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The Chinese and Portuguese editions of Macao Yearbook 2009, an annual publication compiled and edited by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) of the Macao SAR, will hit the shelf on 27 November 2009. The Macao Yearbook outlines major events, progress and changes made in the course of Macao’s political, economic, social and cultural development on a yearly and systematic basis. It provides detailed and up-to-date information for all who wish to study and understand the territory. The Macao Yearbook has been published since 2002, and it is available in three languages, namely Chinese, Portuguese and English. It is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government; Calendar of Events; Review of the MSAR; Overview of the MSAR; and Appendices. The Chinese edition of Macao Yearbook 2009 comprises 589 pages, while the Portuguese edition contains 717 pages. Both are enriched by some 178 photographs. Consisting of 16 chapters, the Overview of the MSAR presents information on the political and administrative system; legal and judicial system; external relations; economy; gaming industry; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. Meanwhile in order to trace Macao’s changes in a visual manner, the GCS co-organised a photographic competition entitled “New Faces of Macao” with eight local photography organisations and four media groups in the first half of 2009. The Macao Yearbook 2009 has been enriched by 10 winning entries from the competition. The Macao Yearbook 2009, together with a complimentary CD-ROM containing the PDF version of the yearbook, can be purchased at the following places at 120 patacas or 120 Hong Kong dollars per copy: major local bookstores and Government’s Public Information Centre at Rua do Campo (starting from 27 November); and the Macao Post Office (Macao Post)’s Philatelic Division, Rua do Campo Branch, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Branch, Macau International Airport Branch, and Nova Taipa Branch (starting from 3 Decenber). The English edition of Macao Yearbook 2009 is in the process of printing, and will be available for sale in due course.
During the promotional period lasting until 31 March 2010, a 20-percent discount will be offered to any purchase of Macao Yearbook 2009.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, on a monthly basis, money supply M2 grew slightly in September. As total deposits with banks dropped and total loans rose, the loan-to-deposit ratio witnessed continuous increase. Money supply
Currency in circulation increased 2.7% whereas demand deposits decreased 3.9%. M1 thus dropped 2.9% compared with the previous month. Meanwhile, quasi-monetary liabilities went up by 0.8%. The sum of these two items, i.e. M2, grew slightly by 0.3% to MOP208.4 billion. On an annual basis, M1 and M2 rose 22.3% and 9.0% respectively. The share of Pataca (MOP) in M2 stood at 28.2%, down 0.2 percentage points over a month ago and up 0.4 percentage points a year earlier. Concurrently, the share of Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) in M2 was 53.4%, down 0.1 percentage point month-to-month and up 1.6 percentage points year-on-year. Deposits
Resident deposits rose slightly by 0.2% from the previous month to MOP203.5 billion. Of which, MOP deposits edged down 0.5%, HKD deposits and other foreign currency deposits grew at respective rates of 0.04% and 1.8%. Concurrently, non-resident deposits slid 1.8% (to MOP72.6 billion) while public sector deposits with the banking sector increased 0.7% (to MOP13.4 billion). As a result, total deposits with the banking sector contracted 0.3% from the previous month to MOP289.6 billion. The shares of MOP and HKD in total deposits were 22.1% and 45.4% respectively. Loans
Domestic loans to the private sector expanded 1.1% month-to-month to MOP96.4 billion. Among which, MOP22.0 billion was MOP-denominated and MOP68.0 billion was denominated in HKD, representing 22.8% and 70.6% of the total respectively. Loans to sectors of “transport, warehouse and communications”, “construction and public works”, “individuals for house purchases” and “restaurants, hotels and related activities” increased quarter-to-quarter at respective rates of 49.8%, 8.2%, 8.1% and 7.5% whereas those to “wholesale and retail trade” dropped 0.8%. Meanwhile, external loans rose by 11.9% to MOP74.0 billion; of which, loans denominated in MOP and HKD accounted for 1.4% and 50.4% respectively of the total, at values of MOP1.0 billion and MOP37.2 billion. Loan-to-deposit ratios
As domestic loans to the private sector rose at a faster pace than resident deposits, the loan-to-deposit ratio for the resident sector at end-September 2009 increased by 0.4 percentage points month-to-month to 44.4%. The ratio for both the resident and non-resident sectors stood at 58.8%, up 3.2 percentage points.
