News

The 25th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) enters its fourth week with two highly anticipated shows, namely Dance Dome - 360º Cinema Experience by 4π Productions and Coreo Cymru (United Kingdom) and The Andersen Project by Ex Machina / Robert Lepage (Canada). The Dance Dome is an innovative and intimate 360° immersive cinema developed to surround its audiences in cutting edge contemporary dance. It presents three unique films all produced in Wales as a collaboration between 4π Productions, Coreo Cymru (Creative Producer for Dance in Wales) and Chapter. Created by an international film crew and featuring choreography by award-winning companies Taikabox, Harnisch-Lacey Dance Theatre and Earthfall, the Dance Dome blurs the boundaries between movement, digital technology and cinema, wrapping dance around the viewer to create an extraordinary immersive experience. The trilogy includes Pal O' Me Heart, a full dome adaptation of Earthfall's most critically acclaimed production, accompanied by The Beautiful, featuring contemporary dance and Chinese pole and the 2012 Innovation Prize Winner at Domefest USA, The Sublime, which explores breakdance and parkour styles. Both thrilling and exquisite, Dance Dome will be shown from 19 May to 1 June, at Praça da Amizade (19 to 25 May) and at Pak Tai Temple Square (28 May to 1 June) from 6:30pm to 9:30 pm (19-23, 28-30/5); 11am-9:30pm (24, 25, 31/5, 1/6). Tickets are also available on site during the screenings which are 35 minutes long. Robert Lepage is one of the leading directors of contemporary theatre. His theatrical works, films and stories are exceptionally groundbreaking and he is hailed a genius creator. Lepage became world-renowned with his work The Dragons' Trilogy in 1985, and has since claimed many awards and recognition. He has also collaborated with artists of other fields. In 1993, he was invited to be the stage director for the world tour of British rock star Peter Gabriel. In 2005, he created the show KÀ for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. His vision and unique style have been widely recognized. Lepage was commissioned by the Danish Ministry of Culture to launch The Andersen Project to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen. Freely inspired from two stories by Andersen (The Dryad and The Shadow) and from anecdotes drawn from the famed Danish author's Parisian travels, The Andersen Project is infused with complex multimedia effects and has toured globally since its debut in 2005. The play calls on some of Lepage's recurring themes: the confrontation of romanticism and modernism, of recognized and underground art forms, between past and present. However, in this solo work, he also explores more troubling territories: questions about sexual identity, unfulfilled fantasies and a thirst for recognition and fame that are drawn from Andersen's life and writings, only to serve as a filigree to the modern tale. Robert Lepage's modern fairy-tale is a masterful contemporary theatrical work not to be missed on 23 and 24 May, Friday and Saturday, at 8pm at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Tickets for the 25th Macao Arts Festival are still available, in limited numbers, at all Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone bookings may be made on 2855 5555. For more information please check the MAF website at: www.icm.gov.mo/fam.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new approvals of residential mortgage loans (RMLs) and commercial real estate loans (CRELs) grew in March 2014. With regard to outstanding balance, RMLs and CRELs both witnessed increases. New Lending Approved In March 2014, new RMLs approved by Macao banks rose 38.0% month-to-month to MOP3.5 billion; of which, 98.1% was extended to residents. In terms of value, new RMLs to residents and non-residents increased 38.0% and 36.4% respectively. When compared with the same period of 2013, new approvals of RMLs witnessed increase of 13.9%. New RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units (i.e. equitable mortgage) decreased by 16.1% month-to-month to MOP115.8 million. When compared with the same period of 2013, new RMLs collateralised by uncompleted units expanded 25.0%. New CRELs rose by 24.6% month-to-month to MOP9.4 billion; of which, 72.4% was granted to residents. In terms of value, new CRELs to residents dropped 9.2%. On an annual basis, new approvals of CRELs grew by 287.8%. Outstanding Balances As at end-March 2014, the outstanding value of RMLs reached MOP125.0 billion, an increase of 2.2% from one month earlier or 24.5% from a year ago. The resident component made up 95.3% of the total. Compared to end-February 2014, outstanding RMLs to residents grew 2.5% whereas those to non-residents slid 2.4%. Concurrently, the outstanding value of CRELs increased 5.5% from end-February 2014 and was up 28.1% from end-March 2013 to MOP95.6 billion. Residents accounted for 91.4% of the loans. Compared with one month earlier, outstanding CRELs to residents and non-residents grew 3.6% and 31.5% respectively. Delinquency Ratios At the end of March 2014, the delinquency ratio for RMLs increased to 0.06%, up 0.01 percentage point from a month ago and from a year ago. The ratio for CRELs remained virtually the same at 0.05% from end-February 2014, or slid 0.08 percentage points from end-March 2013.
