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The Executive Council proposed four amendments to the existing New Regime of Tobacco Prevention and Control, including a full smoking ban in casinos. The changes also include raising penalty to between 1,500 patacas and 200,000 patacas, compare to the current amount ranging from 400 patacas to 100,000 patacas. Speaking at a press conference on 30 June, Spokesperson of the Council, Mr Leong Heng Teng, said the work on preventing smoking was always a priority to the Government as to further protect the public health and to fulfil legislations of the World Health Organization. In addition, there will be a legislation regulating the use and the sale of electronic cigarette. The bill suggests a set of tightened rules on advertising cigarette, and expands no smoking areas in higher education institutions and stations of mass transportation. In response to reporter’s question, Director of the Health Bureau Mr Lei Chin Ion, who also presented at the press conference, re-iterated that it was just an assumption to link the smoking ban to the drop of gaming revenue, adding that the health of the people has top priority than any other issues. The New Regime of Tobacco Prevention and Control came into effect since 1 January 2012, banning smoking in public indoor areas such as schools, health institutes, workplaces and factories. Beginning in this year, smoking is also banned in all bars, dancehalls, saunas and massage parlours.
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The Government attaches great importance in the planning of the new urban reclaimed areas, especially the planning of schools. The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, spoke to reporters after a meeting of the Urban Planning Committee on 30 June, when he urged the public to express more opinions during the 40-day consultation. He said the existing mechanism that included legislations on urban planning and the Urban Planning Committee could provide Macao a more promising development model. The last phase of public consultation on the five reclaimed lands will end on 8 August. It is to gather opinion on the design of a total of 350 hectares of land for the development of Macao in the coming 20 to 30 years.
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The University of Macau (UM) recently held the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly (UA) and University Council (UC) for the 2014/2015 academic year in its Ho Yin Conference Hall. Dr Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, chancellor of UM, and chair of the UA, presided over the meeting. Dr Chui said he is pleased to see that in recent years UM not only has fostered a good reputation and increasing academic influence in society, but has continued to produce outstanding graduates for Macao. At the meeting, Chui first thanked UA and UC members for their contributions over the years. He said the university’s achievements are not easy to accomplish and are a result of the joint efforts of everyone. Dr Chui said that the initiatives UM has adopted in recent years, including its efforts to strengthen academic programmes, internationally recruit outstanding scholars, carry out curriculum reform, and optimise the administrative and management process, has put the university on the right track. He hopes that while continuing to improve its quality of teaching and research, UM will encourage its faculty members and students to serve the local community, promote the sustainable socio-economic development of Macao, and enhance the city’s international status. UC Chair Dr Lam Kam Seng reported UM’s developments after its relocation to the new campus. He thanked all faculty members, staff, and students, the various government departments, and the community for their support, saying that thanks to the joint efforts of all the parties concerned, nearly 10,000 UM students and staff members were able to successfully complete their relocation to the new campus. Dr Lam said that the UC will continue to support the development of UM, optimise its mode of governance, and continue with administrative reforms. The UC will also do its best to create an environment that is conducive to academic research and teaching enhancement, assist the university in developing key research areas, enrich the residential college system, continuously improve the quality of the faculty team, strengthen its connections with the community, and promote communication between internal and external stakeholders. He noted that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of UM, and all UM members will continue to pursue excellence under the principle of ‘Love your country, love Macao, learn extensively, and practice earnestly’, in order to develop UM into an internationally recognised outstanding university. UM Rector Wei Zhao presented development strategies for the university and reported the university’s progress in the past year, including the marked increase in the quality and quantity of papers, community service programmes, and research awards received in Macao and mainland China. Rector Zhao said that the university considers it its mission to help young people discover themselves in society. Therefore, the university will place a greater emphasis on helping students achieve well-rounded development. It will strengthen the ‘4-in-1’ model of education (which consists of discipline-specific education, general education, research and internship