News

Regarding the media's enquiry into Wynn Macau's statement about the land deal in Cotai on 23rd September 2014, the CCAC makes the following response: The relevant investigation is still underway. To observe the principle of judicial confidentiality, the CCAC will neither make any comments nor provide any supplementary information on the case.
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Stephen A Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, Limited, gave a talk at the University of Macau (UM) today (23 September), on the topic "The current and future impact of tourism on Macau and the surrounding communities and what to expect as we go forward." Mr Wynn was the first speaker in the FBA Distinguished Talk Series 2014 at UM's new campus and his talk attracted a full house of nearly 1,000 teachers and students. In his welcome speech, Rector Wei Zhao noted that Mr Wynn has been a long-time supporter of higher education development in Macao in general, and at UM in particular. Wei Zhao mentioned that during yesterday's (22 September) meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chief Executive Chui Sai On reiterated the SAR government's commitment to support UM's goal to become a first-class university. Wei Zhao said that with the unprecedented support from the SAR government, the public, and prominent community members like Mr Wynn, UM is confident to achieve that goal. In his talk, Mr Wynn said, "Progress in Macau and progress in the world is always about people and how they see themselves. The things that make a business like mine successful, that make governments successful, universities successful is that they have a wonderful sameness, a commonality to them. What really matters, are the people. In my business, I am fond of saying 'Only people make people happy'." During the Q&A sessions, many people seized the opportunity to ask Mr Wynn questions. Dr Allan Zeman, vice chairman of Wynn Macau, Limited; Gamal Aziz, president of Wynn Macau, Limited; Ian Michael Coughlan, president of Wynn Macau; Linda Chen, chief operating officer of Wynn Macau; Prof Wei Zhao, rector of UM; Prof Fan Xitao, vice rector (academic affairs) of UM; Prof Jacky So, dean of UM's Faculty of Business Administration; Prof William Mobley, co-director of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management; and others attended the talk today. Mr Wynn is widely credited with having transformed Las Vegas into a world-renowned resort and convention destination. He envisioned and built The Mirage, Treasure Island and the Bellagio. These are boldly conceived resorts that have set progressively higher standards for quality, luxury and entertainment. Now, as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, Limited, he has developed Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn Macau, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, and Encore at Wynn Macau. Currently in the pipeline is a USD 4 billion luxurious integrated resort known as Wynn Palace on Cotai. Wynn Palace is scheduled to open in the first half of 2016. The Wynn Everett resort development in Boston has also just been approved. Time magazine has recognized Mr Wynn as one of the "World's 100 Most Influential People" in 2006. In October 2014, Harvard Business Review will name Mr Wynn as one of the Best-Performing CEOs in the World. Under Mr Wynn's leadership, Wynn Resorts, Limited, has been honored by Fortune magazine as one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for six consecutive years.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today that the present and the next SAR Government must strive to solve various problems in the course of Macao's development. He pointed out that people had often discussed Macao's deep-rooted problems, which existed due to historical reasons or emerged during the development process. These problems included issues with Macao's land development and human resources, the gaming sector long being the dominant industry, and long-term mechanisms on housing and transportation. The Government must be more active in promoting adequate economic diversification through regional co-operation. Mr Chui said the community has accumulated considerable positive energy in recent years, which would help with solving problems. In the years ahead, leading officials must assess these issues and find ways to tackle them. Of course, research surveys and scientific administration were also essential, he said. Mr Chui also said wide ranging opinions have been expressed in Macao during the past five years. Most of these suggestions for and critical of the Government were expressed legally, rationally and thoroughly. He expected that public opinion would continue to be expressed in different ways, as Macao had always been a place where people enjoyed freedom of speech and expression. The Government welcomed views and comments from the public as long, as they are expressed in a lawful, rational and peaceful manner. All related departments and other authorities would also undertake follow up work according to the law. Mr Chui said it was normal to find members of the public, whether they the younger generation or people from all walks of life, have adopted ways of expressing opinions that differed from those in the past. In recent years, the development of printed media, electronic media and new media have been changing with the times. In view of this, the Government should also adopt changes to ways it responded to situations, in order to enable members of the public to freely express their views. Mr Chui also mentioned the importance of enhancing two-way communication so that the Government could hear the people's voices, and in turn provide clear and effective explanations of its administrative work. He promised that the next Government would enhance two-way communication with