12 YEARS A-CHANGIN’ Double Down! ADVERTISING HERE +853 287 160 81 FOUNDER & PUBLISHER Kowie Geldenhuys EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paulo Coutinho www.macaudailytimes.com.mo

T. 19º/ 23º Air Quality Good MONDAY “ THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ” MOP 8.00

N.º 3483 02 Mar 2020 HKD 10.00

‘NO GOING OUT, NO CROWDING’ LAWYERS SAY BUSINESS MAY KONG MEDIA TYCOON AND REMAINS THE KEY MESSAGE FROM DEMOCRACY ADVOCATE JIMMY LAI THE GOVERNMENT AS MORE OF RELY ON ‘FORCE MAJEURE’ WAS AMONG ACTIVISTS SWEPT UP RETURNS TO LIFE TODAY CONTRACT CLAUSES IN A FRESH WAVE OF ARRESTS P2 P4 P12 AP PHOTO HUBEI RESCUE MISSION The last group of MACAU WILL ATTEMPT TO REPATRIATE 50 LOCAL RESIDENTS AS THE CITY about 130 crew members P6 got off the Diamond PREPARES FOR THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO: A WAVE OF NEW INFECTIONS Princess yesterday, vacating the contaminated cruise ship and ending Japan’s AP PHOTO much criticized quarantine that left more than one fifth of the ship’s original population infected with the new virus. Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told a news conference that the ship is now empty and ready for sterilization and safety checks to prepare for its next voyage.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country’s borders with Europe were open Saturday, making good on a longstanding threat to let refugees into the continent as thousands of migrants gathered at the frontier with Greece. More on p8

Turkey Russia’s Foreign Ministry is protesting attacks on three journalists of the country’s Sputnik news agency in Turkey and their subsequent detention. Government-owned Sputnik, which operates news websites in about 30 languages, said angry mobs tried to break into the apartments of three staffers in the Turkish capital Ankara on Saturday night, threatening physical violence and demanding they stop their work. AP PHOTO

Yemen’s Houthi rebels wrested control of a BLOOMBERG strategic city in the country’s north, officials said yesterday, in a major blow to the internationally recognized government and the Saudi-led coalition that backs it. Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, has been convulsed by civil war since 2014. The Saudi- led coalition intervened against the Houthis the Gov’t relief measures may be too Gross gaming revenue suffers following year. little, too late to save SMEs record 87% plunge in virus blow More on backpage P4-5 P3 page 2 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo MACAU 澳門 02.03.2020 mon

