News

To provide parents with information on admission to different education stages in the academic year 2024/2025, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) has published the relevant information on its website (www.dsedj.gov.mo). Parents of students who seek enrolment in secondary, primary and pre-primary (non-first-time enrolment) education in Macao, in September 2024, may access the admission information and the links to school websites and application forms via the zone designated for “A Guide to School Enrolment” on the DSEDJ website. Parents are advised to read in detail the admission regulations of schools, prepare well the necessary information and submit applications, from 1 March 2024 onwards, in the way and within the enrolment period specified by the schools to which they intend to apply.
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For the better ‘implementation of the “first-tier” relaxed customs administration and the “second-tier” strict customs control’ management model of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone and further facilitate movement of people, goods, etc. between Macao and the zone, Macao residents who study, work, run start-up enterprises or live in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and are included in the “database for the list of applicable personnel that allows Macao residents to transport animal and plant products to the In-depth Cooperation Zone between Guangdong and Macao in Hengqin” (hereinafter referred to as the “database for applicable personnel list”) are allowed to bring specific types and quantities of products of animal and plant origins for personal use or consumption, such as food and flowers, back to Macao through the Hengqin port starting from 1 March without applying for import licenses or making the relevant declarations. Owners of pet dogs and cats who have been included in the aforementioned “database for applicable personnel list” can return to Macao through the Hengqin port with their pet dogs or cats that meet the conditions for exemption from inspection if the animals under their name have been implanted with electronic microchips at the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) and possess the “International Vaccination Certificate for dogs and cats” and a valid “In-Depth Cooperation Zone travel approval” issued by IAM. The above customs measures to facilitate health inspection and the new arrangements will be promulgated in due course through a Chief Executive Writ of Instruction.
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To experience the festive ambience with Macau residents, Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR) will host a lantern festival at Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) in Hengqin for the first time this year. The event, “Celebrating Lantern Festival at MNN”, will feature game booths, lantern-making workshops and food stalls for the public to enjoy, will take place in the neighbourhood on 24 February (Saturday) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 4,416 building units and parking spaces were purchased and sold in 2023 as per Stamp Duty record, a decrease of 2.8% year-on-year. The total value of transactions was MOP23.23 billion, down by 5.9%. Purchase and sale of residential units went up by 70 year-on-year to 2,879 units, and the total transaction value swelled by 1.8% to MOP18.30 billion. The transaction values of existing residential units (2,722 units) and pre-sale residential units (157 units) amounted to MOP17.42 billion and MOP882 million respectively. In comparison with 2019, the volume and value of residential units transacted declined by 65.2% and 64.2% respectively.
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According to the statistics released today (19 February) by the Monetary Authority of Macao, the proportion of international business in the local banking sector fell in the fourth quarter of 2023. At end-December 2023, the share of international assets in total banking assets decreased to 83.8% from 84.0% at end-September 2023, while the share of international liabilities in total banking liabilities remained at 81.8%.
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The eight-day Spring Festival Golden Week (10 – 17 February) has come to an end in the Mainland. Visitor figures fair better than expected. According to the preliminary statistics, Macao registered nearly 1.36 million visitor arrivals cumulatively throughout this Spring Festival Golden Week. On the 3^rd day of Chinese New Year (12 February), the number of visitors hit the second highest single-day record. Average daily visitor arrivals neared 170,000, which rose by over 1.6-fold year on year and almost reached the level in 2019. The average hotel occupancy rate topped 95%. The figures mirror the positive trend of tourism recovery.
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The second parade of the “Celebrations of the 25^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR – Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Dragon 2024” was held tonight (17 February), the 8^th day of Chinese New Year. 15 uniquely-stunning floats filled the northern district with best wishes and carried on the festive ambience, attracting residents and visitors into the community for a memorable night of Chinese New Year, thereby invigorating the community economy.
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The Second “Foreign Language Award” National English Translation Competition for College Students, organized by the Center for Asia and Pacific of the China International Communications Group, was held earlier. This highly anticipated competition garnered participation from over 40,000 students across the country. Notably, Ma Yunqing and Wu Yanchao, students from the Bachelor's Degree Programme in English-Chinese Translation and Interpretation at the Faculty of Languages and Translation of Macao Polytechnic University, achieved remarkable success under the guidance of Professor Li Li, won the Second Prize and Merit Award respectively. The primary objective of the Competition is to enhance the English language application skills of students in higher education institutions while promoting Chinese stories and effectively disseminating the Chinese voice. By comprehensively evaluating participants' English proficiency, the competition emphasizes the practical application of students’ English knowledge.
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The academic paper “From Scots to Mandarin: The Translation and Reception of Hugh MacDiarmid’s Poetry in China” by Professor Li Li and Associate Professor Liu Aihua of the Faculty of Languages and Translation of Macao Polytechnic University has been published in the international journal Translation and Literature.
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