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The Legislative Assembly Election Commission today issued a new guideline to ban the use of cellular phones, pagers, walkie-talkies and all telecommunication and photography devices in polling stations. Speaking after a meeting today, Commission Chairman, Judge Fong Man Chong, said the ban was the to protect the secrecy of the ballot. He called on candidates and assistants to run for the seats by strictly abiding by the electoral law and relevant regulations. In accordance with the newly published 6/CEAL/2005 guideline, offenders would violate Article 312 of the Penal Code and face a maximum penalty of one-year imprisonment. Judge Fong said the Commission had formulated a complete plan to protect the secrecy of ballots, which included removing the curtains of the polling booths to enable staff to monitor the process and not reveal the total number of eligible voters of each polling station. The Commission also issued a guideline, 7/CEAL/2005, to regulate the candidate's income and expenditure related to the election. The Commission held a meeting with representatives from Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau and Public Security Police to discuss measures to keep the traffic smoothly on Election Day, 25 September 2005. Detailed arrangements will be announced later.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that in the second quarter of 2005, the available amount of all types of energy recorded growth. The available amount of Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and Gas oil & diesel rose markedly by 19.7% and 17.9% respectively compared with the second quarter of 2004. Compared with the first quarter of 2005, the available amount of Gas oil & diesel and Electricity increased markedly by 44.6% and 41.9% respectively, whereas LPG registered the only decrease of 15.1%. In comparison with the second quarter of 2004, consumption of Electricity and Gasoline (unleaded) rose notably by 13.4% and 11.7% respectively, while Gas oil & diesel registered the only decrease of 6.1%. Compared with the first quarter of 2005, consumption of LPG recorded the only decrease of 20.1%, whereas Gas oil & diesel registered the largest rise of 47.5%. With respect to the import quantity of fuels in the second quarter of 2005, when compared with the second quarter of 2004, Fuel oil and Gas oil & diesel increased significantly by 23.1% and 21.5% respectively, while Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) registered the only decrease of 10.9%. In comparison with the first quarter of 2005, import quantity of Gas oil & diesel and Fuel oil increased markedly by 73.1% and 29.4% respectively, while LPG and Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) decreased significantly by 19.9% and 19.4% respectively. In the second quarter of 2005, the total import value of liquid and gas fuels reached the amount of MOP728 million, representing an increase of 58.1% over the second quarter of 2004 and an increase of 43.2% over the first quarter of 2005. At the end of the second quarter of 2005, the list prices of all fuels increased compared with the end of the second quarter of 2004, among which those of Common kerosene (kerosene for illumination) and Gas oil & diesel (for automotive use) rose markedly by 25.9% and 24.2% respectively. Compared with the end of the first quarter of 2005, the list prices of all fuels increased, among which those of Gas oil & diesel (for automotive use) and Gas oil & diesel (for industrial use, 200 l) rose notably by 6.4% and 5.2% respectively.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that, in July 2005, Macao’s total value of exports amounted to MOP1.84 billion, down 22.6% over the same month of 2004. Among this, the value of domestic exports decreased 28.6% to MOP1.36 billion, and the value of re-exports went up 1.8% to MOP475 million. Value of imports amounted to MOP2.90 billion, up 13.4% over the same period of 2004. A trade deficit of MOP1.07 billion was recorded this month. During the period of January – July 2005, the value of total exports recorded a year-on-year decrease of 26.2% to MOP9.22 billion. Among this, the value of domestic exports and re-exports decreased 34.3% and 0.7% respectively. Meanwhile, the value of imports amounted to MOP16.28 billion, up 5.4% over the same period of 2004. In the first seven months of 2005, Macao’s trade balance registered a deficit of MOP7.06 billion. During this period, the exports/imports ratio decreased from 80.9% in the corresponding period of 2004 to 56.6%. In the first