Due to a large number of needs for identity card renewal and travel documents application have accumulated in the earlier time, the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) will increase application service time from 7^th February to 31^st March 2023 through the support of various departments in the area of administration and justice on the basis that DSI has previously enlarged its service capacity by internal coordination and relocation of manpower. Existing DSI offices will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, providing continuous counter services 7 days a week. Besides, helpers will be sent to 24-hour self-service areas for assisting citizens to go through application formalities, so as to promptly respond to the demand for application from citizens.

According to DSI’s statistics, there are around 30,000 identity cards and 120,000 travel documents expired and have to be renewed. Despite having coordinated and relocated internal manpower, the daily application volume has increased by 30 percent compared with the past and it is difficult to cope with the significant increase in demand for applications in a short period of time. Therefore, starting from 7^th February to 31^st March 2023, the application service hours of three DSI offices located at China Plaza in Avendia da Praia Grande, the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta and the Government Services Centre in Islands will be extended to 9 p.m. from the original service hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, DSI will also open on weekends to accept applications. In this case, citizens will be provided with continuous application service 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

Extended service hours are only opened for first-time or renewal applications for identity card, travel documents and visit permit to Hong Kong by appointment. On-site ticketing will not be provided, but citizens can still collect documents without appointment during that time. Appointments for services in the extended time can be made via “Macao One Account” or DSI website starting from 9 a.m. on 7^th February 2023.

Through the above-mentioned arrangements, DSI can increase the weekly service time by 39 hours, and the service capacity will be increased from 3500 applications to 7200 applications. In order to ensure sufficient manpower to cope with the additional workload, the Municipal Affairs Bureau and other departments in the area of administration and justice will relocate manpower to DSI to support front-line counters and internal operations.

Moreover, in order to assist citizens to use self-service kiosks in different districts, starting from 7^th February 2023, helpers will be stationed at six 24-hour self-service areas in Macao from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day to help citizens to go through application formalities more efficiently. For details and locations of the 24-hour self-service areas, please refer to www.dsi.gov.mo/kiosk_e.jsp

DSI calls for eligible persons to use “Macao One Account” or self-service kiosks in higher priority for lodging application. Citizens who choose to use counter service in normal service hours are advised to make appointment in advance. Citizens can make appointment in “Ticketing and Appointment for Counter Service” in “Macao One Account” or on DSI website (www.dsi.gov.mo) to reduce queuing and waiting time. For enquiries, please call DSI hotline (2837-0777 or 2837-0888) or email to info@dsi.gov.mo. (More)

The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today asked various sectors in the Macao community to absorb the aspirations expressed at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in particular the elements referring to Macao.

The opening session of the 20th CPC National Congress was held at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing. At the opening session, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Mr Xi Jinping, delivered a report to the 20th CPC National Congress on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee.

The Chief Executive and the principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government, all watched the livestream television broadcast of the opening session and absorbed thoroughly the aspirations expressed. On behalf of the MSAR Government and the people of Macao, the Chief Executive wished success to the 20th CPC National Congress.

The 20th CPC National Congress is being held at a time of great importance, when the country embarks on a new journey of building a modern socialist China, while striving towards the Second Centenary Goal. The Chief Executive said that the report delivered at the 20th CPC National Congress opening session comprehensively summarised the major achievements of, and valuable experience gained from, national development since the beginning of the new era. The report also scientifically outlined goals and tasks for the development of the CPC and the country, in the next five years and beyond. For a long time, the Central Government with President Xi Jinping at the core, has been far-sighted, and had feelings of affection regarding Macao. The Central Government and President Xi have always cared about the well-being of Macao people, and the development of the MSAR. They have introduced in a timely way, a number of policies and measures to benefit Macao, supporting the MSAR in maintaining good momentum for long-term and stable development.

The Chief Executive said the report at the 20th CPC National Congress had mentioned that the "One country, two systems" principle was a major initiative under socialism with Chinese characteristics, and was the best institutional arrangement for Hong Kong and Macao to maintain long-term prosperity and stability following their return to the motherland. Consequently, the principle must be adhered to, at length.

