News

【Low/Green】 The potable water salinity level today (09/12/2006) is 66.0 g/litre, and is classified as “Low” or “Green” and all parameters are well within WHO standard.
…

The result of the 'Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2006' was encouraging, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said in Zhuhai today. Speaking to the press after the annual conference between the two governments, Mr Ho said the two parties reviewed their partnership in the last year and discussed key projects for further co-operation. They had also discussed the scheme for developing Hengqin Island, the co-operation on Chinese medicine industry and projects on water supply. On the case of Mr Ao Man Long, the former Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Ho said building a clean and honest society had always been a strategic goal of the SAR Government, and corrupt officials at any levels would definitely be procecuted.
…

The Zhuhai-Macao Cross-border Industrial Zone officially opened today, three years after its ground breaking ceremony. The Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, officiated its inauguration in Zhuhai today, together with their subordinates, and officials from the Central Government. Speaking at the inauguration, Macao's Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said enterprises entering the Macao zone would meet the SAR Government's policy of diversifying its industries. He expected the industrial zone could act as a platform for further co-operation between Macao and other provinces and cities, he said. Moreover, the industrial zone's strength in having a round-the-clock checkpoint represented the Central Government's concern about Macao, said Mr Tam. On co-operation between Guangdong and Macao, Mr Tam said that the industrial zone was a fine pilot project for their partnership. Since work started on the industrial zone three years ago, the governments of Macao, Guangdong and Zhuhai had worked together closely in building its infrastructure and in devising the systems of its operation, said Mr Tam. He emphasised that Macao SAR Government would continue to work closely with Guangdong and Zhuhai to enhance the operation of the industrial zone.
…

Top officials of Macao and Guangdong today studied the principles and measures under the framework of the Eleventh Five-year Plan and reached consensus for further partnership in various directions. The Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, attended the 'Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2006' in Zhuhai today. They led dozens of high-ranking officials of the two Governments respectively to attend the conference and delivered speeches at its opening. Macao's Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, and the Executive Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Tang Bingquan, reviewed the achievements of the partnership of the two Governments since the first conference in 2003. At the meeting, they discussed further co-operation in areas including partnership in service industry under the framework of Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the building of the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone. More co-operation in food safety, public hygiene, environment protection, water supply, infrastructures across jurisdictions and the building of the Hengqin Economic Development Zone, were also being discussed. Moreover, the two parties studied 15 key projects for further co-operation. The two parties agreed to further work together in different areas to pursue the betterment of Guangdong and Macao.
…

(Macao - 7 December 2006) The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, met with officials of all levels today to officially inform them of the detention by the Commission Against Corruption of Mr Ao Man Long, the former Secretary for Transport and Public Works. In the meeting, Mr Ho told them that the Central Government had agreed to the removal of Mr Ao Man Long from official duties as the Secretary for Transport and Public Works. Due to the seriousness of the incident, the image of the SAR Government and the morale of the public servants could be affected, said Mr Ho. However, it also demonstrated the MSAR Government’s resolution in the pursuit of a clean society. He urged the officials to behave honestly in performing their official duties and continue to give all out efforts in their positions to serve the public. He stressed that the MSAR Government placed much confidence in the vast majority of public servants and told them to look at the issue objectively and pay attention to the development, stay away from hearsay and stand with the facts, and be confident in the judiciary to make a just judgment. He also urged them to continue to fulfill their duties of leading their subordinates with professionalism. The Chief Executive said Mr Ao had administered over many areas and was involved in many public affairs. Yet, he believed that officials in those areas could focus on proceeding with their work. He stressed that the policy of the SAR Government had integrity and continuity and would not be affected by a particular incident. Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Mr Ho said he believed that the MSAR Government would become more confident and determined to reform and enhance its governance.
…

After an intensive investigation, the Commission Against Corruption detained the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Ao Man Long, at 10 pm last night (6 December), for alleged involvement in taking serious bribe and irregular financial activity. And in accordance with the Article 50 (6) of the Macao Basic Law, the Chief Executive had suggested to the Central Government to remove Mr.Ao from all official duties. A statement from the Macao Government issued today stressed that the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government had always strictly requested officials at all levels to behave honestly in performing their official duties: it is strictly against any abuse of power for personal gain. Macao, being ruled by law, does not allow anyone to violate the law, the statement said. According to the statement, this incident reflects the MSAR Government's determination in building a clean and incorruptible society. Officials at all levels shall continue to implement policies legally and to service the community to promote the development of the MSAR, it said.
…