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President of Portugal Aníbal António Cavaco Silva visited the University of Macau (UM) today (18 May) and expressed hope to further strengthen exchanges in scientific research and Portuguese teaching between universities in Macao and Portugal and carry out more collaborations in the future. During his visit, UM signed collaboration agreements and memoranda of understanding with two Portuguese universities, namely University of Lisbon and University of Minho, and a Portuguese company TechnoPhage. The agreements and MOUs aim to further strengthen the collaboration between Macao and Portugal in higher education and Chinese medicine. UM Rector Wei Zhao, UM Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins, and Portuguse-speaking teachers and students met with President Silva on the new campus. UM representatives shared the university's latest developments in various areas, including exchanges and collaborations with other Portuguese universities. UM Rector Wei Zhao said that President Silva not only was the first president of a country to visit the new campus, but also was the first state leader to have visited both the old campus and the new campus. President Silva mentioned his telling Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier that he wanted to visit UM very much. He said he was very happy he finally made the visit, and he extended welcome to students from Macao to study at Portugal. He expressed his hope that Macao and Portugal carry out more collaborations in the future. President Silva noted that the Portuguese language is being widely used in the world and has a lot of potential, so learning the language can boost career prospects. He mentioned the good relations between Portugal and China and expressed his hope to further strengthen exchanges between universities in Macao and Portugal in scientific research and Portuguese teaching. The University of Lisbon and the University of Minho signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on academic collaborations with UM. Rector Wei Zhao, Rector António Cruz SERRA, and Rector António M. CUNHA signed the MOUs on behalf of their respective universities. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Portuguese President Silva, Minister of Defence and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal Rui Machete, Minister of Education and Science of Portugal Nuno Crato, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR Cheong U, and UM Vice Rector Rui Martins. UM has a long-standing collaboration with the two universities. The signing of the agreements is expected to further strengthen contact and cooperation between faculty members, departments, and research institutions at UM and the two universities. UM and the two universities will carry out collaboration in various forms, including having each other's staff deliver lectures, hold seminars and discussions, teach courses, and conduct research and supervise students' studies; having each other's students attend courses and carry out studies; joint development of teaching programmes; and collaboration of faculty and students in research projects, etc. The main areas of focus will be Portuguese Studies (at the two universities in Portugal), and Chinese and Asiatic Studies (at UM). Additionally, UM's State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and the Portuguese company Technophage signed a collaboration agreement, signalling the official start of collaboration between the two parties in Chinese medicine. After the signing ceremony was over, student Lúcia from UM's Department of Portuguese read a poem "Aniversário" by the Portuguese poet Álvaro de Campos, which received a warm applause from President Silva and other members of the delegation. Accompanied by Rector Wei Zhao, Secretary Cheong U presented souvenirs to President Silva, including a pewter plate specially made for President Silva's visit, an album of bank note, stamps and photos in commemoration of the inauguration of the new campus, as well as Thematic Dictionary of Macau—DITEMA, one of the most important research achievements of the Department of Portuguese. In return, President Silva presented the book Viver em Pleno Vento to UM representatives.
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Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, revealed today that the Government has in place a surveillance system to continuously monitor all possible illegal activities in casinos. And diverse contingency plans are in place, ready to be implemented whenever needed, to strengthen this government supervision, he said.
Speaking in response to recent reports about the intention of China UnionPay to tighten measures against illegal use of credit cards in casinos, Mr Tam has reiterated in a media interview that the government departments concerned have always had the situation under supervision and will continue to pay close attention to all market movements and take all necessary and appropriate action. However, no action is currently planned nor has notice been given regarding enforcement of any measures on 1 July.
Mr Tam observed that China UnionPay said in an earlier statement that UnionPay credit cards have always been prohibited from use in casinos. The government will closely monitor the development of the situation and strengthen surveillance and supervision.
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The 63rd Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Executive Board, Board Meeting, and 2014 AGM were held from May 16 to 18, in Hengqin, Zhuhai. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) took this opportunity to share opinions and latest news on tourism development with PATA. While PATA Annual Meeting was held in Zhuhai, MGTO hosted a lunch today (May 18) to PATA members and PATA Macau Chapter members, at Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel, Zhuhai, to facilitate the exchange of constructive ideas representing different sectors on tourism development, while at the same time, sharing information about related sectors. PATA has been a valuable platform for Macau to promote its tourism image and connect the travel trade to the world. PATA has been giving support on, for example, researches, analysis, database and task forces regarding heritage preservation and tourism development, education and training, as well as positioning of Macau as a "World Centre of Tourism and Leisure". Zhuhai, which is chosen to welcome this year's Annual Meeting, is a place that, same as Macau, has a lot of new tourism infrastructure and facilities. With the establishment of Chimelong International Ocean Resort, it is advantageous for both tourism cooperation between Zhuhai and Macau and regional tourism cooperation, as well as for the development of multi-destinations travel, thus contributing to the positioning of Macau as a "World Centre of Tourism and Leisure". Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership association dedicated to building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. Macau has been a member of PATA since 1958. Among PATA members are over 80 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. PATA Chapters are the foundation of the Association which counts with over 40 chapters worldwide, including PATA Macau Chapter, which was established in 1983 and has today more than 70 members.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the visiting President of the Portuguese Republic, Mr Aníbal Cavaco Silva, at Government Headquarters where they exchanged views on future bilateral co-operation.
