News

(8 May 2009) In promoting the 10th Anniversary of Macau SAR Establishment and the theme of “Experience Macau Celebrations!”, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has launched the “Celebrate Macau” Photo Collection Campaign in Hong Kong to invite all Hong Kong residents to share their precious memory of Macau and experience the new Macau with their Macau photographs. Through the “Celebrate Macau” Photo Collection Campaign, MGTO aims to encourage more Hong Kong people to celebrate the Macau SAR Establishment together. All Hong Kong residents are invited to provide their Macau photos that show the magnificent sceneries of Macau, especially the heritage sites in “The Historic Centre of Macau”, to share their precious memory of Macau, and to witness the splendid development of Macau over the past 10 years. Starting from 1 May until 15 June, Hong Kong residents or Hong Kong permanent residents are welcome to submit not more than 20 Macau photos to MGTO under the four category: “Heritage”, “Livelihood”, “Scenery” and “Macau Today”. MGTO will select some of the photos for the “Celebrate Macau” Exhibitions and producing the “Experience New Macau with Sweet Memory” booklet in July. For more details about the “Celebrate Macau” Photo Collection Campaign, please refer to the http://www.hkctp.com.hk/macau10/.
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The number of crimes recorded in the first quarter of this year saw a slight decrease of 1.4% compared with the same quarter last year: violent crimes were down by 18.9%. Releasing the crime statistics for the first quarter of 2009 at a press conference today, the Secretary for Security, Mr Cheong Kuok Va, said Macao remained a secure and stable city. The total number of crimes recorded in the period stood at 3,298, also down 1.4% year on year. The number of violent crimes went down by 18.9% to 163 cases, two of which were homicides. There had been no reports of abduction since the first quarter of last year. The number of robbery and loan sharking cases also went down by 29.8% and 11.1%, transferring counterfeit money and forgery by 47% and 42.5%. Blackmail and drug abuse cases increased by 18.5% and 54.8%, and violation of order and assisting and employment of illegal immigrants by 43.3% and 19%. The police also caught 41,672 illegal immigrants and overstayers in the first quarter. Among the overstayers, 11,594 (+5,570) were Mainland visitors who had entered Macao under the Facilitated Individual Travel scheme, and 26,428 (+14,036) were Mainland visitors with other identification documents. There were 3,206 (+2,778) foreign visitors who overstayed and 444 (+89) illegal immigrants from the Mainland.
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Macao’s Health Bureau had obtained the technique to perform rapid tests to detect the influenza A (H1N1) virus, thanks to the exchanges with the Mainland, Hong Kong and the United States’ health departments. The Bureau announced today that test results for the virus could now be known in five to six hours. A spokesman said all four Macao residents who were quarantined in Hong Kong and Guangdong have shown respiratory illness symptoms. The quarantine period for the three Macao residents in Hong Kong would finish tomorrow and it was reported to the Health Bureau that the Macao resident in Guangdong had been discharged. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 85 children and 60 adults with respiratory illness symptoms today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 135,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with 10 enquiries, but no unusual case was detected. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the global economic recession and weakened investor confidence affected the number of new companies incorporated to drop by 25.3% year-on-year to 547 in the first quarter of 2009, and the total value of registered capital decreased notably by 73.8% to MOP44 million. Among these new companies, 212 (with registered capital of MOP23 million) were operating in Wholesale and Retail, 99 (MOP7 million) in Business Services and 82 (MOP5 million) in Construction. Furthermore, 420 new companies (76.8% of total) were incorporated with registered capital of MOP50,000 or less and the respective capital (MOP12 million) made up merely 26.6% of the total. Meanwhile, there were 3 new companies incorporated with registered capital of more than MOP1,000,000 and the corresponding value of capital totalled MOP10 million (21.5% of total). In addition, 81.5% of the new incorporations were limited companies. Capital of the new companies came mainly from Macao (MOP25 million), Hong Kong (MOP9 million) and Mainland China (MOP7 million). Capital from Guangdong Province (MOP4 million) took the lead among the Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces. Analysed by shareholders’ place of residence, 308 new companies were established solely by Macao shareholders, 75 were joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries/regions; meanwhile, there were 164 new companies incorporated by shareholders from countries/regions other than Macao. In the first quarter of 2009, number of dissolution of companies totalled 149, up by 41.9% year-on-year, with the total value of registered capital amounting to MOP26 million. Among the companies in dissolution, 53 were operating in Wholesale and Retail, 26 in Business Services and 26 in Construction.
