle of not including any gaming project in the five plots of land in new urban reclamation area. The five plots, approved by the Central Government, are aimed at enhancing the people’s quality of life. The Government will strictly comply with the Land Law, the Urban Planning Law and the Cultural Heritage Protection Law, which became effective since March last year, especially the details and procedures. When asked, Mr Chui said the Government would commission an academic institute to study in-depth the concession issue of the Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome, and would announce the result in the near future. Mr Chui said the Government would heed the people’s opinion on the issue, adding that dog racing has been existed in Macao for years and was considered as a component of gaming variety. Concession of the Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome will expire at the end of the year.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of Survey on Participation of Residents in Cultural Activities for the second quarter of 2015. This Survey aims to collect information on participation of individuals aged 16 and above in cultural activities in the six months prior to the date of interview. Cultural activities include going to the cinema, visiting a museum or World Heritage site, going to a library, and attending a performance or art exhibition. In the second quarter of 2015, a total of 290,100 individuals participated in cultural activities; the cultural activity participation rate (percentage of individuals participating in cultural activities in the population aged 16 and above) was 52.8%, down by 0.8 percentage points year-on-year. Local residents participating in cultural activities totalled 249,800, with a participation rate of 58.0%, up by 1.3 percentage points year-on-year. Analysed by type of cultural activity, there were 157,800 local residents going to the cinema, up by 9.1% year-on-year. The activity participation rate increased by 2.6 percentage points to 36.7%, with that for local residents aged 16-24 rising by 7.2 percentage points to 71.7%. Local residents going to libraries increased by 2.0% year-on-year to 110,900; the activity participation rate was 25.8%, up slightly by 0.2 percentage points. Analysed by age group, the participation rate for those aged 35-44 rose notably by 3.8 percentage points to 32.4%. Local residents visiting museums or World Heritage sites decreased by 2.1% year-on-year to 95,600. The average visit per participant was 2.8, down slightly from 3.0 in the second quarter of 2014. There were 91,200 local residents attending performances, down by 12.8% year-on-year. The average attendance per participant was 2.3, down slightly from 2.4 in the second quarter of 2014. Music/dance performances were the more popular performances among local residents, with 67,400 participants (73.9%), while theatre performances had 46,700 participants (51.2%), down by 14.6% and 9.0% respectively year-on-year. There were 36,400 local residents attending art exhibitions, down by 6.2% year-on-year; 92.2% of them also participated in other types of cultural activities, and 78.7% took part in three or more types of activities.
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The Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), an annual mega event for the tourism industry, will be held at the Venetian Macao from 12 to 14 October 2015 under the theme “Belt and Road Initiative: Unleashing the New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”. The Forum will continue its role as a platform for high-level international exchange and cooperation, once again gathering ministerial officials and tourism leaders from different destinations to contribute ideas for fostering global tourism and economic development. Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2015 is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). A press conference was held at the Tourism Activities Centre in Macao today (17 September), where the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Lai Ieng Kit gave a remark, followed by an announcement of program highlights and speaker lineup by the Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho. The Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Lai Ieng Kit, remarked, “The Global Tourism Economy Forum not only offers valuable perspectives and a key direction for the global tourism and related sectors to go forward, but also helps Macao to build the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. We will do our best to host the Forum and keep showing Macao’s capacity of hosting mega international events as well as our destination’s function as a platform for diverse cultural exchanges. The Macao SAR Government will actively support our Country’s Belt and Road Initiative and grasp this golden opportunity for development. On one hand, we will give full play to Macao’s focal effects along the Maritime Silk Road; on the other hand, we will make an effort to boost the synergistic effects between culture and tourism, etc. as well as adequate diversification of the tourism industry in a comprehensive way.” The Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, expressed her gratitude to all local sectors for their ardent support. “The fourth edition of GTEF once again receives enthusiastic support and feedback from international and Mainland provincial and regional governments as well as from public and private organizations worldwide. This clearly demonstrates GTEF’s influence on global tourism and related industries as well as its role as a key platform that connects the East and West. The Belt and Road Initiative advocates openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning between nations; in light of this, GTEF suggests countries along the Belt and Road to transform their unique cultural heritage into contemporary tourism resources through developing cultural tourism, such that there can be a deeper understanding as well as closer exchanges and collaboration among different countries. In consequence, the tourism industry can be infused with a sustainable energy and create even greater benefits,” she remarked. This GTEF edition has successfully lined up the Pacific Alliance countries - Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru - as the Featured Partner Countries, not only extending the Forum’s cooperative network to Latin America, but also making a timely response to the latest trends of fostering Sino-Latin American economic and trade relations. Zhejiang Province, a key strategic province along the Maritime Silk Road, will also join the Forum as the Featured Province and showcase the cultural power of the Belt and Road through the prominent Poetry and Painting of Zhejiang exhibition. The Forum will continue its collaboration with UNWTO to present the Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session again, gathering ministerial officials from the Pacific Alliance as well as Asian countries and regions to join in a direct dialogue with global business leaders. The Forum will also present three panel discussions on pressing global tourism issues in Understanding Chinese Consumers Behavior and Chinese Overseas Investment (presented by Bank of America Merrill Lynch), Exploring the Full Dimension of Cultural Tourism – Cultural Heritage and Creative Living Culture (presented by media partner), and Driving Cultural Awareness through Social Media (presented by Pacific Asia Travel Association & Connecting Travel). Further, the Forum is committed to supporting strategy researches for tourism and economic development. The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and UNWTO will present their second joint research project, UNWTO/GTERC Annual Report 2015 on Asia Tourism Trends, which will once again provide an in-depth analysis of the latest development in Asia tourism trends. In addition, business matching and networking programs will be organized to provide Forum attendees with ample opportunities to discuss and forge new partnerships in tourism. Our fourth Forum edition will be graced by domestic and foreign dignitaries, industry leaders and experts. Through discussions among stakeholders and experts from tourism, investment, financial services, hotel, Internet and transportation sectors, the Forum will broaden the attendees’ vision and unveil vast opportunities for the tourism economy along the Belt and Road. GTEF aims to bring inspirational ideas and insight to attendees from worldwide, forge cross-sector, cross-regional partnerships and make long-term contributions to sustainable development of the global tourism economy.
