News

The University of Macau’s (UM) Zhuhai Research Institute (UMZRI) has received approval for research grants of RMB 4.35 million from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for 12 research projects, according to the results of grants application for the year 2016 recently released by the NSFC. This year, UM submitted funding applications to the NSFC for 40 research projects, of which 12 applications, or 30 per cent, have been approved, a success rate higher than those of the previous two years. Five research projects from UM have been granted funding by the NSFC in the General Programmes category. These projects are headed by Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) assistant professors Chen Long, Li Yongjie, and Wong Fai; Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) professor Li Shaoping; and Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) senior instructor Chen Qiang, respectively. Only projects with significant research merits, sound theoretical basis, and original academic ideas will be considered for research funding by the NSFC. The other seven research projects from UM have been granted funding by the NSFC in the Young Scientists Fund category. This fund aims to encourage young scientists to undertake innovative research projects independently and to train backup talent for basic research. The seven projects are headed by FST associate professors Ma Shaodan and Mok Seng Peng, and assistant professor Zhang Yibo; Faculty of Social Sciences assistant professor Du Hongfei; ICMS assistant professor Zhao Jing; FHS post-doctoral fellow Sun Heng, and State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI assistant professor Zhu Yan.
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Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition “Innovative Inspiration – Painting of Mak Kuong Weng Winner of the Best Creation Special Prize of the XXXI Collective Exhibition of Macao Artists” was inaugurated on 9th September, at 6pm, at the Chun Chou Tong Pavilion of Lou Lim Ioc Garden, featuring 39 works by Mak Kuong Weng. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Representative of the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Head of the Department of Exhibitions and Museums, Lei Lai Kio; the Director of the School of Arts of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, Hsu Hsiu-Chu; the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Macao Daily News, Lio Chi Heng; the President of the Macau Artist Society, Lai Ieng; and the artist of the exhibition, Mak Kuong Weng. Mak Kuong Weng has won the Best Creation Special Prize of the “Collective Exhibition of Macau Artists” on four occasions. His upcoming solo exhibition comprises two series, namely the “China landscape” and the “Ink kingdom”, showcasing ink painting in a unique style. The “China landscape” series underline the rhythm and stereoscopic perception of Chinese landscape painting while incorporating modern expression of art. On the other hand, the “Ink kingdom”, inspired by the rhythm of traditional Chinese calligraphy, runs after the spiritual imagery of arts via abstract techniques. The exhibition “Innovative Inspiration – Painting of Mak Kuong Weng Winner of the Best Creation Special Prize of the XXXI Collective Exhibition of Macao Artists” is open from 10th September to 16th October at the Chun Chou Tong Pavilion of Lou Lim Ioc Garden, located at No. 10, Estrada de Adolfo Loureiro, Macao, and is open daily from 9am to 7pm, including on public holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries about the exhibition, please call IC through tel. no. through 8988 4100, during office hours.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) both decreased in July 2016. With regard to the outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed monthly increases. New lending approved In July 2016, new RMLs approved by Macao banks decreased by 25.7% month-to-month to MOP3.5 billion. Of which, new RMLs to residents, accounting for 98.2% of the total, fell by 5.7% while those to non-residents shrank by 94.0% from a higher comparison base in the previous month. When compared with the same period of 2015, new approvals of RMLs decreased by 16.5%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased moderately by 4.3% from the preceding month to MOP234.0 million. The equitable mortgage extended to residents, which accounted for 94.8% of the total, increased by 4.6% from the previous month. Attributable to the higher comparison base in the same period last year, new equitable mortgage approved dropped by 71.0% on an annual basis. New CRELs shrank by 45.8% month-to-month to MOP3.5 billion; of which, 62.6% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents and non-residents dropped by 50.2% and 36.5% respectively. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs declined by 72.2%. Outstanding balances As at end-July 2016, the outstanding value of RMLs was MOP177.2 billion, an increase of 0.4% from one month earlier or 6.1% from a year ago. The resident component made up 93.6% of the total. Compared to end-June 2016, outstanding RMLs to residents rose 0.4% whereas those to non-residents dropped by 0.5%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs rose by 0.3% month-to-month or 15.0% year-on-year to MOP169.6 billion. Residents accounted for 87.5% of the loans. Compared with a month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents increased by 0.1% and 1.5% respectively. Delinquency ratios At the end of July 2016, the delinquency ratio for RMLs was 0.12%, up 0.03 percentage points from a month ago or 0.06 percentage points from a year earlier. The ratio for CRELs was 0.03%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago but down 0.02 percentage points from end-July 2015.