News

Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr Xi Jinping, is scheduled to arrive in the Macao SAR for a four-day visit tomorrow. After his arrival in the afternoon, Mr Xi is scheduled to meet with the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, who will host a dinner for him in the evening. During his visit to Macao, Mr Xi will attend the opening ceremony of “2005 Macao-Zhejiang Week” and related events. He will also visit some tourist attractions before leaving Macao on 22 January. Mr Xi’s delegation includes the Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Committee, Mr Li Jinming; the Standing Member of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, Mr Bayin Chaolu; and the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Provincial Government, Mr Zhong Shan. Last April, Mr Ho led a delegation of government officials and some 150 entrepreneurs to Zhejiang. Mr Xi last visited Macao In October 2001, when he was the Governor of Fujian province.
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The President of the Republic of Portugal, Mr Jorge Sampaio, leaves this evening after a busy two-day visit to the MSAR. Macao is the last stop on his official visit to China, at the invitation of President Hu Jiantao. Before his departure, Mr Sampaio and his wife, Ms Maria Rita Sampaio, hosted a reception for the Portuguese community at the residence of the Portuguese Consul-General in Macao. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, also attended the banquet. Earlier, in the morning, Mr Sampaio and his delegation visited the Portuguese School, the Portuguese Consulate-General in Macao and the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient. He also visited the Macau Tower where he had a bird’s eye view of Macao and the neighbouring region, from the 58th floor of the tower, before he attended the launching ceremony of a new book entitled “Portugal – an old nation, a country of the future”. He also attended a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. Speaking at the luncheon, Mr Tam said the MSAR Government valued its relations with Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries and would capitalise this advantage to make Macao a platform for trade and economic co-operation between China and Portugal. In the afternoon, Mr Sampiao visited some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city.
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(Macao – 14 February) The President of the Republic of Portugal, Mr Jorge Sampaio, is scheduled to arrive in Macao SAR on Sunday 16 January for a two-day visit. During his stay in the MSAR, Mr Sampaio will meet with the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and attend a banquet hosted by Mr Ho. Mr Sampaio will pay visits to the Portuguese School, the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient (Instituto Português do Oriente) on the morning of 17 January, and attend a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. He will also visit some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Statue and the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city. Mr Sampaio and his wife, Ms Maria Rita Sampaio will host a banquet for the Portuguese community at the residence of the Portuguese Consul General in Macao on the evening of 17 January. Mr Sampaio will be accompanied by more then 100 Portugal entrepreneurs, who will attend a trade fair jointly organised by the Trade and Economy Promotion Institute of Portugal, the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and the Trade and Investment Promotion Institute of Macao. The Executive Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Tang Bingquan, Mr Francis Tam and the Portuguese Minister of State and Minister of Economy Activities and Work, Mr Antonio Barreto, will accompanied Mr Sampaio on his visits in Macao. Mr Sampaio is on an official visit to China at the invitation of the President, Mr Hu Jintao. Macao is the last stop on this visit. The entourage include his wife, Ms Maria Rita Sampaio, The President of the Supreme Court of Administration, Manuel Santos Serra; the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Abroad, Mr António Monteiro and Portugal’s Ambassador to China, Mr Santana Carlos. Mr Sampaio last visited Macao was in December 1999.