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

NO GOING OUT, NO CROWDING tining suspected cases for 14 days should be sufficient.” Without plans to extend the quarantine period, the SSM was Government urges caution as then asked about the quaran- tine measures for cross-border students. Leong Iek Hou, coor- business, services resume dinator of the SSM’s Center for ANTHONY LAM Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that those studen- ODAY sees the full resump- ts with a home in Macau home Ttion of government offices should return to the SAR as soon and entertainment venues across as possible. “Some of them have the city after a suspension in res- gone to the mainland to visit re- ponse to the Covid-19 outbreak, latives,” she said. “But the gover- but the Health Bureau (SSM) nment has been urging them to maintains its recommendation of come back as soon as possible.” “no going out, no crowding.” Since school resumption is At yesterday’s daily press brie- unlikely to occur this month - fing of the Novel Coronavirus Res- after a new case was confirmed ponse and Coordination Center, recently in neighboring Guang- SSM Director Lei Chin Ion was dong province - students may be asked whether his team has con- sent to tuition centers, resuming tingency plans in connection to from today, for extracurricular the resumption of a series of pu- lessons for the time being. blic services and facilities. “Students returning from the In response, the director first mainland should quarantine pointed out that all previous deci- themselves for 14 days,” said sions, including this resumption, Leong. “It is a crucial measure are the fruits of comprehensive if they want to resume their tui- considerations. “It is our 26th day tion plan.” without new infections,” the di- Since the start of the Covid-19 rector said. outbreak, the SSM has conduc- He thanked all Macau residents ted nearly 3,000 Covid-19 tests for working together and staying on suspected and confirmed pa- aligned to the government’s po- tients. licies and measures to have pre- For the time being, the SSM liminarily cut off a possible com- has ordered 12,000 test kits from munity outbreak. re are a lot of private entities in If returning back to an offi- elsewhere showed incubation around the world, with a signi- “We can say that the risk of a Macau, the employees of which ce environment is inevitable, periods of up to a month or even ficant number of kits in reserve. community outbreak in Macau is need to be paid. “With sufficient the bureau director reminded longer. Leong said the procurement of very low,” the SSM director conti- preventive measures in place, I workers to maintain a meter’s Lei reminded the press brie- such test kits has not been parti- nued. “Many experts have stated think [resumption] is feasible,” distance from one another. fing attendees of the importance cularly challenging to date. the importance of the prevention said Lei. Companies should also pay of scientific data. He said there The SSM director stressed of the spread of Covid-19, but we Masks should be worn at work special attention to ventilation, was a case in which the incuba- that the Macau government is can’t paralyze the society exten- and people should refrain from which is essential to disease pre- tion period had gone up to 90 trying its best to source face- sively to achieve that.” He hinted leaving home, the director sug- vention. days. “However, [expert epide- masks globally, excluding on the that the disease may continue to gested. He also emphasized that With regards to quarantine miologist] Zhong Nanshan said mainland, because it does not exist with intermittent new infec- gathering poses significant risk. measures, the SSM was asked it was an isolated case,” the di- want to overburden the main- tions. “We can see that many cases in whether it has plans to extend rector explained. “Scientifically, land’s supply of masks. Updates He also pointed to the fact that other places were spread at gathe- the quarantine period from the incubation periods mostly last on mask sales will be given in besides government entities, the- rings,” the director said. current 14 days, given examples for three to seven days. Quaran- due course.

Parish churches to partially open with new guidelines HE Macau Diocese a small number of partici- res and instructions laid Meanwhile, the Dioce- disease prevention mea- different languages. Twill partially reopen pants. down by the parishes. se encouraged the devo- sures, Bishop Stephen Lee Meanwhile, all schedu- parish churches starting Open on weekdays, These include “wearing tees to “live out the spirit issued a directive earlier led public masses in the Saturday, March 7, with these churches will only masks at all times, submi- of Sunday observance by this month to suspend pu- chapels of religious com- followers instructed to accommodate private tting to body temperature continuing watching the blic masses in the Diocese munity centers and elder- adhere to a set of guideli- prayers and small-scale checks, use of liquid disin- live broadcast of mas- from February 6 to Fe- ly homes remain suspen- nes to limit the potential religious activities, such as fectants, sitting at a con- ses at home, reading of bruary 19. However, it was ded. spread of the Covid-19 co- weekday masses, as recep- siderable distance from scripture, spiritual com- decided to continually The Procession of the ronavirus. tion of groups of pilgrims others, complying with munion, and other pious suspend public liturgical Passion of Our Lord, the According to a state- from abroad will remain the instructions of staff re- exercises such as the ro- services until March 6. God Jesus – one of the ment, Sunday masses will temporarily suspended. garding movement within sary.” The Diocese has con- church’s biggest annual remain suspended until Devotees entering the church premises, and In response to the epi- tinually provided broa- religious celebration – further notice, while pa- churches are required to observing the designated demic situation and in dcast of Sunday masses was also canceled, but the rish churches will only be comply with public epi- entry and exit,” the state- order to cooperate with online in different time mass and novena prayer opened for liturgies with demic prevention measu- ment read. the public protection and slots according to three were streamed online. LV