the public. Mr Chui said it was normal for young people to develop critical thinking, but effective dialogue should also be encouraged, to foster constructive suggestions and ultimate solutions for the benefit of Macao's future development. He said Macao is a harmonious place, and could hopefully continue to maintain its fine tradition as a harmonious community. Regarding border crossing and transportation issues, during his meeting with the State leaders Mr Chui conveyed a request for extending the opening hours of border checkpoints. He is optimistic on this and hoped such arrangements could be implemented within the present term of government. Mr Chui re-iterated that the Government hoped to extend the checkpoint operating hours to fully leverage the crossing management system to ease the congestion and long queuing times during peak hours. The Government was also in discussions with major corporations and gaming enterprises hoping that they would provide transportation for their non-local employees, in order to alleviate the pressures on public transport and at crossings. Besides improving traffic at the checkpoint crossings, the Transport Bureau has also implemented a series of measures to ease congestion. Survey results at the beginning of this academic year have been more positive regarding travel and traffic conditions. Mr Chui said that to improve Macao's traffic condition, long-term development of a mass transit system is essential. More recently, several revisions to public transport have been considered or are in progress. Taxi services are now under review and consultation; public bus services have already been rectified; and there is progress with arrangements at checkpoints. The consultation period for part of the light rail transport route has also been extended. With active response from all sectors, the results of the consultation are expected to be fruitful. It is hoped that most residents' views would be clearly reflected after their opinions are collected, compiled and analysed. Mr Chui also said the fourth-term SAR Government would focus on solving the problems of overlapping functions between government departments. After the team of principal officials for the new Government is formed, he would adhere to his election platform – "United to achieve common goals and share in prosperity", to develop the master plan for the coming five years. Me Chui revealed that public administration reform would commence next January in an orderly manner. The two principles are to maintain the overall government budget at the same level while controlling growth in the number of civil servants. All related information will be announced in a transparent way. Mr Chui also showed his concern about the situation of junior civil servants.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today the Government would continue to take up its administrative responsibilities and fulfil its duties and that he is fully confident in leading it to undertake the quality administrative work in the coming term. Summarising his trip to Beijing to Macao media this morning, Mr Chui said Premier Li Keqiang had already presented him the Order of the State Council which appointed him the fourth-term Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region. While in the capital, he was also received by President Xi Jinping, who gave him important advice on the future development of Macao. The state leaders fully recognised the past performance of the SAR Government and of the Chief Executive, and provided important instructions that Macao people should have long-term planning and be well prepared for adversities in times of peace, Mr Chui said. He said the state leaders showed concern about international trends and changes in Macao and hoped that the SAR Government would pay more attention to long-term livelihood projects. President Xi mentioned the significant changes that occurred in and beyond Macao, and had set higher expectations for the Chief Executive and the new Government. Mr Chui said the President was highly concerned about Macao's adequate economic diversification and regional development that would facilitate the sustainable development of Macao, Mr Chui said. He also noticed the slow pace of global economic recovery and showed concern about regional financial security. Every region must face its own problems during its development process, Mr Chui said, and President Xi expected the SAR Government to pay more attention to the impact of international situations on Macao's development and the demands of the people of Macao. For this purpose, Mr Chui had collected some 120,000 public opinion submissions made during his election campaign which reflected the public's demands, views and suggestions concerning the new Government. These have been handed to the Policy Research Office for compilation and analyses as a vehicle to better understand the issues that concerned the people and to serve as a future reference for the administration. Mr Chui re-iterated that, after receiving Beijing's appointment, he would immediately return to Macao and start working on the selection of candidates for the principal officials of the new Government. As this is the Chief Executive's duty according to the Basic Law, he would submit his nominations to the Central People's Government as soon as possible. He said he had not yet discussed such issues with any organisation or individual so he could not provide more information on this for the time being. Mr Chui was received by Premier Li Keqiang in Zi Guang Ge of Zhongnanhai yesterday morning (22 September), where he was presented the Order of the State Council for the appointment of the fourth-term Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. In the afternoon, he was received by President Xi Jinping in the Fujian Room of the Great Hall of the People.
