News

Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has raised a total of Mop28,000 for Zhouqu mudslide victims in China's Gansu Province. Proceeds were presented to the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R. by Mr. Antonio Chu, Registrar of IFT, together with 2 students. The IFT delegation was received by Ms. Xu Ting, Deputy Department Head of Culture and Education, and two representatives. The relentless massive mudslide that hit Zhouqu on 8 August had taken away over 1,000 lives. Millions of victims in Ganzu and Sichuan provinces mourn for the lost of their homes and loved ones. Thousands of miles away from this devastated region, the compatriots in Macao share the same amount of grief. IFT had organized a fund raising activity, in order to offer aid to the rebuilding after this natural disaster. This event fully demonstrated the patriotic sentiments of Macao people who are always ready to give a helping hand to our compatriots in need. The selfless contribution from the community represents our sincere blessings to all the fellow Zhouqu residents, and it is hoped that this spirit of togetherness will reach them with our donations in the course of rebuilding their homes and faith.
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A Policy Research Office supervised directly by the Chief Executive will be established on 1 January 2011, it was gazetted in the Government Bulletin today, Duties of the Office would include conducting research in the areas of politics, legislation, economy, social and culture, and the evaluation and follow up on the implementation of public policies. The Office has to provide all necessary information and consultation to the Chief Executive. All governmental departments are obliged to co-operate with the Office when requested. The Office would be led by a director and two deputy directors: the posts can be filled by current civil servants. The Bulletin also gazetted the Chief Executive’s approval of the Code for the Principle Officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region which is aimed at building a management team with vision, accountability and effectiveness. The principles of the Code include are: - The principle officials, in exercising their duties, have to implement the policy with justice. - Actively advance the effectiveness management of their subordinates. - Maintain the government’s credibility and to maintain their integrity and moral at the highest standard. - Prohibit any direct or indirect use of official information to obtain personal interests, and - Prohibit from serving other government post or public duty concurrently unless assigned. The General Rules for the Principle Officials also gazetted stated that all principle officials have to be responsible to the Chief Executive and they would not have to bear any civil, financial and criminal liabilities in the discharge of their duties. They are prohibited from abusing their power and ought to prevent conflict of interest. Meanwhile, the bulletin also gazetted the General Rules for the Director and Chief, suggesting that they work with politeness and fairness.
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For the purpose of establishing the Macao Database for Cultural and Creative Industries and promoting the development of local cultural and creative industries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is now launching the third phase of the “Cultural and Creative Industries Information Collection Project” which targets all professional companies or institutions in the garment industry. From today until the 31st of January, 2011, all relevant parties are welcome to submit information to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The Cultural Affairs Bureau has been collecting information for the Database for Cultural and Creative Industries since August of this year and the third phase of the project is currently underway. The submission deadline for the first and second phases which have collected information from the design industry and the visual and performing arts industries will be on the 31st of December, 2010. Starting today, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will continue to collect information from the local original garment industry. All professional companies and institutions which run a local brand of original clothing and accessories, or engage in model agency services are welcome to submit information to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The establishment of the Database will facilitate the government to launch favorable policies promoting the cultural and creative industries. Furthermore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau also plans to apply the information collected to establish a cultural and creative magazine and a website to access information related to cultural and creative industries in Macao, with a view to providing a platform for the exchange of information and the promotion of business matching and development of Macao’s cultural and creative industries. The concerted effort of the government and the industries is essential to improving and completing the Macao Database for Cultural and Creative Industries. All locally registered professional companies or institutions which engage in the garment industry are welcome to submit information to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries under the Cultural Affairs Bureau from today until the 31st of January, 2011, using an information collection form, which can be downloaded from the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo/dpicc). Interested parties may complete the form and submit it, along with supporting electronic files, to the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, located at Praça do Tap Seac. For enquiries, please call 8399 6919 (Ms. Lam or Ms. Lao) during office hours or email to info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo.