www.macaudailytimes.com.mo EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (DIRECTOR)_Paulo Coutinho [email protected] A MACAU TIMES PUBLICATIONS LTD PUBLICATION MANAGING EDITOR_Daniel Beitler [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS_Leanda Lee, Severo Portela, Sheyla Zandonai ADMINISTRATOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kowie Geldenhuys [email protected] NEWSROOM AND CONTRIBUTORS_Albano Martins, Annabel Jackson, Anthony Lam, Emilie Tran, Irene Sam, OFFICE MANAGER Juliana Cheang [email protected] REACHING OUT! Ivo Carneiro de Sousa, Jacky I.F. Cheong, Jenny Lao-Phillips, João Palla Martins, Joseph Cheung, Julie Zhu, Juliet ADDRESS Av. da Praia Grande, 599, Edif. Comercial Rodrigues, 12 Floor C, Risdon, Linda Kennedy, Lynzy Valles, Paulo Cordeiro de Sousa, Renato Marques, Richard Whitfield, Viviana Seguí MACAU SAR Telephones: +853 287 160 81/2 Fax: +853 287 160 84 DESIGNERS_Eva Bucho, Miguel Bandeira | ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTORS_JML Property, MdME Lawyers, Advertisement [email protected] +17,000 PokerStars, Ruan Du Toit Bester | NEWS AGENCIES_ Associated Press, Bloomberg, MacauHub, MacauNews, Xinhua For subscription and general issues: [email protected] | Printed at Welfare Printing Ltd Like us on facebook.com/mdtimes SECRETARY_Yang Dongxiao [email protected] send newsworthy information and press releases to: [email protected] website: www.macaudailytimes.com.mo www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 3 mon 02.03.2020 澳門 MACAU

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

amortization will plummet 30% this year. Galaxy Entertainment Group’s Deputy Chairman Gross gaming revenue suffers Francis Lui said late last week that the impact of the virus “won’t be small.” He said he record plunge from virus blow expects construction of the company’s new casinos in Macau will be slowed by the ROSS gaming reve- virus outbreak. nue reported a re- Last year, gross gaming re- cord drop in Macau

BLOOMBERG venue dropped 3.4% in year- last month, down -on-year terms to about 292 G87.8% from a year earlier, ac- billion patacas. Macau casi- cording to data from the Ga- nos struggled to adjust to a ming Inspection and Coordi- perfect storm of economic nation Bureau. headwinds, including fallout Macau revenue amounted from the -U.S. trade to 3.1 billion patacas ($386.5 war, relentless protests in million) in February, having neighboring and fallen to levels not seen in a crackdown on online gam- more than 15 years. In a sur- bling in both Macau and the vey, analysts had predicted a mainland. The year ended median 90% slide, with most with a visit by President Xi holding that the unpreceden- Jinping in December, when ted decline will persist into gross gaming revenue tumb- March. led 13.7%. Year-to-date revenue sits at Prior to the coronavirus ou- 25.2 billion patacas, down al- tbreak, analysts had expected most 50% compared to a year a bounce on pent-up demand earlier. in the first few months of the The slump follows a de- year. That bounce may yet cision by the government to come with some analysts still suspend casino operations predicting a recovery as early from February 5 for just over as the second half of this year. two weeks, dealing another blow to the gambling mecca DB/BLOOMBERG that’s already struggling to re- cover from a revenue decline and restrict transportation in China’s $14 trillion economy, in 2019. The closure was the a prolonged fight against the half of which has remained Fourth quarter decline longest on record and only the spread of the virus. idle since late January. Macau’s economy contracted by the revised 4.4% decline in the second such instance, after a The respiratory disease has Casinos are about to take the most in almost four years in previous three months, as revenue in 2018 forced a 33- killed more than 2,900 people, “an extremely bumpy ride” in the fourth quarter, even before the from casinos slumped 8.4%. The hour shutdown. most of them in China, while 2020, according to a Feb. 25 coronavirus outbreak forced its economy of Macau has experi- Even after the partial re- the number of infections has note by DS Kim, an analyst casinos to shut down for about two enced negative growth since the sumption of business from topped 85,000 globally. Mea- at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in weeks. The city’s gross domestic first quarter of 2019, owing to de- February 20, gaming floors sures to control the epidemic Hong Kong. He estimates ga- product fell 8.1% in the fourth creases in investment and exports have seen few footfalls as Chi- and people’s reluctance to vi- ming revenue will drop 24% quarter from a year earlier, the of services, according to the local most since the first three months government. The city’s economy na continued to halt indivi- sit crowded places have cur- and industry earnings before of 2016. That was almost double shrank 4.7% in 2019. dual and group visas to Macau tailed spending, weighing on interest, tax, depreciation and

