News

From November 9 until 5p.m. today (15) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed one more premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally and a suspected operator was investigated on site.
Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 86 sanctions, among which one sanction proceeding has been completed and an operator who provided accommodation illegally was fined 200 000 patacas. Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings. Since the Cross-departmental Working Team started operations, to date, 1072 premise-checks were conducted, involving 747 premises, of which 86 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 114 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 18 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 880 occupants, among whom 384 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 17 overstayers and 14 illegal immigrants. 13 operators, 12 touts, 12 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (managing staff) and six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site.
MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the operator who provided accommodation illegally, who was fined 200 000 patacas, does not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3 000 patacas each, among which three have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. According to the law, operators and persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas, persons who fail to cooperate can be fined up to 20 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas.
Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 3.0% year-on-year to 372,196 in September 2010. In comparison with September 2009, visitors from Mainland China (224,460) and Japan (27,958) decreased by 7.0% and 11.1% respectively, while those from Taiwan, China (29,174), Hong Kong (22,253), Rupublic of Korea (14,661) and Indonesia (13,003) rose by 27.2%, 27.8%, 246.9% and 30.4% respectively. In the first three quarters of 2010, visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 33.2% year-on-year to 4,373,906. In September 2010, Macao residents travelling outbound in package tours rose significantly by 70.1% year-on-year to 20,102, with Mainland China (80.0% of total); Taiwan, China (4.6%); Japan (3.3%) and Thailand (3.2%) being the most popular tour itineraries. In the first nine months of 2010, residents travelling in package tours totalled 186,831, up by 29.0% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies rose by 2.2% year-on-year to 44,862 and the main destinations were Mainland China (33.7% of total), Hong Kong (28.9%) and Taiwan, China (16.8%). In the first three quarters of 2010, outbound residents travelling under such arrangements increased by 10.0% year-on-year to 362,571. At the end of September 2010, total number of available guest rooms of the hotel sector increased by 1,657 (+9.1%) year-on-year to 19,846 rooms. A total of 588,962 guests checked into hotels and guest-houses in September 2010, up by 8.4% year-on-year, with the majority coming from Mainland China (46.8% of total) and Hong Kong (21.8%). The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 74.1%, up by 2.0 percentage points year-on-year; average occupancy rate of hotels was 74.7%, with 3-star hotels leading at 78.1%. The average length of stay of guests went up by 0.02 night to 1.5 nights. Number of guests reached 5,739,936 in the first nine months of 2010, up by 19.5% over the same period of 2009. In the first three quarters of 2010, visitor-guests of hotels and guest-houses accounted for 60.5% of the total number of tourists, down from 61.1% in the same period of 2009.
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Competitors from the three headline races at next week’s Star River‧Windsor Arch 57th Macau grand Prix will step outside their usual comfort zone of motorsport to face a set of unusual challenges on Wednesday, November 17th at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf as they go head-to-head in the Macau Grand Prix Challenge. The world’s leading single seater drivers, who will do battle in the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, ‘tin top’ racers from the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and riders from the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, will be given three tasks to perform, each of which reflects a different aspect of the Macau SAR. The first challenge will be a Chinese calligraphy competition to see which of the competitors, many of whom are visiting China for the first time, can master the complex art of writing characters. Their efforts will be judged both for accuracy and style, and they will be asked to copy characters onto a scroll using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink. The second task is to identify the differences between two seemingly identical pictures of Historic Center of Macau UNESCO World Heritage sites, and test just how eagle-eyed the drivers and riders are. The first team to identify all the differences will win the round. Finally, as a symbolic welcome to the two Giant Pandas – Kai Kai and Xin Xin – a gift to Macau from China’s Central, the competitors will be asked to ‘limbo dance’ under a bamboo pole held by two ‘Pandas’. The pole will be lowered round-by-round, with the most agile contestants winning the challenge. The pre-Grand Prix Wednesday event has become popular with competitors, teams, supporters and the public, and provides an unusual opportunity to see some of the world’s leading motorsport professionals taking part in non-motorsport event. The Macau Grand Prix Challenge will be followed by an autograph signing session, giving the public a chance to meet the competitors and take home a signed Macau Grand Prix poster. The Macau Grand Prix Challenge will get underway at 2:30pm at Legends Boulevard, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP175.1 billion (USD21.92 billion) at the end of October 2010. The reserves rose by 3.2% from the revised value of MOP169.7 billion (USD21.23 billion) for the previous month. When compared with a year earlier, the reserves increased by MOP32.9 billion or 23.2%. Macao SAR’s foreign exchange reserves at end-October 2010 represented 33 times the currency in circulation or 259.3% of Pataca M2 at end-September 2010. 