The President, who is leading a delegation of some 110 people including members of congress, entrepreneurs and university representatives, arrived in a charter flight at 13:45 following visits to Shanghai and Beijing in the mainland.
Mr Cavaco Silva and his delegates met with Mr Chui right after their arrival. During the meeting, Mr Chui said that Macao and Portugal has a good co-operation in different aspects since the Co-operation Framework Agreement between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, signed by the Chief Executive and the then Portuguese Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, on 23 May 2001.
He said he believed that based on this Agreement, bilateral cooperation would continue to move forward.
Mr Chui highlighted that Mr Cavaco Silva's visit is a good opportunity for both sides to review the topics concerned and to plan for future projects. The President thanked Mr Chui for the Macao Government's hospitability.
He said he was excited to come back to Macao for the first time since the historic day in December 1999 when China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao.
After the meeting, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Rui Machete, signed the Amended Protocol to the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, watched by the Portuguese President, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR, Mr Hu Zhengyue; the Ambassador of Portugal to China, Mr Jorge Torres; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Consul General of Portugal in Hong Kong and Macao, Vítor Sereno; and the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng.
The two leaders met the media after the meeting. Mr Chui told the media that both sides have reached consensus that Macao and Portugal would continue to keep close contact and to expand the co-operation in a wider field. He stressed that two parties would move forward based on the friendly and supporting foundation.
Mr Cavaco Silva said that China and Portugal has established diplomatic relations for 35 years and Macao Special Administrative Region has been established for almost 15 years. He said his visit marked a significant meaning, and stressed that Macao was one of the most important part in the co-operative relationship between China and Portugal.
He also said that it was his honour to sign the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao in 1987 on behalf of the Portuguese Government. After the establishment of the Macao SAR, fruitful results have been achieved on the political, economic and social development and proved that the Joint Declaration was a wise decision.
Aside from enhancing trade between entrepreneurs, Mr Cavaco Silva said both sides would also strengthen co-operation on technology and the promotion of language education. He said some 250 million people in the world spoke Portuguese which has its value in term of economy, and wished the Macao Government would continue to promote the Portuguese language.
Mr Chui said Macao has established a relatively perfect system in Portuguese language training and with the support of Portugal, Macao was in a better position to become the training base for learning Portuguese.
After the press briefing, the Chief Executive went to the Consul General of Portugal in Hong Kong and Macao's official residence where he was conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit by Mr Cavaco Silva.
Mr Cavaco Silva and his delegates attended a welcome banquet hosted by the Macao Government in the evening. He is scheduled to visit the Portuguese School, Ruins of St. Paul, the University of Macau, and the Macao Polytechnic Institute.
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, President Cavaco Silva began his state visit to China on 12 May. After visiting Shanghai and Beijing, he led his delegation to Macao for a two day visit.
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Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva will arrive in Macao tomorrow (17 May) for a two-day visit.
On the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, President Cavaco Silva began his state visit to China on 12 May. After visiting Shanghai and Beijing, he will lead his delegation to Macao, arriving at 2.30pm tomorrow.
Delegation members include Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Mr Rui Machete, Minister of Economy, Mr António Pires de Lima, Minister of Education and Science, Mr Nuno Crato, and Portuguese congress members, entrepreneurs and university representatives.
Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On will meet President Cavaco Silva at the Government Headquarters. Both parties will sign the Amendment of the Cooperation Framework Agreement; the signing will be followed by a joint press conference.
In the evening, the Chief Executive will organise a welcoming dinner for President Cavaco Silva, the First Lady and the delegation members.
The Portuguese President's trip to Macao also includes visiting theRuins of St. Paul, the University of Macau, the Macao Polytechnic Institute and the Macau Portuguese School.
During his stay in Macao, President Cavaco Silva will present a Grand Cross of the Order of Merit to Mr Chui at the residence of the Consulate General of Portugal in Macao.
The Order of Merit of the Republic of Portugal is to be presented and awarded to individuals or entities in public services or private sectorwho are dedicated to their work, display selfless devotion to theinterests of society, and contribute to the progress and prosperity of Portugal. The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit is the ultimate award.
