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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today the people of Macao have always firmly supported the peaceful reunification of China. Speaking at the founding ceremony of the Macao Region China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, Mr Ho said the establishment of the Council signified Macao’s endless support for the peaceful reunification of the nation. He said the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government would give full support to the Council and contribute its efforts to the realisation of peaceful reunification. “The peaceful reunification of China is the common wish of the whole nation and its long term mission,” he said, pointing out that the establishment of the MSAR five years ago, two years after the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR, was one more important step in the process. Mr Ho said Macao had maintained its own social system and way of life, and with the the support of its residents, carried out a series of innovation and overcame much odds to achieve a favourable community, fully implementing the “One Country Two Systems” and “Macao People Governing Macao” principles and realised a high degree of autonomy.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference had created favourable conditions for mutual co-operation at many levels and areas. Mr Ho was speaking to the press with the the Governor of Guangdong, Mr Huang Huahua, when they met the press after a review of progress of the Conference. Mr Ho said co-operation had became more inevitable following the trend of globalisation and the implementation of Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between the Mainland and Macao, and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation in the last year. He said that co-operation had changed from technical co-operation between departments to co-operation in many levels and areas; from simple economic co-operation to a complementary and strategic co-operation. “The two governments have to be more dedicated in policy making and administration in order to keep up with the development, and this meeting has created favourable conditions for more profound co-operations of higher level in the future.” said Mr Ho. Mr Ho and Mr Huang also talked about on-going and future joint development projects between Macao and Guangdong. On the plan of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Mr Huang said the structure would profoundly affect transportation and traffic in the region. Thus a study had been conducted and the findings would be submitted to the three governments soon, he said. On the development of Hengqin Island, Mr Huang said the project, originally a joint venturet between Macao and Zhuhai, would now be carried out jointly by the nine provinces and the two Special Administrative Regions in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region,. On the Macao Zhuhai Cross Border Industrial Park, Mr. Ho said the number of enterprises interested in setting up factories in the park had been more than anticupated. Mr Ho also said that Macao and Guangdong had agreed to prioritise the construction of the Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao high-speed railway project. Mr Hi and Mr Huang both shared the view that there was a need for procedures to smooth traffic flow at the Gongbei checkpoint.
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The Central Government and the Government of Guangdong Province will continue to support and co-operate with the Macao SAR and Hong Kong SAR as they have done in the past, said the Secretary for Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC, Mr Zhang Dejiang, when he met the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, in Guangzhou today. The Chief Executive led a high-level official delegation to Guangzhou this morning. Upon his arrival, he held talks with Mr ZhangThe Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Huahua and the Executive Vice-Governor, Mr Tang Bingquan, also attended the meeting. “Macau and Guangdong have a fraternal relationship and are working hand in glove,” Mr Zhang described the ties. “The year 2004 is a good year for development. The Central Government will continue to support Macao and Hong Kong with adaqueate measures,” Mr Zhang said. Mr. Zhang also expressed his sincere expectations for Macao to further develop in the future. The Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference was held in the afternoon. A press conference was jointly held after the meeting and thethe Government of Guangdong Province hosted a banquet to welcome the Macao delegation at in the evening. Members of the official delegation comprise the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On, the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Grace Cheong, the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim, the Chief of the Office of the Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Alexis Tam, among other officials.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho will head an official delegation to Guangzhou on Tuesday to participate the The Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference, strengthening the links with counterpart. Mr. Ho will hold talk with the Secretary for Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC Mr Zhang Dejiang in the morning, and attend the working meeting in the afternoon. A press conference will be held after the meeting. The Government of Guangdong Province will host banquet to welcome the Macao delegation at nighttime. Members of the official delegation comprises the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, the Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Veng On, the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Grace Cheong, the Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim, the Chief of the Office of the Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Alexis Tam, etc. The Chief Executive will return to Macao on the same day. Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference , which is annually based, aims at studying and coordinating the development of trade, infrastructure, environment protection, education, culture and technology of the two areas.