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(Macao – 16 January 2005) The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah today greeted with the Portuguese President, Mr Jorge Sampaio who is in Macao Special Administrative Region for a two-day visit. Mr Ho and Mr Sampaio met the press after their meeting which lasted for 45 minutes. Mr Ho said he was glad to meet Mr Sampaio in Macao and congratulated him on his successful China visit. He said that thepresence of Mr Sampaio in Macao allowed him to reciprocate the cordiality and hospitality accorded to him when he visited Portugal. Mr Ho said that they have discussed a wide range of subjects concerning the future of Macao and Portugal during the meeting and also exchanged views on the role of Macao as a bridge to the Portuguese-speaking countries. He underlined that Mr Sampaio had contributed much in this relation. Mr Sampaio said he was grateful for the warm reception he received in Macao. He said that he was glad to see that the Joint Delaration Between Portual and China on the and the Macao SAR Basic Law being fully implemented in Macao after the establishment of the SAR . “Macao successfully governed by Macao people is proof of the success of the ‘One Country Two Systems’ concept ” Mr Sampaio said. He also praised Mr Ho’s performance and said it was one of the reasons for Macao’s success. Concerning the Guangdong, Macao and Portugal Economic Cooperation Forum 2005, which opens tomorrow, Mr Sampaio said that it was another proof of Macao’s role as a platform for Portuguese and Chinese Enterprises. Mr Sampaio extended an invitation for Mr Ho to visit Portugal again. Also presented at the meeting were the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Abroad, Mr António Monteiro, The Portuguese Minister of Economic Activities and Works, Mr Álvaro Barreto and and Portugal’s Ambassador to China, Mr Santana Carlos, The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. Tomorrow, the Portuguese President will pay visits to the Portuguese School, the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient (Instituto Português do Oriente) and attend a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. He will also visit some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Statue and the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city. Mr Sampaio is on an official visit to China at the invitation of the President, Mr Hu Jintao. Macao is the last stop on this visit. Mr Sampaio last visited Macao was in December 1999.
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In regard to the strike of tsunamis unleashed by earthquake near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Macau Government Tourist Office Headquarter received no new call to (853)315566 today (Jan. 7). The injured Portuguese who lives in Macau have been discharged from the hospital after days of medical treatment in the hospital of Bangkok. MGTO has learnt that there is no Macau residents in the hospitals of Bangkok and Phuket. The volunteer doctor, who has been staying in Phuket to assist in the work of identification with DNA samples, has left for Bangkok today (Jan. 7). The MGTO staff sent to Thailand continues to provide possible assistance to the Macau residents affected by the tsunami incident and MGTO will continue to closely monitor the incident. MGTO has sent up a help line (853) 315566 on Dec 27 after the tsunami incident, and has received a total of 72 calls --- 24 inquiries, 28 requests for assistance and 20 calls from citizens providing relevant information.
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In regard to the strike of tsunamis unleashed by earthquake near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Macau Government Tourist Office Headquarter received today (Jan. 6) 1 enquiry and 1 call requesting information. Since Dec 27, MGTO Headquarter has received a total of 72 calls --- 24 inquiries, 28 requests for assistance and 20 calls from citizens providing relevant information. MGTO has learnt that the last Macau resident who was not in contact with the travel agencies has returned to Macau yesterday (Jan 5) according to the schedule of the booked flight. After the tsunamis incident, MGTO has immediately liaised with the travel agencies in Macau that has organized tours groups or issue tickets to the affected regions to establish contacts with the Macau residents there, who are confirmed safe now after MGTO’s follow-up action of the cases. However, the 5 Macau residents who are unaccounted for according to the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau are still missing. The two volunteers stay in Phuket has left for Bangkok today (Jan. 6) but the volunteer doctor still stays in Phuket to assist in the work of identification with DNA samples. The MGTO staff sent to Thailand continues to provide possible assistance to the Macau residents affected by the tsunami incident and MGTO will continue to closely monitor the incident.
