PLA Garrison Opens to Public for 3 Days

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PLA garrison opens to public for 3 days

Edwin Yang People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Office of the Macau Garrison Director Col. Peng Wei said in a speech yesterday that since 2005 the local garrison has opened its doors to visits by the general public 15 times, hosting a total of more than 130,000 visitors, adding that such events have enhanced mutual understanding and promoted fraternal relations between the armed forces and the citizenry, and also has become a local favourite military-related social event.

Peng made the remarks as the garrison’s spokesperson on the sidelines of yesterday’s 16th PLA Macau Garrison Open Day at its barracks in Taipa.

The 3-day event themed “Loving Macau”, which started yesterday, mainly features military exercises. According to a statement by the garrison, some 10,000 visitors are expected during the three days.

Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Director Fu Ziying and Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau Shen Beili attended the event yesterday.

Peng underlined that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland and the establishment of the local PLA garrison, adding that in this year of official anniversaries the garrison’s Open Day has a “special and important meaning”.

A PLA captain surnamed Song who participated in yesterday’s military exercise told reporters that the garrison’s soldiers regard Macau as their “second home”, adding that the soldiers are participating in the event “with a high level of enthusiasm and a high degree of participation”.

Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Post Daily | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 5,800 | 2019-05-02 Newspaper | P01,P03 | POST | Headlines Word Count: 1,032words | Image Size: 1,120cm-sq(29.2cm x 18.4cm,17.5cm x 33.3cm) | Ad-Value: HKD10,303 Keyword Matched: fernando chui sai on,government information bureau

Chui says Macau plays key role in Sino-Portuguese ties Portuguese president stresses Macau’s uniqueness

Edwin Yang and Rachel Lei Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On highlighted yesterday Macau’s pivotal role in the amicable relationship between China and Portugal, pointing out that the special administrative region is in a privileged position to help advance cooperation between the two sides.

Chui made the remarks in speech at a dinner banquet at MGM in Nape in honour of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa last night.

Rebelo de Sousa, who had arrived in Macau on Tuesday night after visiting Beijing and Shanghai, departed Macau after the banquet. He crossed the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) en route to Hong Kong International Airport where he took a flight home.

During his two-day visit to Macau, the final leg of his six-day state visit to China, Portugal’s 70-year-old head of state repeatedly underlined Macau’s uniqueness. “Macau is different,” he said on several occasions.

In his speech at the banquet, Chui pointed out that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Portuguese Republic, based on the two nations’ “profound friendship”.

Chui also underlined the fruitful work of the Macau-Portugal Joint Commission, which was set up in 2011 and will hold its sixth meeting in Lisbon in the middle of this month, coinciding with his official visit to Portugal.

The chief executive, whose term ends at midnight on December 19, also emphasised Macau’s role as a business service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Chui also thanked the Portuguese president for his country’s support of, and participation in the central government’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), adding that he was confident that Portugal would become the European pivot of the initiative launched by President Xi Jinping. Chui noted that Macau is an important BRI participant.

The chief executive also stressed Macau’s participation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) project, which comprises nine cities in Guangdong province and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Chui said that Macau would actively assist companies from the Portuguese-speaking world in selling their products and services in the GBA.

The chief executive also said that the local government would continue to support the teaching of the Portuguese language in Macau and encourage more cultural exchanges between China and Portugal.

‘Unforgettable’ visit The Portuguese president said in his speech that his visit to Macau was “unforgettable.” According to Portuguese media reports, Rebelo de Sousa’s last visit to Macau took place 31 years ago.

The Portuguese president thanked the local government for its hospitality. He pointed out that his state visit began with his participation in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing late last week.

During his stay in Beijing, Rebelo de Sousa held talks with Xi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Post Daily | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 5,800 | 2019-05-02 Newspaper | P01,P03 | POST | Headlines

Keyword Matched: fernando chui sai on,government information bureau

‘Ancient, intense, promising’Rebelo de Sousa, a former TV commentator and law professor, described relations between Portugal and Macau as “ancient, intense and promising”.

