News

The “2016 MFE Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brand” was held yesterday (29th) in the Sicily Room in Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The Forum was under the theme “New Vision of Chain and Franchise in the Internet Era. Guests had the opportunity to gain a further understanding on the related market profile and development trends according to the speakers’ successful experiences in international franchising chain and the development of the Internet. Officiating guests included: Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Irene Va Kuan Lau, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Glória Ung, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Albert Kong, Committee Member of Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore), Chief Executive Officer of Asiawide Franchise Consultants Pte. Ltd. Amelia Wang, Member of Franchise Committee of China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Richard Li, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Gustavo Orlandini Schifino, President of Ethic Commission, Brazilian Franchising Association, Kyo Ito, Chairman of Franchise Committee in Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants Association - Tokyo branch, Ana Correia, Founder of MORE Group, Portugal, Choi Ka Lun, Merchandising Manager, Hong Kong & Macau of Vipshop International Holdings Limited and Lei Lam Leong, Chief Executive Officer of MacaoFood Ltd. Increase in Competitiveness through Increase in Internet Information Mr. Jackson Chang said in his opening speech that nowadays business models like brand agencies and franchising have won favour amongst investors, especially youth start-ups. He hoped that through the speakers’ successful experiences in international franchising chain and the development of the Internet, as well as joint discussions on challenges and opportunities encountered during the process of expanding their Internet businesses and by providing everyone with the latest information on brand operations from various places and that of chain business, the competitiveness of local middle and small-sized enterprises would be improved and opportunities in the Internet Era would be seized. An Irresistible Trend: Brands on the Internet After the seminar, Mr. Choi Ka Lun stated that the Internet can increase the offline-online interactions of many local brands in Macao, which will help develop the real brand value. Through MFE, merchants can learn of the latest business models on the Internet, which in turn does them the favour in being able to expand their Internet market. Mr. Gustavo Orlandini Schifino stated that Brazil was a big food production country and by using Macao as a platform, tourists from all over the world, especially those from Mainland China, would get to know Brazilian food better. This gives a good impression on Brazilian brands. He also believes that the Internet is indispensable to modern products and therefore Brazilian brands were all actively developing an Internet business model. Follow Web Trends to Avoid Elimination in the Market In addition, speakers mentioned in the market seminar that with the maturity of information technology and the rapid development of the Internet chain enterprise, both the thoughts of operators and those in management level positions were much different from those in the past. In order to continuously have a share in the market, entrepreneurs must keep pace with the development of the Internet, or they will be eliminated. Mr Richard Li said that regions with a small population like Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong should make full use of the advantages of the “Internet +” to expand the scope of their enterprises. The Internet should not only be used by the end-consumers but also used by everyone from business administrators to customer service providers. Offline & Online ---- Complementary Advantages The second session was an integrated discussion on the topic “Why Customers Cannot Get Feedback Offline after Buying Things Online?” The speaker indicated that the use of the Internet was necessary for merchants and for chain-like alliances, taking their products from online to offline is an important issue. The Internet allows merchants the chance to come into contact with more customers and provides channels for merchants to display products. Meanwhile, OTO plays an important role in the business’ development; offline services can effectively supplement the limitations of online services. Macau’s e-commerce is in a nascent stage and can only grow with the aid of online payment. Over 200 people attended the Forum and participants had an interactive and in-depth discussion about various ideas related to Chain and Franchise model in the Internet era.
