News

To promote the development of Macao's music industry, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) launches the 2014 Subsidy Programme for the Production of Original Song Albums. Each subsidised song album will be granted a subsidy up to a maximum of MOP200,000. Applications are accepted from 29 September to 27 November 2014. Along with the development of Macao's cultural and creative industries, and with the far-reaching power of the internet, original Macao music has become more recognised in recent years and different genres of music have started revealing their appeal. This Subsidy Programme seeks to provide more opportunities for local music creators and producers to release their works and launch more quality works in the market. Applicants for the Programme must hold a valid Macao S.A.R. Permanent Resident Identity Card. S/he must assume the role of album producer of the project on behalf of individuals, co-producers or groups, being the person-in-charge of the subsidised project and executive music producer of the album. Applicants must have produced a specific amount of publicly published music or must have acquired experience as album producers. The applied album can be a solo, group or band album. The subsidy is granted to cover the production, cover design, marketing and promotion expenses. The run of the completed album should not be less than 500 copies and the album must have been published by at least one commercial digital music platform. Interested applicants must submit three "sample songs", proposals and related documents for selection which will be evaluated by an Adjudicating Panel including local and foreign professionals in music circles and which will select a maximum of eight applicants. The Programme's information, application rules and forms can be downloaded at the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) and at the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries website (www.macaucci.com/en). Applicants should submit all required documents and music information to: Cultural Affairs Bureau - Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries (No. 567, Av. da Praia Grande, Edif. BNU, 12th floor A-D, Macao) during office hours. For enquiries, please contact Mr. Ho or Ms. Lao through tel. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on over-the-counter drugs on 8 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 8th Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM8), hosted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and organized by the Macao Special Administration Region, will be held in Macao on 13 September. Delegates attending the event are arriving in Macao, and preparations have been completed regarding venue arrangements, hospitality for visiting delegations, media coverage and security work. A total of 152 attendees, including the tourism ministers or representatives of 21 APEC economies, delegates from the APEC Secretariat, the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Asia Pacific Travel Association (PATA), and the APEC Center for International Sustainable Tourism, have already registered for the event. Some 300 journalists from local, mainland China and overseas media organizations have also registered to cover the meeting. Prior to the opening of the TMM8, the APEC Tourism Working Group will hold a tourism workshop and the 45th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG45). During the Tourism Workshop held in the morning of 9 September, delegates from APEC economies will discuss topics related to integrated development of tourism and other industries, the use of technology for smart tourism, and connectivity issues. The TWG45 will be held on 10 and 11 September, during which China will brief delegates on its preparations for the TMM8, and exchange views with the attendees on issues of common concern. The Macao SAR Government will host the "Macao Night" – Welcome Dinner for the delegates from around the world on 12 September. The TMM8 will officially open at the Macao East Asian Games Dome in the morning of 13 September, and the Press Conference for Meeting Achievements will be held in the same afternoon. With the theme "Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Cooperation and Future Development", the five main topics for discussion during the meeting are related to exchanges between and discussions concerning integration of Asia Pacific tourism markets, facilitating transformation and growth of the tourism industry, promoting intelligent tourism with modern technology and interconnection of Asia Pacific travel, and encouraging low-carbon development and co-operation between tourism operators. The ministerial meeting will conclude with the announcement of "Macao Declaration", the event's key achievement.
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The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest started tonight (8 September) with the first team coming on stage from Taiwan, China. Their fireworks displays fascinated both local and foreign spectators in town. The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held at the seafront of Macau Tower between 8 September and 1 October. The contestant team dazzled the city skyline with spectacular fireworks this evening and filled the Mid-Autumn night with festive vibe. MGTO again requests the teams this year to choreograph their fireworks displays to both music and laser light projections so as to set off their display theme and enhance the audience's experience with a pyrotechnic extravaganza. Spectators can watch the live broadcast of the fireworks shows with background music on TDM – Macau Chinese TV Channel and TDM - Radio Macau's Chinese Channel (FM 100.7) each fireworks evening. Citizens and visitors are therefore given more choices to enjoy the contest. A mobile SMS game is also available to encourage locals' involvement in the event. Besides the annual Photo Contest for the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, the Office organizes a social network photo contest for the first time and welcomes local citizens to join this year. Participants can upload their works to the Facebook page "Happy moments under the fireworks" during 8 September and 5 October. For details about the contest, please visit https://www.facebook.com/macaufirework. Famous pyrotechnic companies came from around the world to join the past editions of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, and the line-up is as strong this year. The ten teams come from Taiwan, China; China; Korea; Poland; Croatia; Portugal; Australia; France; Italy and Spain (according to the order in the contest program). Croatia and Poland are two countries joining the contest for the first time, while the pyrotechnic companies from Spain and Australia will make their debut in Macau. The first fireworks display starts at 9 p.m., followed by the second show at 9:40 p.m. Each display will last for 16 to 20 minutes. MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau are joining hands again to present Fireworks Carnival 2014 at the open area next to Macau Tower during the fireworks evenings. The carnival starts from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. with stage shows and food stalls.
