News

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for its approval or record of two bills relating to the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly. This is announced today by a statement issued by the Government Spokesperson Office, after a meeting by the Standing Committee of NPC. The decisions made by the Standing Committee of NPC marked the completion of the legislative procedures of revising Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law of Macao. This is the first time that the Macao SAR revised the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly and this made an important step in Macao's constitutional development. This may enhance the stability of Macao's fundamental political system, the progression of Macao's democracy, the effective functioning of Macao's executive-led political system, the balancing of interests of all walks of lives and the long-term prosperity, stability and development of Macao. The Macao SAR Government would, in accordance with the decisions made by the Standing Committee of NPC and public opinions collected previously, submit bills to the Legislative Assembly to revise the election laws of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Assembly. The election of the Fifth-term Legislative Assembly is scheduled in 2013 and the election of the Fourth-term Chief Executive in 2014.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is in Hong Kong today to attend the celebratory activities of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR Mr Chui is there at the invitation of his Hong Kong counterpart, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. Speaking to reporters at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal before his departure, Mr Chui said that he would also pay a courtesy call on the President, Mr Hu Jintao, who is in Hong Kong for the events. Mr Chui is scheduled to attend a welcome banquet for President Hu hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government, attend a variety show to celebrate the anniversary, and the inauguration of the fourth Hong Kong SAR Government. Speaking about the two bills relating to the selection method of the Chief Executive and the election method of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Chui said he hoped that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress would complete the procedure of approval and record at today's meeting, so that the Government could work on their legislation in Macao afterwards.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Financial Services Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government to reinforce financial cooperation between Shanghai and Macao. Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Tam Pak Yuen and Vice-Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Tu Guangshao witnessed the ceremony. The SAR Government supported wholeheartedly the joint effort of the two regions to develop financial services. AMCM and the Financial Services Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government held in Shanghai the "Shanghai-Macao Financial Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony" on 29 this month. Mr. Tam Pak Yuen, Secretary for Economy and Finance, MSAR and Mr. Tu Guangshao, Vice-Mayor of the Municipal Government of Shanghai, Mr. Jiang Zhuoqing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Ms. Zhang Yixing, Deputy Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, officiated the ceremony to witness the signing of the Cooperation Agreement by Mr. Teng Lin Seng, Chairman of AMCM Board of Directors and Mr. Fang Xinghai, Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government Financial Services Office. Secretary Tam in his address says that Shanghai recently strives to become an international financial centre. It is the leading city of the Yangtze Delta Region. Shanghai faces the world and its network covers the four seas. The SAR is glad to have the Financial Cooperation Agreement executed between the two parties. Macao will no doubt make use of the experience of Shanghai in its successful development which is invaluable to Macao in enhancing its financial industry. Through cooperation of Shanghai and Macao, Macao will provide services relating to economic and commercial liaison between Shanghai commercial enterprises and Portuguese speaking countries. It is expected that under the motivation of the Shanghai Municipal Government and Financial Services Office, liaison will be strengthened. The SAR Government will wholeheartedly support the collective financial endeavour of the two regions, promote financial and commercial cooperation of two regions with a view to achieving common goal through complementary cooperation. Vice-Mayor Tu expresses his conviction that Shanghai is delighted to arrive at a more extensive and deep cooperation relationship with all regions, including the Macao Special Administrative Region. Such move will certainly inject vitality into the ambition of Shanghai in its endeavour to forge an international financial centre. At the same time, Macao SAR has long working relationship with Portuguese speaking countries which carries very positive meaning in helping Shanghai financial enterprises to explore such markets. It is hoped that in the expectation of building up financial cooperation between the two regions, through the setting up of liaison mechanism and meetings at regular intervals, the sharing and communication of financial information will be reinforced which will be conducive to the mutual development of the financial industry of the two regions.