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The University of Macau’s (UM) residential college (RC) system recently achieved satisfactory results, according to the two-year performance assessment. The results show that students who have lived in the RCs tend to outperform those without the experience in various areas. This is testament to the university’s significant progress in liberal arts education. UM implemented the RC system after relocating to its new campus two years ago. As of today, ten colleges have been established. Recently, UM conducted a two-year performance assessment of the system, based on criteria in five areas of competencies (Healthy Living, Interpersonal Relation and Teamwork, Leadership and Service, Cultural Engagement, and Citizenship with Global Perspectives and Patriotism) and Hong Kong Baptist University’s Whole Person Development Inventory. 1,772 students were surveyed. At today’s (29 July) Third Forum on Education of Modern Residential College, Prof Haydn Chen, vice rector (student affairs) of UM, shared the assessment results with forum participants. The results show that students who have lived in RCs tend to outperform those without the experience, in various areas, including academic results, sports, art appreciation, cultural engagement, leadership skills, and peer relationships. The results also show that students who have lived longer in RCs tend to achieve higher scores. ‘UM’s RC system is still very young, so the results are very encouraging,’ said Prof Chen. ‘The results have increased our confidence in the system.’ The forum attracted nearly 300 experts, scholars, faculty members, and students from more than 40 universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. During the forum, the participants will discuss the philosophy, implementation, and development of RC systems at today’s universities. Half of the non-UM participants will stay at UM’s RCs during the period. At the opening ceremony, Prof Lionel Ni, vice rector (academic affairs) of UM, said that UM’s RC system has inherited the traditions of college education in ancient China and is modelled upon the successful experience of top universities, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and Yale University, adding that the system has a comprehensive master plan and its own characteristics. Prof Ni also said that all faculty members at UM are required to spend at least on hour per week outside the classroom with the students. Today, 300 faculty members are available in the RCs to help students with the problems they encounter in their studies and everyday life. The theme of this year’s forum is ‘Student Development in a Residential College and the Shaping of Its Educational Character’, which includes four sub-topics: 1) the assessment of RCs’ learning outcomes; 2) the collaboration between RCs and faculties; 3) educational programmes for student development; and 4) developing the characteristics of RCs. The keynote speakers include Prof David Ibbetson, president of Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Prof Trevor Cairney, master of New College at the University of New South Wales, Australia; and Dr Gong Hui, deputy Party secretary at XJTU, mainland China. Two sub-forums will be held for student representatives of various universities to discuss their experiences in RCs. In addition, a book collection of 34 papers selected by an editorial panel formed by UM and XJTU scholars will also be presented at the forum. This year’s event is organised by a RC alliance and hosted by UM. The past two events were hosted by Beihang University. The alliance was formed by RCs at eight universities, namely Beihang University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, XJTU, Chengchi University, Fudan University, Tsing Hua University, East China Normal University, and UM.
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A majority of the opinions received via a public consultation process shows support for the Government’s proposals regarding revisions to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, said the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan. The opinions expressed generally agreed with the Government’s proposals with regard to the following matters: the need to specify rules for electoral campaigns and to strengthen supervision for those campaigns; the need to clarify who is qualified to be a candidate; and the need to step up efforts against bribery. The Government ran a 30-day public consultation – from 7 May to 5 June inclusive – regarding proposed revisions to the Legislative Assembly Election Law. During the period, the Government held a total of seven public sessions with 963 participants. A total of 128 attendees shared their comments during the public sessions. Another 225 written opinions were submitted to the Government. The Government would take into consideration all the comments that were submitted; and would evaluate whether they conform to Macao’s legal system and