News

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the situation and maintaining close contact with the travel industry and the Macau Government Tourist Office representative in Thailand for further developments. With the assistance of the telecommunication providers in Macao, GGCT today sent via SMS emergency contact information to 942 roaming mobile devices currently in Thailand. After receiving the casualty list from the local hospitals of the victims hit by the explosion, and through the assistance provided by both the Macau Identification Bureau and the Public Security Police Forces of Macau, until the present moment, no Macao residents have been identified in the list. From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, around 10 Macao tour groups to Thailand will be cancelled until the 23rd of August, affecting around 250 people. Until the present moment, GGCT has received 91 requests for information and 2 requests for assistance, requesting the possibility to anticipate their return from Thailand to Macau. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will continue to monitor closely the latest developments of the situation maintaining close contact with the travel industry and the MGTO representative in Thailand. GGCT reminds Macao residents who intends to travel to Thailand to follow closely the situation, critically assess the security risks and cautiously consider their travel plans. Macao residents already in Thailand should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety. If necessary, Macao residents can call: 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000; The Embassy of China in Thailand for Consular Protection 24 hour hotline: 0066-854833327; Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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A delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited the University of Macau (UM) today (18 August). During its stay at UM, the delegation visited the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (QRCM Lab). WHO experts were impressed with UM’s research facilities, the internationalised research team, and the clear plans for translational research and product development. The delegation was warmly received by UM Rector Wei Zhao, Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins, ICMS Director and QRCM Lab Director Wang Yitao, and other UM representatives. The delegation visited four research centres at UM, namely Centre for Quality Evaluation, Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering, Centre for Drug Targets and Screening, and Centre for Pharmacology and Safety. Prof Wang Yitao, Dr Wang Chunming, Prof Richard Ye, and Prof Duncan Leung shared the ICMS’s plans for future development, noting that the QRCM Lab is China’s only state key laboratory in the field of traditional medicine. The delegation was particularly impressed by the ICMS’s high productivity and distinctive characteristics in both fundamental and translational research, and encouraged UM researchers to strengthen collaboration with international organisations in the field of complementary medicine, in order to establish a Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine in Macao, as is stated in the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. Earlier this morning the delegation attended the opening ceremony for an international forum on traditional medicine, which was co-organised by the WHO and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as an inauguration ceremony for the Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine. Members of the delegation included Dr Fouad Mohadji, vice president of the Union of Comoros; H E Ph Chou Yin Sim, secretary of state of the Ministry of Health, Cambodia; Hon Jone Usamate, minister of health and medical services, Fiji; Dr Bence Rètvàri, deputy minister of human capacities, Hungary; Dr Amangeldy Murzaliev, deputy minister of health, Kyrgyz Republic; Dr Ganchimeg Gombosuren, state secretary of the Ministry of Health and Sports, Mongolia; H E Dr Win Myint, deputy minister of health, Myanmar; Dr Edward Kelley, director of the Department of Service Delivery and Safety, WHO; and Cheang Seng Ip, deputy director of the Health Bureau of the Macao SAR.
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The Government would step up effort to provide more protection to residents especially senior citizen who sought traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, said the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, today. Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony of the International Forum on Traditional Medicine and the inauguration ceremony of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Mr Tam said the establishment of the Centre had recognised Macao’s efforts in developing TCM. In today’s opening, Mr Tam, on behalf of the Macao SAR Government, had signed the Supplementary Cooperation Agreement in the Area of Chinese Medicine with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He disclosed this was the second such agreement that covered legislation formulation, TCM regulation and management, and the training of TCM doctors. Among the some four million patients who sought primary health services last year, there were 1.17 million consultations of TCM, which indicated residents’ preference of using TCM, he said. The International Forum on Traditional Medicine is to provide a platform for experts and officials to exchange views on how to further implement the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023, and to help WHO member states integrating TCM into their healthcare systems. The three-day forum is hosted by the Macao Government with the support from WHO and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China. In addition, Mr Tam condemned the explosion incident in Bangkok, Thailand, and said the Government had not received any request from Macao resident for assistance. The Tourism Crisis Management Office and the Representative Office of the Macao Government Tourist Office in Thailand are closely monitoring the situation.