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The 10th International Conference of the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation will be held from 23rd to 25th of November in Macau, under the theme “a road to the future – international cooperation fighting crime”. The opening ceremony will be held, at 09:30 am on the 23rd of November at the Macau Tower, in the presence of the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah. The Conference, co-organised by the Macau Public Prosecution Office and the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation, will focus on terrorism, corruption, money laundering, counterfeiting of cash and credit cards, fraud and other related crimes. The Asia Crime Prevention Foundations (ACPF) is an international non-governmental organisation, established in 1982, to promote sustainable development, peace and stability in Asia and the world through more effective crime prevention, criminal justice policies and practices, and mutual cooperation among all those concerned The ultimate goal of ACPF is "Prosperity Without Crime." ACPF was granted as a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1991, and was promoted to a General Consultative Status with UN on 3rd May 2000 by the resolution of ECOSOC. Macau Public Prosecution Office expects, through this conference, to push forward the international and regional judiciary cooperation, and continue to promote that mechanism having in consideration the principles “One Country, Two Systems”, equity, reciprocity and efficacy in a way to develop the co-operation and interchange in the judiciary, legal areas and staff training.
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The Cultural Institute of the Macao S.A.R. Government will organize a Research Grant Lecture in Tap Seac Gallery at 6:30pm on November 23rd. Mr. Yu Sanle, an associate researcher in the History Department of the Beijing Administration College, will give a lecture on “The 400th Anniversary of Beijing’s Nantang (South) Church: Testament to Chinese and Western Cultural Exchange during the Ming and Qing Dynasties”. Mr. Yu Sanle’s lecture will look at Beijing as the focus for cultural exchange between China and Europe in China from 1601, when Matteo Ricci entered Beijing, to 1774 when the Holy See disbanded the Society of Jesus. Beijing’s Nantang (South) Church, which was constructed in 1605, became the core of this centre. In addition to his work in the History Department of the Beijing Administration College, Mr. Yu Sanle is also vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Matteo Ricci Chapter of the Society of Chinese Ming History. His works include The Western Missionaries and Beijing in the First Modern Period (awarded second prize in the 7th Beijing Philosophy and Social Sciences Achievements Awards), the translated work From Matteo Ricci to Johann Adam Schall von Bell – Late Ming Jesuit Missionaries, and several articles published in the Cultural Institute’s Review of Culture. This research topic was awarded a grant in the 11th Research Scholarship Competition of the Cultural Institute of the Macao S.A.R. Government. Tap Seac Gallery is located at No. 95, Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida Avenue near the Central Library. Those who are interested may join the lecture at 6:30pm on November 23. Cantonese, Portuguese and English simultaneous interpretation will be provided. Entrance is free. For more information, please contact Ms. Chu at the Studies, Research and Publication Division (5993105) of the Cultural Institute of the Macao S.A.R. Government, or visit the Cultural Institute’s website: www.icm.gov.mo.
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr Chui Sai-on today (18 Nov) told the press that he was satisfied with the preparations for the 51st Macau Grand Prix (MGP) during his visit in the Grand Prix Building. Accompanied by the Coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) Mr Costa Antunes, Dr Chui was briefed on the working conditions of each subcommittee of the Macau Grand Prix Committee. “I’m pleased with the overall preparation, especially the security of the Guia circuit, and the first practice day went smoothly and was in order,” said the Secretary. More than nine hundred media professionals from some two hundred organizations have come to cover the 51st Macau Grand Prix which help to promote Macao internationally. It is expected that sixteen million tourists may come to Macao this year, meaning the MGP may attract an appreciable number of visitors.