education, and community and peer education), and promote the development of classic and innovative academic infrastructure and cross-disciplinary education and research. It will also improve its management system and continue to operate according to the government’s policies and laws, consolidate teaching and research achievements, strengthen community services, recruit the best people, and accelerate the localisation of talent. On the academic front, UM will continue to step up efforts in key research areas, including health sciences, applied physics and materials engineering, and computer and information sciences. The UA and the UC consist of prominent members of the community, UM’s management, and representatives of faculty members, students, and alumni. The following people attended this year’s UAUC Joint Meeting: Chui Sai On, Lam Kam Seng, Wong Chong Fat, Lau Veng Lin, Ng Fok, Vitor Ng, Siu Yin Wai, Zhou Ligao, Maria Edith da Silva, Ma Iao Lai, Susana Chou, Joaquim Jorge Perestrelo Neto Valente, Liu Chung Laung, Lao Ngai Leong, D José Lai, Kong Tat Choi, Anabela Fátima Xavier Sales Ritchie, Tong Chi Kin, Ma Chi Ngai, Kou Kam Fai, Au Chong Kit, Leong Heng Teng, Vong Hin Fai, Huen Wing Ming, Lai Ieng Kit, Sou Chio Fai, Leong Lai, Wei Zhao, Lionel Ni, Rui Martins, Alex Lai, Fan Xitao, Chuxia Deng, Xu Jie, Rose Lai, Ao Peng Kong, Kot Man Kam, and UA Secretary and UC Secretary General Wendy Chan. Those who sat in on the meeting include Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Tam Chon Weng and Advisor to the UC Tse Chi Wai.
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Jointly organised by the Talents Development Committee and Macao Foundation, the "Macao Talent Cultivation Programme－Subsidy Scheme for Global Leaders Master Course of University of Cambridge" is an elite cultivation programme initiated by the Macao SAR Government, which aims to provide chances for Macao residents to participate in the "Global Leaders Programme" at a world-leading academic institution, with the support and funding from the SAR Government, thereby cultivating quality talents for leadership roles. Application for the scheme was closed on 31st January this year. The Committee received a total of 74 applications from Macao residents. Screening has been completed recently and results have been announced on the Talents Development Committee website (www.scdt.gov.mo). After the first round of screening carried out by the University of Cambridge and Clare Hall, shortlisted candidates and their academic qualifications and overall quality evaluation data were subject to a rigorous screening and selection process conducted by the selection committee, composed of members of the Talents Development Committee, which has finally come to agreement to grant subsidies to candidates who applied for the MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development. Successful grantees are required to sign an interface specification that promises to return to Macao and obtain the master's degree within the period from October 2015 through September 2016 and return to Macao within 6 months after graduation, and work in an industry which is relevant to his/her master course for no less than one year. For details about regulations of the "Subsidy Scheme for Global Leaders MasterCourse of University of Cambridge", please refer to the following website: https://www.scdt.gov.mo/reg/act2.aspx?l=zh-TW.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with members of the consular corps of European Union in Hong Kong and Macao at the Government House where they exchanged views on issues of mutual interests. At the meeting on 29 June, Mr Chui thanked the consular corps for visiting every year and concerning the development of the Special Administrative Region (SAR), saying the Euro-Macao relations has always been retained at a good level. He said the current co-operation and exchange mechanisms would be maintained, especially the work in culture and exchange between students. Topics discussed with the Head of Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Vincent Piket, and other 16 consuls-general covered Macao’s latest economic development, mid-term review of gaming concessions, and opportunities in regional development that might bring by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Views on Macao’s position in China’s strategic development initiatives “One Belt and One Road” – the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the relations with the Central Government, people’s livelihood and medical policies were also exchanged in the meeting. Mr Chui expressed gratitude to their concerns, saying it was normal to experience a period of consolidation in the gaming industry after years of double-digit rapid growth. He said the economic situation in Macao was secure and safe despite a drop in gaming revenues. To maintain a sustainable development, the Macao Government strives to take best advantage of the supporting measures introduced by the Central Government, to strengthen region co-operation, and to develop more non-gaming elements. The Chief Executive said he was confident in Macao’s future, adding social welfare would not be affected by a drop in revenue from gaming. Officials who also presented in the meeting included Secretary for Administration and Justice Ms Chan Hoi Fan; Secretary for Transport and Public Works Mr Raimundo do Rosário; and Acting Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office Ms Lei Ut Mui.