The Central Government would comprehensively, accurately, and unswervingly: implement the "One country, two systems" principle; "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong"; "Macao people governing Macao"; and a high degree of autonomy for the two places; adhere to the rule of law for Hong Kong and Macao; implement the Central Government's overall jurisdiction; and implement "patriots governing Hong Kong", and "patriots governing Macao". The Central Government would also: support Hong Kong and Macao in developing their economies, which would help enhance people's livelihood in those places; solve deep-seated contradictions and problems in economic and social development; promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao; and support Hong Kong and Macao better to integrate into overall national development. This was all in an effort to enable the two special administrative regions to play enhanced roles in realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Mr Ho said the 20th CPC National Congress report had made major reference to work relating to Macao. It illustrated that the Central Government placed great importance in, and was cordial regarding its care for, the "One country, two systems" principle, and that the Central Government’s provision of important guidance and support concerning the development of the MSAR. These efforts set out a clear path for the long-term implementation of the "One country, two systems" principle with Macao characteristics, and boosted the confidence of the Macao public in the city’s development.

The 20th CPC National Congress report was a document in programmatic form, with great significance in terms of guiding the country to strive towards the goal to build a modern socialist China, and towards the Second Centenary Goal, said Mr Ho.

The MSAR Government would unite and lead all sectors of the Macao community in order that they earnestly study, understand, and fully implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress report, said Mr Ho. Meanwhile, the MSAR Government would keep in mind its missions and responsibility, and take on challenges with courage. This was in order firmly to implement the "One country, two systems" principle, that of "Macao people governing Macao", and maintenance of a high degree of autonomy, while resolutely safeguarding the Central Government’s overall jurisdiction, and resolutely implementing the principle of "patriots governing Macao". The MSAR Government would grasp in an effective manner opportunities arising from national development, better integrate Macao into the overall national development, and continuously promote the successful practise of the "One country, two systems" principle in Macao, and generate new achievements under that principle. These steps would foster Macao’s contributions towards a modernised China, and for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. (More)

The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, held a press conference on Saturday (24 September) to announce favourable initiatives by the Central Government, for Macao’s economic recovery, local infrastructure projects, and development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

At the press conference, Mr Ho talked first about a meeting dedicated to those matters, that was held on Friday (23 September) in Beijing, and led by Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Vice Premier of the State Council, and the head of the Leading Group for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr Han Zheng. It was called to learn about the latest economic situation in Macao, and relevant work.

Mr Ho had taken part in that meeting via video link. He noted in his comments at the Saturday press conference, that President Xi Jinping and the Central Government always paid close attention to the development prospects of Macao, and that President Xi has commented on the city’s successful implementation on the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao’s characteristics.

The Central Government has offered its strong support regarding: local anti-epidemic efforts; support and easing of hardship for local business; livelihood betterment; and advancement of adequate economic diversification. The Central Government has also pledged its full support regarding infrastructure development and construction of facilities, key projects in terms of supporting people’s livelihoods. Such effort was a proactive response to the needs of the Macao public.

The Cooperation Zone in Hengqin created fresh conditions for Macao’s adequate economic diversification effort, said Mr Ho. He added that the Central Government would continue its supportive initiatives, in line with the implementation of the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, in order to achieve new breakthroughs for the Cooperation Zone.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Ho said the Central Government would support the resumption of electronic visa issuance under the facilitated individual travel scheme; and gradual resumption of group tours to Macao. They would initially be available to mainland residents from the “Four provinces and one city”: first to people in Guangdong Province, and then to those in Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province and Shanghai Municipality.

The Chief Executive expected that either by the end of October or by early November this year there would be resumption of the two measures concerning facilitation of travel to Macao for mainland residents. Thereafter, it was hoped to see approximately 40,000 travellers a day visiting Macao, he told reporters.