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To cope with the demand of air transport between the inland and Macao, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) meet regularly every year to discuss the air services and the market demand between the two places. This year, the two authorities met on 22 September in Beijing to hold discussions and came up with preliminary conclusions. The two delegations met on 17 November in Macao to continue the discussions and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at 16:00 on the same day. The two parties also agreed to continue to hold regular meetings in the future to strengthen cooperation. The signatories were the Acting President of AACM, Mr. Chan Weng Hong and the Deputy Director General of the Transport Department of CAAC, Mr. He Jinri. The new MOU greatly enhances the liberalization of the air transport market between the two places: the destinations have been increased from 31 to 37; the capacity has also been raised, with passenger and cargo combination services increased to 539 flights per week (a rise of 82%) and all-cargo services increased from 25 to 50 flights per week. In what regards airline designation, the old MOU only allowed each party to designate one airline to operate. But the new MOU states that since the winter schedule of 2004, each party is allowed to designate two airlines to operate, except for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and since the summer schedule of 2006, all designated airlines are allowed to operate services to all destinations. Co-terminalization on the service points is allowed with the exception of the following points: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. But the designated airlines of Macao do not have traffic rights between the co-terminal destinations. In the area of airline cooperation, the designated airlines of both places can cooperate with each other through code-sharing, except third party code-sharing. The above arrangement has put into consideration the potential development of the Macao aviation industry under the present environment and paved way for big expansion in the future. Apart from the above conclusions, the two authorities also discussed issues such as allowing foreign airlines to fly to the inland through Macao. But due to technical factors, CAAC is not able to fulfill all the requests of the Macao side at the present stage. Despite this, the two parties agreed to discuss the issues in the future. Apart from the two signatories, the delegations also comprised: from Macao -- the Director of Air Transport and International Relations of AACM, Mr. António Menano and the Consultant of Air Transport and International Relations of AACM, Mr. Ren Jinfang; from China -- the Vice Director of the Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of CAAC, Ms. Wu Li, the Deputy Director of the Domestic Air Transport Division of the Transport Department of CAAC, Ms. Su Hong, the Deputy Director of the Air Traffic Flow Management of Air Traffic Management Bureau, Mr. Zhang TongGuo and the Officer of the Domestic Air Transport Division of the Transport Department of CAAC, Ms. Shang KeJia. Representatives from CAM-Macau International Airport Company Ltd., Administration of Airports Ltd., Air Macau Co. Ltd. and East Asia Airlines Ltd. also attended the signing ceremony.
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The Chief Executive,Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah said in his Policy Address 2005 today that the MSAR Government was devoted to lift the quality of life of the residents Macao. He announced an old age allowance scheme in addition to continue deductions on income tax, property tax and exemption on some other taxes and fees implemented two years ago. Stamp duty on some bank and insurance transactions would also be abolished. Mr Ho said the MSAR Government would step up administrative reforms and intensify the accountability of officials at all grades, as well as gathering and listening to public opinion. The government would also continue the legal reforms, he said, indicating that these would focus on areas that concerned the society concerns the most. The government would also increase the use of Chinese in the judicial area, he said. Mr Ho said the government would formulate a comprehensive and visionary policy for city planning and infrastructure. On economy, he said the government would continue to strengthen the major industries, such as the gaming and the tourism industry. He acknowledged the urgency to deal with the traffic issues and the said the government would step up its study on the viability of a mass transportation programme. The government would continue to take part in regional cooperation, in accordance with the advantages of Macao, he said. “Forging external relations and cooperation is a long term strategy and a pragmatic way of governing,” said Mr Ho. On education, he said that the Government would propel education reforms in order to lay a primary foundation for an advance education system in its second term. He said more regulations will be induced in education in accordance with the freedom of education, thus the two ideas can be balanced and complement each other. Stronger identity of the country and its cultural heritage, independent mind, generally knowledgeable and better managing of foreign languages were some of the qualities Mr Ho expected the reform would bring to students in Macao. Mr. said that the of “One country two systems” and “Macao people ruling Macao” principles, as well as a high degree of autonomy were the major premises for the development of Macao. He said democratic development in the Government would be gradually pushed forward in accordance with the Basic Law and as required by the development of the society. In addition, the Government would promote democracy in different levels of the society, create a larger arena for residents to participate in the consultation for public affairs, thus building a solid foundation for the development of sophisticated democracy. Mr Ho will attend a Questions and Answers session relating to his Policy Address between 3 pm and 6 pm on Thursday (17 November), at the Legislative Assembly to answer members' questions. This is the sixth policy address of Mr Ho and the first one after he was re-elected for a second term in August this year.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho, will present his Policy Address 2005 at the plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (16 November) at 3 pm. After delivering the speech, the Chief Executive will meet the press at Government Headquarters at 5.00 pm to explain his policy initiatives. Mr Ho will attend a Questions and Answers session relating to his Policy Address between 3 pm and 6 pm on Thursday (17 November), at the Legislative Assembly to answer members' questions. The Chief Executive's Policy Address, his meeting with the press and the Questions and Answers sessions will be webcast live on the MSAR Government web site (http://www.macau.gov.mo), website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo) and the Infomac webpage (http://www.infomac.gov.mo) webpage of and broadcast live on local television station, TDM.
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