Tourism, health chiefs inspect leisure venues about to reopen DANIEL BEITLER, JULIE ZHU

HE director of the Ma- Tcao Government Tou- rism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and the director of the Health Bureau, Lei Chin Ion, ins- pected several entertain- ment venues on Saturday to ensure that the preven- tive measures designed to curb the spread of the suspension expired. quarters urging the refund Paul M. L. Iec, one of have decided to close mum capacity and people Covid-19 are being imple- Earlier, representati- of tourism tax paid by the the six representatives down their businesses. – both staff and patrons mented. ves from the sector had industry last year. who sent a petition to the Those entertainment – should stay one meter On Thursday, enter- called on the government The representatives government headquar- venues that are reope- away from one another as tainment and leisure ve- to allow them to reopen, want the local government ters, said that the majori- ning will have to abide much as possible. nues were told that they in some cases seeking to give them a one-off cash ty of entertainment clubs by a set of new guideli- Yesterday was the 26th could reopen to the pu- assistance from Macau payment as direct financial spend between 200,000 nes, as determined by the day without a new coro- blic from today. These lawmakers. help. Moreover, these in- patacas and 300,000 pa- government. All patrons navirus infection con- premises, as well as casi- On Friday, a group of dustries want the local go- tacas for a month’s opera- must wear face masks, firmed in Macau. The nos, were closed following six people representing vernment to either extend tions. Iec said that Macau while those with respira- government has warned an Executive Order on the city’s karaoke estab- the exemption of tourism has over 100 entertain- tory symptoms must not the public to continue February 5, and had not lishments, nightclubs, and tax or to suspend the tou- ment clubs, further clai- be allowed entry. Venues following its recommen- been allowed to reopen bars submitted a petition rism tax, together with a full ming that approximately should only accommoda- dations and not to beco- when the 15-day gaming to the government head- return of that paid in 2019. 10% of these companies te half of their usual maxi- me complacent. page 4 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo MACAU 澳門 02.03.2020 mon

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

Travel warnings issued for , The Tourism Crisis Management SME relief measures described as inefficient and lacking exceptionality Office (GGCT) has issued travel warnings for both Italy and South RENATO MARQUES Coutinho explained to the Ti- Korea amid notable outbreaks mes that one petition, represen- of Covid-19 in both countries. HE government’s finan- ting a total of 2,400 SMEs among