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Consumer Council conducted its sixth 'Supermarket price survey' in September on 22 September for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on Consumer Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. 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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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals posted a new record for a single month, reaching 3,086,271 in the August Summer Holiday, up by 7% year-on-year. Same-day visitors accounted for 54% of the total, at 1,666,809. Analysed by place of residence, visitors from Mainland China increased by 13% year-on-year to 2,131,498, coming primarily from Guangdong Province (960,814), Fujian Province (95,450) and Hunan Province (86,487); Mainland visitors travelling under the Individual Visit Scheme rose by 19%, at 1,063,668. Visitors from the Republic of Korea (58,115) and Japan (27,819) increased by 20% and 2% respectively year-on-year, while those from Hong Kong (635,354) and Taiwan (88,253) decreased by 2% and 11%. Long-haul visitors from the United States (13,115) and the United Kingdom (5,677) registered year-on-year increase, while those from Australia (6,621) and Canada (5,128) saw decrease. The average length of stay of visitors remained unchanged from a year earlier, at 1.0 day in August 2014; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 1.9 days and 0.2 day respectively. In the first eight months of 2014, visitor arrivals totalled 21,123,512, up by 8% year-on-year, with same-day visitors sharing 54% of the total. Visitors from Mainland China (+14%) and the Republic of Korea (+19%) increased year-on-year, but those from Hong Kong and Taiwan decreased. Moreover, long-haul visitors from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom recorded year-on-year increase; however, those from Canada registered decrease.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) took part in the "Beautiful China – Promotional Activities for the Silk Road & the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event of Shaanxi and Gansu Province with Hong Kong and Macau". During the event, the Office signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism" with Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau today (22 September) to enhance their collaborative relation for mutual benefit. The "Beautiful China – Promotional Activities for the Silk Road & the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event of Shaanxi and Gansu Province with Hong Kong and Macau" are held in the two cities – Xi'an in Shaanxi Province and Lanzhou in Gansu Province during 20 – 25 September. The event co-organizers include Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan under China National Tourism Administration (CNTA); Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Bureau; Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau; Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and Macau Government Tourist Office. Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang; Director of Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Bureau, Yang Zhong Wu and Director of Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, He Wei attended the above promotional activities in the two provinces. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes led the MGTO team and a delegation of Macau travel trade to participate in the event. MGTO joined the Tourism Promotion Seminar "Beautiful China – Embark upon the Silk Road in Xi'an" in Xi'an on 21 September; and afterwards arrived at Lanzhou on 22 September for the Tourism Promotion Seminar "Beautiful China – The Silk Road in Gansu" as well as the Tourism Cooperation and Exchange Event. During the seminars in Xi'an and Lanzhou, MGTO presented Macau's tourism development with the latest tourism facilities and products while promoting the destination's positioning as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Representatives of Shaanxi, Gansu and Hong Kong also presented their respective tourism destinations during the sessions. In order to strengthen Macau's collaborative relation with Gansu Province in tourism, MGTO Director Senna Fernandes and Director of Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, He Wei together signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism". The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang and Vice Governor of the People's Government of Gansu Province, Li Rong Can. During the seminars, Senna Fernandes remarked that the events gave the Macau delegation a precious opportunity to visit the tourism products and cultural attractions in Shaanxi and Gansu Province and hence learn more about the valuable tourism and cultural resources in the two provinces, which benefits their mutual exchange and development in tourism; furthermore, with the Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism signed with Gansu Provincial Tourism Bureau, there will be joint projects in tourism promotion and trade networking opportunities which can facilitate the concerted development of both destinations' tourism industry. She hoped that Macau, Shaanxi and Gansu will see a greater potential for development in the tourism sector. Through joining the aforementioned events, MGTO has deepened its collaboration with the two provinces in tourism and facilitated an occasion for Macau travel trade to exchange information about their latest industry trends and products with their counterparts in Shaanxi and Gansu, and therefore strengthened their network and collaboration. Following the events, MGTO will visit the tourism attractions in Gansu on 23 September. Spanning the continents of Asia and Europe, the famous Silk Road was a major overland trade route in ancient times. Last year, the Country raised an important measure about the "Development of New Silk Road Economic Belt" to boost the tourism development in the regions along the Silk Road. In April 2014, Vice Chairman of CNTA, Du Jiang led a travel trade delegation from the Mainland to host the "Beautiful China: Themed Promotion Seminar" in Macau, where they gave a key presentation about the tourism routes along the Silk Road jointly supported by Shaanxi and Gansu Province as well as other regions.
