News

The Expo Forum will be held at 9am – 1pm, January 19 (Tuesday) at the MGM Grand Macau Hotel to promote World Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo) and Macao’s participation in the event. Expo Forum (Macao) serves as the key platform for different regions in Mainland China to participate in the event and promote 2010 Shanghai Expo. The forum is jointly host by the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China Executive Committee and the Macao SAR Government. The speakers are the governmental officials, engineers and architects from Mainland China, Thailand, Portugal and Macao SAR. The theme of the event builds on the theme of Shanghai Expo “Better City, Better Life”; the first and second sessions of the Forum are “Heritage by technology and innovation” and “Infrastructure development – Accelerated by staging global events” respectively. It will be an excellent opportunity to share views on sustainable urban development for better life. The speakers of the event are: HE Suriya Soucksakit, Vice-Minister of the Thailand Ministry of Culture; Mr. He Jing Tang, Chief Designer of the China Pavilion of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai; Mr. Carols Couto, Design Architect of Portugal Pavilion; Mr. José Chui Sai Peng, Macau well-known Engineer; Mr. Wu Jiang, Vice President of Tongji University, Shanghai; Mr. Wang Yi, Vice Director-General of the Institute of Policy and Management; and Ms. Ieong Pou Yee, Director of the Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in Shanghai World Expo. Moderators are Ms. Susana Chou, Member of the Standing Committee of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC and Mr. Ieong Tou Hong, Chairman of Macau Economic Development Promotion Association. They will discuss and share successful practice, technologies of sustainable urban development and the economic and social development of the host location of major global events accelerated by infrastructure development. Interested parties should call Ms. Lai at 2848 3711 on or before January 15 for registration. Seating is limited and is available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Medical experts worldwide acknowledged the safety of Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine and believed that its protection is far greater than risks, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, said today. Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On and Mr Cheong visited a number of social services organisations today. Asked about yesterday’s death of a 79-year-old male who had received the second injection of Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine three days ago, Mr Cheong said a panel of physicians concluded that he was died of heart disease and heart failure and there was no evidence linking his death to vaccination. According to the information by the Health Bureau, the late 79-year-old male had been suffering from chronic health problems including hypertension, diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency. He showed no signs of feeling unwell when received vaccines of seasonal influenza, Influenza A (H1N1) and pneumococcal three weeks ago. Figures from the Health Bureau showed that more than 75,000 residents had been vaccinated so far and only 37 people were reported to be feeling unwell, such as having fever and allergy. Mr Cheong expressed his condolences to the family members of the deceased.
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To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Historical Archives will hold a Binding Workshop on Saturday 9th of January from 14.00 to 17.00. Participants can learn more about binding, one of the techniques used to protect Macao’s precious documentary heritage, as well as gain a deeper understanding of how handmade books are sewn together. Conservation professionals will introduce and demonstrate this traditional technique and support participants as they make their own hardcover notebook. By the end of the three-hour session, participants will be able to take home their own hardcover notebook … and perhaps offer it as a beautiful New Year gift! No previous experience is required but participants must be at least ten years old. Please visit the Historical Archives of Macao (open Mon-Fri, 09:30-18.30) on Tap Seac Square to register beforehand and pay the workshop fee of MOP$20. Places are limited and will be distributed according to order of registration. Please call Miss Chu if more information is required, tel: 8598 6537.
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Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On today urged the residents to receive vaccination for Influenza A (H1N1) and help prevent the influenza, in accordance with a press release issued by the Office of the Chief Executive. Mr Chui, who is also the president of Co-ordination Centre for Preparedness and Response to Influenza Pandemic, received vaccination today. To prevent the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) during the upcoming peak season for influenza, the Macao SAR Government has been providing free vaccination for H1N1 influenza to all Macao resident identification card holders since the beginning of this year. Mr Chui urged the residents to receive vaccination in order to protect themselves and their family members, saying that it was the most effective way to prevent the influenza.
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Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, today urged the residents to protect themselves and their neighbours by receiving Influenza A (H1N1) vaccines. The Macao SAR Government today begins to provide free vaccination for H1N1 influenza to all Macao resident identification card holders. Mr Cheong U this morning inspected the operation at the vaccination clinic at Areia Preta Health Centre, and also received his vaccination for Influenza A (H1N1). Mr Cheong said the SAR Government valued the health of the residents and had purchased enough vaccines for all Macao residents. He said the process of the vaccination was smooth and the medical staff were skillful. Up to now, more than 50,000 residents had been vaccinated for Influenza A (H1N1). Mr Cheong said he hoped to increase vaccination rate and the Health Bureau would work with schools, civic associations and organisations to arrange vaccination program.