President Cavaco Silva will conclude his visit to Macao in the evening of 18 May, and depart for Portugal.
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Consumer Council conducted its fourth 'Supermarket price survey' in May on 15 May for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets near Horte e Costa, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga and Rua da Emenda areas in Santo António Parish. 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 a total of 3,846 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold in the first quarter of 2014 as per Stamp Duty record, down by 6% quarter-to-quarter, and the total value of transaction was similar to the previous quarter at MOP22.52 billion. Purchase and sale of residential units totalled 1,980 at MOP12.19 billion, down by 21% and 16% respectively quarter-to-quarter; total value of pre-sale residential units (245) and existing residential units (1,735) amounted to MOP3.22 billion and MOP8.97 billion respectively. In the first quarter of 2014, the average price of all residential units increased by 3% quarter-to-quarter to MOP88,958 per square metre of usable area. The average price of existing residential units increased by 4% to MOP80,100 per square meter; the average price of those in Taipa rose by 16% and those in the Macao Peninsula was similar to the previous quarter. Analysed by district, many of these units purchased and sold were in Baixa da Taipa (240), Novos Aterros da Areia Preta (NATAP) (209) and Areia Preta & Iao Hon (160), and the average price was MOP91,634, MOP98,644 and MOP70,274 respectively per square metre. The average price of pre-sale residential units increased by 4% quarter-to-quarter to MOP125,987 per square metre in the first quarter; the average price of those in the Macao Peninsula and Coloane increased by 32% and 10% respectively, while those in Taipa decreased by 11%. The majority of pre-sale residential units purchased and sold were in NAPE & Aterros da Baía da Praia Grande (55), Baixa da Taipa (50) and Coloane (40), and the average price was MOP172,603, MOP159,926 and MOP119,732 respectively per square meter. Analysed by year of completion, there were 869 residential units built more than 20 years ago (112 in Areia Preta & Iao Hon, 101 in Barca) and the average price was MOP62,467 per square metre, up by 4% quarter-to-quarter. For the 585 residential units completed between 11 to 20 years ago (141 in Baixa da Taipa, 102 in NATAP), the average price rose by 12%, at MOP80,832 per square metre. The average price of the 168 residential units completed within 5 years or less (45 in NATAP, 31 in Baixa da Taipa) decreased by 14%, at MOP111,660 per square metre. Analysed by usable floor area, there were 843 residential units having a floor area of 50.0 to 99.9 square metres and the average price fell by 1% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP81,613 per square metre. For the 735 small-sized units having a floor area of less than 50 square metres, the average price was MOP80,129 per square metre, up by 10%. The average price of office units and industrial units was MOP113,824 and MOP46,577 per square metre in the first quarter of 2014, up by 23% and 22% respectively quarter-to-quarter. In the first quarter of 2014, there were 2,459 real estate sale contracts signed, involving 3,018 properties, up by 3% quarter-to-quarter; meanwhile, 3,008 mortgage contracts were signed, involving 4,661 properties, up by 8%. As regards construction in the private sector, floor area of construction of new buildings in the first quarter totalled 1,374,814 square metres, providing 804 units upon completion. Meanwhile, floor area of buildings completed totalled 16,966 square metres, altogether providing 105 units.
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In order to provide diversified training opportunities for industry professionals and further enhance management quality of the local service industry, Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration co-orgainsed an Executive Development Programme on Leadership and Motivation in the 21st Century on 14 & 15 May. The course addresses the real-world complexities faced by front-line leaders and their teams. Participants gain insights about their personal leadership style and have opportunities to develop skills that promote effective teamwork that has a lasting effect. The programme attracted 40 registrations from professionals of local hotels and mega resorts.
IFT has the honour of inviting Prof. J. Bruce Tracey from faculty of the School of Hotel Administration to give the lecture. Prof. Tracey acquired his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Albany. In addition to Cornell, he has taught in a variety of degree programmes in Finland, Singapore, France and Switzerland. He has also facilitated numerous executive education courses throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Focusing on human resources strategy and management, Prof. Tracey's research has examined a wide range of strategic and operational-level HR topics including the impact of training initiatives on individual and firm performance, employee turnover, employment law and leadership. Through the programme, participants gain insights and skills to effectively leverage talent and organisational resources that are necessary for achieving long-term success. Topics include: - Gain key insights about their personal leadership style and the most effective means for enhancing performance;
- Identify obstacles to team performance and methods for overcoming them; - Acquire skills for optimising team creativity and innovation;
- Create opportunities for facilitating a positive and supportive team culture. IFT is always striving to enhance its research and teaching so as to contribute to the industry and the society. By organising seminars and workshops, IFT constantly shares with the industry the most updated information and research findings about the future development of Macao's tourism industry and ways to enhance it.
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