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Macao reported two new local Influenza A (H1N1) cases and two imported ones today, bringing the total number of such cases to 185. The four patients, three males and one female, were aged between 9 and 63. Meanwhile, one patient had recovered and was discharged from hospital today. There were still 15 patients receiving treatment at hospital and 17 at home. To date Macao had reported 85 local and 100 imported cases. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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On 10th July 2009, Mr. Paulo Rosa Rodrigues, the blood donor with the highest number of blood donations in Macao, gave his 100th blood donation at Macao Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS). A small-scale celebration party was organized by the Deputy Director of the Health Bureau, Dr. Cheang Seng Ip, staff members of MBTS and volunteers on that day to express their gratitude to the donor. Upon arrival at the Blood Transfusion Service, Deputy Director of the Health Bureau, Dr. Cheang Seng Ip, and Nursing Coordinator, Mr. Alexandre Maria Azedo Victal accompanied Mr. Rodrigues and chatted with him during his 100th blood donation. Dr. Cheang thanked and praised Mr. Rodrigues not only for his long-term support to the blood transfusion service in Macao, but also setting a good example for Macao residents of his selfless act of blood donation in these two decades. After that, Dr. Cheang presented a heart-shaped bouquet, with the number 100, and a gift to Mr. Rodrigues, and in return Mr. Rodrigues also shared a self-designed cake with three different flavors, in the shape of “100”, with the staff members, volunteers and all blood donors at MBTS. The party was filled with joy and warmth. Leaders of the Health Bureau, staff members of MBTS and volunteers experienced the 100th blood donation with donor Mr. Rodrigues. Participants expressed that this was an unforgettable and joyful moment in the history of blood donation.
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Macao reported five new local Influenza A (H1N1) cases and two imported ones today, bringing the total number of such cases to 181. The seven patients, five females and two males, were aged between 3 and 21. Meanwhile, one patient had recovered and was discharged from hospital today. There were still 14 patients receiving treatment. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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The total number of Influenza A (H1N1) cases reached 174 today as Macao discovered three new local cases and four imported ones today. The seven patients were aged between 20 months and 59 years old. One of the patients, a 59-year-old hotel coach driver, had chronic heart disease and high blood pressure and also suffered from slight cough for more than a month. After showing severer symptoms, he sought medical attention at a clinic and Kiang Wu Hospital on Wednesday and was tested positive for the virus today. To date Macao had reported 174 Influenza A (H1N1) cases, with 11 patients receiving treatment. Three patients had recovered and were discharged from hospital today. Macao’s pandemic alert remained at Level VI, Blue, which indicated that there were no fatal cases and the spread of the virus was moderate.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total number of licensed vehicles was 184,642 at the end of June 2009, a year-on-year increase of 3%, of which 54% (99,413) were motorcycles and 39% (71,877) were light private cars. New registration of vehicles decreased by 27% year-on-year to 7,633 in the first half year, with motorcycles and light private cars accounting for 70% and 25% respectively. In the first half year of 2009, the total number of traffic accidents dropped by 4% year-on-year to 6,065 cases, resulting in 2,093 victims and 5 of them were killed. Traffic flow by land between Macao and Mainland China decreased by 11% to 1,727,763 vehicle trips, and the Border Gate was the major passage that took up 82% of the total. Commercial flight movements at the Macao International Airport decreased by 26% year-on-year to 18,674 In the first half year of 2009. Taiwan, China; Mainland China; Thailand and Malaysia were the major routes that accounted for 39%, 24%, 10% and 9% of the total commercial flights to/from Macao. Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong dropped by 10% year-on-year to 7,393, whereas those between Macao and Mainland China rose by 25% to 1,570. Passenger transport by sea between Macao and Hong Kong dropped by 3% year-on-year to 42,062 ferry trips, and that between Macao and Mainland China was 10,475 trips, a marginal decrease of 0.3% compared with the first half year of 2008. Merchandise exports and imports of Macao were notably dragged down amid the financial tsunami. Total seaborne container throughput in the first half year of 2009 was 42,688 TEUs or 31,370 containers handled, down by 33% and 30% respectively from the same period of 2008. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo fell sharply by 48% year-on-year to 87,162 tonnes, with 7,134 tonnes of transshipment goods. Meanwhile, gross weight of containerized cargo by land dropped by 46% to 29,335 tonnes, including 7,801 tonnes of transit goods. Outward air cargo fell sharply by 53% year-on-year to 10,283 tonnes in the first half year of 2009. Taiwan, China; and Mainland China were the main destinations that accounted for 78% and 9% of the total respectively. Concurrently, inward air cargo decreased by 48% to 5,123 tonnes, with those from Taiwan, China taking a predominant share of 85%. In addition, transit air cargo dropped significantly by 78% over the first half year of 2008 to 6,295 tonnes. At the end of June 2009, the number of mobile telephone users rose by 17% from a year earlier to 1,002,214, whereas fixed-line telephone users decreased by 2% to 173,706. As regards internet services, number of subscribers reached 131,196 and the cumulative duration of usage totalled 158 million hours in the first half year of 2009, up by 3% and 37% respectively.