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for May 2012 amounted to MOP683 million, up by 15.9% year-on-year, of which value of re-exports (MOP472 million) and domestic exports (MOP210 million) increased by 20.2% and 7.5% respectively. Total merchandise import amounted to MOP5.97 billion, up by 23.5% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.29 billion for May 2012. In the first five months of 2012, total value of merchandise export increased by 18.8% year-on-year to MOP3.30 billion, attributable to a 26.6% increase in re-exports (MOP2.32 billion) when domestic exports (MOP978 million) rose by 3.7%; meanwhile, total value of merchandise import increased by 26.8% to MOP28.86 billion. Merchandise trade deficit for the first five months of 2012 amounted to MOP25.56 billion. Merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.65 billion) and Mainland China (MOP529 million) in the first five months of 2012 were principally re-exports, up by 39.2% and 14.6% year-on-year respectively; meanwhile, merchandise export to the USA (MOP219 million) and the EU (MOP141 million) were primarily domestic exports, down by 12.1% and 14.7% respectively. Exports of Non-textile (MOP2.84 billion) in the first five months of 2012 expanded by 29.3%, of which exports of Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof (MOP521 million) and Articles for casino (MOP96 million) surged by 126.7% and 63.6% respectively year-on-year; however, exports of Textile & garment (MOP464 million) registered a decrease of 20.4%. Domestic exports of Tobacco (MOP222 million) rose by 47.2% year-on-year, while that of Knitted or crocheted garment (MOP164 million) and Non-knitted or non-crocheted garment (MOP138 million) declined by 20.3% and 24.1% respectively. In the first five months of 2012, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP9.25 billion) and the EU (MOP6.64 billion) expanded by 31.4% and 19.4% respectively year-on-year. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 28.1% to MOP17.71 billion, with imports of Watches (MOP2.12 billion), Handbags & wallets (MOP1.63 billion) and Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP1.27 billion) increasing by 53.9%, 44.2% and 59.3% respectively. Moreover, imports of Capital goods (MOP5.38 billion) registered a year-on-year increase of 33.8%. In the first five months of 2012, total value of external merchandise trade amounted to MOP32.16 billion, up by 25.9% compared with MOP25.54 billion a year earlier.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will be in HK to attend activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and the inauguration of the Fourth Term Government of the HKSAR.
A statement today by the Office of the Government Spokesman said Mr Chui will leave tomorrow to attend the banquet to welcome the President, Mr Hu Jintao, hosted by the HKSAR Government and watch a cultural show. On 1st July, he will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Fourth Term Government of the HKSAR.
The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng and the Advisor of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Fung Sio Weng will also attend the activities with Mr Chui.
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, will be Acting Chief Executive while Mr Chui is away.
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More than 260 contestants have submitted their works for the "Precious Moments in Macao" 2012 Photography Competition, which is co-organised by the Government Information Bureau together with eight photographic organisations and four media associations. Out of a total of 1,834 entries, 53 winning entries have been picked after six rounds of professional evaluation. The judging was held on 3 June; the judging panel comprises one representative from the Photographic Society of Macao, Photography Salon Society of Macao, Macao Association for the Promotion of Photographic Art, Macao Association of Photographers, Macao Multimedia Photographic Art Association, Macao Association of Photographic Art, Macao Camera Lens Art Association, Macao Digital Photography Association, Macao Media Workers Association, Macao Journalists' Club, Macao Journalists' Association, and the Macao Media Club, respectively as well as representatives from the Government information Bureau. This year's competition has used an online portal for the submission of entries for the first time. During the submission period between 7-20 May, a total of 1,834 entries from 266 contestants were submitted. These entries reflect changes in Macao's skyline and precious moments in the lives of Macao residents. In addition to the record number of contestants and entries, this year's competition is also marked by the variety and quality of submissions. After six rounds of evaluation by the 13-member judging panel, the following 53 winning entries have been named: First Prize: Ung Teng Pong; Title of Work: Tranquil Prosperity