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Consumer Council conducted its eighth ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 29 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitors on package tours totalled 823,000 in May 2015, down by 2.2% year-on-year. Package tour visitors from Mainland China (653,000), Taiwan (48,000) and Hong Kong (23,000) dropped by 2.0%, 17.0% and 12.1% respectively year-on-year, while those from the Republic of Korea (39,000) surged by 46.2%. Visitors arriving on package tours decreased by 1.1% year-on-year to 688,000. Meanwhile, visitors joining local tours totalled 135,000, a decrease of 7.7%. In the first five months of 2015, visitors on package tours totalled 4,243,000, up by 5.5% year-on-year; those arriving on package tours (3,463,000) increased by 5.3%. Outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 124,000 in May 2015, a year-on-year increase of 7.8%; those travelling on package tours increased by 10.3% to 51,000, and the main destinations were Mainland China (77.3% of total), the Republic of Korea (6.9%), Taiwan (4.1%) and Hong Kong (3.7%). In the first five months of 2015, outbound residents using services of travel agencies totalled 615,000, up by 5.4% year-on-year. There were 102 hotels and guesthouses operating at the end of May 2015, providing 30,000 guest rooms, up by 7.2% year-on-year. Attributable to the opening of 3 new hotels, number of guest rooms in 5-star hotels increased by 8.4% to 20,000, accounting for 66.6% of the total supply. A total of 863,000 guests checked into hotels and guesthouses in May 2015, down by 2.7% year-on-year. Guests from Mainland China (547,000) and Taiwan (27,000) decreased by 4.2% and 2.3% respectively, while those from Hong Kong (112,000) increased by 6.0%. The average length of stay of guests held stable as May 2014, at 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guesthouses dropped by 6.6 percentage points year-on-year to 78.9%; the rate of 5-star hotels and 4-star hotels was 80.1% and 78.9% respectively, down by 6.0% and 9.1% year-on-year. In the first five months of 2015, hotel guests totalled 4,047,000, down by 8.8% year-on-year; the average occupancy rate stood at 79.0%, a decrease of 7.2 percentage points. Visitor-guests accounted for 68.5% of the total overnight visitors, down by 1.4 percentage points year-on-year.
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To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Guia Lighthouse, the Marine and Water Bureau, the Macao Post and the Cultural Affairs Bureau will launch a series of activities in July. The Guia Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses on the coast of China. It was designed by Carlos Vicente da Rocha, a Portuguese born in Macao. It has been 150 years since the Lighthouse was built in 1864 and began operating for the first time on 24 September of the following year, witnessing silently the hundred-year change of Macao up on the hill. In 1992, the Lighthouse was selected as one of the “Eight Attractions of Macao” and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Historic Centre of Macao in 2005. In addition to celebrating the “Marine and Water Bureau Day” on 18 July, the Marine and Water Bureau hosts a Series of Activities for the Marine and Water Bureau Day in July. Facilities and premises under its auspices including the Moorish Barracks, the Government Dockyard, the Guia Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum and the Fleet Base at Ilha Verde Dockyard will be open to the public for free. The Guia Lighthouse will be open to the public from 10:00am to 5:30pm this Saturday and Sunday (4 and 5 July), as well as on Saturdays and Sundays in July (11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26). Residents can visit the interior of the lighthouse during this period – the space is usually not open to the public – and climb to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy Macao’s scenery. On this occasion, old sea marks and light signals used in Macao in the past will be showcased. Residents can take this opportunity to understand the history of the Guia Lighthouse and its function. They will also be offered an exquisite souvenir celebrating the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. Additionally, the Marine and Water Bureau will showcase a 1:6 lighthouse model at the esplanade of the Museum so that residents can understand the operation of the rotational system the lighthouse employed from 1910 to 1975, and will launch a paper clay lighthouse workshop and ship models remote control on the water. Parents are welcome to participate in these activities with their children. For more information about this Series of Activities for Marine and Water Bureau Day”, please visit the Marine and Water Bureau website www.marine.gov.mo. Macao Post will issue the stamp theme “150th Anniversary of Guia Lighthouse” on 8 July, 2015. This issue includes a set of two stamps and one souvenir sheet; the images capture the Guia Lighthouse from different angles, situated on top of the Guia Hill, the highest point on the Macao Peninsula, the Guia Fortress as well as the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia. The stamp designer of this issue is Wong Ho Sang, and the above issue will be available for sale at the Macao Post Headquarters, “Rua do