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A high-tech exhibition which shows the achievements on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Macao Special Administrative Region will be held in the Capital Museum in Beijing from November 2009 to January 2010. The exhibition aims to illustrate the successful implementation of “One country two systems” and “Macao people governing Macao” with the support of the Central Government and the dedication of the Macao citizens. It will also show the fruitful results in term of politics, economics and social development in the past decade. With the advance of multi-media technology, the exhibition will be showcased in a 1,400 square metres venue with various themes. Audience may enjoy the creative show together with words, photos, video clips and music, real models that enable them to view it at different angles, to give visitors a better understanding of Macao. Preparation for the exhibition started in the fourth quarter of last year, with a total budget of 32 millions patacas which includes rental for the venue, creative, multi-media equipment and promotion. The exhibition will later be held in other cities in the Mainland: part of the content will be showcased in the Macao Venue in the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and finally in Macao.
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After consultation with Macao distributor banks, supplement to the repurchase proposal announced earlier is as follows: 1. Eligible customers who are under 65 years old will receive repurchase proceeds equivalent to 60% of initial investment amount, while eligible customers who are 65 years of age or over will receive repurchase proceeds equivalent to 70% of initial investment amount. 2. In the event that the distributor bank has received proceeds arising from realization of underlying collaterals, an eligible investor who is under 65 years of age will be entitled to, depending on the amount realized, an additional amount up to 10% of initial investment amount until the total amount of repurchase proceeds is equal to the amount received by an eligible customer who is 65 or above, namely, 70%. 3. Subsequently, if the amount realized exceeds 70% of initial investment amount, an eligible customer will be entitled to such excess. 4. A customer who has arrived at an agreement with the distributor bank beforehand will be entitled to the difference between the amount he has received under the previous agreement and the amount calculated under this proposal, should the latter amount be higher. In the event that the amount received under the previous agreement is higher than what is arrived at under this proposal, the difference needs not be surrendered to the bank concerned.
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21st Macau International Fireworks Displays Contest will be held on September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 1 at the sea area in front of the Macau Tower. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), has always been an important event. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes expressed in the press conference today that it is the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of Macau SAR this year and the city is filled with joy and harmony. To celebrate the occasion, MGTO is offering colorful activities to the visitors. Diversification of source markets and tourism products is the key objective for MGTO to showcase the uniqueness of Macau to the world, he added. He believes the annual Fireworks Display Contest would satisfy the audience’s senses of “See” and “Hear” while bringing wonderful memories to visitors and citizens. 21st Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will be held on September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 1 at the sea area in front of the Macau Tower. As October 1 is China’s National Day, teams from Austria and China will deploy their skills to add extra sparkle to the celebrations. This year again, each participating team is requested to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. To enhance the enjoyment, the organizer will install sound systems at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street seaside and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. In past years, world renowned pyrotechnic companies have participated in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. Likewise, 10 teams from various countries and regions were invited to take part this year again, including teams from France, Italy and Austria who will join the event for the first time. The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has gained worldwide recognition for the quality of the participating teams, the scale and the performance standard of the contest. The contest this year features ten teams from Spain, Korea, Chinese Taiwan, France, Italy, the Philippines, Japan, Portugal, Austria and China. Zamorano Caballer Pirotecnia