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On 15 September, Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) and Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong mutually entered into a formal cooperation agreement. President of IFT, Dr. Fanny Vong, and Dean of Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Prof. Chris Webster, signed this agreement at IFT. The University of Hong Kong is a renowned higher educational institute with a long history, while its Faculty of Architecture offers programmes in architecture, conservation, etc. Through this cooperation, IFT hopes to promote academic exchange, student exchange and other forms of institutional interaction between the Division of Architectural Conservation Programmes, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, and IFT’s Bachelor of Science in Heritage Management Programme. IFT is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and this event is one of the celebratory events. Meanwhile, IFT’s Heritage Management bachelor degree programme marks its 10th years of establishment this year. Thus, it is believed that this cooperation with Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong will further enrich the knowledge and learning experience for students of the programme. In addition to provide high quality of tourism education, IFT has been expanding its global network of cooperation, in order to enhance its level of internationalisation. Currently, IFT maintains close partnership and cooperation with 85 institutions and tourism organisations from 27 countries and regions. This enables IFT students to opt for exchange programmes abroad for one semester as well as overseas internship programmes for six months for widening their horizons. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 85 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has the most bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Albergue SCM jointly organized two exhibitions entitled ‘The Journey of a Master: Júlio Pomar and Friends’, which showcased works by renowned Portuguese master Júlio Pomar. One of the exhibition, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and co-organized by Albergue SCM and Gallery 57, with the support of the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, was held at Tap Seac Gallery and was inaugurated on 15 September (Tuesday) at 6:30pm. The other exhibition, organized by Albergue SCM and co-organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Galeria 57, with the sponsorship of the Macao Foundation, will be inaugurated on 18 September (Friday) at 6:30pm. Born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1926, Júlio Pomar is one of the greatest Portuguese artists of the twentieth century. His work features a wide variety of styles, which include design, printmaking, sculpture, illustrations, ceramics, tapestries, theatre design, as well as essays and poetry about painting, all of which strongly demonstrate Pomar’s talents and his tireless effort in pursuing and exploring the arts. The exhibition at Tap Seac Gallery, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, showcased the different phases of Pomar’s artistic career. Thirty-one works by Pomar and his contemporaries were displayed, including famous oil paintings and prints, allowing the audience to better understand Pomar’s work and life, as well as to appreciate his artistic world, and better understand the feelings and unique vision behind each piece of art. The exhibition opens to the public from 15 September to 29 October, and admission is free. For more information, please contact IC through tel. no. 8399 6699 during office hours. The second exhibition, organized by Albergue SCM, will be inaugurated at the patio of the Albergue SCM on 18 September (Friday), at 6:30pm. This Exhibition includes more than 40 Art Works, among the following are 34 of Pomar, such as the erotic phase, specially “Bal chez le Duc” which is exhibited here, for the first time, to the public; the animals phase and a comprehensive sample of its extensive graphic work, specially the 8 lithographs of all illustrations the artist made for the Portuguese Edition of the work of Lewis Carroll, “The Hunting of the Snark”. Besides the stature and meaning of Júlio Pomar work in international contemporary art, the Exhibition also showcases works of artists of the same generation, such as, Graça Morais, André Shan Lima Júlio Resende and Rogério Ribeiro, The exhibition “The Journey of a Master: Júlio Pomar & Friends” will be held at A2 Gallery, in Albergue SCM from 18 September 2015 to 15 January 2016, with free admission. For enquiries, please call 2852 2550 during office hours. The Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong will hold Press Conference on the artists’ life and work on 17 September (Thursday) at 6:00pm at the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong auditorium (Rua Pedro Nolasco da Silva 45, Macao). The Conference will be held in Portuguese. For enquiries, please call the Consulate General of Portugal through tel. no. 2835 6632 during office hours. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng; Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Zhang Xiaoguang; Consul General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Vítor Sereno; Head of the Section of Public Diplomacy and Information of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Li Nan; Director of Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Carlos Marreiros, Curators of the exhibition, Lina Ramadas and Milú Ferreira and Portuguese Art Collector, Manoel Prudencio de Jesus Ferreira.
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