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The Government and the community will join hands to launch a series of activities tomorrow to keep the city clean and promote awareness of influenza A (H1N1). The campaign is organised by the Health Bureau and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, together with some other Government departments and more than 10 associations. Activities would include talks, photo exhibitions and booths promoting hygiene and information on influenza, as well as cleansing activities targeting the hygiene black spots in the community. Taxi drivers will be asked to clean and sterilise their vehicles too. Meanwhile, the Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 92 children and 57 adults with respiratory illness today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 120,000 people entering Macao. They also dealt with nine enquiries, but no unusual case was detected. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. The Health Bureau would continue to keep in close touch with the World Health Organization and health authorities of the Mainland and Hong Kong to keep up with latest developments. The Bureau urged residents to maintain good personal hygiene and keep the environment clean. Anyone with a cough, sore throat or fever should wear a face mask and seek treatment at Hospital Conde S. Januário or Kiang Wu Hospital immediately. Used face masks should be put into trash cans properly. The Health Bureau also urged residents and visitors entering Macao not to take more than one copy of health declaration form to avoid creating inconvenience to the others and waste resources.
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Eng. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) headed a group of business delegates from Macau hospitality industry to attend the HOFEX 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today. Eng. Costa Antunes was invited to attend the opening ceremony as a distinguished guest and participated at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Other honorable guests include Mr. Henry TANG Ying-Yen, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for administration of the HKSAR Government, Mr. James TIEN Pei-Chun, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Mr. Mark Lettenbichler, Chairman of the Hong Kong Hotels Associations. The booth of MGTO engaged the promotional theme of “Experience Macau” with the 5 senses. For the purpose of promoting business tourism, its design was inspired by the architectural facade of the Macau Business Tourism Centre, reflecting the huge efforts engaged for MICE development in recent years. There were 38 members of “Industry Partners Program” displaying their promotional materials under this marketing platform provided by MGTO. As a supporting organization, MGTO invited representatives of three major hospitality associations, namely, Macau Hotel Association, the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and Macau Chef Culinary Association to attend the opening ceremony of the HOFEX 2009. The delegates expressed positive compliments and support to MGTO’s involvement. Officially opened today, HOFEX 2009 (The 13th Asian International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Restaurant & Foodservices Equipment, Supplies & Services) is the biennial trade show running till May 9, 2009. This year, more than 1,800 leading exhibitors including 41 national groups participated in HOFEX 2009. It is anticipated that more than 35,000 qualified buyers and industry players from around the world will visit the show.
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The Influenza Pandemic Prevention Coordination Group met today to discuss and to update members on the spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus across the world and the preventive measures Macao is taking. Group Chairman Mr Chui Sai On, who is also the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, hosted the meeting, which was attended by representatives from 10 departments. The Director of the Health Bureau, Dr Lei Chin Ion, briefed the attendees on the latest development of the outbreak, the characteristics of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, the treatment of confirmed cases by other countries and regions, and Macao’s preventive measures. Meanwhile, three Macao women who were quarantined in Hong Kong for staying at the same hotel where Hong Kong's first confirmed case stayed were reported to be in a healthy condition and had developed no symptoms of illness. A man from Macao who was on the same plane with the confirmed Hong Kong case and quarantined in Taishan, Guangdong, is also in a healthy condition. The quarantine period of these four Macao residents would end on Friday. To date there is no probable or confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. The Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 156 children and 75 adults with respiratory illness today and medical teams at terminals checked body temperatures of more than 140,000 entering Macao. They also dealt with five enquiries, but no unusual case was detected. The Bureau would continue to keep in close touch with the World Health Organization and health authorities of the Mainland and Hong Kong to keep up with latest developments. The Bureau urges residents to maintain good personal hygiene and keep the environment clean. Anyone with a cough, sore throat or fever should wear a face mask and seek treatment at Hospital Conde S. Januário or Kiang Wu Hospital immediately. To strengthen the awareness of influenza A (H1N1) and the necessity of keeping good personal and environmental hygiene in the community, the Health Bureau, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, and some other Government departments and more than 10 associations are to launch a one-month promotional campaign on Thursday offering talks, photo exhibitions and booths fair on hygiene and influenza and cleansing programmes. Taxi drivers will be asked to clean their vehicles too.
