Major Events
2015-07-01
According to statistics provided by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the gross revenue from games of chance in June was 17.355 billion patacas, the lowest figure recorded since November 2010. The year-on-year gross revenue records a decline for the 13th consecutive month. The Public Security Police adjust the regulations for transit stays of Chinese passport holders. Eligible travellers are allowed to stay in Macao for a maximum of seven days during their first transit. The Government increases the temporary disability allowance for each eligible disabled person, from 3,180 patacas to 3,350 patacas per month.
2015-07-03
The Legislative Assembly plenary meeting passes the second reading of Minimum Wage for Cleaning and Security Workers of the Property Management Industry. The law will come into effect from 1 January 2016. Cleaning and security workers of residential buildings are guaranteed a minimum wage of 30 patacas per hour, 240 patacas per day, or 6,240 patacas per month.
2015-07-07
A 45-day public consultation for the new Budget Framework Law begins.
2015-07-09
Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC and president of Chinese Medical Association, Chen Zhu, to exchange views on fostering medical exchanges and enhancing medical standards. The Legislative Assembly passes, under emergency procedures, the amendment to the Annex of Excise Duty Regulations. Tax for each cigarette will increase from 0.5 patacas to 1.5 patacas; tobacco and cigars will be taxed 600 patacas and 4,326 patacas per kilogramme, respectively. Chief Executive Chui Sai On signs an executive order to revise the regulation, which permits each person to carry 19 cigarettes or 1 cigar or 25 grammes of other tobacco products into Macao. The relevant legislation comes into effect from 14 July. The Court of Second Instance rejects the appeal from the Government regarding the authorisation of Macau Cable Television (MCTV) to relay English Premier League football matches. No further appeal is allowed. The Government has to pay compensation of 200 million patacas to MCTV. The Housing Bureau conducts a 60-day public consultation on revising the Legal System for Public Housing, which involves revision of the definition of tenants with household income higher than the income ceiling and well-off public housing tenants; the system for management and penalties; and criteria and mechanisms for public housing applications. The Transportation Infrastructure Office announces the results of the public consultation on the Northern Section of Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Macao Peninsula Line. The waterfront elevated alignment gains a majority of public support.
2015-07-10
A bill proposing a total smoking ban in casinos, the Revision of Law No. 5/2011 Regime of Tobacco Prevention and Control, passes its first reading at the Legislative Assembly plenary meeting. The Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly, which is responsible for the second reading of the same bill, conducts another public consultation in August.
2015-07-13
Law No. 8/2015, Stipulating the 70th Anniversary of Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War as a Mandatory Holiday, is promulgated and comes into effect. The Macao SAR Gazette publishes an executive order to increase the Old-age Allowance to 7,500 patacas per year with effect from 2015.
2015-07-14
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo Arrais do Rosario reveals that the Government will not cancel the monthly rental scheme at public car parks, but the scheme will not be offered at newly established public car parks. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Tam Chon Weng visits Portugal with the aim of enhancing cooperation. He also attends the meeting of Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP) in Cape Verde.
2015-07-15
In line with the Government’s welfare policy for grassroots civil servants, the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau implements three new relief measures: subsidies for expenses to support young children, subsidies for children’s supplementary educational materials, and care home subsidies for elderly family members.
2015-07-17
The eighth Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation High Level Meeting is held in Hong Kong. Both parties continue to proactively foster and deepen cooperation in various areas, and join hands in seizing the potential of the “Belt and Road” initiative, to achieve complementary advantages and joint developments.
2015-07-20
The Macao SAR Gazette publishes the Requirements for Basic Academic Aptitude of Local Education System by-law, which is being implemented in phases, starting from kindergartens, from the 2015/2016 academic year. Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC and Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Zhang Baowen, to exchange views on education and social development.
2015-07-22
In line with the arrangements of the Central People’s Government, the flag at Government headquarters is flown at half-mast to mourn the death of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People’s Congress, Wan Li, on 15 July in Beijing. The Government starts a 30-day public consultation regarding the revitalisation of the former Estoril Hotel and Estoril Swimming Pool. In August, it is decided to extend the consultation for another month. Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets the Minister of Tourism, Investment and Enterprise Development of the Republic of Cape Verde, Leonesa Fortes.
2015-07-23
According to the Statistics and Census Bureau, 2.248 million tourists visited Macao in June, down 7.6% year-on-year, and the lowest monthly figure since September 2012. The Court of Second Instance rules on the appeal of the Rua do Padre Antonio Roliz case, sentencing businessman Ding Wen Li to four years’ imprisonment for fraud involving a substantial sum of money. The court also rules that the ownership of 379 square metres of land near Rua do Padre Antonio Roliz is returned to the government.
2015-07-25
The Government conducts “Operation Mars”, the largest disaster drill in the 15 years since the Handover. Government departments collaborate in a simulated rescue operation, to test cooperation and rescue capabilities in the event of a disaster.
2015-07-27
The Third Cross-Strait and Hong Kong, Macao High-level Judicial Forum is held in Macao; this is the first time the forum has been held in Macao. High level judicial personnel from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao meet to study issues of mutual concern. Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets the leaders of the three delegations attending the forum, and exchanges views with them on enhancing judicial cooperation.
2015-07-29
The Office of the Government Spokesperson and all relevant departments hold a joint press conference to announce the water quality test results for 50 new public housing estates, which show that the lead content of the water samples tested complies with World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. An announcement on 13 August also reveals that water quality of all samples from 12 older public housing estates and Edificio Fai Tat (Block 1 and 2) public housing estate at Fai Chi Kei also complies with WHO standards. In response to comments in the U.S. Department of State’s 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report, the Office of the Secretary for Security makes the following statement: “The report’s conjectures and inferences on the Macao SAR do not reflect the actual situation of Macao. The report fails to provide basic factual evidence, and some inferences are fabricated. Therefore, the security authorities of Macao absolutely disagree with the report.”
2015-07-30
The Government’s Policy Research Office announces a study report on Macao’s demographic policy, anticipating the population will reach approximately 750,000 by 2025. An inter-departmental research group publishes a consultation document regarding the Protection System for the Elderly, and commences a 45-day public consultation.
2015-07-31
Chief Executive Chui Sai On congratulates Beijing for winning the bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.