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Macao has the prerequisites to promote Macao-Taiwan relations and should contribute to the peaceful unification of the motherland, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Mr Chui said this at a seminar hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the MSAR on the remarks made by President Hu Jintao in his “Message to Compatriots in Taiwan” speech at a ceremony last December. The Chief Executive said over the past year, both sides across the Straits had made positive exchanges and Macao-Taiwan relations had been enhanced. Mr Chui said he had four suggestions to help promote Macao-Taiwan relations: First, to enhance exchanges and co-operations between Macao and Taiwan, learning the experience of Taiwan in developing its society and providing services to Macao citizens in Taiwan; Second, to promote co-operation between Macao and Taiwan in the areas of business, tourism, convention and exhibition, culture, education and creative industry; Third, to serve as a services and business platform for Taiwan enterprises and its people; Four, to study methods and mechanism to enhance Macao-Taiwan relations, based on the principle of “One Country, Two Systems.” Also at the seminar were the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan; the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Alexis Tam Chon Weng; and officials from Central Government’s agencies in Macao and representatives from people from all walks of lives.
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The new administration would make decisions scientifically and build up a sunshine government, Mr Chui Sai On said today in his first New Year’s message as Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Government. Mr Chui said 2009 was an important year to all Macao citizens as we have gone through several political events including the election for the fourth term Legislative Assembly and the election of the third term Chief Executive. He described 2009 as a significant year in which we also celebrated the establishment of the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 10th anniversary of the Macao SAR. Though the global financial crises were still affecting the markets, with the dedication of Macao people, Macao’s economy was better than expected. Mr Chui said looking ahead, under the principle of “one country, two systems” and with endurance over the past 10 years, Macao people became wiser and mature and that enabled us to face different challenges. Mr Chui said he and his colleagues would do their best to serve the people. The government would continue to collect and heed public opinion and to put them into practice.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the rate of usage of Information Technology (IT) in the business sector reached 47% in 2008, up by 4 percentage points from 2007. Analyzed by industry, rate of IT usage of Wholesale and Retail Trade (43%) surged significantly by 7 percentage points year-on-year; besides, that of the Gaming Sector stood at 100%, Travel Agencies at 97%, while Restaurant sector was 29%. Analyzed by size of establishment or enterprise, rate of IT usage of those with 100 or more workers reached 99%, as against just 42% of the small-size establishments or enterprises with less than 10 workers. In 2008, among the establishments or enterprises using IT, 80% have connected to the Internet and the major purposes of accessing the Internet included information search (39%) and purchasing (17%). In addition, 76% of the households possessed IT equipment or devices such as computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc., with 55% of the male aged 3 or over were computer-users and 51% had access to the Internet. Analyzed by gender, the respective rates of the female were lower, at 51% and 47% respectively. Analyzed by age group, 90% of those aged 15-24 were computer-users and 89% had access to the Internet. Analyzed by educational attainment, the rate of computer usage and Internet usage for those with tertiary education was 88% and 86% respectively. In respect of the location of accessing to the Internet, the majority were at home (91%) or at work (26%); the major purposes of accessing to the Internet included information search (87%), communication (84%) and government services (46%). Data on IT usage in the business sector is obtained from the annual survey on different economic activities; data on the IT usage of household is collected by using a supplementary questionnaire in the Employment Survey, interviewing all individuals aged 3 or above. Respective data on IT usage helps to obtain better understanding on the popularity and development of IT in the community.
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With the objective to raise public awareness of the population census and encourage innovative ideas, the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) launched a Logo and T-shirt Design Competition of the 2011 Population Census from July to November 2009. The Competition has been well received by the public, drawing altogether 120 entries. The panel of judges of the Competition consisted of Mr. Dirco Fong, President of Macau Designers Association; Prof. Stephen Chung, Associate Professor of Design at the School of Arts of Macao Polytechnic Institute; Ms. Ana Cheng, Deputy Director of DSEC; Mr. Mak Hang Chan, Chief of the Demographic, Social and Employment Statistics Department of DSEC; and Ms. Cheang Lai Seong, Chief of the Promotion and Dissemination of Information Division of DSEC. After careful review and discussions, the judges selected the Winner, Prizes of Distinguished and Creative Designs among the high quality of entries in accordance with the criteria stated in the prospectus: thematic relevance, creativity and aesthetics. Winner of the Competition is Un Ka Yiu. Prize winners of the 10 Distinguished Design are Chan Chi Iong, Lao Weng Hong, Ana Maria Chan Noras, Choi Ching Pou, Iong Chon Man, Chan Sok Fan, Lao Mei I, Wong Nga Oi, U Ka Kit and Si Tou Peng Ip. Prize winners of the 5 Creative Design are Si Tou Peng Ip, Kok Chong Na, Wong Io Chu, Leong Ka Hong and Zhang Zhen Hui. The above winners will receive notification from DSEC; meanwhile, the list of winners of the Competition will also be posted on the DSEC website: www.dsec.gov.mo.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP145.8 billion (USD18.26 billion) at the end of November 2009. The reserves rose by 2.5% from the revised value of MOP142.2 billion (USD17.81 billion) for the previous month. When compared with the same period last year, the reserves increased by MOP19.3 billion or 15.3%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-November 2009 represented 31 times the currency in circulation or 246.5% of Pataca M2 at end-October 2009. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency’s exchange rates against the currencies of Macao’s major trading partners, fell by 0.31 points month-to-month and 4.17 points year-on-year to 88.79 in November 2009. For enquiry, please contact:
Research and Statistics Department, Monetary Authority of Macao (Tel: 83952532; Fax: 28353042) 發放日期 / Data de divulgação / Release Date: 30/12/2009
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