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Vice Premier Mr Wang Yang today (8 September) received the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in Xiamen, after the opening ceremony of the 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade ("CIFIT"), held by the Ministry of Commerce. Mr Wang congratulated Mr Chui for being elected as the fourth Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. He also expressed interest regarding progress in cooperation between Macao and Hengqin. The Chief Executive thanked the Vice Premier for his congratulations. He said regional collaboration is critical to Macao, as many local small and medium enterprises are looking forward to investing in Hengqin's development. Mr Chui believes the development of Hengqin will promote adequate economic diversification in Macao. He said the future extension of opening hours for border crossings will benefit regional cooperation and development. Also attending the meeting were the Minister of Commerce, Mr Gao Hucheng; the Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr You Quan; the Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Su Shulin; Macao's Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan; the President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Jackson Chang; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng. In the morning, the delegation led by the Chief Executive had attended the opening ceremony of the CIFIT, which was officiated by the Vice Premier and member of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Wang Yang. After the opening ceremony of the Macao Pavilion, the Chief Executive and delegates were photographed with representatives of Macao entrepreneurs.
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The Macao SAR Gazette today (8 September) published the Court of Final Appeal's announcement of the results of the election of the fourth Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. The general audit results of the election were confirmed, and Mr Chui Sai On was announced as the successful candidate. The election of the fourth Chief Executive of the Macao SAR was held on 31 August 2014. In consideration that no judicial appeal was sought within the statutory period, the Court of Final Appeal announced Mr Chui Sai On has become Chief Executive-elect according to the provisions of the Chief Executive Electoral Law, after completing the general audit of results. According to the results of the general audit for the Chief Executive election, there were 400 registered election committee members, 396 of whom were present to cast their votes. Mr Chui Sai On won 380 votes (95.96%). There were 13 blank and three void ballot papers. In accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, after the announcement of the successful candidate for the fourth Chief Executive, it has to be submitted to the Central People's Government for appointment. The term of office of the fourth Chief Executive will be from 20 December 2014 till 19 December 2019.
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The Stamp Vending Machine（ No.26） located at the arrival hall of the Macao International Airport will be suspended and removed on 12th September 2014.
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The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will take place at the seafront of Macau Tower on 8, 13, 20 27 September and 1 October. Due to delays of transportation, the fireworks display of Mirnovec Pirotehnika d.o.o. from Croatia originally on 8 September is now rescheduled to 10:10 p.m. on 20 September; previously scheduled on 13 September, the fireworks show presented by the French company SODIP Pyrotechnie is now postponed to 10:10 p.m. on 27 September. Due to the above changes, there will only be one fireworks display on 8 and 13 September respectively, starting at 9 p.m. The updated program is announced for audience's kind attention. The latest contest program is uploaded to MGTO's website: http://fireworks.macautourism.gov.mo
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead an MSAR delegation to Xiamen, Fujian, to attend the 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade ("CIFIT") from 7 to 9 September. Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and jointly organised by more than 50 ministries and commissions, provinces and municipalities – including the Macao SAR, CIFIT is China's biggest platform for attracting foreign capital and promoting international economic and trade cooperation. This year's CIFIT features three main categories of programmes: policy announcements, promotion of two-way investment, and seminars on investment trends. The highlight of this year's event is a summit titled "Open, Innovative, Win-Win: The Future of Global Economic Parks". The Chief Executive will attend the opening ceremony of the 18th CIFIT on 8 September, and will meet with leading officials of the People's Government of Fujian Province. Delegates accompanying the Chief Executive to Xiamen include the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan; the President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Jackson Chang; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng. During the Chief Executive's absence from Macao, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be acting Chief Executive.
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The Macao Youth Choir of the Macao Conservatory, institution under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), recently flew to Singapore in order to participate in the 1st Singapore International Choral Festival, under the leadership of the Conservatory's Music School Director, Liu Chang, conquering a gold medal in this four day long competition. In the year that marks the 15th anniversary of Macao's handover to China, the Macao Youth Choir celebrates its 10th anniversary, giving special significance to this invitation to represent the city and the remarkable result achieved in the event. Each choral ensemble competed and performed in several celebrated venues with strong artistic and cultural atmosphere, such as the Singapore Conference Hall and the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay complex. Participant groups, from over fifty countries and regions and comprising different age groups and ethnicities, came together to jointly establish an international choral art exchange platform. The Macao Youth Choir interpreted three different pieces, namely the religious Ave Maria, the Hungarian folk song Egyetem, Begyetem (Hippity, Hoppity) and the Chinese work Swallow, going through rigorous training and under the careful guidance of Conductor Liu Mingyan. Choir members put all efforts into their performances and showed remarkable singing techniques, thereby conquering a gold medal in the competition. The results for each ensemble were announced one by one by the emcee at the closing ceremony. The Macao participants, the second highest rated group in the competition, were greatly moved by coming first in the equal voices category, finally seeing their efforts throughout the years recognized in the international arena. The young singers believe that participation in this large scale competition will contribute not only to raise the level of the local choir but also to broaden each participant's international artistic horizons. In addition to participating in the contest, the Macao Youth Choir was further invited to perform outdoors, bringing choral chants to the population, earning enthusiastic applauses from residents and tourists, who praised the harmonious voices of the group. At the same time, competition producers expressed wishes to invite the choir to perform in Singapore again in the future. Liu Chang affirmed that not only did the organization and IC attach great importance to the success attained in the event, but also that said success depends on the parents' cooperation as well as the selfless dedication of the faculty. The Director of the School of Music further thanked all sectors of society for the recognition and support given to the Choir, hoping to have other future opportunities to represent Macao in overseas competitions, thus promoting the city's artistic and cultural characteristics. The Macao Youth Choir, established in 2004, aims to increase students' culture and music aesthetic appreciation as well as enrich their extracurricular life through basic knowledge acquisition on all music genres, choral singing and performance practice, providing its members a complete and healthy growth. The Choir has as main goal its development and establishment as a juvenile performing arts group representative of Macao, actively participating in concerts and competitions all over, achieving good results and earning praise from music professionals.
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