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The Premier Mr Wen Jiabao had basically approved Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said when he concluded his four-day duty visit in Beijing. Mr Chui met President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao during the visit, and reported to them the recent development of Macao and his policy blueprint for next year. The Central Government had announced the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020) and the Hengqin development plan previously and thus supported Macao’s effort in diversifying its industrial portfolio, Mr Chui said, and the approval of the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Framework Agreement would further enhance Macao’s drive. He said that these plans support further co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and Macao would study co-operation with Hengqin and Nansha, the emerging regions in Guangdong. Speaking about the inflation of food prices, Mr Chui said he had visited several Central Government agencies and commissions and the Macao SAR Government would further discuss with these departments in order to safeguard food safety and gradually bring food at affordable prices to the Macao people. Mr Chui returned to Macao this evening.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today visited the Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs to thank their long-term support to Macao. In the last day of his four-day duty visit to Beijing, Mr Chui visited the Ministry of Commerce and met its Minister, Mr Chen Deming. During the meeting, Mr Chui thanked the Ministry for its long-existing support to Macao, which was highlighted by the staging of the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao last month. As Macao is proactively developing its conference and meeting business in order to diversify its industrial portfolio, the hosting of such large-scale events would enrich Macao’s experience in organising global conferences and events, Mr Chui said. In response, Mr Chen extended his gratitude to Mr Chui for the work of Macao SAR Government in organising the forum. Mr Chui then visited the Ministry of the General Administration of Customs and met its Minister, Mr Sheng Guangzu, and attended a luncheon hosted by the Minister. Mr Chui said that the heavy people flow at the Border Gate Checkpoint had increased significantly in recent years and said he hoped that Macao and the Mainland could co-operate more on Hengqin in the future. Mr Sheng told Mr Chui that the General Administration of Customs was eager to support Macao in its development.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to assist 143 stranded Macau students, among which 93 have departed from the UK, while the rest have received necessary assistance to travel on other airlines or have made their own arrangements. With assistance and coordination of GGCT, MGTO’s UK representative and Cathay Pacific Airways, the second batch of 19 Macau students stranded in London boarded the second extra flight of Cathay Pacific, CX2252, which arrived Hong Kong International Airport this morning (Dec 23), and returned to Macau with the transportation arrangements provided by GGCT. The first batch of 58* stranded students has returned to Macau via Hong Kong last night (Dec 22). 16 other stranded students with Cathay Pacific tickets have departed the UK on other flights of the airline. To date, 93 students have left the UK on Cathay Pacific Airways. GGCT assisted another 12 stranded students holding tickets of different airlines today (Dec 23) to travel on the third additional flight of Cathay Pacific, CX8250,which is expected to depart London at 2:30pm local time on Dec 23 and will arrive Hong Kong around 10am on Dec 24. According to GGCT’s information, among the remaining 38 students who have registered with GGCT, including holders of tickets of Cathay Pacific and other airlines, 32 have already departed the UK or have rebooked other flights with the help of their airlines. 3 students will make their own travel arrangements while 3 have decided to stay in the UK. GGCT expresses its gratitude to Cathay Pacific Airways for assisting in seats arrangements and TurboJet for ferry arrangements to bring home the students. Regarding package tours, GGCT has maintained close contact with the travel trade for the latest updates of Macau residents who joined tours. Till now, 18 Macau residents, who joined different tour groups originated from Hong Kong, are assisted by the travel agencies. GGCT has received 2 requests for assistance and 21 inquiries today (Dec 23), in addition to 17 requests for assistance and 61 inquiries received yesterday (Dec 22). Till 5pm today, there are a total of 127 requests for assistance and 127 inquiries in the course of the past few days from the beginning of the incident. GGCT reminds Macau residents to contact the Hotline: (853)28333000 for assistance in case of emergency during their outbound trips. * It was announced earlier as 50, but revised after confirmation
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to assist 136 stranded Macau students to fly back to Macau, among which, 50 are expected to arrive Hong Kong tonight (Dec 22). With assistance and coordination of GGCT, MGTO’s UK representative and Cathay Pacific Airways, the first batch of 50 Macau students stranded in London has boarded the first additional flight of Cathay Pacific, CX2250, which departed at midnight local time from Manchester and is expected to arrive Hong Kong International Airport about 8:20pm (Hong Kong time) tonight (Dec 22). As the arrival time is quite late, GGCT will provide transportation arrangements to the students for returning to Macau from Hong Kong. 27 other stranded students will travel on the second additional flight, which is expected to depart noon today (Dec 22) local time and arrive Hong Kong tomorrow (Dec 23) morning. 