S.A. from Spain has a history of over 130 years and has won over 100 prizes throughout the world in fireworks festivals and contests. The preservation of traditional techniques and craftsmanship accompanied by the pursuit of new technologies has kept the company on the leading edge of the fireworks industry. Established in 1992, Féérie from France specializes in combining music and pyrotechnic effects to bring “life, spirit and soul” to every step of the show and a whole new range of feelings to the audience’s body and mind. La Tirrena s.a.s. Fireworks from Italy has won several international championships between 2001 and 2008. Luso Pirotecnia Group took part in the 19th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and staged a fireworks display to celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of Macau SAR in 2008. Luso Pirotecnia Group has a great concern in the process of conceptualization of each fireworks show and has created a department to analyze and conceive each project. fireevent Die Feuerwerker from Austria puts great value on the use of the highest quality products and modern technical equipment. It puts on a 50 minutes show, combined with light and laser, to over 120,000 audiences in the SOUND & LIGHT Event in Luxemburg last summer. Performing over 150 fireworks shows a year, Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan produces firework shells which are perfectly spherical, a unique technique in Japan that allow the shape of the fireworks to remain stable when exploded, showing the same effect when viewed at different angles. The company also uses the latest computer technology to ignite the fireworks. Hanwha Corporation, who started to participate in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest since 1991, is the leading company in pyrotechnics in Korea. Its pyromusical designs have integrated multi-media elements such as laser projections and beams enhanced with many pyrotechnical special effects. Hunan Jixiu Fireworks Manufacturing & Display Company from China was recognized by the first International Fireworks Quality and Safety Forum as the Best Fireworks Display Unit. It also took part in the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg. Co., Ltd. from Chinese Taiwan has participated five times in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, including the 1st edition in 1989. Over the years, Wan Dar has been working on new designs of fireworks shows through participation in international fireworks festivals and competitions. Hannah Pyro from the Philippines was the 2nd runner up in the Hanover Fireworks Competition in Germany in 2008. It was the first Southeast Asian company to take part in the event. To enhance the quality and attractiveness of the contest, MGTO has increased the production subsidy and cash prizes to the fireworks teams since last year. The production subsidy has been raised to US$20,000. Cash prize to the winner has increased to US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up have increased to US$4,000 and US$2,500 respectively. MGTO will spare no effort to bring about the world’s most prominent international fireworks display to visitors and at the same time, will promote the fireworks display contest through various international, regional and local media channels, travel magazines as well as distribute posters and leaflets. MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau will again jointly present the Fireworks Carnival to offer an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights on the fireworks display nights. In order to capture the spectacular moments of the fireworks display contest, photo and drawing competitions will be held again this year. 21st Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Photo Competition and 21st Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Drawing Competition will invite entries soon. The winners of the two competitions will be entitled to premiums and trophies.
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The 14th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) will be held from 22nd to 25th October. This year, the Organiser will continue to set up “Macao SME Exhibition” with approximately 120 booths. Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) will offer more subsidies and provide multiple privileges and benefits to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Macao. Subsidies for Exhibition
- With the 60% subsidies received from the Organiser, the participation charges that cost MOP9,000.00 originally, will be reduced to MOP3,600.00/9 sqm;
- Registration before 10th August will be entitled to 10% discount;
- Any exhibitor who has participated in the 12th MIF, 13th MIF, MIECF, GMBPF 2009 or MFE will be entitled to 10% discount. Hotel Accommodation Privileges to Trade Visitors
Each exhibitor may invite one qualified non-Macao-resident trade visitor to participate in the 14th MIF who will be entitled to stay for free at one of the official hotels. (1 room for 2 nights) Promotion Benefits at Macao Trade & Invest Kiosk