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After the visit to Zhejiang by the Macao SAR government delegation headed by Chief Executive Edmund Ho in April 2004, the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee led over 300 entrepreneurs to visit Macao and organised the 2005 Macao-Zhejiang Week in 2005, while the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has set up the Mainland Liaison Office in Hangzhou in 2006, Zhejiang and Macao have established multi-faceted co-operation relations covering a wide spectrum of areas. To further expand trade and economic co-operation between Zhejiang and Macao, strengthen business communication and enhance collaboration in culture and tourism between the regions, the Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Zhejiang Macao Branded Products Fair 2010 (the Fair), supported by the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province and the Macao SAR Government and co-organised by the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province and IPIM, will be held from 15 to 17 January 2010 at the Macao Venetian-Resort-Hotel. The aim of which is to assist Zhejiang branded products to promote their brand names in Macao and overseas markets, through Macao’s trade and economic platform, as a mean to strengthen the trade and economic cooperation between Zhejiang and Macao. Utitlise the Advantage of Macao’s Platform, Pragmatically Foster Trade and economic Co-operation between Zhejiang and Macao During the Fair, a number of trade and economic activities will be held including products exhibition and sales, business matching sessions as well as trade and economic negotiations, to provide communication platform for participants of the Fair. On top of these, business matching sessions and special projects discussions will be arranged by the Organiser, inviting exhibiting enterprises to conduct business matching session and special project discussion, as a mean to foster trade and economic exchanges and co-operation between enterprises in the two regions. Keen responses from Zhejiang enterprises and actively participated by well-known enterprises Up-to-dateconfirmed participating Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Branded Products of the Fair include Hu Qingyu Tang Chinese Traditional Medicine also known as the Leader of Medicine in the southern bank of Yangtze River, the 360 years old Fanghuichun Tang Chinese Traditional Medicine, Wangxingji Chinese Fans specialised in Chinese arts and crafts, Zhangxiaoquan Scissors, Dujinsheng Brocade, Louwailou Chinese restaurant, Zhiweiguan Restaurant and the Xilengyinshe Seal Society. Subsidies for Macao exhibiting enterprises To encourage Macao enterprises to participate in the Fair, the Organiser will provide subsidies to eligible Macao enterprises engaged in products manufactured in Macao, Macao brands or the agent of overseas products in Macao. Sixty percentage of the exhibiting fee will be covered by the Organiser and qualified enterprises only need to pay MOP2,500 to become an exhibitor at the Fair. Exhibitor Recruitment in Macao will start from 24 November until 11 December. We hope Macao enterprises will actively participate in the Fair to expand their business through the Macao service platform. Recruitment centre is located at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC), 19/F, China Civil Plaza, No. 263 Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção, Macao. For further information on the Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Zhejiang Macao Branded Products Fair 2010, please contact the enquiry hotline on 853-9798 9152/267/295 (Ms. Wong/Mr. Chang). - End - Remarks:
Products “manufactured in Macao”
- For products “manufactured in Macao” and exported from Macao, exhibitors have to provide the Certificate of Origin issued by Macao Economic Services
- For products “manufactured in Macao” and sold in Macao, exhibitors have to provide the Approval of Industry issued by Macao Economic Services Products of “Macao brand”
- For products of “Macao brand”, exhibitors have to provide the Trademark Registration issued by Macao Economic Services or other valid documents. Products “with agent in Macao”
- For products “with agent in Macao”, Exhibitors have to provide the Agent Authorisation of the products or other valid documents.