Portuguese seafarers arrived in Macau in the mid-16th century. Macau returned to Chinese rule in December 1999. Rebelo de Sousa pointed out that until the 1999 change in administration China always regarded Macau as a Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, not as a Portuguese colony.

Rebelo de Sousa also said in his speech that he was looking forward to the further deepening of cooperation between Portugal and Macau in a wide range of areas such as Portuguese-language teaching, trade, investments, tourism, science and technology, and higher education.

Chui and Rebelo de Souso met at Government Headquarters yesterday morning for a formal meeting.

According to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), Chui told the Portuguese president during the closed-door meeting that the two sides were paying great attention to the teaching of the Portuguese language in Macau. Chui also mentioned the government’s plan to expand the facilities of the local Portuguese School.

According to sources cited by the Portuguese-language radio channel of government-owned broadcaster TDM, the government has already set aside a plot of land for the new campus of the Portuguese School on newly reclaimed land.

Portuguese School expansion ‘agreed’According to Xinhua, Chui said during the meeting that the local government had agreed in principle to the Portuguese School’s expansion plan and would continue to support the school’s development.

Rebelo de Sousa visited the Portuguese School after attending a reception hosted by the Portuguese Consulate- General at the official residence of the consul-general on Penha Hill. He also visited the Holy House of Mercy and strolled from Largo do Senado to the Ruins of St. Paul’sDuring the walkabout, Rebelo de Sousa said he was willing to visit Macau again soon, possibly as early as in December when Macau celebrates the 20th anniversary of its reversion from Portuguese to Chinese rule. However, he was quick to add that the timing of his next visit to Macau would depend on Beijing.

During the amble, Rebelo de Sousa also underlined the rich heritage of Macau’s multiculturalism. He even savoured Macau-style egg tarts and Chinese tea during the walkabout.

During his tour of the city, the Portuguese president repeatedly stressed that Sino-Portuguese relations are “excellent” and that “Macau is different” from any other place in the world. He indicated that Macau makes the “excellent” relationship between China and Portugal even “more special”, adding that “Macau has always been different”.

Asked by Portuguese journalists about alleged violations of the Macau Basic Law by the local authorities, Rebelo de Sousa declined to comment on the matter. However, he stressed that China and Portugal are maintaining a permanent dialogue on legal matters in Macau.

In an informal address at the reception hosted by the Portuguese Consulate-General, Rebelo de Sousa said – apparently tongue-in-cheek – that while Macau was benefiting from China’s age-old wisdom, the city was also occasionally benefiting from some “Portuguese agitation”.

Keyword Matched: fernando chui sai on,government information bureau

Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Government Information Bureau(English) | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 184,243 | 2019-05-01 Government Information

Keyword Matched: government information bureau,chui sai on,secretary for social affairs and culture

CE meets Portuguese President, emphasises bilateral cooperation

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met today with the visiting President of the Portuguese Republic, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to exchange views on bilateral cooperation and, particularly, support for expanding the facilities of the Macau Portuguese School.

The Portuguese President arrived in Macao on late Tuesday evening (30 April) for a two-day visit. His visit to Macao is part of a state visit to China at the invitation of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping.

During the meeting held at the Government Headquarters, Mr Chui said the two sides paid great attention to the teaching of Portuguese language skills in Macao, notably a plan to expand the facilities of the Macau Portuguese School.

The expansion of the Macau Portuguese School would help consolidate the development of Portuguese culture and language in Macao, stated Mr Chui.

The Macao SAR Government had agreed in principle to the school’s expansion plan and would – as always – continue to support the institution’s development. A team from the Macao SAR Government would work closely with representatives from the Macau Portuguese School in order to achieve consensus within this year regarding the school’s expansion project, he added.

In the meeting, Mr Chui reviewed the ties between Macao and Portugal. Since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) 20 years ago, the governments respectively of the Macao SAR and of Portugal had been promoting and strengthening bilateral cooperation, supported by a number of agreements signed over the years. The Macao SAR Government was very pleased, in particular, with the results achieved in this regard via the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee mechanism, added Mr Chui.