could feasibly be incorporated within it, the Secretary said on Thursday (28 July) during a press conference. Regarding management of electoral campaigns, most of the opinions received during the consultation period supported the idea of setting up a mechanism further to monitor every ticket’s campaign expenses; and of making public the information on expenses via an online platform. Some comments suggested electoral expenses should not exceed 3 million patacas per ticket. The Government found most opinions were in favour of the introduction of the concept of criminal responsibility for infringement of provisions of the Law. They were also mostly in favour of creating a definition of electoral activity; including of any electioneering done outside Macao. Some comments expressed doubts about whether effective enforcement action could be taken against any electioneering that might be done outside Macao. Some comments also voiced doubts about whether effective enforcement action could be taken against oblique or unfavourable comments – against any candidates – that might be expressed via social media or other online platforms, where the computer server for the platform was based overseas. The Secretary said provisions regarding regional judicial cooperation and the existing mechanism for legal cooperation would be the basis for handling any such cases. Some comments suggested nullifying an elected member’s right to sit in the Legislative Assembly if a court ruled that bribery had been used in order to secure their election. A similar suggestion had been made prior to revisions in 2008 to the Legislative Assembly Election Law, said Ms Chan. The Government would need further study on the matter, as the suggestion was contrary to the Basic Law, she added. Regarding management of electoral affairs, a majority of comments showed support for the Government’s suggestions on the following: the need to form the relevant Electoral Affairs Commission well in advance of each election; the need to include a member of the Public Prosecutions Office in the Electoral Affairs Commission; the need to specify the appeal mechanisms available in cases where a ruling negatively affects a campaign team; and the need to appoint a body to handle minor cases of rule infringement. Most comments also agreed that electoral instructions should have the force of law once published on electoral websites and newspapers. With regard to comments suggesting each Electoral Affairs Commission should also include a member from the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC), Ms Chan said that might cause conflict regarding CCAC’s role in an election. If pursued, it would mean CAAC acting as an electoral regulator and as a body to monitor elections. Ms Chan said a ban on elected members of the Legislative Assembly holding any political position in a foreign country – a measure contained in the Government’s proposals – could prevent issues relating to dual allegiance. Elected Assembly members must swear allegiance to Macao, which is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The opinions received on the Legislative Assembly Election Law are included in a final report on the consultation process. The report, available in Chinese and Portuguese, can be obtained at: http://ceal.elections.gov.mo/zh-hant/lastest-news
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A total of 270 contestants have submitted their works for the “Precious Moments in Macao” 2016 Photography Competition, which is co-organised by the Government Information Bureau together with eight photographic organisations and five media associations. Out of a total of 1,144 entries, 62 winning entries have been picked after professional evaluation. The judging was held on 26 June. The 13-member judging panel comprises one representative from the Photographic Society of Macao; the Photography Salon Society of Macao; the Macao Association for the Promotion of Photographic Art; the Macao Multimedia Photographic Art Association; the Macao Association of Photographic Art; the Macau Camera Lens Art Association; the Macao Digital Photography Association; the Macao Media Workers Association; the Macao Journalists’ Club; the Macao Journalists’ Association; the Macao Media Club; the Macau Sports Press Association; and the Government Information Bureau, respectively. This year’s competition has continued to use an online portal for the submission of entries. During the submission period between 17 May and 7 June, a total of 1,144 entries from 270 contestants were submitted. These entries reflect changes in Macao’s skyline and precious moments in the lives of Macao residents. After three rounds of evaluation by the 13-member judging panel, the following 52 winning entries have been selected: First Prize: KU SOI LAN; Title of Work: Passing the baton Second Prize: WU YISHENG; Title of Work: Colourful clouds over the peninsula Third Prize: LAM SAO WA; Title of Work: NAPE in the evening Winners of the 49 merit prizes