【Low/Green】 The potable water salinity level today (07/12/2006) is 75.8 g/litre, and is classified as “Low” or “Green” and all parameters are well within WHO standard.
…

The prosperous gaming and tourism industry is turning Macao into one of the world's most promising and exciting property markets, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said today. Addressing more than 500 hundred real estate professionals during an international property conference this morning, Mr Tam said the gaming and tourism industry had successfully transformed Macao into a modern entertainment and business hub. It created growing demand for hotels, convention centre, shopping malls, office space and residential property in Macao, guaranteeing the city to be one of the world's most promising and exciting real estate markets. Mr Tam said traditionally the property market had been one of the major economic pillars of Macao, contributing significantly to the territory's economic development. He said another source of great potential and opportunity came from Macao's geographical location. 'Located on the Southeast coast of China to the west of the Pearl River Delta, business entities in Macao could reach a marketplace with huge potential, making Macao a perfect platform for networking on real estate projects, investments and finance across sectors and regional borders. 'There is general agreement that Macao is not only a growing property market on her own, but also a strategic platform for developing real estate business in the region,' said Mr Tam.
…

The Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference 2006 will be held in Zhuhai on Friday (December 8). The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua, will lead the delegations of the two Governments respectively to attend the meeting. The two delegations would discuss various measures to promote co-operation between the two places.
…

Jointly organized by the Macau Sports Development Board (MSDB), the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the China-Macau Autosports Club (ACMC), the 2006 Macau International Kart Grand Prix will be staged in Macau on December 16 and 17. Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Acting President of MSDB Alex Vong, President of ACMC Chong Coc Veng and Asian Karting Open Championship Managing Director Johnny Tan were present at the press conference today (December 4) to brief the media about the race arrangement. Macau will host this karting event for the third consecutive year and the previous events were acclaimed as successful by both spectators and competitors. This year, in addition to a number of leading karters who will join the Formula A category again, the Asia Karting Open Championship (AKOC) has given the race higher profile by tying up with the ROK Cup series. The organizer specially invited about 30 world-class Formula A karters who had outstanding performance in various world-class karting competitions. Among them is the champion of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Formula A Championship, Marco Ardigo, who will compete in the Formula A category along with other world leading drivers and to defend his Formula A champion title won last year in Macau. In addition, the region’s most talented drivers will also battle it out for the fourth round of the 2006 Asian Karting Open Championships. A line up of 229 competitors from 22 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom; Finland; Italy; Denmark; Switzerland; South Africa; Belgium; France; New Zealand; Australia; Germany; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia; the Philippines; Indonesia; Thailand; Singapore; Mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong and Macau will take part in various racing categories of the Macau International Kart Grand Prix. The youngest racer, Christian Joseph Gaddi from the Philippines who will compete in the Formula Cadet 60 category, is only 7 years old. There are 6 drivers from Macau joining the competition, including Chang Wing Chung who is 10 years old. The young Philippine driver Michele Marie Bumgarner, who was crowned as the overall champion for ICA class of the AKOC last year will challenge the experienced Formula A drivers. She is the only female driver among the 229 competitors. 2006 Macau International Kart Grand Prix will gather together the best drivers from the world to bring thrilling and high level races to motor fans and visitors alike. While admission is free, entry will be restricted to holders of admission coupons which are available now at Kong Seng’s 3 service stations at Av. Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Rua Comandante Mata e Oliveira and Av. Horta e Costa, the main office of the Macau Sports Development Board (Macau Forum, Block 1, 4th floor, Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues), the China-Macau Autosports Club (Edf. Grande Prémio de Macau, Av. da Amizade, opening hours: 9:30am to 7pm) and 4 tourism information counters of MGTO at the Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal, Border Gate Checkpoint and Ritz Building at Senado Square. Limited amount of tickets will also be available on site on December 16 and 17. There will be free admission for the practice days on December 14 and 15. The event will be broadcast live on TDM Radio on December 16 and 17 to bring the excitement to local residents. Macau Satellite TV will also transmit a 10-minute highlight of the races on December 16 and 17 through satellite, facilitating more instant and convenient coverage by the international media to promote Macau and the event.
…