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation leaving Macao tomorrow for a six-day visit, from 10 to 15 September, to the Portuguese Republic. The visit takes place following an invitation by the Portuguese President, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. During the visit, the Chief Executive is to meet with Portugal’s Prime Minister, Mr António Costa. Mr Chui will also preside – alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Augusto Santos Silva – over the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee. While in Portugal, Mr Chui will meet with young people from Macao studying in that country, in order better to understand their needs while living and studying overseas. During the meetings with Portugal’s leaders, Mr Chui will brief them on the latest developments of the Macao SAR, including the city’s first-ever Five-Year Development Plan. Both sides will engage in discussions regarding further cooperation opportunities arising from the plans to transform Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure; and to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies). During the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee, the Government will additionally review the results of the long-term cooperation between the two sides. The meeting will also aim to explore new ways to deepen exchanges in fields such as education and training of professionals. It will also help to boost bilateral cooperation in trade and economic services. The Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was established under the Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas. The first meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was held in Lisbon, in April 2011. Macao and Portugal have solid relations, highlighted by deep history and cultural ties. The Macao SAR Government pays great attention to maintaining friendly relations with Portugal and to strengthening bilateral exchanges. Macao is home to many Portuguese citizens – including Macanese and Portuguese working in Macao. All of them have made significant contributions for the development of Macao SAR over the years. The Macao law properly protects Portuguese citizens living in Macao. Portuguese citizens are a living statement of Macao’s harmonious society and its fusion between Chinese and Western cultures, being crucial for the prosperity of the Macao SAR. Officials accompanying the Chief Executive to Portugal include: 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 Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin. The delegation will return to Macao on 15 September. During Mr Chui’s absence, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be Acting Chief Executive.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is promoting Macao at the China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo (CITIE) 2016 in Guangzhou from 9 to 11 September. In addition, to deepen regional cooperation in tourism and facilitate tourism developments in the three destinations, MGTO presents a joint booth together with Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, He Zhongyou, Head of Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of China National Tourism Administration, Liu Kezhi and other guests officiated the opening ceremony of CITIE 2016 today. Director General of Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province, Zeng Yingru, MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse and other guests attended the opening ceremony. Organized by the Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province, CITIE 2016 is held in China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou. MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse led a delegation of MGTO and representatives of local tourism businesses to join the event. Running a 72-square-meter booth themed as "Experience Macao Your Own Style" in the Expo, MGTO showcases Macao’s latest tourism information to the public and industry professionals, presenting Macao’s goal to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. MGTO, Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province and HKTB run a joint booth in the Expo to showcase the fruitful achievements from tourism cooperation between the three destinations. The booth also serves to reinforce the promotion of multi-destination tour routes and facilitate tourism developments in the three destinations. CITIE 2016 is one of the largest international exhibitions with the highest number of participating exhibitors and professional buyers in Mainland China. It serves as a key platform for overseas and local industry partners to showcase and sell their tourism products. Themed under the development concept of “tourism +”, this edition of CITIE consists of 9 theme halls and 5 special areas which showcase various products and brands of tourism and other related industries to foster integrated development of tourism, industry, culture, sports, the Internet and other related industries. This year, CITIE includes a series of activities under the theme “Host Countries Tourism Day” for the first time with the objective to promote regional cooperation in tourism between Guangdong and countries along the Belt and Road. In addition, CITIE continues to host the 2nd edition of China (Guangdong) MICE Exchange Conference, offering more than 10 special events such as “Tourism + Internet” Seminar, Seminar on Development of Region-based Tourism, among others, with the aim to enhance professionalism of the expo. This edition of CITIE boasts an exhibition floor of 100,000 square meters with 5,000 standard booths, expected to host professional buyers from more than 50 countries and regions around the world. Number of visitors is estimated to top 500,000.