News

In preparation for the Historical Archives of Macao's Exhibition "An Art of Precision - Shipbuilding in Macao: People, Craft and Society", the Reading Room will be closed to the public on Friday, June 7th, and Saturday, June 8th. The Reading Room service will be resumed on Monday, June 10th. The exhibition "An Art of Precision - Shipbuilding in Macao: People, Craft and Society" is organized by the Historical Archives of Macao to celebrate China Cultural Heritage Day and International Archives Day. Through records of oral interviews, documentation, photographs and other objects on display, the exhibition gives visitors a vivid picture of the Macao's shipbuilding and enables them to get acquainted with the historical background of the industry, its craft, interpersonal relations, practices and taboos, operation and continuity, as well as its culture and social relations. Lectures and workshops on the theme are also scheduled during the exhibition period. "An Art of Precision - Shipbuilding in Macao: People, Craft and Society" runs from June 9th until December 7th, daily from 10am to 6pm, at the Historical Archives of Macao (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Admission is free. The opening ceremony for the exhibition will take place on June 8th at 3pm.
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Jing Wanghui, a PhD student from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau (UM), received the first presentation prize at the fourth Joint Workshop of the International Society for Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) and the Chinese Society for Study of Xenobiotics (CSSX). Jing's supervisors are Prof. Wang Yitao and Dr. Yan Ru. The workshop enjoys an extremely high status and academic influence in the field of xenobiotic metabolism. It aims to promote international exchange on the studies of metabolism, transport and interactions of xenobiotics. It invites well-known experts and scholars from around the world to give plenary lectures and reports addressing the latest progress in cutting-edge subjects, to share experience, to contribute ideas, and to evaluate the significance of research and English speech ability of young scholars and postgraduate students, from whom 10 winners are selected for excellent presentation awards. Jing gave a speech on "Regulation of P-glycoprotein by Mori Cortex in Caco-2 Cells and Colon Tissues from Ulcerative Colitic Rats", which has its source in The Pharmacokinetic and Metabonomic Studies of Chinese Medicines Belonging to Lung Meridian and Large Intestine Meridian under the Guidance of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Theory "Interior and exterior relationship between the lung and large intestine", a project undertaken by UM under the National 973 Programme. The project is headed by Prof. Wang Yitao, with Dr. Yan Ru serving as academic secretary. It is conducted in collaboration with universities in Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou. The project carries out a series of studies of the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine from the innovative perspective of intestinal microecology, not only offering a new approach in the fundamental research on traditional Chinese medicine, but also representing a strategic breakthrough in deciphering complex in vivo fates of Chinese medicines. At the mid-term evaluation and annual progress report meetings for projects under the National 973 Programme, UM was ranked No. 1 in terms of the quantity and quality of published SCI papers on this subject. This first prize received at the fourth Joint Workshop of ISSX and CSSX has brought to 11 the total number of prizes UM has obtained on this subject at national and international conferences over the past three years. It once again demonstrates that UM has the ability to undertake major national scientific research projects and also shows that UM is in a leading position in PhD training in the field of xenobiotic metabolism.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on cooking oil on 30th May for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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With a view of strengthening the cooperation and exchange among operators of the convention and exhibition industry at home and abroad and to promote the advantages of Macao´s MICE industry, so as to attract a greater number or well-known event organizers abroad to hold activities in Macao, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mrs. Irene V. K. Lau, travelled to Frankfurt, Germany, on May 20-23, to participate in the IMEX Frankfurt 2013 (The Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events), organized by the IMEX Group and having as partner, the German Convention Bureau. A reception to promote the advantages of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry was also held during IMEX. IMEX Frankfurt 2013 (IMEX) is currently one of the largest fair dedicated to MICE in Europe. Its scale has been gradually expanding, and every year attracts over three thousand exhibitors from more than one hundred fifty countries around the world, in addition to over ten thousand qualified buyers. IMEX´s exhibitors include government tourist offices, convention bureaux, hotels, convention centers, technology suppliers, car rental companies, airlines, convention and exhibition centers, international business associations, destination management industry, conference and public relations industry, transport and travel operators and travel industry publications. During the period of IMEX, IPIM and Macao´s representatives of the convention and exhibition industry jointly organized in Frankfurt a reception, to promote the environment and the advantages of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry. Before an audience of more than 70 people, including event organizers, representatives of international business associations, destination management industry and, conference and public relations industry, Mrs. Irene V. K. Lau actively promoted the advantages of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry and the "One-Stop Service" provided by IPIM for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao, in a bid to attract the holding of more international events in Macao. At the same time, IPIM has set-up a promotional booth in the Macao Pavilion built inside the IMEX venue, to promote the "One-Stop Service" for MICE Bidding and Support in Macao and to answer enquiries. Apart from IPIM, other exhibitors at the Macao Pavilion included Macao Government Tourist Office, Macau Economic Service, and also Macao´s travel agencies, hotels, resorts and convention and exhibition venues operators, targeting to develop the international tourist market and to promote Macao´s tourism and MICE industries and the Made in Macao products. Subject activity has boosted the exchange and cooperation between Macao and overseas operators of the convention and exhibition industry and also highlighted the advantages of Macao´s convention and exhibition industry, with positive impact on attracting event organizers from abroad to organize a greater number MICE-related activities in Macao.