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 1.61 points month-to-month and 0.21 points year-on-year to 88.89 in October 2010.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that 323 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events were held in various venues in the third quarter of 2010, up 24% year-on-year; the average duration rose from 2.1 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 2.3 days; total number of participants and attendees reached 365,111, an increase of 44% year-on-year. A total of 18 exhibitions were held in the third quarter of 2010, up by 3 year-on-year, with the average duration reduced from 4.4 days to 4.0 days. Number of attendees increased by 40% to 321,964, with three major exhibitions attracting 186,415 attendees. Meanwhile, 305 meetings & conferences were held, bringing together 43,147 participants, up by 24% and 94% year-on-year; the average duration stood at 2.2 days, up by 0.2 day. As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (126), IT & Other Technology (44), as well as Education & Training (31). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (136), Association Meetings (66) and Government Meetings (52). There were 188 MICE events held in hotels, including 177 meetings & conferences and 11 exhibitions. The average duration increased from 2.3 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 2.8 days, drawing a total of 224,283 participants and attendees, with 87% being exhibition attendees (195,319 participants). In addition, 135 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues, consisting of 128 meetings & conferences and 7 exhibitions. The average duration decreased from 1.8 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 1.6 days, bringing in a total of 140,828 participants and attendees, with 126,645 (90% of total) being attendees to the exhibitions. Number of MICE events held totalled 1,019 in the first three quarters of 2010, an increase of 179 (+21%) year-on-year. The average duration increased by 0.4 day to 2.4 days; number of participants and attendees reached 585,972, up by 70% year-on-year. Coverage of the MICE statistics comprises meetings and exhibitions held in hotels, major convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues; however, meetings with less than 10 participants, and exhibitions not involving business activities, e.g. exhibition of art, photo, other cultural exhibitions, etc. are excluded.
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The Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, left Macao this evening after a whirlwind visit to the city. Talking to reporters before his departure, the Premier said Macao was a beautiful place and that he hoped he could visit Macao more often in the future. Mr Wen, who arrived yesterday for the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, noted that this year’s conference had raised the profile of Macao in addition to bolstering trade ties between China and Lusophone countries. He once again urged Macao to focus on the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and to accord greater importance to education and culture. Mr Wen also said that he was confident that Macao and Hong Kong would be able to cope with the impact of the United States of America’s policy of quantitative easing on their economies, given their success in handling the Asian and global financial crises. The Premier left Macao via the Hengqin Border Checkpoint this evening. He was seen off by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Mr Ho Hau Wah, and principal officials of the Macao Government.
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Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao, in the second day of his two-day visit to Macao today, visited a various districts and institutions for a better understanding of Macao. Mr Wen visited the Conde S. Januario Hospital where he was briefed on Macao’s healthcare system and on the public hospital. He toured the facility and chatted with some medical staff and patients. The Premier then visited Macau Tower where he took in a panoramic view of Macao, Hengqin Island, Cross Gate aqueduct and the areas to be reclaimed in the future, and listened to an update on Macao’s urban planning. He said Macao should pay attention to protecting its ecosystem and should make scientific urban planning. In the afternoon, Mr Wen toured the University of Macau and learnt more about the current campus in Macao, the new campus on Hengqin and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. He chatted with boarding students in the dormitory and had a discussion with them on moral and the law. He emphasised the importance of moral and law in Macao, which relied on gaming and entertainment industries. Before leaving the university, Mr Wen said he believed that the institution would become even better and form its tradition, style and spirits. On a visit to a family of 12 living in Taipa, Mr Wen enquired about living conditions in Macao, such as housing, prices, employment and education, as well as the salary range and unemployment rate. The Premier proceeded to Rua de Cunha, a popular street with shops selling food and souvenirs, where he chatted with shop owners and staff.