Second Prize: Cheong Keng Lim; Title of Work: Religious Pomp
Third Prize: Tam Kam Weng; Title of Work: Striving for the Best Winners of the 50 merit prizes are as follows (in no particular order): Agostinho Guilherme Fernandes - Four Girls
Chong Io Sang - Macao's Night Scene
Chong Io Sang - Fireworks over the Water Lam Sai Kuong - Fireworks
Maria Ferreira Sin - Fireworks Splendour
Wong Kwok Fai - Lakeside
Ho Waikin - Hustle and Bustle
Ho Chon In - Small City
Ung Teng Pong - Metamorphoses
Li Man Lok - Glitter Lam Sao Wa - Panoramic View of Taipa and Coloane
Lam Sao Wa - Colourful Skyline
Lam Sao Wa - Piggyback Ride
Leong Kafai - Macao at Dusk
Kuok Kim Va - Frontrunners
Kuok Kim Va - Religious Procession
Kuok Kim Va - Team Work
Kuok Kim Va - Strike
Kuok Kim Va - Amid the Rain
Chan Meng Kai - After the Rain
Chan Chou Meng - Fireworks Display
Chan Chou Meng - Latin Parade
Lok Wai Keong - Bringing Joy to the Elderly
Lok Wai Keong - Lighting up the Sky
Mak Heng Kin - Running Neck and Neck
Vong Kuok Kei - Welcoming the Buddhist Bone Relic
Wong Chang Man - Rolling out the Red Carpet for the Buddhist Bone Relic
Vong Hoi Veng - Taking Flight
Vong Hoi Veng - Sports for All
Wong Keng Si - Unique Macao
Lao Chao I - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony
Au Ieong Kin Hou - Nightfall
Au Ieong Kin Hou - Macao Science Centre
Pun Tak Cheong - Magnificent Pyrotechnics
Pun Tak Cheong - Splash with Blessings
Tang Loi Cheng - Age of Innocence
Tang Chan Seng - Willowy Dance
Tang Chan Seng - Rugby Contest
Tang Chan Seng - Family Fun
Tang Chan Seng - Breaking Loose
Tang Chan Seng - Full Speed Ahead
Tang Ian Tek - Sunset
Tang Kai Lon - Tough Competition
Tang Kai Lon - Mother & Daughter Sharing a Laugh Tang Kai Lon - Hitting the Finishing Line
Jose Lopes Lai - Happy Family
Lou Chon Man - Twilight
Hon Peng U - Nurturing Seedlings
Kuan Fu Lon - Turning Point
Kuan Ka Pou - Over the Horizon 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, three submissions from the above winning entries have been picked as winners of this year's Yearbook Full-page Illustration Award and their winners will each get a cash prize of MOP1,000. The three winners are as follows (in no particular order):
Tang Chan Seng - Rugby Contest
Kuok Kim Va - Amid the Rain
Tang Loi Cheng - Age of Innocence This year's Yearbook Cover Award, which is decided by the Editorial Committee of the 2012 Macao Yearbook, has been left vacant due to the lack of suitable entries.
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To welcome the coming of summer holidays in July and August, Communications Museum is organizing various interesting summer activities to let participants unleash their potential through interactive, explorative and experimental activities. All are welcome to apply for the activities that still have vacancy, including: The workshop "Component Commando" is suitable for students of Primary 4 to 6 to learn electric components through composing their unique robots. Students of Form 1 to 3 may choose workshops of "Introduction to Electric Circuits", "Electricity and Electromagnet" and / or "Component Commando" to make batteries, lighting decorations, simple telegraphs and electric bars. Students from Primary 6 to Form 1 who like mathematics may choose the workshop "Graphic for Fun". The "Creative Card & Gift Bag Design" workshop will be held for students who are in Form 1 or above and interested in handicrafts.
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The Camp is organized by the Macau Society of Biomedical Engineering and the IEEE-EMB Hong Kong - Macau Joint Chapter, and co-organized by the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of University of Macau and the Communications Museum. It will wrap up the series of summer activities for the month of July this year. The objective is to inform students on the development and prospects of Biomedical Engineering to expand their perspective of their future studies and choice of elective subjects. The 4-day summer camp targets students promoting to Form 4 or above. In addition to the seminars and workshops to be held in Macau, there will be a tour going to the science park in Zhuhai in order to visit the production lines and enterprises of medical equipment. For details, please refer to the Museum website http://macao.communications.museum .