31 students holding tickets of different airlines have rebooked other flights with the help of their airlines or assistance by GGCT. GGCT also learned that 6 students have decided to stay in the UK. Currently, GGCT is following up with the remaining 22 cases to help with seat arrangements and to provide necessary assistance. Regarding package tours, GGCT has maintained close contact with the travel trade for latest updates of Macau residents who joined tours. Till now, 18 Macau residents, who joined different tour groups originated from Hong Kong, are assisted by the travel agencies. GGCT will continue its close contacts with the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR, the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR and MGTO's UK Representative, Macau’s travel trade and airlines to follow up on the situation in London. GGCT has received 9 requests for assistance and 39 inquiries today (Dec 22), in addition to 90 requests for assistance and 43 inquiries received yesterday (Dec 21). Till 4pm today, there are a total of 117 requests for assistance and 84 inquiries in the course of the past few days from the beginning of the incident. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000；
－MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or
－the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) continues to assist Macau students stranded in the UK due to adverse weather and has obtained information of 108 stranded students with air tickets and provided necessary assistance. Among the 108 stranded students, 84 are holding tickets of Cathay Pacific Airways. GGCT has submitted their information to Cathay Pacific and requested the airline to assist the stranded students on the list to travel on the additional 3 flights arranged by the airline in the next three days. MGTO’s UK Representative is assisting the coordination of the matter at the hotel arranged by Cathay Pacific. A number of stranded Macau students have been arranged to take the first additional flight, which will depart from Manchester to Hong Kong at 7:30pm on Dec 21 local time and is expected to arrive Hong Kong International Airport at around 3pm on Dec 22. With the announcement of Cathay Pacific Airways that 3 additional flights will be arranged to depart from the UK to Hong Kong within 3 days to fly the stranded passengers, GGCT is maintaining close contact with Cathay Pacific to provide updated information to assist the stranded Macau students holding the airline’s tickets to board the additional flights. According to GGCT, 8 out of the remaining 24 students holding tickets of different airlines departed the UK yesterday (Dec 20), 3 have rebooked flights that will depart tomorrow (Dec 22) with the help of their airlines, while 13 are still waiting for seats. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000； －MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or －the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721 Tourism Crisis Management Office
21 December 2010
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On said the Government would provide assistance to Macao students stranded at London airports due to flight delay and cancellation caused by severe weather, according to a statement by Government Spokesperson’s Office. The Chief Executive had instructed the Tourism Crisis Management Office yesterday evening to follow up on the situation of the students and the Government would assist them by providing necessary food, accommodation and transport to return to Macao.
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Due to adverse weather conditions in Europe, numerous flights were delayed and cancelled at airports in London. Through the contact of the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) and Macau Government Tourist Office's (MGTO) UK Representative, to date, information of 99 stranded Macau students in possession of tickets were obtained and GGCT will provide necessary assistance. Staff from MGTO's UK Representative visited the stranded Macau students at the hotel arranged by the airline to learn about their condition and offered necessary assistance. Among the 99 stranded students, 77 are holding tickets of Cathay Pacific Airways. GGCT has submitted their information to Cathay Pacific for assistance. 50 students, together with other passengers of the same airline, are staying in a nearby hotel or the hotel’s function room while waiting for seats. There are also students who returned to their host family or local relatives, while ten some cases are being followed up.
According to GGCT, 17 students holding tickets of different airlines were helped by their airlines to rebook other flights to depart in the next two days. 5 new cases are being followed up.
GGCT will continue to liaise with Cathay Pacific Airways to update information of Macau travelers who request assistance and learn about the latest arrangement. It will also follow up closely on the latest situation of the stranded students to provide timely assistance.
Regarding package tours, GGCT has maintained close contact with the travel trade for latest updates of Macau residents who joined tours. Till now, 18 Macau residents, who joined different tour groups originated from Hong Kong, are assisted by the travel agencies. GGCT will continue its close contact with the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Security Bureau of Hong Kong SAR, the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in the Macau SAR and MGTO's UK Representative, Macau’s travel trade and airlines to follow up on the situation in London. GGCT has received 35 requests for assistance and 3 inquiries today, in addition to 18 requests for assistance and 2 inquiries received yesterday (Dec 20). Till 17:30pm today, there are a total of 53 requests for assistance and 5 inquiries. GGCT urges affected Macau residents or those with family members stranded in London to contact the following numbers for assistance in case of emergency: －Hotline: (853)28333000；
－MGTO's Representative in the UK: (44)2083348328 or
－the Embassy of the PRC in the UK: (44)2072998431 / (44)7551436721
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