Increasing the number of travellers from the mainland coming to Macao was vital to the city at the current time, said Mr Ho. As resumption of such inbound travel to the city had been approved, it was equally important to maintain good work in terms of epidemic control and prevention effort, in order to maintain consistency with anti-epidemic policies in place on the mainland, he said.

There would mechanisms not only to resume – but also to suspend if necessary –travel between Macao and the “Four provinces and one city”, Mr Ho mentioned. If ever there were a severe outbreak occurring either in Macao or any of the relevant places, there would be a need to suspend travel. Subsequent resumption would not require additional approval from the Central Government. With the support of the National Health Commission, technical details of the necessary implementation mechanism would be discussed by the health authorities in those places.

At the press conference, Mr Ho detailed the Central Government’s support for major infrastructure projects, including the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system East Line. In relation to that, Macao had been given approval to lease a Zhuhai land plot of between 3,000 and 4,000 square metres, near the Border Gate. There would be improvement work over the tidal-flat area adjacent to that land plot, in order to enable the LRT East Line to pass via the Border Gate to Qingmao Port.

In addition, the Central Government had approved expansion of Macau International Airport’s runway and apron. The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government would also work to launch major projects relating to supporting people’s livelihoods, including a “Macao ecological island”.  Material dredged as a result of the tidal-flat remediation work needed for the future LRT East Line, would be used for the ecological island, the latter to be located in a deep-water area of the Pearl River Estuary. Further examination would be needed to determine a precise location for such an island, said Mr Ho

The Chief Executive said the Cooperation Zone had seen good progress in the year since its inauguration. During Friday’s videoconference, there had been discussions regarding progress of the “first tier” and “second tier” elements of the Cooperation Zone, said Mr Ho. Friday’s meeting also agreed to implement relevant financial policies at the earliest possible opportunity. They included exempting import tax and turnover tax in the Cooperation Zone. Such effort aimed to converge the tax environment in the Cooperation Zone, with regulations in place in Macao. This was in order to speed up the integrated development of Macao and Hengqin, and foster Macao’s adequate economic diversification. 

During Saturday’s press conference, the Chief Executive thanked the Macao public for showing understanding amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting the pandemic had wrought significant challenges for the city’s economy, the MSAR Government thanked the Central Government for its support, and for convening Friday’s meeting specifically to discuss Macao, and to resolve the city’s pressing issues.

Macao had to revitalise its tourism, in order to restore vitality to the economy, recover people’s sense of well-being, and accelerate development as a world centre of tourism and leisure, said Mr Ho. The MSAR Government would work in compliance with the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, the city’s second Five-Year Development Plan, and the Master Plan for the Cooperation Zone, to speed up work regarding local adequate economic diversification, he said. (More)

The Government has always striven to create job opportunities for local residents, and had new policies to tackle the issue of unemployment, while pressing ahead with development of nascent industries and cultivation of talent with the aim of bolstering economic diversification.

The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, made the remark on Tuesday (9 August), at a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly, during which he answered legislators’ questions on Government policy and social issues.

Members of Legislative Assembly  expressed concerns during the question-and-answer session about the local job market. In his reply, the Chief Executive noted that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had led to rising unemployment in Macao.

Mr Ho explained that in response to the problem, the Government had introduced a subsidy scheme for hiring local workers, and had cut the quota for non-resident employees in all sectors.

According to the Chief Executive, the latest official figures showed that Macao’s jobless rate stood at 4.8 percent, which meant about 15,000 residents were unemployed. Only 8,000 people however were registered as jobless with the Labour Affairs Bureau.

He therefore urged unemployed people to register with the authorities, so that job-matching services could be arranged for them.

Regarding nascent industries, the Chief Executive said his administration would spare no effort in promoting the development of four new sectors: technological research and high-end manufacturing; Macao-branded traditional Chinese medicine; cultural tourism and the convention and exhibition trade; and modern financial services.

He pointed out that the development goals of the aforementioned sectors were outlined in the 2nd Five-Year Plan of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2021-2025).