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) played host today (September 9) to the 2016 PATA Gold Award Luncheon and Presentation, held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The prestigious awards ceremony is one of the program highlights of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2016, where MGTO has been promoting Macao as a travel destination for the last three days. In addition, from September 9 to 11, MGTO Director is attending the meetings of the governing body of the association. MGTO and travel trade promote Macao at PATA Travel Mart MGTO Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, attended the PATA Travel Mart 2016 (PTM), held in Jakarta from September 7 to 9, together with the Head of MGTO Communication and External Relations Department, Kathy Iong, and Macao travel trade representatives from the hotel, maritime transportation, exhibition centre and travel agency sectors. Under the theme ‘Experience Macao Your Own Style’, MGTO’s booth at the travel mart promoted the city’s old and new attractions, while serving also as a platform for Macao trade to conduct business with their international counterparts and to tap into the Indonesian market. PATA Travel Mart is the association's premier annual travel trade show, attracting annually over 1,000 international buyers, sellers and travel agencies from over 60 countries and regions. PATA Gold Award for MGTO 'Step Out, Macao' Mobile App One of the highlights of PATA Travel Mart each year is the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Presentation, which was held today in Jakarta. For the 21st consecutive year, MGTO supported the prestigious initiative, as an opportunity to raise the profile of Macao as a tourism destination and contribute to the sustainable development of tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Senna Fernandes handed the awards to this year's winners, with a total of 31 Grand and Gold Awards presented to separate organizations and individuals with remarkable entries in seven broad categories: Marketing Campaign, Environment, Corporate Social Responsibility, Heritage and Culture, Education and Training, Marketing Media and Travel Journalism. The luncheon was attended by around 800 delegates. This year MGTO also featured among the winners of the PATA Gold Awards, bringing home a Gold Award for 'Marketing Media – Mobile Travel Application' for its 'Step Out, Macao' Mobile App. The app includes MGTO’s launched eight themed walking tour routes, covering Macao, Taipa and Coloane. It is available in Chinese (traditional and simplified), English and Portuguese, providing maps, descriptions of tourism spots, including the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Macao, and other information related with the routes. MGTO Director’s agenda in Jakarta also includes attending the PATA Board and Executive Board Meeting, scheduled for September 9 to 11, as a PATA Executive Board elected-member, along with other PATA internal meetings. PATA Executive Board determines industry policies and positions of PATA as the governing body of the association. It is also responsible for governing the corporate affairs and operations of PATA. Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry, including among its members government tourism bodies, travel trade operators and tourism educational institutions. Macao has been a PATA member since 1958. For decades, PATA has been a valuable platform for Macao to promote its tourism image and connect local travel trade stakeholders to the world.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced that its newly-appointed representative in Indonesia has come into operation and will actively expand the Indonesian tourism market for Macao in line with the direction of Macao’s tourism development towards diversification. MGTO hosted a dinner in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia today (8 September) and announced its appointment of VFS Global Services Private Limited as its new representative in Indonesia. The Office invited 60 guests to the dinner, including members of the travel trade and media in Indonesia as well as Macao’s travel trade. During the dinner, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes remarked that tapping into the potential of the Indonesian market, MGTO has set up its first representative in Indonesia since 2009 to assist the Office in expanding the Indonesian source market and encouraging more international visitations to Macao. This year, after a comprehensive selection process, the Office decided to appoint VFS Global Services Private Limited as its representative in Indonesia. Capitalizing on its experience and competitive advantages, the new representative is expected to keep abreast of the market trends and cater to the needs of various market