Each exhibitor may display a promotional video for free at IPIM’s Macao Trade & Invest Kiosk (15 second version, over 24 weeks, totaling 32,256 times) To qualify for the above privileges, applicants must satisfy the following conditions: 1) SME registered in Macao (total no. of Macao employees not exceeding 100); 2) Registered with Macao Finance Bureau for at least 2 years without tax in arrears (before 22nd October); 3) At least 50% of the SME’s shareholding is owned by Macao resident(s) or enterprise(s) registered in Macao; 4) Fulfilling one the following requirements: - Having participated in the “Macao SME Exhibition” of the 12th or 13th MIF; - For new exhibitors, the applicants must be enterprises with products manufactured in Macao, Macao brand or products with agent in Macao The Organiser will begin receiving applications for participation and exhibition subsidy in the “Macao SME Exhibition” from Tuesday 4th August to Friday 14th August from 9:00 A.M. to 5:45 P.M. The applicant must apply in person at the 14th MIF Administrative and Service Centre in Macao Business Support Centre located in China Civil Plaza, 20th Floor, Alameda Dr. Carlos de Assumpção no. 263, by submitting the Application Form and the required documents. In order to enable more SMEs to open up business opportunities through MIF, each SME may apply for subsidy for up to one booth only, on a first-come-first-served basis. The pavilion will be divided into sections according to the enterprises’ business nature, and the allocation of booths will be determined by the drawing of lots among exhibitors at the same time. For further information about the 14th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), please contact MIF Administrative and Service Centre at tel: 853-28828711, fax: 853-28828722, or visit our website at: www.mif.com.mo
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After 4 days of exhibition period (July 30 – August 2), “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” jointly organized by Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute comes to the closing today (August 2). This Fair is an open activity in carnival style combining exhibition, shopping, culture and leisure entertainment as a whole. As of 4pm today, the 4 days Fair attracted over 90,000 attendants in total, and total transaction amount counted for over MOP$300,000,000 (including contract signing and on-site sales). In addition, the Fair arranged 589 business matching, contributed to signing of 8 cooperation agreements and organized 16 professional presentations in 4 days. The Fair Put Full Effort to Facilitate Cooperation between Exhibitors, Contributed to Signing of 8 Cooperation Agreements
During the 4 days, organizer of “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” put much effort to find cooperation partners for exhibiting enterprises from Guangdong and Macao, contributed to signing of 8 cooperation agreements in total. Agreements included 4 cooperation agreements, 2 letters of intent, 1 cooperation contract and 1 memorandum. Signing parties mainly came from different countries and regions, such as Macao, Jiangmen of Guangdong, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Meizhou and Japan, Agreements concerned about: People’s Government of Jiangmen and Macao Trade and Promotion Institute signed “Strengthening and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Memorandum”; Macao and Huizhou enterprises signed the agreement to distribute “Danli” (丹荔) brand Laichee wine and “Zhenzhou” (禎州) brand series preserved vegetable in boundary of Macao and Portuguese speaking countries; letter of intend signed of having Macao enterprise as agent to distribute new generation smart energy saving devices for lamps and high efficiency energy saving light enhancement devices for lightings from Zhuhai Guo Neng Ding Xin (珠海國能鼎信); Macao enterprise signed agreement on distributing red wine from Portuguese speaking countries to Shandong Province to explore mainland market, taking Macao as intermediary platform; cooperation agreement on Japan new generation bag-pack water signed between enterprises from Macao and Japan; contract on distributing “West Phoenix Wine” in Macao between enterprises from Macao and Zhuhai; letter of intent to distribute LCD TV with size 32 inch or above endorsed by enterprises from Macao and Zhuhai and agreement on distribution of Meizhou green food product series endorsed by enterprises from Macao and Meizhou Products of Branded Enterprises from Guangdong and Macao were Very Popular, Created Excellent Transaction Amount
Total transaction amount counted for over MOP$300,000,000 (including contract signing and on-site sales). Hot items gaining attention from consumers were foods, clothing, art & crafts, household electrical appliances and electronic products etc., which branded production from Guangdong and Macao were even more popular.