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate for March-May 2012 held stable as the previous period (February-April), at 2.0% and 0.8% respectively. Total labour force decreased slightly by 1,000 from the previous period to 344,000; the labour force participation rate stood at 71.9%, down by 0.5 percentage point. Total employment was 337,000, down by 1,100 over the preceding period. Analysed by industry, employment of Real Estate & Business Activities declined, while that of the Construction, Hotel and Gaming Sectors registered increase. Number of the unemployed was similar to the previous period, at 6,900, with 7.9% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 4.2 percentage points. In comparison with March-May 2011, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.6 and 0.5 percentage point respectively, but the labour force participation rate remained unchanged.
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The much anticipated "Macau Gallery" in Malacca, Malaysia opened this afternoon (26) and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U led a delegation to Malacca to attend the opening ceremony and gala dinner. While in Malaysia, Cheong U paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Tourism, Malaysia, Y.B. Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen in Putrajaya. Secretary Cheong U and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes were joined by Chief Minister of Malacca Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam and Mayor of Malacca Y.Bhg. Zainal bin Hj. Abu to officiate at the ribbon cutting and eye-dotting ceremony to mark the opening of "Macau Gallery". Cheong U had a meeting with Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam and Mayor of Malacca Y.Bhg. Zainal bin Hj. Abu before the opening. "Macau Gallery" is located only ten minutes away from central Malacca in the number 6 of Bukit Peringgit. The original house was a Pre-War English bungalow in typical Siam style. It was later used as a governmental department of the authority of Malacca and now it is part of the historical heritage in Malacca. Designed and managed by MGTO, "Macau Gallery" is divided into zones with different themes, namely Macau World Heritage, Maritime Routes, Macau Events, Origins and Cultures, where Macau's history, culture, economy and intangible cultural heritage are displayed through multimedia, images, models, ceramic and handicrafts. The gallery also features an information counter, library, multi-function room and esplanade. To supplement the exhibition, 12 art pieces by Macau's painters will be displayed at the "Macau Gallery" from the opening day to the end of September to depict some of Macau's valuable world heritage sites. To promote and increase the exposure of "Macau Gallery", tourism authorities of Malaysia and Malacca includes this venue in the itinerary for its familiarization tours for trade and media and the first familiarization tour consists of media and trade members from Singapore and Malaysia will visit "Macau Gallery" tomorrow. When former Chief Executive Edmund Ho paid an official visit to Malacca in 2007, Chief Minister of Malacca Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam invited Macau SAR to set up a gallery to promote its tourism and culture in one of Malacca's historical building. In 2009, Chief Executive Chui Sai on, who was the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture at that time, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Macau SAR government with Malacca authority for the management and usage of the architecture and a renewal construction would be made to transform this property into a center for promotion and exhibition of Macau without compromising and changing the appearance and architecture that mark the origin of the building. The gala dinner was held tonight at Renaissance Melaka Hotel where Antunes addressed the guests saying that the gallery that opened its doors today will serve as an ideal venue for both the people of Malacca as well as its visitors, and also friends from Malaysia at large, to learn about Macau, in particularly its history, culture and tourism elements. He added that given the common ground Macau and Malacca share in their historical link with the Portuguese and being recognized by the UNESCO as world cultural heritage site, the Macau Gallery will also be a platform for mutual exchange to enhance understanding, strengthen friendship and consolidate cooperation. During the dinner, together with the Portuguese folk dance group from Malacca, Macau Lo Liang Athletic Association, Dóci Papiaçám, handicraft artists and singers including Chui Chi Iong, Priscilla Chow and Vivian Chan from Macau brought wonderful performance to the guests, showcasing the unique and yet related cultural charm of the two places. Members of the delegation include Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Cheong U, MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, MGTO Destination Promotion Department Head Betty Fok, Macau Museum Director Chan Ieng Hin, Maritime Museum Director Wu Chu Peng, representatives from University of Macau and Macau Artist Society.
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