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that there were 4 hospitals in Macao, having 1,354 in-patient beds, an increase of 132 beds year-on-year; number of in-patient admissions totalled 48,000, rose by 9.6%, bringing the occupancy rate of in-patient beds to 69.6%. A total of 1,371,000 out-patient consultations and 430,000 emergency treatments were carried out in hospitals, up by 4.6% and 8.0% year-on-year respectively. Number of emergency treatments administered in Taipa surged notably by 46.5% to 110,000. Meanwhile, primary health care establishments comprising health centres and private clinics totalled 675 establishments, providing 3,404,000 consultations, up by 1.8% year-on-year, among which consultations in Chinese medicine and therapy services and General Practice reached 1,135,000 and 1,058,000 respectively. For the whole year of 2012, 254,000 vaccinations were administered in health care establishments; vaccinations against Influenza (84,000) shared 33.1% of the total. There were 1,482 licensed doctors and 1,751 nurses at the end of 2012; number of doctors and nurses per 1,000 population stood at 2.5 and 3.0 respectively, similar to 2011.
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In order to encourage parents to visit museums with their children, institutions that play an important educational and social role, the Macao Museum, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will offer free admission for children under the age of 12 and two accompanying adults on the 1st June (Saturday), International Children's Day. Two free guided public tours are also available on that day at 3pm (in Cantonese) and 4pm (in Mandarin). In addition, on June 8th to 9th (Saturday and Sunday), in celebration of China Cultural Heritage Day, admission to the Macao Museum is free to the general public. Museums today are concerned with supporting the development of the younger population and educating society. The Macao Museum has been constantly updating the educational contents of its permanent exhibitions and adopting more interactive and multi-media activities. As for temporary exhibitions and other events, the Museum strives to design relevant activities and games suitable for children and youth, allowing children and their parents to gain a better understanding of the Museum's exhibitions and of Macao's history and culture. At present, the Macao Museum is hosting Fantasy World – Chinoiserie, an exhibition that reveals Europeans' enthusiasm for Chinese culture and arts in the 17th and 18th centuries and the origins of Chinoiserie, through everyday objects, images and videos, hoping to increase the younger population's interest in Chinese culture. The exhibition includes interactive games for children, and other activities are also available in the Educational Corner. This exhibition allows children to improve their knowledge and hopes to raise their interest in Chinese culture and arts. Fantasy World – Chinoiserie exhibition runs until the 18th August, daily from 10am to 6om (closed on Mondays). Guided tours are also available; group and school registrations should be made in advance. Admission to the Museum in free on Sundays for Macao citizens or students. For more details or enquiries, please call 2835 7911, during office hours, or visit the Macao Museum's website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or the Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that total merchandise export for April 2013 amounted to MOP724 million, up by 13% year-on-year; value of re-exports (MOP549 million) increased by 22%, but that of domestic exports (MOP175 million) decreased by 10%. Total merchandise import reached MOP6.70 billion, up by 18% year-on-year. Merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP5.97 billion for April 2013. In the first four months of 2013, total value of merchandise export increased by 17% year-on-year to MOP3.06 billion, of which value of re-exports (MOP2.43 billion) increased by 31%, but that of domestic exports (MOP633 million) decreased by 17%. Total value of merchandise import increased by 12% to MOP25.56 billion. Merchandise trade deficit widened to MOP22.49 billion for the first four months of 2013. From January to April 2013, merchandise export to Hong Kong (MOP1.75 billion) and Mainland China (MOP473 million) increased by 36% and 7% respectively year-on-year, while export to the USA (MOP126 million) and the EU (MOP87 million) decreased by 29% and 22% respectively. In additon, exports of Non-textiles (MOP2.77 billion) expanded by 23% year-on-year, of which exports of Diamond & diamond jewellery (MOP279 million) and Electronic components (MOP279 million) surged by 100% and 77% respectively. Exports of Textiles & garments (MOP298 million) decreased by 20%, of which exports of Non-knitted or non-crocheted garments (MOP157 million) and Knitted or crocheted garments (MOP104 million) declined by 8% and 32% respectively. By country of origin, merchandise import from Mainland China (MOP8.23 billion) and the EU (MOP6.14 billion) increased by 13% and 16% respectively year-on-year in the first four months of 2013. Imports of Consumer goods rose by 17% to MOP16.20 billion, with imports of Gold jewellery (MOP2.57 billion), Watches (MOP1.90 billion), Motor cars & motorcycles (MOP1.06 billion) and Beauty, cosmetic & skin-care products (MOP702 million) increasing by 18%, 26%, 16% and 41% respectively. External merchandise trade reached MOP28.62 billion in the first four months of 2013, up by 13% compared with MOP25.37 billion a year earlier.
