News

A total of 4,505 eligible voters cast their ballots in today's election of members of the Fourth Chief Executive Election Committee, representing a turnout rate of 82.69 per cent. The President of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive Election, Ms Song Man Lei, said the high turnout rate showed the active support of diverse sectors and underlined the legitimacy of the poll. Voting took place between 9 am and 6 pm today, and vote-counting began immediately upon the closing of polls. As of 7 pm, all the ballots have been checked manually and the electronic vote counting process, which is expected to take six hours, had begun, according to Ms Song. Speaking to reporters after the closing of polls, Ms Song said the labour sub-sector had the highest turnout rate, at 92.14 per cent, followed by the educational sub-sector at 86.64 per cent; the social services sub-sector at 84.37 per cent; the industrial, commercial and financial sector at 83.39 per cent; the sports sub-sector at 80.69 per cent; the professional sub-sector at 80.38 per cent; and the cultural sub-sector at 66.56 per cent. She said the Electoral Affairs Commission received 18 complaints by telephone and the Public Security Police had received one complaint related to today's election. The complaints were mostly about the disturbance of voters outside polling stations and people shouting too loud outside one polling station, noted Ms Song, adding that the commission was investigating these complaints. She also told reporters that according to election officers, some people had stayed inside the "no waiting" areas outside polling stations during today's voting. After considering the situation, the Electoral Affairs Commission decided that these people had not seriously disrupted the voting and therefore election officers merely urged them to leave the "no waiting" area, she said. Ms Song concluded that order was maintained at the polls today.
…

The turnout rate for the election of members for the Fourth Chief Executive Election Committee has exceeded 42 percent by 12 noon today and voting at polling stations was going on smoothly, said the President of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive Election, Ms Song Man Lei.
Polling began at 9 am today for the election of 400 members of the Chief Executive Election Committee.
Speaking to the press at noon today, Ms Song said the labour sub-sector had so far the highest turnout rate, at more than 55 per cent, and she urged eligible voters to cast their ballots before the polls close at 6 pm this evening.
She added that order was kept inside different polling stations despite ongoing protests outside a few stations. The Electoral Affairs Commission respected citizens' right to voice their opinions and at the same time demonstrators should also respect voters' right to cast their ballots, she noted.
She pointed out that the Electoral Affairs Commission is charged with the duty of ensuring the smooth running of today's voting. A yellow line is marked outside the entrance of each polling station and people are advised not to stay inside the area marked by the yellow line.
Several people stayed inside the area marked by the yellow line outside one polling station this morning, but they finally left the area upon the repeated urgings of election officers.
Ms Song said election officers would only call the police if order outside polling stations was seriously disrupted.
According to Article 142 of the Chief Executive Election Law, it is a criminal offence to disrupt the smooth running of a polling station.
As of noon today, the Electoral Affairs Commission has received 13 complaints of disturbance upon entering and leaving polling stations.
The commission is looking into these complaints, she added.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 4 hospitals in Macao in 2013, providing a total of 1,366 in-patient beds, up slightly by 12 year-on-year. The occupancy rate of in-patient beds was 73.2%, up by 3.6 percentage points year-on-year; the occupancy rate of in-patient beds in Conde de S. Januário Hospital stood at 81.9%, up by 4.8 percentage points. As population ageing drove up demand for hospital services, number of in-patients increased by 4.8% year-on-year to 51,000; those aged 65 and above rose by 4.0% to 11,000. The average in-patient stay was 7.2 days, up by 0.1 day year-on-year. The hospitals provided a total of 1,443,000 out-patient consultations, up by 5.3% year-on-year. Owing to a decline in live births, consultations in Gynecology/Obstetrics (97,000) and Paediatrics/Neonatology (113,000) decreased by 5.9% and 2.0% respectively year-on-year. In addition, dialysis treatments registered four consecutive years of double-digit growth, up by 10.6% year-on-year to 71,000 cases. Attendances to emergency services totalled 445,000, up by 3.6% year-on-year. Emergency attendances in Taipa (125,000) increased by 13.5% year-on-year, while those in Macao Peninsula (320,000) rose slightly by 0.1%, indicating the effective diversion of patients to emergency services in Taipa. There were 720 primary health care establishments in 2013, including public health centres and private clinics. Total number of consultations increased by 11.6% year-on-year to 3,798,000, of which there were 1,177,000 consultations in Chinese Medicine, 1,094,000 in General Practice, and 699,000 in Regular Services such as Adult Health Care, Child Health Care, etc. A total of 268,000 doses of vaccine were administered in hospitals and primary health care establishments in 2013; vaccinations against Influenza totalled 89,000. In 2013, number of doctors and nurses per 1,000 population was 2.5 and 3.1 respectively, with a total of 1,514 doctors and 1,854 nurses.
…