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The Premier of the State Council, Mr Wen Jiabao, said this afternoon he hoped the Macao Government would enhance governance, foster industrial diversification, improve people’s well-being, and safeguard social stability. Beginning an address to a gathering of representatives of the local community, Mr Wen said he was very excited on his first trip to Macao and it felt like coming home after a long time away. Macao holds an important place in the hearts of Chinese people and has played a special role in the historical development of China, said the Premier. He said the destinies of the Mainland and Macao were closely intertwined, as evidenced by history. Speaking of Macao’s achievements since its return to China, the Premier noted that the region’s progress was another testament to the success of the principle of “one country, two systems” and demonstrated Macao people’s ability to manage their city. Mr Wen also emphasised the Central Government’s support for Macao’s long-term development. The 11th and 12th national five-year plans have covered co-operation between Macao and the Mainland, opening more opportunities for Macao’s growth. Looking ahead, the Premier put forward four priorities for Macao. They are: - Enhancing governance by keeping abreast of public opinion and social issues; upholding the rule of law; introducing public oversight; and striving for integrity and efficiency. - Fostering industrial diversification by driving the growth in tourism, conventions, finance and cultural industries; regulating the development of the gaming industry; strengthening co-operation with the Mainland, especially with Guangdong; and devoting more resources to the development of education, technology and culture. - Improving the people’s well-being by spending more public money on items related to people’s livelihood; speeding up the construction of public housing; improving the living environment; and enhancing social justice. - Safeguard social stability by promoting a tolerant and inclusive society. After his speech, Mr Wen responded to several questions from the audience. In his answers, he highlighted the significance of education in promoting economic and social development. He said he believed that education was the bedrock of a strong nation as it was the source of both hard and soft power of a country. When asked about the introduction of another round of quantitative easing by the United States of America, the Premier re-iterated that a stable exchange rate for the RMB is conducive to the stability of the global financial market. As a major reserve currency, the US dollar should maintain a relatively stable exchange rate, said Mr Wen. He added that Macao’s financial system would remain stable as long as the financial sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland were stable. More than 400 representatives from different sectors of Macao attended the meeting.
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The Training Centre of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was launched today after the signing of the Action Plan of the Forum’s Third Ministerial Conference. Speaking at the centre’s launching ceremony, the Secretary of Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, pledged that the centre would tap into Macao’s resources and expand manpower training for members of the Forum. Mr Tam added that the centre would also serve to enhance human resources co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, thereby boosting mutual exchanges. Apart from the establishment of the training centre, the Action Plan calls for the promotion of Macao as a centre for arbitration of commercial disputes between enterprises on the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Action Plan also re-affirms Macao’s role in bringing China and the Lusophone world ever closer together and acknowledges Macao’s contribution to the Forum. According to the Action Plan, Macao will continue to play an active part in strengthening China-Lusophone exchanges, particularly in the areas of trade, logistics, investment, fishing and agriculture, natural resources, infrastructure, health and telecommunication. The significance of the co-operation and development fund between China and Portuguese-speaking countries is also highlighted in the Action Plan, which encourages financial institutions of the Forum’s members to participate in the fund on a voluntary basis. The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum closed this morning; the next ministerial conference will be held again in Macao, in 2013.
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Macao should develop its own unique industries with a focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to build its own brands in the global market. This is the advice of Premier Wen Jiabao during a visit to Macao’s House of Apparel Technology under the Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre this morning. According to the Premier, the growth of the creative industry led by SMEs is closely linked with Macao’s ambition of becoming a world travel and leisure hub. Mr Wen, accompanied by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao, Mr Bai Zhijian, was shown around the House of Apparel Technology, getting a first hand look at the latest development in Macao’s clothing industry. He was also presented with a scarf made by the apprentices there. Afterwards the Premier visited the Northern District Community Services Centre of the Workers’ Union, where he chatted with retirees and youngsters. He was briefed on the retirement benefits offered by the Macao Government and was told by the young people that high housing prices made it hard for them to climb on the property ladder. In response, the Premier said the government had the responsibility of helping low income families with their housing needs.
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