However, Japan and Iran, which are cial support measures beauty salons, gymnasiums, LAM ANTHONY experiencing a similar situation, do directed at small and bars, and entertainment facili- not face the same travel warning, medium-sized enter- ties, was delivered to the govern- as issued by GGCT. Italy and South Tprises (SMEs) have been dubbed ment last week. This week, ano- Korea are on GGCT’s level 2 warning, inefficient and inconsistent for ther petition lists another 400 which implies the avoidance of “non- lacking the exceptionality that SMEs, including clothing stores, essential travel”. Countries on the the current economic situation trinkets shops, butchers and same warning level include Turkey demands. other food products establish- and Egypt, for reasons other than This is an opinion expressed ments, who will also call for help the coronavirus. As of yesterday due to the lack of customers. afternoon, South Korea has more by many among lawmakers, eco- than 3,500 confirmed cases and 17 nomists and SME administra- The lawmaker also said that deaths. Italy has more than 1,100 tors and owners, who have been he is aware of an upcoming cases with 29 deaths. Following them calling on the government to “mass layoff” at renowned brand are Iran and Japan with nearly 600 amend the proposed measures shops, as well as employees and 250 cases respectively and 43 as quickly as possible. being forced to use not only their and six deaths respectively. Lawmaker José Pereira Cou- 2020 annual leave but also their tinho is just one voice who has paid vacation dates from 2021. openly criticizing the measures, In the meantime, others face 24 carriers confirm first announced in mid-February unpaid leave until further noti- flights canceled by the Secretary for Economy ce and there is no indication of through March and Finance, Lei Wai Nong. when they can go back to ear- “[The government] should not ning a wage. Flights in and out of Macau will remain come with the humbug that they largely suspended this month, with are working to help companies,” RENTAL MARKET MADE 24 carriers now announcing further OF PAST MISTAKES cancellations. According to a note Coutinho said. published on Saturday by the Macau “[These measures] already Economist Albano Martins International Airport (MIA), the existed in the past; they are in- has warned about the worrying 24 Asian airlines scrapping flights sufficient responses to overco- impacts of an economic crisis, in March include local operator me the current difficulties. We during and after the Covid-19 , as well nine mainland need extraordinary measures outbreak. For the economist, carriers: China Eastern Airlines, China to face this critical situation more than the impact to gross Southern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and the best way is to do it is to domestic product, the govern- Shanghai Airlines, Zhejiang Loong be enforcing new interest-free ment should focus on the eco- Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen loans,” the lawmaker was quo- nomic matters that are more Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Spring ted as saying in Hoje Macau. closely felt by society, such as the Martins told the Times that ficulty in paying the high rents Airlines. From , Eva Airways, Coutinho has supported seve- employment rate. although all measures designed of the city as well as the difficulty Tiger Air Taiwan and Starlux Airlines ral sectors to deliver petition let- According to Martins, the ma- to help people are positive, those affording wages in a scenario of have announced cancellations. South ters to the government asking for jor problems faced by companies announced by the government very low or near null economic Korea’s Jejuair, Air Busan, Jin Air, financial help amid the econo- and individuals today come from to help SMEs do not address the activity. Tway Air and Eastar Jet have also mic shutdown of the past month. “mistakes made in the past.” two biggest difficulties – the dif- Although a general advocate announced March cancellations, according to the MIA, as have Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air