are as follows (in no particular order): AU IEONG CHENG (Rejoicing) AU IEONG KIN IOK (Friendship) CHAN CHI HONG (Family fun) CHAN WENG KIN (Dancing in the breeze) CHAN WENG KIN (Macao’s fishing port) CHING CHUN KEUNG (Superstar of the sea) CHING CHUN KEUNG (Procession of Our Lady of Fatima) CHING CHUN KEUNG (Superstar Duckie) CHOI IM FAN (Macao at night) MARIA LEONOR FERNANDES DO ROSARIO (Kun Iam statue) HO CHON IN (Moon-lit Macao) HO HOI SAN (City wrapped in fogs) HO KAWUN (Kiss) KOK WENG LON (Selfie under the neon lights) KOU WAI IN (X’mas snow globe) LAM KOK KUN (Fairytale dream) LAM KOK KUN (Young fans of Rubber Duck) LAM KOK KUN (Capturing a moment of joy) LAM SIO HONG (Keeping Macao clean) LAO FONG MENG (Fireworks extravaganza) LEI HEONG IEONG (Goddess of Mercy descending on earth) LEI HEONG IEONG (Sunrise) LEI HEONG IEONG (Lighting up the sky on the 3rd day of the lunar new year) LEI KENG HONG (Sunrise over the Macao Science Center) LEI SON PONG (Rubber Duck in Macao) LEI SON PONG (Moon under the Friendship Bridge) LEONG IM KAI (Waterfront in the morning) LEONG IM KAI (Dancing dragon) LI SIN (Latin parade) LI SIN (Long Chao Kok at daydreak) LOK WAI KEONG (Overcoming the hurdle together) LOU CHON MAN (Cotai Strip) NGAI HANG (Colourful) PUN KIN WA (Splash of colour) PUN TAK CHEONG (Photograghing fireworks show) PUN TAK CHEONG (Night of Latin parade) SIO CHOI LENG (Sai Van Bridge in the evening) SIO CHOI LENG (Good morning Macao) SIO CHOI LENG (Fish’s eyeview of Macao) SO TAK VO (Panoramic view of Macao Science Center) SOU SU FU (Dawn) TANG CHAN SENG (Golden dragon) TANG CHAN SENG (Happy moment) TANG CHAN SENG (Children’s rugby match) VONG CHENG IENG (Water polo tournament) WAN WAI SAI (Enchanting shadows) WONG SI CHAN (Coati Strip in the evening) WONG WAI ION (St Paul’s Ruins on a raining evening) WU SAI CHEONG (Big festival in a small city) Winners of the first, second and third prizes will get a cash prize of MOP8,000, MOP5,000 and MOP3,000 respectively in addition to a trophy while winners of the merit prizes will each get a cash prize of MOP500 and a certificate. In addition the theme of this year’s special feature prize is “Our Waters”. Winners will each get a cash prize of MOP1,000. The 12 winners of the special feature prize are as follows (in no particular order): CHAN MENG KAI (Nice summer day) CHAN WENG KIN (Macao’s fishing port) (also winner of merit prize) CHONG IO SANG (Macao’s land and waters) MARIA FERREIRA SIN (Sailing upwind) MARIA FERREIRA SIN (Inner Harbour) KOK KAM FAI (Keeping guard) LAM SAO WA (Aerial view of Macao) LAM SIO HONG (Keeping Macao clean) (also winner of merit prize) LAU WENG CHONG (Capturing daybreak) LEI CHI FAN (Water surfing) LEI SON PONG (Fishing moratorium) NG HOI KEI (Macao’s waters) All winning entries can be viewed on the website: http://photo.gcs.gov.mo.
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The government bodies and the aviation operators involved in airport security jointly conducted the “Bomb Threat Exercise 2016” in Macau International Airport in this early morning (29 July 2016) to simulate the activation of the Airport Emergency Plan and the security contingency procedures in response to a bomb threat that occurred in the passenger terminal. The exercise took place from 02:00 to 05:00 this morning. The scenario was of a an anonymous phone call made to an airline from an association who claimed that they had put bombs in the airport and threatened to explode them. With the assessment made by the bomb threat analysis and evaluation group, the airport declared emergency and activated the airport emergency plan to handle the crisis. The operations centre of the Public Security Police Force activated their security contingency procedures to carry out necessary tasks such as conducting a comprehensive inspection in the airport and eventually found two suspect baggages. The site was cordoned off and the people in that area were evacuated. The special police were called in to inspect the two baggages; it was confirmed that one of these baggages was a genuine bomb. The bomb was then detonated. The exercise was deemed smooth. There were about 150 participants. The exercise was coordinated by Public Security Police Force with the participation of other entities including Unitary Police Force, Macao Customs Services, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, Security Coordination Office, Health Bureau, Marine and Water Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority, CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd, Administration of Airports, Ltd., Macau Security Company Ltd. (airport security), Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd and Air Macau Company Ltd. Macau International Airport carries out different types of exercise every year. Earlier this April, the fuel farm exercise was conducted; following this bomb threat exercise, the full scale emergency exercise and the heliport exercise will be held later in the second half of the year.