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The new team of Principal Officials share the same values and commitment in governing and serving Macao, the Third-term Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said today. Mr Chui met the press today after the State Council announced the appointment of the Principal Officials and Public Prosecutor-General nominated by him. Six Principal Officials and the Public Prosecutor-General of the Second-term Government will serve in their current posts in the Third-term Government, while the Commissioner Against Corruption, Mr Cheong U, will become the next Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. Mr Cheong’s current post will be taken over by Mr Fong Man Chong, a judge of the Court of Second Instance, while the current Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On, will become the next Commissioner of Audit. Mr Chui said that the changes in officials would not affect the development of the related departments. The Government would continue to fight against corruption, support a more transparent administration and fully co-operate with the work of the Commission of Audit, said Mr Chui. As pledged in his campaign platform, the Government would attach importance to the follow-up work of the reports published by the Commission of Audit. The three new Principal Officials of the Third-term Macao SAR Government said they thanked the Central Government and the Third-term Chief Executive for their trust and would try their best to serve the public. Mr Cheong U, a civil servant for more than 20 years, said he would serve the public with modesty in his new post as the next Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. Mr Fong Man Chong said, based on the foundation created by the Commission Against Corruption, he would spare no efforts in the fight against corruption and would promote a sense of integrity among the public. Mr Ho Veng On said he had been working as a civil servant for more than 20 years. Helped by the achievements of the Commission of Audit in the past decade, he would try his best to fulfill his duties in the new role. Should any irregularities within the Government be discovered, he would act in accordance with the law.
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The Chief Executive of the Third-term of the MSAR Government, Mr Chui Sai On, said that himself, his principal officials and the Public Prosecutor-General would fully uphold the Macao Basic Law by supporting the principles of “One Country, Two Systems’, ‘Macao People Governing Macao’ and ‘a high degree of autonomy’. Mr Chui introduced the principal officials and the Public Prosecutor-General to the media in a press conference held at the Government Headquarters this afternoon, soon after their appointments were announced. Under the Basic Law, Mr Chui nominates his team member for approval by the State Council of People’s Republic of China. Mr Chui said that the full support of the Central Government and the incumbent Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah helped overcome difficulties and challenges. Based on this solid foundation, Mr Chui, said he and his team members would continue to heed public opinion. The new team would also continue to consolidate the building of an honest and transparent government, said Mr Chui. Meanwhile, he said the new team would take adequate measures to tackle problems caused by the global financial crisis. Mr Chui also introduced important policies to be implemented, such as further enhancing the medical system so that it would be compatible with future social development, to build a hospital on an off-shore island, to strengthen investment in the education sector, and to build public housing and transportation networks in a scientific manner. Mr Chui will give his first policy address in March next year. The new government would also focus on forming an organisation to study policy analyses, to establish a financial reserve system and to study the possibility of establishing a spokesperson system. Mr Chui and the appointees will be sworn in on 20 December 2009. On the invitation of Mr Chui, the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng will serve as Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive in the new government.
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Upon the request and discussion with the Macao SAR Government, the relevant authority of the Central Government determines to settle the issues of the “Adult Children” entering Macao for residence and family reunion by adopting the normal entry arrangements. Before 1 November 2001, the children (aged under 14) of Macao residents in Mainland could apply for entry into Macao to reside if they fulfill the requirements administered by the Public Security Authority in Mainland regarding the entry into Macao for the Mainland residents. Nonetheless, if the applicants became the age of 14 or over during the process of examination, the applications would be declined. “Adult Children” refers to the Mainland-born children of the Macao residents, who have become overage during the application process. To be specific, they are the persons who were under the age of 14 at the time their blood father or mother obtained the status of Macao resident before 1 November 2001. Starting from 1 November 2001, the Public Security Authority only considers the age of the applicant at the time of application. Hence, the waiting process will not further affect the result of the examination. In other words, the case of “Adult Children” has no longer been in existence since then. The procedures of lodging, accepting and examining the application for “Adult Children” to reside in Macao will be basically the same as the present procedures applying to the application for Mainland residents entering Macao for residence (please refer to “Guidance Notes on Application for Adult Children of Macao Residents in Mainland to Enter Macao for Residence” posted by the Public Security Authority for details). Starting from 1 December 2009, applicants can lodge their applications at the entry-and-exit control department of their household registered Public Security authorities (county-level, xian, or above) without any deadline. The Macao SAR Government will verify the information of the applicant’s parents and relevant relatives in Macao upon request during the examination processed by the Public Security Authority in Mainland. The application for “Adult Children” will not take up the quota of immigrants from Mainland in other categories. Thus, the application process for Mainland residents in other categories to settle in Macao will not be affected. The Macao SAR Government deeply appreciates the Central Government and relevant authorities for the efforts on having settled the issues of the “Adult Children” entering Macao for residence and family reunion.