from the Philippines. The other airlines listed are Malaysia-based Air Asia, ’s Tiger Airways, and Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways from Vietnam. The flight cancellations Lawyers say ‘force majeure’ clauses may Lawyers say ‘force majeure’ clauses may come as visitor arrivals to Macau sit at record-lows and after gross gambling revenue dropped 87.8% year-on-year exempt businesses from honoring contracts exempt businesses from honoring contracts last month. LYNZY VALLES ders the performance of “The recourse to ‘for- tracts could be termina- impossible for reasons a given contract absolu- ce majeure’ is difficult ted based only on the not attributable to the Cultural Affairs USINESS contracts tely impossible, the par- to consider since it does law or by mutual agree- debtor, the obligation Bureau to reopen Bsigned prior to the ties may, according to not exist as an autono- ment. will be extinguished. certain facilities coronavirus outbreak Macau law, be exemp- mous legal concept un- Meanwhile, Macau The lawyers then su- may not be fulfilled, ted from honoring their der Macau law – except has another legal fra- ggested that another The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) according to two local business contracts. in the referred regime of mework to cover cases solution would be the has announced that it will reopen lawyers, because of their In an article issued public works contracts – when a contract cannot termination or modifi- some of its public venues, including inclusion of a ‘force ma- by Rato, Ling, Lei & Cor- without prejudice of the be fulfilled but its non- cation of a contract due public libraries and museums, in jeure’ clause, designed tés Advogados, lawyers definitions that might -fulfillment cannot be to changing circums- phases starting today. Twelve of the to remove liability in the Pedro Cortés and José exist in a specific con- attributed to the debtor. tances. Bureau’s 17 libraries will open today. event of natural or una- Filipe Salreta argue tract,” said Cortés and This allows the injured “However, the termi- Nine independently located libraries voidable catastrophes. that recourse to a ‘for- Salreta. party to terminate the nation or modification reopened yesterday afternoon. The ce majeure’ clause can “The mention of ‘for- contract or modify it of a contract due to Archives of Macao reopens today In view of the con- take place under only ce majeure’ in Macau according to the actual changing circumstan- as well. However, the Macao Cultural sequences of the ou- Centre is opening its box office only. tbreak, including mea- a specific contract. The law is manifold. Howe- situation. ces is rarely applied by Shows at the Macao Cultural Centre sures and restrictions contract depends on ver, and without preju- However, this is only the Macau courts, since have been canceled since the start introduced by the local whether the parties dice to the specific case possible if the circums- the obligations which of the Covid-19 outbreak in Macau. government, Covid-19 have inserted a specific of the abovementioned tances on which the ensue from a contract The Macao Museum and the Macao could be considered a clause to that effect - or Decree-Law 74/99/M, it parties based the deci- must gravely breach the Museum of Art will resume operations case of ‘force majeure.’ under the general stipu- does not exist as a gene- sion to conclude a con- principle of good faith on Wednesday. The Cinematheque On occasions when lations of the law, such ral clause for termina- tract have undergone and must not arise from Passion, a concession cinema, will an unpredictable impe- as Decree-Law 74/99/M tion under Macau law,” an abnormal change. the normal course of the resume with Swedish film “About diment beyond the con- (legal regime of public wrote the lawyers. As a general rule, when business at hand,” said Endlessness” on Friday. trol of the parties ren- works contracts). They added that con- performance becomes the lawyers. www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 5 mon 02.03.2020 澳門 MACAU