seven months of 2005, the value of Textile & garment exports, which accounted for 73.9% of the total exports, decreased 31.6% over the same period of 2004. Moreover, the value of Non-textile exports also dropped 4.9%. As the major components of non-textile exports, Machines & apparatus, parts & accessories thereof expanded 10.3%, whereas Footwear fell 90.8% year-on-year. The USA and the EU remained as Macao’s major export markets, together making up 59.0% of the total value of exports. Among this, exports to the USA, which made up 47.7% of the total value of exports, decreased 24.9% over the same period of 2004; exports to the EU, which made up 11.3% of the total value of exports, also decreased 62.8% over the same period of 2004. During the period of January – July 2005, Macao’s total value of imports increased 5.4% year-on-year. In terms of broad economic categories, Fuels & lubricants, Capital goods and Consumer goods rose 34.8%, 24.6% and 3.2% respectively, whereas Raw materials & semi-manufactures registered a year-on-year decrease of 5.8%. Meanwhile, Macao’s main suppliers of imported goods still concentrated in the Asian region. Imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong together constituted 51.2% of the total value of imports. Compared with the same period of 2004, the value of imports from Mainland China and Hong Kong fell 1.1% and 0.6% respectively.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will leave for Beijing on 2 September to attend the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of China's victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the victory of the world's war against fascism. The commemoration is to be held in the morning of 3 September. During his stay in Beijing, Mr Ho will also attend a variety show in the evening of September 2. While Mr Ho is away from Hong Kong, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, will be the Acting Chief Executive.
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According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate for May - July 2005 remained at 4.2%, identical to the rate recorded in April - June 2005, but decreased by 0.7 percentage point over the same period of 2004. The underemployment rate was 1.5%, down by 0.1 and 0.6 percentage point over April - June 2005 and the same period of 2004 respectively. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 1,200, or 12.1% of the total unemployed population, an increase of 4.2 percentage points over April - June 2005. Compared with April - June 2005, unemployment situation was improved in the Real estate, renting & business activities and Construction sectors, while it was worsened in Other community, social & personal service activities (except Gaming) and Restaurants & similar activities. Total labour force was estimated at 245,000 in May - July 2005; the employed and the unemployed populations were 235,000 and 10,000 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 62.6%, up by 0.4 and 1.1 percentage points compared with April - June 2005 and the same period of 2004 respectively.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicates that the resident population of Macao was estimated at 476,000 as at 30 June 2005, an increase of about 19,000 persons compared with the same period of 2004. In the second quarter of 2005, number of live births decreased 3.1% over the first quarter to 786 and 53.4% were male. At the same time, 397 cases of death were reported, major cause of death included “Diseases of the circulatory system” and “Malignant neoplasms”; besides, 4 cases of fetal death were recorded. In addition, the Health Bureau received 419 cases of “notifiable diseases”, which included 115 cases of “Tuberculosis of lung”, 112 cases of “Enterovirus infection” and 111 cases of “Varicella (chickenpox)”. In this quarter, 402 cases of marriage were registered, which decreased by 14.5% over the previous quarter but increased by 1.8% compared with the second quarter of 2004. In the second quarter of 2005, there were 914 legal immigrants from Mainland China, a decrease of 59.6% compared with the same quarter of 2004; besides, 136 illegal immigrants were repatriated to Mainland China. The quarter-end balance of persons that were authorized to reside in Macao totalled 44,523, up 2,819 and 9,804 persons over the previous quarter and the second quarter of 2004 respectively. At the end of this quarter, total number of non-resident workers in Macao was 31,097, up 2,449 and 6,136 persons compared with the first quarter and the same quarter of 2004 respectively.