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The Government said a female patient placed under medical observation after travelling to Macao from Saudi Arabia does not have the virus-borne condition Middle East respiratory syndrome, also known as MERS. Tests showed the 11-year-old patient was negative for the virus associated with MERS. The patient sought medical treatment at Kiang Wu Hospital in Taipa on Thursday (28 July) after complaining of fever and abdominal pain. She entered Macao on 27 July after leaving her country on 18 July. To date – and since the Health Bureau was notified by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the development of the virus – there have been no indications of MERS having a presence in Macao. Since WHO’s notification, the Government has strengthened its monitoring regarding non-specific pneumonia and other cases of respiratory infection. Typical symptoms of MERS – during the initial phase – include fever, cough and shortness of breath. People with an impaired immune system or with a chronic disease are considered to be at higher risk of MERS than other people. The Health Bureau advises residents – especially if travelling to the Middle East – to avoid visiting farms and having contact with animals; in particular camels and birds. The public is encouraged to practise good personal and environmental hygiene. Citizens should seek medical treatment immediately if they develop symptoms such as a fever or cough.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for June 2016 amounted to MOP821 million, down by 11.5% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP673 million) dropped by 14.9%, with that of Clocks & watches (MOP62 million) falling by 39.4%; value of domestic exports (MOP148 million) expanded by 8.2%, with that of Tobacco (MOP52 million) soaring by 116.2%. Total merchandise import decreased by 14.6% year-on-year to MOP5.71 billion, of which imports of Motor cars and Watches declined by 68.5% and 31.1% respectively. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP4.89 billion. In the second quarter of 2016, total value of merchandise export (MOP2.41 billion) and merchandise import (MOP16.60 billion) fell by 12.7% and 18.5% respectively year-on-year, resulting in a trade deficit of MOP14.19 billion. In the first half year of 2016, total value of merchandise export declined by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP5.11 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP4.27 billion) and domestic exports (MOP836 million) decreased by 5.7% and 10.4% respectively. Total value of merchandise import fell by 21.1% to MOP33.61 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP28.50 billion for the first half year of 2016. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Mainland China increased by 4.1% year-on-year to MOP890 million in the first half year of 2016, of which exports to the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP844 million) rose by 2.4%; exports to Hong Kong (MOP3.00 billion) decreased by 11.1%. Meanwhile, exports to the EU (MOP92 million) and the USA (MOP75 million) reduced by 29.4% and 22.7% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles declined by 6.5% year-on-year to MOP4.75 billion, of which value of Clocks & watches (MOP534 million) and Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP482 million) dropped by 32.5% and 21.7% respectively, but that of Electronic components (MOP577 million) grew by 46.2%. Exports of Textiles & garments totalled MOP354 million, down by 6.4%. By place of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP12.38 billion) and the EU (MOP7.99 billion) in the first half year of 2016 decreased by 21.6% and 17.8% respectively year-on-year. Analysed by place of consignment, merchandise import from Mainland China declined by 9.2% to MOP5.58 billion, of which imports from the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta (MOP5.31 billion) fell by 9.2%. Imports of Consumer goods dropped by 16.9% to MOP20.85 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP1.96 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP593 million) decreasing by 41.6% and 56.7% respectively. Moreover, imports of Fuels & lubricants (MOP2.88 billion), Mobile phones (MOP2.30 billion) and Construction materials (MOP1.06 billion) declined by 16.9%, 47.6% and 32.3% respectively. External merchandise trade totalled MOP38.71 billion in the first half year of 2016, down by 19.4% compared with MOP48.04 billion a year earlier.
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In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), the Cultural Affairs Bureau will host the “Macao International Music Festival Forum” themed “Music and Arts Festivals as Drivers of a City’s Cultural Development” from 30 September to 1 October at the Macao Cultural Centre conference room, conducted by various renowned guests from cultural sectors from both overseas and the nearby regions. Additionally, the publication 30th Macao International Music Festival Special Commemorative Edition will be launched, featuring the development and transformation of the Festival. The “Macao International Music Festival Forum” features a number of talks and discussion sessions by prominent practitioners from overseas and the nearby regions, including Managing Director of Barbican Centre, Sir Nicholas Kenyon; Founder and Executive Director of Verbier Festival, Martin Engstroem; CEO of Arts House Limited, Singapore, Lee Chor Lin; Executive Director of Hong Kong Arts Festival, Tisa Ho; Co-founder and Artistic Director of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s Music and Arts Festival, Jay Forster; Digital Strategist of Clockenflap, Hong Kong's Music and Arts Festival, Simon Bratt; Dean of the School of Music of Shanghai University, Wang Yong; Director of Shanghai Culture Square, Zhang Jie; General Manager of Wu Promotions, Wu Jiatong, among others. Admission to the forum is free and all are welcome to register. Seats are limited and will be severed on a first-come, first-served basis. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Festival, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will launch the publication 30th Macao International Music Festival Special Commemorative Edition, which covers programme reviews and the historical evolution of the Festival in the past years, as well as insightful commentaries and news articles by former festival directors and local scholars, offering an overview of the Festival’s contribution to Macao’s cultural development over the past three decades. The public is welcome to register for the Forum through the MIMF website (www.icm.gov.mo/fimm), or submit completed application forms, available in the Cultural Affairs Bureau and its public libraries, by mail or in person (during office hours) to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building at Tap Siac Square by 28 September . The aforementioned publication will be available for sale at the performance venues during the Festival. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 83996699, during office hours.