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An examinee of a heavy truck driving test who allegedly bribed an examiner of the Transport Bureau during the test yesterday afternoon (4th May) was charged with bribery. The case was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office today. A man surnamed Chou retook the heavy truck driving test yesterday because he failed the test previously. When he drove to the roundabout between Estrada do Istmo and Estrada da Baía de Nossa Senhora de Esperança, he offered the examiner a red packet which enveloped MOP300 in attempt to bribe the latter so that he could pass the test. However, the examiner refused to take it and reported the case to the CCAC through the department he worked for. In the course of investigation, someone confessed that since it was the second time he took the test, he offered the money to the examiner in order to pass the test. Under the current Penal Code, briber is subject to an imprisonment up to 3 years.
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The Health Bureau today continued its high level of alert and surveillance at major immigration terminals, but has detected no unusual cases so far. Medical teams at these terminals checked body temperature of more than 140,000 people at the terminals and dealt with four enquiries. One person was sent to hospital for further examination. The Hospital Conde S. Januário treated 198 children and 74 adults with respiratory illness today: there is no probable or confirmed human case of influenza A (H1N1) reported in Macao. The Bureau would continue to keep in close touch with the World Health Organization and health authorities of the Mainland and Hong Kong to keep up with latest developments. The Bureau urges residents to maintain good personal hygiene and keep the environment clean. Anyone with a cough, sore throat or fever should wear a face mask and seek treatment at Hospital Conde S. Januário or Kiang Wu Hospital immediately. To strengthen the awareness of influenza A (H1N1) and the necessity of keeping good personal and environmental hygiene in the community, the Health Bureau held a meeting with representatives from schools, associations, and a number of Government departments today. During the meeting, medical professionals from the Health Bureau urged the attendees to help promote awareness of the flu and for a healthy lifestyle among the community.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the total number of licensed vehicles was 183,596 at the end of March 2009, a year-on-year increase of 4%, of which 54% (98,430) were motorcycles and 39% (71,815) were light private cars. New registration of vehicles decreased by 27% year-on-year to 3,890 in the first quarter, with motorcycles and light private cars accounting for 69% and 26% respectively. In the first quarter of 2009, the total number of traffic accidents dropped by 3% year-on-year to 3,017 cases, resulting in 998 victims and 2 of them were killed. Traffic flow by land between Macao and Mainland China decreased by 11% to 870,010 vehicle trips, and the Border Gate was the major passage that took up 83% of the total. Commercial flight movements at the Macao International Airport decreased by 27% year-on-year to 9,328 in the first quarter of 2009. Taiwan, China; Mainland China and Thailand were the major routes that accounted for 39%, 24% and 11% of the total commercial flights to/from Macao. Helicopter flights between Macao and Hong Kong dropped by 14% year-on-year to 3,531, whereas those between Macao and Mainland China rose by 14% to 760. Passenger transport by sea between Macao and Hong Kong totalled 21,721 ferry trips, and that between Macao and Mainland China was 5,128 trips, down by 3% and 1% respectively from the first quarter of 2008. The financial tsunami has driven down the merchandise exports and imports of Macao. Total seaborne container throughput in the first quarter of 2009 was 21,491 TEUs or 15,810 containers handled, down by 26% and 23% respectively from the same period of 2008. Gross weight of seaborne containerized cargo fell sharply by 40% year-on-year to 45,297 tonnes, with 3,503 tonnes of transshipment goods. Meanwhile, gross weight of containerized cargo by land dropped by 36% to 15,171 tonnes, including 4,046 tonnes of transit goods. Outward air cargo fell sharply by 52% year-on-year to 4,752 tonnes in the first quarter of 2009. Taiwan, China; and Mainland China were the main destinations that accounted for 80% and 8% of the total respectively. Concurrently, inward air cargo decreased by 54% to 2,192 tonnes, with those from Taiwan, China taking a predominant share of 85%. In addition, transit air cargo dropped significantly by 81% over the first quarter of 2008 to 2,880 tonnes. At the end of March 2009, the number of mobile telephone users rose by 19% from a year earlier to 985,760, whereas fixed-line telephone users decreased by 2% to 174,421. As regards internet services, number of subscribers reached 128,087 and the cumulative duration of usage totalled 75.2 million hours in the first quarter of 2009, up by 4% and 37% respectively.
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