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A string of election campaign guidelines related to the establishment of election headquarters and media reporting were discussed today by the Legislative Assembly Election Commission. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Commission Chairman Mr Fong Man Chong said that each group may establish an electoral headquarter and up to six branches. A promotional billboard of 2.5 square metres may also be set up outside the headquarters and branches. The billboard should conform with safety regulations and other promotional products have to be dismantled before promotional period ends at midnight on 23 September. On media reporting, Mr Fong said the Basic Law stipulated that the media enjoy freedom of press and expression, and urged the media to report fairly and equally on each candidate. The Election Commission will hold a draw among the direct and indirect groups on Friday to determine the use of 14 public promotional spots and broadcasting time on television and radio. Meanwhile, Mr Fong said a group has been warned for for having used supportive wordings on a leaflet before the promotional period.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service shows that value of total retail sales was estimated at MOP2.11 billion in the second quarter of 2005. The largest share was in the sales of motor vehicles (15%); followed by sales of goods in department stores (14%) and in supermarkets (11%); watches, clocks and jewellery (10%); adults' clothing (7%); automotive fuels (6%); fuels for household use (5%) and household electric appliances (4%). In this quarter, value of retail sales rose by 17% compared with MOP1.8 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2004, with marked increases in the sales of goods in department stores, adults' clothing, automotive fuels, fuels for household use and sales of goods in supermarkets. In comparison with the first quarter of 2005, value of retail sales in this quarter fell slightly by 1%. In the first half of 2005, value of total retail sales amounted to MOP4.25 billion, up by 19% over the same period of 2004. A comparison of the retailers’ opinions indicated that about 63% reported decrease in the sales volume in the second quarter of 2005, up by 12 percentage points over the previous quarter, while 37% reported constant or increase in sales volume. In terms of retail prices, about 66% and 9% reported constant and increase in retail prices whereas 25% reported decrease. Compared with the same quarter of 2004, about 69% of the retailers said that the stock level was normal in the second quarter of 2005, about 22% indicated that the stock level was low. Regarding the prospect for the third quarter of 2005, about 63% of the retailers predicted increase or constant in sales volume compared with the second quarter, 37% predicted decrease. Meanwhile, about 76% forecasted constant or increase in retail prices, while 24% forecasted decrease.
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Statistics and Census Service released the results of Employment Survey for the second quarter of 2005. Principal indicators such as the labour force participation rate, unemployment rate and underemployment rate have been published in the brief report in July 2005. In the second quarter of 2005, total labour force was estimated at 242,000, within which 232,000 were employed and 10,000 were unemployed. Compared with the previous quarter, the employed population and unemployed population increased 2,100 persons and 100 persons respectively. Within the employed population, 52.3% were male. § Analysed by industry, the majority of the employed population were in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities (16.6%), Manufacturing (15.2%), Wholesale & retail trade (14.7%), as well as Hotel, restaurants & similar activities (10.9%). § In terms of occupation, 20.8% of the employed population were Service & sales workers, Clerks (20.6%) and Unskilled workers (17.3%). § The median actual hours worked per week was 47.4 hours and the median monthly employment earnings was MOP5,701. Within the unemployed, 92.1% were searching for a new job, while 7.9% had never worked and were searching for their first job. With regard to the educational attainment of the unemployed, 12.0% had lower than primary education, 36.2% had primary education, 33.2% had junior secondary education, 13.0% had senior secondary education and 5.6% had tertiary education. Within the unemployed that were searching for a new job: § Analysed by previous industry, the majority had worked in Manufacturing (21.5%), Hotels, restaurants & similar activities (16.5%), Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities (14.5%), as well as Construction (13.6%). § In terms of their previous occupation, 27.5% had been Service & sales workers, Unskilled workers (22.1%), as well as Plant & machine operators, drivers & assemblers (15.0%).
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The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Fernando Chui Sai On, said today the Government would continue to protect its precious world heritage sites by reviewing current regulations and educating the public to become more preservation-conscious. Speaking on preservation, Mr Chui said that the Government would fully abide by the regulations in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (''World Heritage Convention'') and would listen to suggestions of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. He said the sites were ''part of the life and honour'' of Macao residents and the Government would not charge fees to view the sites. Mr Chui said that the key to protecting the historic sites was not in the control of visitors, but to formulate a plan, which has been drafted and presently being circulated to various departments for their views. The Government was reviewing the laws and regulations aimed at protecting the heritage and would continue to promote preservation to the residents, he said. It was also planned to include the knowledge of world heritage into the curriculum of local schools. The Secretary is scheduled to attend a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in early October to exchange views on the protection of Macao’s heritage. ''The Historic Centre of Macao'' was inscribed into the World Heritage List of UNESCO in the 29th Session of the World Heritage Committee in July.
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