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The 30th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) Outreach Programme features 18 activities in six categories, including Talks, Pre-show Talks, Backstage Tours, Master Classes, Meet-the-artist and Community Screenings, thereby seeking to broaden music enthusiasts’ horizons. Renowned Portuguese pianist Adriano Jordão, the leader of famous percussion ensemble Colin Currie Group, Colin Currie, the nationally acclaimed huqin master Xu Ke and the “queen of pipa” Zhong Hongyan, were invited to conduct master classes, offering learning opportunities to local musicians. The Talks will be conducted by the well-known Hong Kong literary and art critic, Chow Fan Fu; the Assistant Professor of the Chinese Language Department of the University of Macau, Tam Mei Leng; and the Co-Artistic Director of Hong Kong’s experimental art group Zuni Icosahedron, Danny Yun Ning-Tsun. Jazz guitarists Lawrence Ku and Eugene Pao will share experiences of this music genre as well as of funk and rock. During the 30th MIMF, several pre-show talks and four backstage tours of the opera Turandot will be held, allowing the public to appreciate the wonderful costumes, props and sets used in the production. Between September and October, numerous community screenings will be held, followed by analysis and comments by film experts Leong I On and Chan Ka Keong. In addition, as the Cultural Affairs Bureau specially invited the local and creative entity GUGUMELO Studio to design four types of “Gugumesic Postcards to the Future” in the previous edition of the Festival, over three thousand postcards with the public’s wishes were collected. On the eve of this edition, the Organiser has printed a “Scratch to win!” game onto the postcards and has attached a specially designed badge and invitation card with a 30% discount on tickets for the 30th MIMF, to be sent to music lovers. The two winners of the “Scratch to win!” game will be awarded two sets of free tickets for all performances of the Festival, and 30 participants will receive a “Gugumesic souvenir set” , celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Festival. For more information on the activities of the 30th MIMF Outreach Programme, please refer to the respective Booklet or visit the Festival webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm. Admission is free to most activities but the seats are limited. Registration is available through the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours, or email outreach@icm.gov.mo.
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The 30th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will be held from 1 to 30 October. In celebration of its Pearl Jubilee, top-level musicians and ensembles from Russia, the Unites States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Mongolia, Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, will offer 20 programmes and a total of 27 excellent performances. This edition of the MIMF is themed “Glorious 30 ‧ The Sinophone Rhapsodies”. Aside from the usual renowned classics, this year the MIMF specially presents several works of ethnic appeal. The 30th MIMF also features the “Macao International Music Festival Forum” and the 30th Macao International Music Festival Special Commemorative Edition will be launched on this occasion. IC will also hold a press conference in Guangdong Province, thereby widening the promotion of the Festival’s international charm. Opera in three acts Turandot opens the curtain; Charlie Chaplin’s classic film scores screened with live music The Festival kicks off with its own production, joining hands with internationally renowned Italian stage director Giancarlo del Monaco and acclaimed set and costume designer William Orlandi to present Giacomo Puccini’s opera in three acts Turandot, which narrates the story of the romance of life and death between Chinese Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf of Tartary. Renowned American conductor Timothy Brock leads the Macao Orchestra on the live accompaniment of the silent films “City Lights” and “The Gold Rush” by comedy genius Charlie Chaplin, bringing to a close the MIMF’s pearl jubilee at Park of Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção under a starry sky. First chamber opera A Dream of Fragrancy; magnificent works of ethnic appeal In order to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the great playwright, Tang Xianzu, the Festival has specially produced the chamber opera A Dream of Fragrancy, created local professionals, an adaptation of Tang Xianzu’s travelling experience to Macao in 1591. The Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet joins hands with huqin master Xu Ke in the concert Quintessence Night, Magic Bow; The China Philharmonic Orchestra cooperates with local pianist Kuok-Wai Lio to perform several music genres; Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble accompanies the morin khuur with the throat singing technique khoomei, whereby