The IFT Alumni Annual Dinner was successfully held on 19 June at the IFT Educational Restaurant. The aim of this dinner is to foster the relationship between the alumni and students and provide a platform for them to update industry news and share their experience and hardship throughout the years with each other. Ms. Florence Ian, Acting President of IFT, emphasised that the success of IFT relies on alumni's professionalism and contribution to the hospitality industry and sincerely thank the alumni for their support to the institute and students. The IFT Alumni Association also introduced their new board members to the alumni and guests. During the dinner, there were sharing session, games and lucky draw to make the night a memorable one.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for May 2014 amounted to MOP928 million, up by 18% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP741 million) increased by 29%, but that of domestic exports (MOP187 million) decreased by 12%. Total merchandise import was MOP7.45 billion, up by 12% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.52 billion for May 2014. In the first five months of 2014, total value of merchandise export increased by 10% year-on-year to MOP4.24 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP3.44 billion) increased by 15%, but that of domestic exports (MOP802 million) decreased by 5%. Total value of merchandise import grew by 15% to MOP36.63 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP32.38 billion for the first five months of 2014. Analysed by destination, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP2.65 billion) and the EU (MOP127 million) in the first five months of 2014 increased by 23% and 6% respectively year-on-year, while export to Mainland China (MOP546 million) and the USA (MOP134 million) decreased by 11% and 14% respectively. Exports of Non-textiles (MOP3.93 billion) increased by 13% year-on-year, of which exports of Machines, apparatus & parts (MOP805 million) rose by 47% and exports of Clocks & watches (MOP521 million) doubled. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP311 million) decreased by 18%, of which exports of Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP100 million) declined by 21%. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP11.63 billion) and the EU (MOP9.37 billion) increased by 11% and 26% respectively year-on-year in the first five months of 2014. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 19% to MOP23.62 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP4.63 billion) and Watches (MOP3.59 billion) increasing by 51% and 75% respectively. Moreover, imports of Construction materials (MOP1.43 billion) grew by 35%. External merchandise trade reached MOP40.87 billion in the first five months of 2014, up by 15% compared with MOP35.57 billion a year earlier.
…

The Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region was informed by the Consulate General of New Zealand in Hong Kong on 27 June 2014 that, with effect from 30 June 2014, the holders of Macao SAR Passport will be exempted from visa requirements when entering New Zealand for a maximum stay of 3 months. The Macao SAR Government has been striving to request visa-free privilege for holders of the Macao SAR Passport when entering New Zealand. The visa exemption arrangement will further deepen the relationship between the two places and strengthen the ease of travellers and therefore to boost in the tourism, and socio-culture between New Zealand and the Macao SAR. For more information on the visa waiver, please visit the following website of the Government of New Zealand: http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/VisaFreeCountries.htm. ("Macao" will be added to the visa waiver list in the next update of the above website.)
…