Campo” Post Office, Maritime Ferry Terminal Post Office, Airport Post Office and at the Communications Museum. The selling price for one set of two stamps is 7.50 patacas, the first day cover with stamps (FDC) is 12.50 patacas, the first day cover with souvenir sheet (FDC/SS) is 17.00 patacas, the information brochure with stamps is 14.00 patacas and the information brochure with souvenir sheet is 18.50 patacas. For more information, please visit the Macao Post website www.macaupost.gov.mo/Philately. Additionally, in order to simultaneously celebrate the 10th anniversary of Macao’s inscription as World Heritage, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has renovated the Guia Fortress Information Centre in the beginning of this year, which will be inaugurated on 30 June and will be open daily from 9am to 6pm, including public holidays. The three previously separated spaces are now linked by wooden ramps and steps, allowing residents and visitors to glimpse through the glass walls the Macao outer harbour and the boats coming and leaving. The Information Centre will feature a display of models of the Guia Fortress in a scale of 1:20 together with a brief historical description and respective maps and drawings, as well as a photograph exhibition depicting several historical periods of the Fortress, allowing visitors to better understand its evolution from 1890 up to today. A small exhibition room will also feature two signboards with a review of the discovery, the idea and the restoration of the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia’s paintings. In the future, there will also be a café and sales’ point for creative industries products, thereby offering an even more comprehensive service. For more information about the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the Historic Centre of Macao on the World Heritage List, please visit www.icm.gov.mo/mhd10. The press conference of the 150th anniversary of Guia Lighthouse was held in the Auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at Tap Seac Square on 29 June. Present at the press conference were the representative of the Marine and Water Bureau, Acting Chief of the Navigational Channels Division, Lao Weng U; the representative of the Macao Post, Head of Philately Division, Ng Mei Kei and the representative of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Civil Engineer of the Cultural Heritage Department, Alex, Chan Chong.
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Founded in 1963, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is the world´s most representative organization of the convention industry, with over 850 members, including government organizations, convention and exhibition-related companies, and convention and exhibition centres from more than 80 countries worldwide. Every year, ICCA publishes a report ranking the countries/cities all over the world in terms of the number of conferences hosted by the international association. It is presently one of the most authoritative and credible indicators of the world´s convention industry, and it is also used by professional meeting planners as an important reference material to select the ideal venues and destinations for holding events. ICCA applies a rigorous set of standards for evaluation, and only those conventions that are regularly organized by international associations, rotating in three or more countries and with at least 50 participants are included in the selection. According to the latest ICCA Market Report 2014, with regards to Macao, 23 international conferences were recognized by ICCA, an increase of 8 events over the previous year´s 16. Per Asia-Pacific ranking, Macao was positioned 34th in 2013 and 20th in 2014, up 14 places from the previous year. Likewise, in terms of global city ranking, Macao was positioned 101st in 2014, up 55 and 163 positions from 2013 (156th) and 2012 (263rd) respectively, a significant upward trend for two consecutive years. This reflects that Macao is gradually attracting the interest of both conference planners and participants. Subsequent to the gradual completion of large-scale convention and exhibition facilities, Macao´s convention and exhibition industry is experiencing a rapid development and is attracting more and more large global conferences which choose the city as venue for their meetings. Please read attachment!
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The third phase of public consultation on development of the five reclaimed lands in new urban areas starts tomorrow. During the consultation, which runs until 8 August, there will be community sessions and detail information of proposed development plans will be available in a government services centre in Areia Preta and a community centre in Tap Seac. The 40-day consultation is the final consultation for the design of a total of 350 hectares of land. Following the previous two phases of public consultation, which conducted in 2010 and 2011, the Government had compiled a draft for the Master Plan for Macao’s New Urban Areas. The five land lots are expected to provide for the development of Macao in the coming 20 to 30 years. Lands would be reserved for public housing, public facilities and greening, to meet future needs under the Government’s population policy.
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