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The Government is highly concerned with the explosion incident occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, and will make effort to provide assistance to the Macao residents staying there. The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Wong Sio Chak, today had expressed his sadness to the incident and had sent his condolences to victims’ families. Mr Wong had instructed the Tourism Crisis Management Office and the Representative Office of the Macao Government Tourist Office in Thailand to closely monitor the situation. He urged Macao’s travel groups in Bangkok to remain alert and adjust travel plan when necessary, while individual travellers should pay close attention to the situation and to their own safety. The Government has received 19 requests for information until the present moment.
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Given the recent security situation in Bangkok, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Thailand issued a travel security alert to Chinese citizens. Following is the translated version of the full text: “Approximately at 19:00 on the 17th of August of 2015, a bomb exploded in central Bangkok business district. The explosion happened close to shopping malls and the tourist spot of Thai Erawan where tourists were concentrated. According to the Thai police statistics, as of the morning of 18th of August, a total of 19 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Among them, 3 Chinese tourists were killed with more than 20 injured. The Embassy of China in Thailand reminds Chinese citizens who intend to travel to Thailand and those already traveling in Thailand, to strengthen awareness, pay attention to travel safety and cautiously plan travel routes. The Embassy of China in Thailand for Consular Protection 24 hour hotline: 0066-854833327” The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the latest developments and maintaining close contacts with the travel industry and the MGTO representative in Thailand. GGCT reminds Macao residents who intends to travel to Thailand to follow closely the situation, critically assess the security risks and cautiously consider their travel plans. Macao residents already in Thailand should strengthen security precautions to protect their personal safety. From the information gathered through the Macao travel industry, currently there are 20 Macao tour groups with approximately 400 people in Thailand. Until the present moment, GGCT has received 19 requests for information but no requests for assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call: 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000; The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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In the first half-year of 2015, a total of 236 applications for temporary residency for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders were received by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (a decrease of 14 compared with the same period last year), 38 applications for major investment / investment plans (a decrease of 9 compared with the same period last year), representing 86.13% and 13.87% of the total of 274 new applications in the first half-year of 2015. Approved cases for managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders amounted to 23 (a decrease of 98 compared with the same period last year), approved applications for major investment / investment plans totalled 6 (a decrease of 23 compared with the same period last year). In accordance with the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, temporary residency applications for fixed asset purchases have been suspended since 4 April 2007. There were over 4,000 applications lodged before the closing date of the policy and are still being processed.
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Consumer Council conducted its fifth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in August on 17 August for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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To enrich its collection and satisfy different readers’ needs, Macao Central Library, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, launches an "Annual Collection of Recommendation for Newspapers / Periodicals 2016". Residents are welcome to recommend for the subscription of their favourite newspapers or periodicals. They may complete the "2016 Newspaper / Periodical Recommendation Form" and submit the same to any branch library of Macao Central Library, or email it to inf.bc@icm.gov.mo. The collection starts from today until 19 September. Macao Central Library is the largest network of the public libraries in Macao with a total collection of about 900 thousand volumes. It provides nearly 90 current newspaper issues from various places and about 700 assorted magazines for the public in its branch libraries at present. The recommendation form can be obtained at any library service desks of Macao Central Library or downloaded from the Macao Central Library website: www.library.gov.mo. The Library will analyze the recommended materials collected, and include those that suit the development policy of the library collection, as well as the supply conditions of the actual market in the selection list of 2016 for subscription. For queries, please call 2856 7576 or 2837 7117 within office hours.