The Chief Executive said the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin would prioritise development of high technology, and the “Big Health” industry. He revealed that a state-backed semiconductor manufacturer had recently set up business in the Intensive Cooperation Zone, with an initial investment of more than 40 billion renminbi.

The Government would strive to offer more supportive policies for the high-technology sector, in order to attract a greater number of high-tech enterprises and professionals to Macao, and to encourage a greater amount of technological innovation, he added.

The Chief Executive pointed out that artificial intelligence would be a major route forward in terms of nascent industries, as would development of the metaverse.

He said the first metaverse-related project had already started in the Intensive Cooperation Zone.

He added that many new products in the “Big Health” industry and the high-technology sector had reached a mature stage of development, and young people in Macao could use their innovative ideas to market these new products.

Mr Ho said the Government was in the process of reviewing several applications for change-of-use permission regarding land at the Concordia Industrial Park, with the aim of creating a new industrial park with the participation of the high-technology sector, and increasing the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the local economy.

He added that the Government would also explore the development of other high-value-added activities, such as the jewellery-processing industry.

Mr Ho also said the Islands Medical Complex was pivotal to Macao’s development of the “Big Health” industry, adding that a preparatory office had been established. Talks with the Peking Union Medical College Hospital to set up a regional medical centre in Macao were under way, in order to spur the growth of the local medical sector, the insurance sector, and medical tourism.

The Chief Executive said additionally that talent development was the foundation for growth. The Government had doubled its efforts in promoting local students’ talent development in science-related disciplines, encouraging secondary schools and universities to produce technology-smart graduates.

At present both the University of Macau and the Macau University of Science and Technology are equipped with State Key Laboratories, while the City University of Macau and the Macao Polytechnic University have introduced programmes on artificial intelligence.

The Government had submitted a bill on talent development to the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ho added. The bill aims at facilitating the tiered development of talent in various sectors in Macao. (More)

The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today said the bridging roles of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) in terms of serving China and Portuguese-speaking countries had been expanding, thanks to the support of the Central Government, and the foundation laid by the previous five editions of the Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao.

Delivering a speech at the opening of the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of Forum Macao, Mr Ho said Macao had become a comprehensive service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Areas of service covered: trade and commerce; science and research; traditional Chinese medicine; culture, tourism, and the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry; trade; financial services; and youth entrepreneurship.

The Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of Forum Macao was held today in virtual and physical form. The major venue for the event was in Macao, with a conference venue also set up in Beijing.

The meeting was held under the theme “Cooperate to fight against the pandemic, Collaborate for common development”. The meeting focused on how to strengthen exchanges regarding experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic; the training of people; cooperation on related issues; and how to take advantage of Macao’s platform roles in order to promote post-pandemic economic recovery.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; and co-organised by the MASR Government, and the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.

The Premier of the State Council, Mr Li Keqiang, today delivered a speech via video link at the opening ceremony.

The Chief Executive, in his own speech, said Forum Macao was a crucial platform for mutually-beneficial and friendly relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. It was also a significant stage for Macao to give further play to its role in linking China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and for Macao to integrate further into overall national development.

With the strong support of the Central Government, along with participation and concerted effort from the Portuguese-speaking countries, trade between China and those countries had seen an inspiring level of growth since the first edition of the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in 2003, said Mr Ho. Such achievements illustrated Forum Macao was an effective mechanism in terms of promoting cooperation and friendship; in terms of boosting trade and people-to-people ties between China and those countries; and in enhancing Macao’s international influence and the city’s own development progress.