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER SME relief measures described as inefficient and lacking exceptionality cently 2017. More troublesome perhaps was The newly-announced Credit the fact that Chief Executive Ho Guarantee Plan is identical to a Iat Seng’s government has only measure that came into force in recently been has not yet been 2014 under the name of the SME granted approval by the Legislati- Credit Guarantee Scheme, while ve Assembly for this year’s policies, the percentages and total amoun- creating even larger limitations for ts of the plan and scheme are also Macau’s top official. identical. “The only actions that the Chief The only novelties among the Executive can take [under the com- measures presented by Secretary petencies given by the Basic Law] is Lei were those that aimed to su- to issue independent administrati- pport the economic situation of ve regulations and executive or- individuals, including a slight re- ders. Even so, the issuing of admi- duction in professional taxes, a nistrative regulations needs to cor- measure that several local econo- respond with the implementation mists expect will have a low impact and execution of the government’s as it accounts for about 2,000 pa- policies previously approved [by tacas for the average person on an the Legislative Assembly], and at average income. this moment we still don’t have the In addition to the tax reduc- policy address [for 2020 approved] tion, the secretary has also an- because it was only programmed nounced the creation of the Elec- to be presented in March or April.” tronic Consumption Voucher in In Correia’s opinion, there is the amount of 3,000 patacas for only one technical possibility to every resident of the SAR. The accelerate the process - aside from measure has already proved po- the normal and expected procedu- pular with the public, but some re of approving the measures via economists warn that it may not a bill at the AL. This would be an produce immediate effects. amendment to the annual budget already approved, justified by “ex- NO WAY BUT THE traordinary expenses that have not LAWMAKER WAY been considered or foreseeable.” Economics aside, one reason However, the amendment wou- the spending boost to the eco- ld not be permitted to add to the nomy might not produce imme- budget, only to transfer funding diate effects is because the poli- from items already approved in the of the free market, Martins no- the government are somewhat OLD MEASURES DRESSED cies will still require approval at budget. ted that there are exceptions. The confusing and are not sufficient IN NEW CLOTHES Macau’s Legislative Assembly. The The legal expert told the Times current situation is very different, to address the “emergency of an There is also some measure of implementation of the govern- he regards this solution as unfea- he said, and “exceptional times ecosystem where around 90% of debate about just how novel the ment’s financial support measu- sibly because the measures the go- demand exceptional measures.” the companies are SMEs.” raft of financial measures annou- res might fall short in the people’s vernment needs to take “far exceed “What the government shou- As for the support for small nced by the government actually expectations as the legal procedu- all that has been budgeted.” ld have done in the past was not businesses, Martins said that the are. res for their approval and enforce- Instead, to accelerate the pro- to allow rental increases abo- government should offer to cover For example, one measure ment are inevitable, lawyer Sérgio cess at the Legislative Assembly, ve a defined ceiling, decided by a percentage of wage costs. “The announced by the government de Almeida Correia explained to the government could present the the Chief Executive, to control government should support in an is an interest-free loan of up to the Times. measures as a matter of urgency the market speculation. This interest-free manner, a percen- 600,000 patacas for SMEs, whi- Correia explained that by law, and call on the legislative body to [mechanism] existed before the tage [of these wage costs]. The ch is to be paid back within eight “all measures that involve the schedule its discussion and appro- handover,” he said to the Times, government knows exactly how years. Such measure has been changing of the [annual] budget val at the earliest possible date. noting that the abandonment of much the companies spend on part of the SME Aid Scheme from or the taxation regime into force “We are in a situation of calami- this regulatory power only bene- wages as they have the professio- the Economic Bureau since 2003, need to be approved by the Legis- ty and such requests by the gover- fited the real estate industry. nal tax declarations every year,” being consecutively continued lative Assembly. There is no way to nment would be perfectly unders- “Now the only way to do this is he said, adding that it is very easy in 2006, 2009, 2012 and most re- go around this.” tandable,” Correia said. to change the law and we know for the Financial Services Bureau that with the current composi- to access such data. tion of the Legislative Assembly, Jenny Lao-Phillips, dean of that is unlikely to happen.” the School of Business and Law For Martins, the “instability at the University of Saint Joseph SME credit limit shrinks created by the rental market led also agrees with some of the ideas to the most vulnerable part of expressed by Martins and Couti- one-quarter as recession kicks in the population, including [par- nho. The scholar both noted the ts of] the middle-class, heading relevance of rent control as well DANIEL BEITLER earlier to 94.5 billion patacas (about $11.8 billion). to to flee from the ‘rent as the difficulty of enforcing such By the end of the year, the outstanding balance of casino,’ a severe mistake and an a policy. REDIT limit extended to new small and me- delinquent SME loans dropped by 11.1% from six attack on the competitiveness of “Rent control can help SMEs Cdium-sized enterprises (SMEs) shrank by over a months ago or 7.9% from a year earlier to 424.8 Macau.” a lot, but it may not be easy to quarter during the second half of last year, as banks million patacas. The economist warns that if change the law as it affects the adjusted to the onset of a technical recession in the As much as 90% of Macau’s businesses are classi- the government does not resol- whole real estate market,” she city. fied as SMEs. According to data provided last mon- ve this imbalance, the oft-tou- said, adding that while it is true In the second half of 2019, the credit limit for th by the Statistics and Census Service, more than ted integration of Macau into that many of the local SMEs are new SMEs dropped 26.8% from the same period a 2,800 new companies were incorporated during the the Greater Bay Area project will somewhat related to the hotel year earlier, and 41.1% from the first half of 2019, second half of last year and just 5% of them were re- consist only of mass migration and casino industry as service according to the Monetary Authority of Macao. gistered with capital of 1 million patacas or more. across the border in pursuit of providers and suppliers, it is also This comes as the city officially entered into re- The data release comes as the government pre- cheaper housing. “We must put a fact that, depending on their cession in the second quarter after posting the se- pares a raft of economic policies designed to reduce an end to the housing bubble,” locations, small shops located in cond consecutive quarter of negative growth. the impact of the coronavirus-induced economic Martins declared. residential areas can equally su- Also at the end of last year, the outstanding ba- shutdown of the past month. Tax breaks and inte- Martins also said that the ffer due to the lack of consump- lance of total SME loans decreased by 0.5% from rest-free loans for SMEs are among the measures existing policies announced by tion from local costumers. the end of June 2019, but rose by 4.2% from a year expected to be rolled out soon. page 6 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo CHINA 中國 02.03.2020 mon