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To further simplify the entry and exit procedures for the Macao and Hong Kong residents between the two regions, the governments of Macao SAR and Hong Kong SAR have reached a consensus on mutual facilitation. Today, the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR, Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, and the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr. John Tsang Chun-wah, signed the “Agreement between the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit with Permanent Resident Identity Card and Mutual Exemption from Filling in the Arrival/Departure Card”. This labels a new chapter on the immigration cooperation between the two regions. 1.Facilitation Measures The agreement embodies the principle of reciprocal privilege. The Macao residents can enjoy the following facilitation when entering the Hong Kong SAR: （1）Eligible Macao Permanent Residents possessing electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card can enter and exit the Hong Kong SAR as visitors without producing any other travel documents or filling in any arrival/departure card. （2） Eligible Macao Permanent Residents, aged eleven or above, can voluntarily enrol in advance for using the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channel) to enter and exit the Hong Kong SAR with their valid Electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. Note: The abovementioned persons shall be given a printed entry record. The record should be properly kept and be produced upon the request of law enforcement officials of the Hong Kong SAR. The loss of such record will not affect the conditions and period of stay in Hong Kong or the departure. If a person needs to reprint the record, he/she can proceed to the Extension Section of the Hong Kong Immigration Department located at Wanchai. 2.For People Required a Prior Visa to Enter Hong Kong SAR Pursuant to the existing Hong Kong SAR immigration requirements, nationals of certain countries are required to obtain a visa in prior before entering the Hong Kong SAR. These individuals, though possessing a valid electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card, are still subject to prior assessment and approval in order to enjoy the abovementioned facilitations. The Identification Services Bureau will send the relevant personal information to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for prior assessment, and convey the assessment result to those individuals. At present, a total of 126 electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card holders have not yet completed the abovementioned assessment. 3.Prior Enrollment Needed for Using Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channel) to Enter and Exit Hong Kong SAR Macao SAR Permanent Resident Card holders, aged eleven or above, can voluntarily enrol in advance for using e-Channel to enter and exit the Hong Kong SAR with their valid Electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. （1）i. The eligible Macao SAR Permanent Resident Card holders, aged 18 or above, can proceed to the enrollment office of the Hong Kong Immigration Department located at Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan (the arrival hall area before going through the immigration) and China-Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui (the arrival hall area after going through the immigration). These people can enter and exit Hong Kong by using e-Channel in 15 minutes after successful enrollment. ii. Prior enrollment can also be made at the self-service kiosks located at the ground floor of China Plaza, departure halls of Macao Ferry Terminal and Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. In the preliminary stage, there will be staffs arranged by Identification Services Bureau to assist the residents for using the kiosks to complete the enrollment procedures during office hours. Upon the agreement of the applicant, the Identification Services Bureau will retrieve the identity card number, name, gender, date of birth, date of issuance, date of validity and facial image from the chip in the electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card, and collect the fingerprint feature data with the kiosk at the time of enrollment. Such data will be transferred to the Hong Kong Immigration Department through a secured network in encrypted format and with digital signature. Besides, such data will not be saved in the kiosk but directly stored in the server of Identification Services Bureau through a private wire after encryption. Normally, residents can enter and exit the HKSAR by using e-Channel five working days after successful registration. （2）Eligible Macao SAR Permanent Residents, aged eleven to under eighteen, must make their application in person with their parent, guardian or legal representative at the enrollment office of Hong Kong Immigration located at Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and China-Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Shui. These people can enter and exit Hong Kong by using e-Channel in 15 minutes after successful enrollment. Following documents must be presented at the time of application:
1.Identification documents of the applicant and the parent/guardian/legal representative; 2.Birth certificate of the applicant; 3.Documentary proof of parenting right or guardianship execution if the applicant enrolls with a guardian (in case the original document is written in Portuguese, a Chinese/English translation has to be provided). （3）For cancellation of the enrollment for using e-Channel, the person has to lodge his/her application at the entry and exit port of the Hong Kong SAR. 4.Effective Date and Ports of Entry and Exit The measure of exemption from filling arrival/departure card will become effective at all ports of Hong Kong simultaneously. The eligible Macao SAR Permanent Resident Card holders can enter and exit Hong Kong at the designated immigration counter equipped with the record printers. Those counters can be identified according to a sign of “Macao Residents”. Subject to the availability of devices and facilities, e-Channel will become effective at different ports of entry and exit at various stages. E-Channel located at Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and China-Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui can be used in the preliminary stage. These two facilitation measures will become effective from 10 December 2009.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has extended his congratulations to the appointed Principal Officials and Public Prosecutor-General of the Third-term Macao SAR Government, according to a press release by the Government. The State Council had appointed the Principal Officials and Public Prosecutor-General nominated by the Third-term Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. Mr Ho said he believed that the Third-term Macao SAR Government, to be led by Mr Chui, would work cordially with the general public and make further achievements in the implementation of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems.’
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In accordance with the Macao Basic Law and the normination of Mr Chui Sai On, the Chief Executive of the Third -term MSAR Government, the State Council of People’s Republic of China appointed the principle officials of the new government and the Public Prosecutor-General of the Public Prosecutions Office: Ms Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan serves as the Secretary for Administration and Justice. Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen serves as the Secretary for Economy and Finance. Mr Cheong Kuoc Va serves as the Secretary for Security. Mr Cheong U serves as the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. Mr Lau Si Io serves as the Secretary for Transport and Public Works. Mr Fong Man Chong serves as the Commissioner Against Corruption. Mr Ho Weng On serves as the Commissioner of Audit. Mr José Proença Branco serves as the Commissioner General of the Unitary Police Service. Mr Choi Lai Hang serves as the Director-General of the Macao Customs. Mr Ho Chio Meng serves as the Public Prosecutor-General of the Public Prosecutions Office. The new appointments take effect on 20 December 2009, the same day Mr Chui assumes office as Chief Executive.
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More than 150 photos capturing the happy moments of residents in the past decade are posted on the website of the Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) in Beijing (www.macao10exb.gov.mo). Residents are invited to vote for 10 photos out of the pool up to midnight of 3 December 2009 to take part in a lucky draw, which offers a prize to 500 lucky participants. These photos were uploaded on the website by Macao residents between 10 November and 22 November. Most of the photos captured funny faces of the residents and the unique sceneries of Macao. Each resident may cast 10 votes, but may not vote for the same photo twice. To learn more about the voting and the lucky draw, please visit the dedicated website of the exhibition at www.macao10exb.gov.mo. The Exhibition, hosted by the MSAR Government and organised by the Government Information Bureau (GCS), is scheduled to open at the Capital Museum in Beijing from next month to next January. With the assistance of Beijing (College) Macau Student Association, GCS would recruit some Macao students in Beijing to work for the exhibition and receive visitors. GCS said it would better promote Macao’s images to our fellow citizens on the mainland as visitors to the exhibition would be able to learn more about Macao from these amiable students.
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