Since its establishment, the MSAR had successfully implemented the principles of “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao”, and the enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy, said Mr Ho. The process of developing the city as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries – known as the Platform policy – had enabled Macao to give full play to its advantages, and produced fruitful results in facilitating exchange and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Chief Executive also listed in his speech a number of achievements since the fifth edition of the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao. These included: the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund which had set up its headquarters in Macao; the Federation of Entrepreneurs of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which had also been set up in Macao; and the launch of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex. Sound progress had been seen in relation to development of Macao’s positions as: a trading hub for food and produce from Portuguese-speaking countries; a convention and exhibition centre for economic and trade cooperation between China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries; and as a business and trade service centre for small- and medium-sized enterprises from China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

There had been advancement – on a progressive basis – of a number of initiatives, including: a financial service platform for commercial and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; a renminbi clearing centre for Portuguese-speaking countries; a cultural exchange centre for China and Portuguese-speaking countries; a China-Portuguese-speaking countries’ young entrepreneur and innovation exchange centre; and a system for cultivating talented individuals bilingual in Chinese and Portuguese.

Mr Ho said in his speech – quoting what President Xi Jinping said when in Macao in 2019 during a visit to the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex – that Macao’s platform role was successfully turning from ideas into reality, from blueprint to actuality. Building Macao’s ‘platform’ policy was an important step for Macao to make further use of its strengths in order to serve the country.

The 14th Five-Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China specified expansion to functions of Macao’s platform role. Such mention fully displayed the fact the Central Government paid great attention to construction and development relating to Macao’s ‘platform’ policy, and laid a clear path for direction of future development, added Mr Ho.

The Chief Executive additionally mentioned that the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin had been officially launched on 5 September 2021, and the management bodies of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin had been inaugurated on 17 September 2021. They were important milestones in the development of the Cooperation Zone, and the new phase of “Mutual Discussion, Joint Construction, Joint Administration and Shared Benefits” for the Cooperation Zone.

Mr Ho went on to say that such progress provided huge impetus for Macao’s long-term development, besides making further use of Macao’s advantages within its geographical region, and bolstering the city’s effort for adequate economic diversification.

Development of the Cooperation Zone would enrich Macao’s ‘platform’ roles, expand its bridging roles, and therefore offer strong and solid support for robust development in terms of the city’s overall policy as a platform, added Mr Ho. 

The Chief Executive also talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic had created challenges for the organising of Forum Macao, and to Portuguese-speaking countries as well. This Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of Forum Macao took its theme as “Cooperate to fight against the pandemic, Collaborate for common development”. It carried great significance in relation to advancing cooperation on: healthcare topics between China and Portuguese-speaking countries; promotion of joint economic recovery; and increasing the influence of Forum Macao.

Since the early stage of the COVID-19 health crisis, Macao had worked closely with the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, in order to support those Portuguese-speaking countries in fighting against the pandemic, said Mr Ho. He also shared his belief that humanity shall ultimately overcome the disease and resume normal socio-economic development.    

To conclude his speech, the Chief Executive said Macao would make further use of its unique strengths; seize opportunities arising from the “Belt and Road” initiative and from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a view to optimise and advance the city’s platform role serving China and Portuguese-speaking countries. These efforts would complement Macao’s effort towards the country’s dual-circulation development pattern for economic policies; further strengthen exchange and cooperation between mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries; push forward the goal of a community with a common future; and ensure joint progress and advancement.

After the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, Mr Fu Ziying, officiated at the unveiling ceremony of a plaque of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Exchange Centre for Epidemic Prevention.

The establishment of the Exchange Centre aims to foster cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in relation to healthcare issues, via Macao’s advantageous platform roles. This would help elevate the overall capability of all parties to combat the COVID-19 pandemic; and therefore promote progress in public health in a global context.

During the meeting, the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wang Wentao, and other ministers representing participating countries, each delivered a speech, and expressed their views on how to strengthen anti-pandemic effort, and how to speed up post-pandemic economic recovery.

The participating parties agreed to enhance dialogue for anti-pandemic cooperation and post-pandemic economic recovery, in order to fight against the disease, and promote joint prosperity.

After the meeting, a joint declaration was signed summarising the consensus made during the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting. The joint declaration also officially recognised the Republic of Equatorial Guinea as the tenth participating country of Forum Macao. (More)