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the number and value of real estate transactions rebounded in the second quarter of 2015 after three consecutive quarters of decline. However, both number and value of transactions in the first half year of 2015 decreased by 38.0% and 45.4% respectively year-on-year. In the second quarter of 2015, a total of 3,083 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold at MOP18.03 billion as per Stamp Duty record, up by 63.7% and 78.5% respectively quarter-to-quarter. Purchase and sale of residential units totalled 1,864 at MOP11.74 billion, up by 67.3% and 92.8% quarter-to-quarter. Among them, transaction of existing residential units totalled 1,408 at MOP7.28 billion, up by 54.2% and 69.7% respectively; pre-sale residential units soared by 126.9% to 456 with the total value surging by 147.9% to MOP4.47 billion. The average price of residential units increased by 6.5% quarter-to-quarter to MOP95,345 per square metre of usable area in the second quarter of 2015. The average price of pre-sale residential units rose by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter to MOP128,654 per square meter; the average price of those in Taipa soared by 28.6%, but that in the Macao Peninsula and Coloane dropped by 8.6% and 4.9% respectively. Many of the pre-sale residential units purchased and sold were in Coloane, Baixa da Taipa, and Novos Aterros da Areia Preta (NATAP), and the average price was MOP110,734, MOP177,529 and MOP105,885 respectively per square metre. The average price of existing residential units increased by 1.4% quarter-to-quarter to MOP81,795 per square meter; the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula rose by 1.9% but that in Taipa dropped by 1.5%. Many of the existing residential units purchased and sold were in Baixa da Taipa, NATAP and Barra/Manduco, and the average price was MOP87,354, MOP91,184 and MOP73,777 respectively per square meter. Analysed by year of completion, there were 823 residential units built more than 20 years ago (94 in Barca, 83 in Areia Preta & Iao Hon) and the average price was MOP67,843 per square metre, up by 1.3% quarter-to-quarter. For the 366 residential units completed between 11 and 20 years ago (100 in Baixa da Taipa, 49 in NATAP), the average price rose slightly by 0.8% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP83,384 per square metre. The average price of the 117 residential units completed within 5 years or less (23 in NATAP, 22 in Barra/Manduco) decreased by 4.0%, at MOP116,952 per square metre. Analysed by usable floor area, there were 910 residential units having a floor area of 50.0 to 99.9 square metres, and the average price fell by 5.7% quarter-to-quarter to MOP89,608 per square metre. Among the 679 small-sized residential units having a floor area of less than 50 square metres, the average price rose by 10.3% to MOP91,944 per square metre. The average price per square metre of office units (MOP118,346) increased by 1.9% quarter-to-quarter, while that of industrial units (MOP55,256) decreased by 2.0%. In the second quarter of 2015, there were 2,518 real estate sale contracts signed, involving 2,530 properties, up by 6.1% quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, 3,014 mortgage contracts were signed, involving 4,024 properties, down by 14.4%. As regards construction in the private sector, gross floor area of construction of new buildings totalled 308,853 square metres, providing 1,838 units (1,804 are residential units) and 1,463 parking spaces for cars upon completion. With the completion of large-scale hotel facilities in Cotai, gross floor area of buildings completed reached 1,168,330 square metres, altogether providing 878 units (858 are residential units) and 2,985 parking spaces for cars. * please find the attached file
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) will be launching the Year of the Monkey commemorative coins in 2016. To facilitate the public and to ensure the orderly conduct of the subscription process, AMCM will accept online registration for subscription of coins from eligible subscribers, who are holders of either permanent or non-permanent valid Macao resident identity card and are aged 18 or above, via the webpage of the Monetary Authority of Macao (www.amcm.gov.mo) from 9:00am on 18 August until 6:00pm on 4 September 2015. Simultaneously, a service counter will be set up at the lobby of AMCM within the mentioned time period to provide online registration service for those elderly citizens who require assistance. Each subscriber can only conduct a single subscription; and each subscriber can subscribe for a maximum of one piece of gold proof coin, one piece of 5 oz silver proof coin and one piece of 1 oz silver proof coin. In the event of oversubscription, the allotment for each type of commemorative coins will be determined by computer balloting. The ballot results will be communicated via SMS messages on 11 September 2015. From that day onwards, subscribers can also browse the ballot results on the webpage of the Monetary Authority of Macao (www.amcm.gov.mo). Successful subscribers or their representative should bring along the photocopy of their valid Macao resident identity card and make the corresponding payment at Banco Nacional Ultramarino, S.A. within the period from 16 September to 30 September 2015. It is expected that the Year of the Monkey commemorative coins will be available for pick-up in the first quarter of 2016. For further details relating to the coins’ selling price and online registration and subscription procedures, please refer to our webpage (www.amcm.gov.mo) or telephone 28565071.
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