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In regard to the strike of tsunamis unleashed by earthquake near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Macau Government Tourist Office Headquarter received no new call for assistance today (Jan. 5). In response to the appeal of the Thai authorities, the last relative of the Macau residents who are missing has left Phuket for Macau today (Jan. 5), and currently there is no relative of the missing Macau residents in Phuket. The two volunteers stay in Phuket will leave for Bangkok tomorrow (Jan. 6) but the volunteer doctor still stays in Phuket to assist in the work of identification with DNA samples. The injured Portuguese who lives in Macau is receiving medical treatment in the hospital of Bangkok, while his two sons have been discharged from the hospital. The MGTO staff sent to Thailand continues to provide possible assistance to the Macau residents affected by the tsunami incident. Some of the Macau residents who have lost their travel documents have returned to Macau yesterday with the assistance of MGTO. MGTO will continue to closely monitor the incident.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has pledged that the second term Macao Special Administrative Region Government would continue to enhance the quality of life of its citizens. In his New Year Message, Mr Ho also conveyed condolences to victims and families of the tsunami disaster, which included several Macao residents. Mr Ho called on the people to provide assistance, regardless of nationality and race, and said the Government would continue to carry out its duty by providing various forms of support. Looking forward to 2005, Mr Ho said the Government would continue to provide service to citizens by matching the new development pace of Macao and by changing their mindset and pattern. He said the plans for the Government in 2005 included balancing the labour market, raise the accountability of officials of all ranks, enhance public administration, hold the 4th East Asian Games successfully, and to operate a centre to comprehensively study ways to improve the quality of life The Chief Executive said he expected the prosperity of Macao to flow over to various industries and communities in addition to those associated with the entertainment industry. He said citizens might enjoy numerous opportunities and face unparalleled challenges at the same times in the revival economy, and reminded them to use their wisdom to capitalise on the opportunities that come up with the challenges. Mr Ho also praised the contribution of Macao citizens in the past year. Public revenue had increased dramatically, the result of liberalising the gaming industry and the Individual Visit Scheme introduced by the Central Government that brought record number of travellers from the Mainland. Macao has also attained success in its role as a platform to boost trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, is one of the most important economic policies of the Government, he said.
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Two Macao doctors and a nurse went to Sri Lanka to aid the tsunami-hit country. The three volunteers, who work for the public Centre S. Januario Hospital, joined the Chinese medical team to Sri Lanka. The Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in MSAR and the Ministry of Health assisted in the arrangement.
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After the strike of tsunamis unleashed by earthquake near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Macau Government Tourist Office Headquarter, from last Friday (Dec. 31) noon till today (Jan. 3) 5:30 pm has received a total of 4 calls to (853) 315566, including 2 cases of inquiry, 1 request for assistance and 1 call from citizens providing relevant information. As at 5:30 pm today, MGTO Headquarter has received a total of 69 calls --- 23 inquiries, 27 requests for assistance and 19 calls from citizens providing relevant information. At present, MGTO endeavors to assist in the search for missing Macau residents in the affected areas, provide transportation and accommodation arrangements for the affected residents etc. MGTO is following up the cases and has learnt that the travel agency has not yet been able to make contact with one Macau resident. MGTO will therefore continue to keep close contact with airlines and the concerned travel agency, to search for the resident. The 5 Macau residents who are unaccounted for according to the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau are still missing. In support of the searching task in the affected area, MGTO has already sent over some of the DNA detection reports of immediate family members of the missing Macau residents to Thailand. The Scientific Laboratory of the Judicial Police in Macau will continue to effectively provide DNA detection reports to be sent to Thailand to help the local staff for identification. Identification Department and Health Bureau of the Macau SAR Government are now gathering all sorts of document of the missing, and together with the information provided by families and friends, to be sent over to Thailand to facilitate the search by the government staff and volunteers at hospitals in Bangkok and Phuket to locate the Macau residents who are missing. The volunteer Macau doctor has arrived in Phuket on the evening of January 1 and joined in the volunteer team formed by the Macau residents immediately to provide medical advises and support to the team and assist in finding the missing at the hospitals in Phuket and Bangkok. In view of the severe conditions of the strike of tsunamis, Macau SAR Government has sent medical relief to aid the affected areas, particularly Khao Lak, which was heavily devastated by the tsunamis. The volunteer Macau doctor also helped to pass the medical relief to hospital in Khao Lak today and will continue to provide assistance needed by the local medical teams. Air Macau also provides relevant supports by transferring the medical relief and DNA detection reports to the affected areas and assists in transportation for the affected Macau residents when necessary. The Airport Management Company of Macau, Immigration Services and MGTO also provide special immigration arrangements and other support for the needs. MGTO will continue to closely monitor the incident.
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