one singer produces two notes simultaneously, introducing the music of this traditional instrument, classified as national intangible cultural heritage. Distinguished pipa master Zhang Hong Yan will share with the audience stories of the pipa; outstanding musicians from the Macao Chinese Orchestra, the Guangdong National Orchestra, the Taipei Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Hong Kong Yao Yuen Chinese Music Association take to the stage to jointly present the concert Joyous Harmony, allowing the audience to enjoy the beauty of national music. Internationally renowned artists; top-notch musicians in the spotlight Brilliant classical music conductor Valery Gergiev leads the world famous Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in the performance of Russian masters Prokofiev and Shostakovitch’s classical works. Extraordinary early music conductor William Christie steers the ensemble Les Arts Florissants in a concert featuring period musical instruments and vocal music. British group Colin Currie Group makes its debut in Asia with a minimalist concert featuring percussion works by iconic composer Steve Reich. Mount Fortress hosts the hypnotising fado of Portugal’s new rising star Carminho; brilliant contemporary jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove will play several works by jazz giant Miles Davis, and a jazz concert brought by musicians from the Cross-strait four regions, namely Red Groove Project, Eugene Pao’s band, Minyen Hsieh and Hon Chong Chau, who will offer six hours of jazz music. Promising classical violinist Ray Chen and the MIMF’s first artistic director and remarkable Portuguese pianist, Adriano Jordão, will take to the Dom Pedro V Theatre stage to present solo concerts. The Coro Perosi and Coro Dolce Voce de Macau join hands in the concert Gloria, showcasing the talent of local choirs. In order to encourage local talents, this edition of the Festival continues to offer the concerts Bravo Macao!, allowing promising local musicians to shine on stage. Tickets on sale from 7 August Tickets will be on sale from 10am on 7 August 2016 (Sunday) at the Macau Ticketing Network and telephone and online bookings are available from 12pm on the same day. On the first day of ticket sales, ticket purchases are limited to a maximum of 10 tickets per performance per person. Early bird discounts of 30% will be offered when buying tickets between 7 and 14 August, and a 20% discount will be offered when buying tickets between 15 and 21 August. Holders of BOC Multi-Currency Credit Card or BOC Card may also enjoy a 30% discounts on tickets for Turandot - Opera in Three Acts by Puccini, A Dream of Fragrancy - Chamber Opera Premiere, From Russia, with Classics - Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra or The Russian Legends - Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra . A 20% discount will be offered in the purchase of tickets for all other shows for holders of the designated credit card or bank card. A 50% discount will be offered for holders of Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card (each card holder is allowed to purchase one discounted ticket per performance only). For every ticket purchase over MOP1,000 (net price calculated after discounts), purchasers will receive a “buy 1 get 1 free” voucher for Cotai Water Jet ferry tickets. For every ticket purchase over MOP500 (net price calculated after discounts), purchasers will receive one 30% F&B coupon which can be redeemed when dining at selected restaurants in The Venetian® Macao. This edition of the MIMF counts with the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office, TDM – Teledifusão de Macao, Air Macau, Air Macau, The Venetian® Macao, and has Cotai Water Jet as official ferry company. For more details on the programme and offers, please access the Festival’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours. Ticketing hotlines: 2855 5555 (Macao), 2380 5083 (Hong Kong), 139 269 11111 (Mainland China). Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com. The press conference of the 30th MIMF was held on 28 July, at 3:30pm at the Tourism Activities Centre. The press conference was attended by the President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Acting Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Tse Heng Sai; the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the Vice President of Corporate Communications & Community Affairs of Venetian Macau Ltd., Winnie Wong; the President Assistant of the Bank of China Macau Branch, Jiang Kuiwei; the Cotai Water Jet Executive Director of Finance and Operations, Wong Ying Kit Alex; the Programme Producer of Social Culture and Economic Programme Department, TDM, Ltd., Raymond Cheang; the Head of the Department of the Cultural Events of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin and the Head of the Division of Performing Arts of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Paula Lei.
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