Macao looked forward to having even closer ties with Portugal, said Mr Chui, adding he was keen to listen to the views of the Portuguese President on issues of mutual interest.

The Chief Executive highlighted that the friendship and historic ties linking Macao and Portugal had contributed to the development of Macao, in particular in matters related to the city’s Portuguese heritage, namely related to culture, customs, language and education.

During the meeting, the President of the Portuguese Republic said he was pleased to Macao. Mr Chui’s upcoming visit to Portugal – taking place from 11 May – highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Portugal and Macao, he added.

Macao’s historic links with Portugal would contribute to facilitate and advance the friendly relations between Portugal and China, added Mr Rebelo de Sousa.

The President said he had been able to enjoy the main distinctive features of the Macao SAR, including people-to-people bond and the harmonious co-existence of different cultures.

In addition, Mr Rebelo de Sousa spoke highly of the Macao SAR Government’s effort to promote locally Portuguese culture and language. He expressed his gratitude for the Macao SAR Government’s support to the expansion plan of the Macau Portuguese School.

Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Government Information Bureau(English) | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 184,243 | 2019-05-01 Government Information

Keyword Matched: government information bureau,chui sai on,secretary for social affairs and culture

It was hoped that the expansion project would contribute to increase the number of students enrolled in the Macau Portuguese School, as well as to enhance the overall quality of teaching, promote further Portuguese language in Macao, and offer more opportunities for a greater number of people in Macao to learn more about Portuguese culture, said Mr Rebelo de Sousa. As such, the expansion plan was of significant importance not only to Portugal but also to people living in Macao, he added.

The President said additionally that he wished to promote further bilateral cooperation in economic and financial matters between Portugal and Macao.

Macao officials attending the meeting included the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin.

Portuguese officials present in the meeting were: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Augusto Santos Silva; the Minister of Environment and Energy Transition, Mr Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes; the Portuguese Ambassador to China, Mr Jose Augusto Duarte; and the Secretary of State of Internationalisation, Mr Eurico Brilhante Dias.

Prior to the meeting with the Chief Executive, the President of the Portuguese Republic and other members of his delegation walked from Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, accompanied by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR, Mr Tam Chon Weng.

Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Daily Times | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 17,500 | 2019-05-01 Newspaper | P02 | MACAU Word Count: 269words | Image Size: 195.9cm-sq(19.4cm x 10.1cm) | Ad-Value: HKD7,075 Keyword Matched: chui sai on

Portuguese President tours Macau today

Renato Marques The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, arrived yesterday in the Macau Special Administrative Region. His agenda for today is very full, as he will be touring several locations and meeting with both the local authorities and the Portuguese officials in the region.

The agenda will open with a meeting with the Chief Executive (CE), Chui Sai On, to take place at the government headquarters at 11:30 a.m.

After that, de Sousa will meet the Portuguese Consul-General in the MSAR, Paulo Cunha Alves, for a lunch in the Portuguese Consulate, where he will also meet with other representatives of Portuguese community institutions and associations.

In the afternoon, de Sousa has a visit to the Macau Portuguese School scheduled before heading to a welcome dinner hosted by the Macau government at the MGM Macau, which will close the official visit programme.

The visit to Macau is part of the Portuguese President’s visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese President Xi Jinping which commenced last Thursday.

Before Macau, de Sousa toured Beijing and Shanghai, participating in the second “Belt and Road” Forum from April 25 to 27, held in the Chinese capital.

The visit of de Sousa to Chinese territory is held ahead of the upcoming visit of Chui to Portugal later this month, when Macau’s CE will make his last official visit in the capacity of Macau CE to Portugal between May 11 and 19.

During Chui’s visit to Portugal, he will have meetings scheduled with de Sousa and also with the Premier, Antonio Costa.

Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Post Daily | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 5,800 | 2019-05-01 Newspaper | P05 | MACAU / delta Word Count: 739words | Image Size: 532.5cm-sq(29.1cm x 18.3cm) | Ad-Value: HKD9,415 Keyword Matched: secretary for security

Wong reaffirms need to suspend ‘Crystal Fish’ outdoor exercises during thunderstorm

Tony Wong Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak reaffirmed yesterday that the government must always ensure residents’ safety so that it decided to suspend all the outdoor exercises of Saturday’s “Crystal Fish” typhoon drill during the period when the weather station’s thunderstorm warning signal was up.

Wong made the remarks while speaking to reporters after attending a reception celebrating today’s International Workers’ Day hosted by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (commonly known as Gung Luen) at The Plaza Restaurant in Zape.

Following last year’s drill – also named “Crystal Fish” – which was also conducted in late April, this year’s drill was the second time that it was conducted as a large-sale undertaking involving various government entities and community associations. This year’s “Crystal Fish” drill allowed residents for the first time to apply individually to participate as volunteers.

Similar to last year’s exercise, the focus of this year’s typhoon drill was to test the official evacuation plan for storm surges in the city’s low-lying areas.

According to the Unitary Police Service (SPU) – which coordinates the city’s civil protection work, about 2,500 people participated in this year’s “Crystal Fish” drill that started at 2 p.m. and ended at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday – personnel under the government’s civil protection structure, residents organised by 47 community associations, and residents who had applied individually to participate in the drill. A total of 409 residents had applied individually to participate in the drill, 360 of whom actually showed up and took part in the drill.

The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the thunderstorm warning signal at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday – when the typhoon drill was being conducted – before removing the signal at 5:25 p.m. As a result, the Civil Protection Operations Centre announced the suspension of all the outdoor exercises from 2:45 p.m., before resuming them after the signal had been removed. The Unitary Police Service said at that time that the decision was to ensure the safety of the residents who were participating in the outdoor exercises. All the exercises conducted indoors continued irrespective of the hoisting of the thunderstorm warning signal.

2 major aims Speaking to reporters yesterday, Wong said that Saturday’s typhoon drill had two major objectives. The first was to improve the coordination of the 29 entities in the government’s civil protection structure. The second was to improve residents’ ability to cooperate with the government in civil protection work – more specifically, how they should cooperate with the government when it is evacuating them from the city’s low-lying areas when a storm surge hits Macau.

Wong noted that the hoisting of a thunderstorm warning signal means that residents should avoid outdoor activities. He also said that the take-offs and touch-downs at the local airport also needed to be suspended when a thunderstorm warning signal is up.

Wong reaffirmed that the government decided to suspend all the outdoor exercises of Saturday’s drill during the period when the thunderstorm warning signal was up in order to ensure the safety of those participating in the outdoor exercises. He also noted that many of those taking part in Saturday’s drill were senior citizens.

Wong stressed that the government should not have put residents’ safety at risk by continuing the outdoor exercises. He also said the government’s tasks in responding to Super Typhoon Mangkhut – which pummelled Macau in September last year – represented the achievements resulting from last year’s “Crystal Fish” drill. Source: Wisers electronic service. This content, the trademarks and logos belong to Wisers, the relevant organizations or copyright owners. All rights reserved. Any content provided by user is the responsibility of the user and Wisers is not responsible for such content, copyright clearance or any damage/loss suffered as a result. Print out of Wisers electronic service. Macau Post Daily | Highlight of the Day 4 | Circulation / Reach: 5,800 | 2019-05-01 Newspaper | P05 | MACAU / delta

Keyword Matched: secretary for security

Civil protection bill Meanwhile, Wong also noted that the Executive Council – the government’s top advisory body – will have a final discussion on a new civil protection framework bill on Friday, after which the bill will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL) for debate and vote.

In the wake of deadly Super Typhoon Hato, which hit the city on August 23, 2017, the government has been proposing a new civil protection framework law, and launched a public consultation on the matter in June last year. The bill aims to allow the government to better respond to “unforeseen public incidents” such as typhoons, other natural disasters and major accidents.