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The AMCM representative was invited to attend the "2013 Internationalization of RMB Global Forum" in Shanghai on 26 May 2013 and make a speech on the relevant theme, which is summarized as follows: In the 12th Five-Year Plan, the Central Government has explicitly set out the strategic plan of "expansion of RMB cross-border use and gradual realisation of RMB capital account convertibility". The Forum focused on the RMB internationalization, which has attracted lots of attention in the Mainland as well as global financial markets. After the eruption of the global financial crisis, the international financial landscape has undergone significant transformation. While the world would welcome China's currency reform towards free convertibility, concerns for destabilising capital flows, against a backdrop of prolonged adoption of quantitative easing policies by advanced countries, have notably heightened. The AMCM representative believes that although relaxation of capital control towards free convertibility and hence the internationalization of the RMB remain the ultimate goals of the currency reform, the process would proceed at a gradual pace, ensuring the stability, safety and soundness of the Chinese financial system. As a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, Macao is small in economic size but can contribute to the internationalization of the RMB. In fact, Macao is always an advocate of free market system; there is no exchange control; the financial markets and institutions operate freely; there is free flow of funds into and out of the SAR, which together have formulated its uniqueness and competitive edges. Furthermore, Macao has relied on its special geographical and historical conditions in performing its function as a liaison platform for economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The 12th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Macao's development into a service platform for economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, whereby the appropriate economic diversification of Macao can be enhanced. As a matter of fact, banks with capital from Mainland China and Portugal have accounted for the lion's share in Macao's banking industry. Some banks of Chinese capital have executed business cooperation agreements with financial institutions in some Portuguese-speaking countries. In view of the existing competitive advantage, the SAR government is leading local financial institutions to make full use of the development opportunity offered by Portuguese-speaking countries, aiming at further business expansion. As such, Mainland China could direct suitable financial institutions and enterprises to invest in Portuguese-speaking countries through Macao as the platform, following the nation's strategic direction of "internationalization". Such a move would have spill-over effect on other economic/trade activities, while the Macao financial system can provide the supporting services. In November 2010, the then Premier of the State Council, Mr. Wen Jiabao, visited Macao for the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the "Forum for Economic Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries". He announced a series of policy measures to promote Macao to be the platform for economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He hoped that Macao would perform "core function" in promoting RMB trade settlement in the process, which would further embody Macao's position as platform for economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. At the moment, Shanghai is the "onshore" RMB centre while Hong Kong is the leading "offshore" centre. Macao can strengthen its cooperation with Shanghai and Hong Kong, exploring the opportunity arising from the orderly financial reform in the Mainland. To cope with the need of the country, Macao can serve as a platform for regional economic and trade cooperation, through which it can help create an accommodative environment conducive to external trade and overall economic development of the country. Under such positive interaction, we can promote jointly the process of the internationalization of the RMB. For the full text of the speech, please browse the Internet website: http://www.amcm.gov.mo/cms_upload/general/press_release/20130526_Speech_English.pdf
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The People's Republic of China (including the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) will undergo its second Universal Periodical Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the second half of October 2013.
For this purpose, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region is preparing to submit the human rights report in relation to the part of the Macao SAR, in accordance with the rules of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which forms part of the second National Human Rights Report of the People's Republic of China.
The second National Human Rights Report (the part of the Macao Special Administrative Region) mainly includes contents related to laws and legal frameworks, policies and practices on the promotion and protection of human rights, and objectives and challenges of future work, etc., since the submission by the Macao Special Administrative Region of its initial report in 2008. Should any individual or organization have any opinions or comments about the contents of the Report, please transmit their opinions in writing to the Law Reform and International Law Bureau before 30 June 2013 through the following means: Email: info@dsrjdi.ccrj.gov.mo
Post: Alameda Dr. Carlos D'Assumpção, n.º 398, Edf. CNAC, 6.º andar, Macau
Fax: (853) 28750814
For individuals who would like to have their opinions kept completely or partially confidential, please indicate it clearly when providing their written opinions.
The Chinese text of the second National Human Rights Report (the part of the Macao Special Administrative Region) (draft) and its translation into English were uploaded to the webpage of the Law Reform and International Law Bureau: www.dsrjdi.ccrj.gov.mo.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on eggs on 28th May for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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