segments with tailor-made marketing plans to attract more Indonesian visitors to Macao, which will promote diversification of visitor source markets for Macao. MGTO’s new representative in Indonesia is set to begin an array of projects there, from rolling out roadshows, joining travel fairs and seminars, organizing trade networking events and familiarization visits for media and trade to riding on different channels including online and social networks to promote Macao as a travel destination to the travel trade, consumers and media in Indonesia. In addition, as Macao has maintained sound cooperative relations with Mainland cities and provinces as well as other neighboring regions, MGTO will seize the opportunity to promote multi-destination tourism products in Indonesia to expand the source market and promote the tourism brand of Macao and its neighbours as one regional destination. From January to July 2016, Macao registered a record of over 100,000 Indonesian visitor arrivals, a year-on-year surge of 8%. MGTO looks forward to the new representative’s strenuous efforts in destination marketing across Indonesia for steady market growth.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the implementation of initiatives laid out in the city’s first Five-Year Development Plan would lay a solid foundation for Macao’s further social and economic success. The Government launched the official document for the Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) of the Macao Special Administrative Region during a press conference held today at Government Headquarters. The Plan is effective immediately in order to speed improvements to Macao’s living and working conditions; and for enhancement of the city’s transport, travel and entertainment facilities. The document also contains comprehensive policies designed to fulfil the city’s short-, mid-, and long-term needs, Mr Chui said. The Plan features clear development themes, i.e., innovation, coordination, connectivity and the sharing of the fruits of development, in a bid to advance Macao’s competitiveness internationally. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Plan, the Government has created a set of objectives and indicators, monitoring mechanisms and third-party evaluation. The first evaluation of the Plan will be done this year at the same time as the annual Policy Address, said Mr Chui. Enhancing people’s wellbeing was at the root of the Plan, noted Mr Chui. The Government had dedicated a chapter of the Plan to exhaustive measures to address social concerns, such as the allocation of land resources, local infrastructure, and transportation. The master plan for Macao’s urban planning system would be released in 2019, with a view to optimising the management of land resources and to allocating appropriate resources – according to urgency and priority – for construction projects, said the Chief Executive. He added that following the implementation of Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan, the Government would spare no effort in fostering the city’s economic diversification, in order to offer Macao people a greater number of employment opportunities and to provide more favourable conditions for businesses. Mr Chui said the Plan presented a good start for the city, allowing it further to consolidate its role in the country’s development story and to play a greater role in regional cooperation. The Plan complements the nation’s 13th Five-Year Plan and boosts Macao’s contributions to national strategic development, in particular the city’s efforts in relation to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative). The Plan also lays down a clear blueprint for the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure; and to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies). Work on Macao’s first ever Five-Year Development Plan began in 2015. The final version incorporates advice from Central Government agencies, scholars and opinions from the Macao public. The latter views were gathered in two rounds of consultation. Copies of the full version of the Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) of the Macao Special Administrative Region – in Chinese and Portuguese –are available at the Government Information Bureau; at public information centres; at the headquarters of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; and in the city’s public libraries. The Plan can be viewed online via: the website of the Chief Executive’s Office (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure (http://www.cccmtl.gov.mo/); the Macao SAR Government Portal (http://www.gov.mo); and the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo).

Video:【GCS】Launch of the Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020) of the Macao Special Administrative Region

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To facilitate the public and philatelists for ordering new philatelic products, please note the followings:(attachment)
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To celebrate the Teachers’ Day 2016, Macao Post announced that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters, from 10:30 to 17:30 on 10th September 2016 to provide the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Celebration of Teachers’ Day”. A commemorative envelope with stamp will be distributed to public. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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