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The latest issue of the Macao Higher Education Magazine - International Edition has been published. Interested parties can obtain the magazines in specific government departments, public libraries, higher education institutions etc. or access the website of the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) to view or download the magazine. The content of the Macao Higher Education Magazine – International Edition is comprehensive and diversified, comprising the discussion of relevant issues on higher education, overview of characteristic academic departments in local higher education institutions, sharing of students' learning experiences, introduction of higher education students' activities, information for further education, and the display of individual creations etc. Macao's tourism is developing rapidly. In this issue, the feature of the magazine will look into the tourism related programmes of the higher education institutions of Macao. There are interviews with students who are taking the programmes, as well as professionals who are working in the field. They share their learning experience and how they are looking at the future of the industry. Rector of the University of Saint Joseph, Fr. Peter Stilwell shares with the readers on his working experience in Macao, as well as the current progress and the future challenges of the University. The Macau University of Science and Technology introduces their newly opened educational restaurant to the readers, and its significance in its programmes and teaching. In addition, Professor José Augusto Cardoso Bernardes, curator of the library of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, is invited to tell the readers about the history, heritage and change of the library. Students who are studying at home and abroad also share their learning experience and what they have gained in joining different kinds of activities. Magazine copies will be given out at GAES, Centre for Higher Education Students, Public Information Centre, Government Service Centre, Macao's higher education institutions, Plaza Cultural Macau, Starlight Bookstore etc. Interested parties can also browse the website of GAES (http://www.gaes.gov.mo/eng/publish/p3) to view or download the latest or previous issues for both the Chinese and International Edition of the Macao Higher Education Magazine.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (131.61) for August 2014 increased by 6.07% year-on-year, attributable to higher rentals for dwellings and dearer charges for eating out. In comparison with August 2013, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+12.04%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.93%); and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+4.44%) on account of rising rentals, dearer prices of fresh pork and fruits, as well as higher charges for eating out and grooming services. On the contrary, price index of Communication decreased by 0.17%. The CPI-A (132.39) and CPI-B (131.91) increased by 6.51% and 5.97% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for August 2014 increased by 0.31% month-to-month. Rising rentals and dearer prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas pushed up the price index of Housing & Fuels by 1.74%. On the other hand, price index of Transport and Clothing & Footwear decreased by 1.24% and 0.92% respectively upon receding gasoline prices and seasonal sale of women's summer clothing and footwear. The CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.42% and 0.26% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended August 2014, the average Composite CPI increased by 6.06% from the previous period. Price index of Housing & Fuels (+11.72%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+6.40%); and Household Goods & Furnishings (+5.82%) registered remarkable increase, while price index of Communication decreased by 1.00%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.62% and 5.93% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first eight months of 2014 increased by 6.11% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.63% and 6.00% respectively year-on-year. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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For the smooth operation of the Grand Prix, the Macau Grand Prix Committee invited current Extrication Consultant Dr. Jean Jacques Issermann and FIA Medical Delegate Dr. Jacques Tropenat to Macau for conducting a two-day training course for the local Rescue Team on 20th and 21st September. The Doctors provided professional instruction, shared their experiences, and gave practical demonstrations, hoping every rescue member would understand the medical and first aid procedure in the rescue process for enhancing the cooperation of the local rescue team for reaching the international standard. Extrication plays a crucial role during motorsports events, professional training, experience and cooperation of the rescue team acts an important role during the races. Team leaders and members must react professionally and calmly, while the reactions of track marshals must be fast and accurate to handle the sudden occurrence, working closely to execute rescue exercises in the most efficient and effective way possible. A total of 20 doctors and 48 firemen participated in the training, and the training divided into three sessions, covering every elements of the motorsport rescue, including equipment operation; instantaneous solution in the sudden occurrence, introduction of the equipment and the skills required for rapid medical rescue, and the communication with the race control when the rescue is being implemented. Rescue team members also carried out simulated incident exercises and completed practical procedure and examination, for ensuring every rescue team member understand the medical and first aid procedure in the rescue process. After the training course and examination, all members of the Macau Grand Prix rescue team received certification from the FIA, confirming that the local rescue team has attained to international standard, for ensuring the rescue work would be proceeded under high standard during the Grand Prix.
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