With joint support and promotion from governments of Guangdong and Macao, there were nearly 200 branded product enterprises from Guangdong and Macao exhibiting in this Fair, set up 259 exhibiting booths. Some branded product enterprises exhibiting in the Fair from mainland were those domestic top 100 or 500 enterprises and leading enterprises in their industries, such as “Yangjiang Shi Ba Zi Group Co., Ltd.”, “Landbond Furniture”, “Zhuhai Double Happiness Electric Appliance Co., Ltd” and “Guangdong Linkfair Group Limited”. In Macao Pavilion, there were exhibiting booths from more than 60 Macao enterprises, mainly enterprises of Macao brands, products manufactured in Macao and products with agent in Macao, they showed image of branded products of Macao to buyers and businessmen visiting the Fair. This Fair became platform of connection and cooperation for exhibiting enterprises from Macao and Guangdong, provided means to explore overseas business opportunities. The Fair Contributed to 589 Business Matching Activities
“2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” contributed to 589 business matching in total. In which 391 (66.4%) were held between enterprises from Macao and Guangdong Province, 63 (10.7%) were held among Macao enterprises, 103 (17.5%) were held among Guangdong enterprises, and 32 (5.4%) were negotiation matching between enterprises from Macao & Guangdong and enterprises from other locations. Enterprises involved in negotiations came from Macao, Guangdong Province (including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Foshan, Shaoguan, Heyuan, Meizhou, Huizhou, Shanwei, Dongguan, Zhongzhan, Jiangmen, Yangjian, Zhanjiang, Maoming, Zhaoqing, Qingyuan, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Yunfu etc.), Hong Kong, Japan, Brazil, Portugal and Sweden etc. Negotiations main concerned about consumer goods, goods, commodities, electronic products and clothing. 16 Economic and Trade Professional Presentations Held, Attracted Public and Representatives of Business Communities
In order to increase interaction between exhibitors and audiences joining the Fair, organizer organized economic and trade professional presentations for exhibitors everyday during the Fair. In exhibition period of 4 days, 16 professional presentations had been held. Organizer invited well-known enterprises from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in various fields to share business opportunities of industries and market information, theme of presentations were foods, wines, facilities, photographic equipments and exhibitions etc., including “The 14th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF) Macao Small & Medium Enterprises Exhibition – Briefing Session” jointly organized by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and Macao Chamber of Commerce, to promote “ Macao Small & Medium Enterprises Exhibition” in the 14th MIF to local SME. Moreover, world renowned e-commerce brands Alibaba (Alibaba.com) and auction website eBay Hong Kong shared market information of development trend in e-commerce with participants, further assist enterprises from Guangdong and Macao to explore business opportunities of e-commerce. Over 90,000 People Joined the Fair to Find Business Opportunities and Purchase Branded Products
As of 4pm today, today attendance number for 4 days is over 90,000, in which the peak appeared in closing day (August 2), venue was crowded with public doing shopping and entrepreneurs having business negotiations. In order to well manage disease prevention control in the exhibition hall, tidal flow at entrance had been arranged on Saturday and Sunday. There were people queuing at the entrance to wait for entering the venue under good discipline. The great attendance should give credit to effective promotion of the organizer, as well as relative beneficial measures provided, such as free shuttle service and 2 hours free parking. Free Art & Cultural Performances were Very Popular among the Public
During the Fair, organizer arranged 27 special art & cultural performances in total in Guangdong Pavilion and Roman Amphitheatre of Fisherman’s Wharf, all these were opened to public for free. Among 27 performances, 23 were held indoor and 4 were held outdoor. Performers were popular singers and artists from Hong Kong, Macao and Zhongshan City of Guangdong Province etc., with singing and dancing, Chinese opera, mimicry performance, beauty magic and wonder buffoon performances. Great Response Received for Lucky Draw
During 4 days of the Fair, 106 lucky audiences had been chosen in “Lucky Draw”, while 100 will receive lucky prizes and 6 will receive finale big prizes. All prize lists will be announced on > and official website of “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” http://www.guangdongmacaofair.com respectively on August 4. “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” Supported by Governments of Guangdong and Macao Under the joint supervision of the Macao Administrative Region and the People's Government of Guangdong Province and jointly co-organized by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” had been held at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf's Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 July to 2 August, 2009. Following the "Western Guangdong Famous Products Fair", jointly held by the two territories in April 2003, “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” is another grand economic and trade event for the further implementation of the "Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement" signed between Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province in early March this year, to correspond with the "Reform of the Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Framework".
The Fair had brought together Macao's advantage as a tourist destination and develop its function as a trade and economic service platform. Designed for both local residents and tourists, “2009 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair” aimed to foster the local economy, speed up the entrance of the Mainland and Macao's branded products to local and overseas markets and assist enterprises from both territories to grasp more business opportunities at current financial tsunami.
In addition to the great support rendered by various entities in Guangdong and Macao, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China have been invited as special supporting organizations. Furthermore, over 40 government bureaus, trade promotion organizations, chambers of commerce and business associations acted as co-organizers. The Macau Fair & Trade Association is the coordinator of the Fair.
The Chief Executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the Vice Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr. Wan Qingliang, and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macao SAR, Mr. Francis Tam Pak Yuen, have been invited to preside over at the inauguration ceremony. Besides, one of the Organizers, the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province, organized a government and business delegation comprising of over 400 members, led by Director Liang Yaowen, to attend the opening ceremony and participate in the business negotiation activities.
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