On 21 June, the University of Macau (UM) held its annual congregation. During the congregation, an unexpected incident happened, which compromised the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony and disrupted the order at the event venue. Afterwards, UM inquired about the details of the incident with the relevant departments, and actively reviewed the way in which the incident was handled. It was a regrettable incident and UM feels very sorry for those who were affected in the process. UM reiterates its respect for academic freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. It will review what happened in order to improve arrangements about future congregations. After the incident, UM's top management met with colleagues from the relevant departments to inquire about the details of what happened. UM representatives have also met with representatives from the Graduation Committee, Students' Union, student organisations from various faculties, Postgraduate Association, student publications, various alumni associations, UM Faculty Association, and other representatives, to discuss the incident and listen to suggestions. As UM learned, below are the details of what happened: Before the congregation began, a student carrying a banner entered the event venue. Before the ceremony began, some working staff and some of the student's teachers repeatedly advised her to hand over the banner to UM staff for safekeeping so that the banner would not cause herself inconvenience when the time came for her to get on the stage to receive the graduation certificate. The staff and teachers also told the student that the banner would be returned to her after the congregation was over, but the student refused to follow the advice. After all the students entered the event venue, most of the journalists followed UM's working staff's directions to an area to get ready to take pictures of the procession, except for several journalists. These journalists remained in the aisle on the left side of the stage. As that area served as a passage for off-stage guests and working staff, UM staff requested them not to stay there. In response, these journalists followed UM staff's directions to another area to cover the ceremony. However, two journalists refused to leave. After the working staff's repeated attempts to reason with them, the two journalists, including the journalist from Macau Concealers, stood back a little towards the wall. After the congregation began, everyone present stood up solemnly to welcome the procession. When the procession was just about to end and before the National Anthem started, the student suddenly held up the banner, and upon seeing this, the journalist from Macau Concealers not only immediately went back to the area which the working staff had repeatedly requested him to leave, but also moved to the front of the stage and started taking pictures in a spot between the band and the guests sitting in the first row. One working staff member went over to him to try to reason with him, but was ignored. When the working staff member tried to move him back to the original area, he started shouting. At the same time, the working staff tried to make the student put down the banner, but she also started shouting. As it all happened so suddenly, the journalists who had been covering the ceremony in the original area then rushed over to take pictures of the incident. At this point, the situation got more chaotic. To make sure that the ceremony could proceed in a smooth manner, the working staff and security staff had no choice but to make the two leave the event venue, in hopes of restoring order as soon as possible. It was unfortunate that there was some pushing and jostling in the process. Outside the event venue, the student was still very emotional and kept shouting, "Where is my friend? What did you do to him?" In view of this, one female working staff member walked over to her to hug her and kept comforting her. Later the student gave interviews to the media, and returned to the event venue to continue to participate in the congregation and went on the stage to receive the graduation certificate. The journalist from Macau Concealers also gave interviews to the media. The other journalists went back to covering the congregation. The congregation is a joyous occasion for the students, their family member and friends to celebrate the fruit of four years of hard work. It is also the university's most solemn and grand event. Therefore, it is important to make sure that all the students, their family members, and friends can enjoy their right to experience a solemn and orderly congregation. The moment when everyone stands up to welcome the procession consisting of VIPs and teachers and before the National Anthem is about to start is the most solemn moment at the congregation that should be respected. It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident happened at this most solemn moment. UM apologises to all those who were affected in the process. UM stresses that it always respects academic freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. It firmly believes that anyone has the right to express his or her personal opinions, but in doing so one must respect others and respect the occasion. It was an unfortunate incident, and UM will humbly learn from it. UM will review what happened and humbly listen to criticisms and suggestions in order to improve arrangements about future congregations.
…

After the Master Chef Demonstration Workshop on Mexican Cuisine on 19 June, the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) together with the Consulate General of Peru in Hong Kong and Macao SAR, and the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America (MAPEAL) hosted the Peruvian Cuisine Cooking Demonstration Workshop on 26 June, helping hospitality and food and beverage professionals understand more about Peruvian cuisine, Chef María Rosa Vásquez Chavez was invited to share the concepts of Peruvian cuisine and several recipes. Mr. David Málaga, Consul General of Peru, Hong Kong and Macao also attended and supported the event. Chef María Rosa Vásquez Chavez is a multifaceted cook who has constant collaboration with Master Chef De Gloria Molina Hinostroza Clausen demonstrating Peruvian cuisine cooking in the renowned Peruvian cooking show LE CORDON BLEU PERU. Chef María has travelled around the world representing Peruvian cuisine in several high-profile events in Asia. She also travelled to teach Peruvian gastronomy master classes, customised classes, free courses and workshops for the general public. She has been chef collaborator in writing the cookbooks "Book of the Potato" as well as "The 100 Best Recipes of Peruvian Cuisine". The workshop was composed of five sessions: introduction to Peruvian culinary and its ingredients, introducing the recipes and preparing ingredients, key issues of the production process, demonstration, food tasting and Q&A. Four dishes were demonstrated at the workshop: seafood ceviche, quinoa salad with arúgula, funghi, seasonal mushrooms and sour cream, shredded chicken with chili sauce, and suspiro de Quinoa. The workshop attracted a total of 33 chefs from hotels and restaurants. Participants not only gained basic knowledge about Peruvian cuisine through the demonstration, but also experienced the whole production process, and tasted the Peruvian gourmet food. IFT has always been dedicated to organise promotions of different ethnic cuisines for local industry and the public. At the same time, it arouses the interests of food service industry in Macao to explore more ideas in cooking. Through "Master Chef Cooking Demo Series", IFT forms a communication platform for local and overseas chefs. The institute will make more efforts to offer more training programmes to help enhance the knowledge and skills of industry professionals.
…

The Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey (CPIS), jointly conducted by the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) and the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), is aimed at collecting information on Macao residents' investment in securities issued by unrelated non-residents, in terms of market value and geographical distribution. The results as at 31 December 2013 are summarised as follows: On 31 December 2013, investment of Macao residents (including individuals, the government and other legal entities but excluding Macao's foreign exchange reserves) in securities issued by unrelated non-residents reached a record-high of MOP391.0 billion at current market value, up by 26.3% from 30 June 2013 or 49.1% year-on-year. The significant growth in Macao residents' portfolio investment abroad was largely attributable to the increases in the MSAR's Fiscal Reserve and the provisional portfolio. Among the portfolio investment abroad of Macao residents, equity securities, long-term debt securities and short-term debt securities were valued at MOP171.6 billion, MOP203.8 billion and MOP15.6 billion respectively. In comparison with end-2012, investment in equity securities, of which mutual funds and investment trust units amounted to MOP25.6 billion, rose by 28.6%. Investment in long-term debt securities and short-term debt securities soared by 73.3% and 38.1% respectively. In terms of geographical distribution, Mainland China assumed the leading position, occupying 45.7% of the total market value of local residents' portfolio investment outside Macao. The rest was mainly invested in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and the United States. Investment in securities issued by entities in Mainland China, including those securities listed on non-Mainland exchanges, amounted to MOP178.7 billion, growing notably by 37.9% from end-June 2013 or 92.9% from end-2012. It consisted of MOP23.8 billion in equity securities, MOP142.0 billion in long-term debt securities and MOP12.9 billion in short-term debt securities, constituting 13.9%, 69.7% and 83.1% of the respective total. The share of investment in securities issued by entities in Hong Kong fell from 32.4% a year earlier to 29.8% at end-2013. Nevertheless, the corresponding market value increased by 36.9% to MOP116.5 billion, of which investment in equity securities and long-term debt securities rose to MOP101.2 billion and MOP13.2 billion respectively. The share of investment in European securities dropped by 5.5 percentage points year-on-year to 8.7% and the corresponding market value contracted by 8.5% to MOP34.2 billion. Among the European countries, Luxembourg took the largest share with a total market value of MOP13.6 billion at end-2013, a year-on-year increase of 59.6%. On the other hand, the market value of Macao residents' portfolio investment in the United Kingdom slid by 12.4% year-on-year from a year earlier to MOP7.2 billion. Germany, France and the Netherlands also saw their market value of investment drop by 38.4%, 27.3% and 69.0% respectively. The market value of Macao residents' portfolio investment in various jurisdictions of the North Atlantic and Caribbean registered notable increases, driving the total market value of investment in this region to surge by 46.8% year-on-year to MOP30.5 billion, though its share in the total investment abroad dropped slightly to 7.8%. In particular, the market value of portfolio investment in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands grew by 54.7%, 27.9% and 50.1% to MOP17.4 billion, MOP6.7 billion and MOP6.3 billion respectively. The market value of Macao residents' investment in US securities grew by 3.8% year-on-year to MOP9.5 billion, notwithstanding that the corresponding share slid from 3.5% at end-2012 to 2.4% at end-2013. The investment in long-term US debt securities increased marginally by 0.4% to MOP6.7 billion, representing the third largest share in the corresponding category.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate has been staying at record low during the past five months, for which the unemployment rate (1.7%) and the underemployment rate (0.4%) for March-May 2014 held stable as the previous period (February-April). Total labour force was 387,600 and the labour force participation rate stood at 73.3%. Total employment reached 381,100, was similar to that of February-April. Analysed by industry, employment in the Construction sector increased by 6.1% from the previous period, totalling 48,300. Number of the unemployed remained unchanged as February-April, at 6,400; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 10.7% of the total unemployed, up by 3.5 percentage points. In comparison with March-May 2013, the labour force participation rate increased by 1.3 percentage points, while the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.1 and 0.4 percentage points respectively.
…