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

could be very risky. The returnees are required to abide with the government’s ins- Macau to repatriate 50 residents tructions. They will have to be fully dressed in protective wear and required to remain in their seats for the duration of the flight. from China’s Hubei Province As such, diapers will be distribu- ANTHONY LAM ted to them. No hand luggage will be HE Macau government AP PHOTO allowed, which means all luggage will start the repatria- will be checked in. Upon arrival tion of Macau residents in Macau, all bags will be saniti- Tfrom Hubei Province zed. this coming weekend, the No- Lei said the government has vel Coronavirus Response and prepared for the worst-case sce- Coordination Center announced nario, which is a wave of new yesterday, alongside the details of infections of at most 15 people, the mission. considering the province’s infec- The Center has shortlisted the tion rate being between 3% to first batch of 65 Macau residen- 10%. Currently there are 148 Ma- ts currently in the central Chi- cau ID holders in Hubei. nese province, 50 of whom are Nonetheless, the risk of their willing to return to the special return leading to a community administrative region. The other outbreak should be small, accor- 15, meanwhile, have chosen to ding to Lei. “Upon arrival in Ma- remain in Hubei out of personal cau, they will be quarantined for consideration. 14 days at our facility in Coloane.” A charter flight operated by Extra charter flights may be local flag carrier, Air Macau, will possible but the government is depart for Wuhan and repatriate still evaluating that possibility. the people this Saturday. The SSM director admitted “The mission has a conside- the government has faced public rable risk,” Lei Chin Ion, director pressure about the repatriation of of the Health Bureau (SSM) told the Macau residents. yesterday’s daily press briefing. “Of course, it is our responsi- “Earlier, dean Gabriel Leung of bility to take care of Macau resi- the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medici- that as it has to be done, plans director pointed out. were in contact with an infected dents,” the director said. “Fur- ne of the University of Hong Kong and contingencies must be secu- Strict measures will be levied on patient, had any respiratory symp- thermore, we have been receiving also commented on the high risk red to ensure safety of everyone the group of people. They include toms or chronic diseases. complaints from those stranded of the Hong Kong government’s taking part, including flight crew submission of a health evaluation Connecting transport to the Macau residents and the media. mission to repatriate their resi- and other supporting staff from form distributed by the SSM as the airport will be their own arrange- Other countries’ repatriations dents from the province.” the government. “The risk will be first step. The form will ask whe- ment as the SSM director remin- have given hope to these Macau The bureau’s director stressed taken by the entire society,” the ther they have been to a hospital, ded that this part of the operation residents.”

Pacific Investment Group Inc. economis- Management Co. is ano- ts who said in a report Chinese economy seen headed for ther which sees the effec- Friday that global GDP ts of the deadly outbreak will shrink on a quarter- causing a contraction, ly basis in the first two deeper contraction on factory drop forecasting a 6% annuali- quarters of this year be- zed drop in China’s first- fore rebounding in the HINA’S economy low in February due to to data released by the gh March from the last -quarter gross domestic second half. Ccould be heading for the coronavirus outbreak. National Bureau of Sta- quarter of 2019, and the product. “Strenuous contain- a worse-than-expected The manufacturing tistics on Saturday. Even surprisingly weak data The impact of this will ment measures were first-quarter contraction purchasing managers’ before that data, the me- prompted further cuts to be felt around the globe taken after the outbreak after the country’s manu- index plunged to 35.7 in dian forecast was that the that view. as China accounts for a of COVID-19, which un- facturing sector reported February from 50 the pre- economy would shrink in Gross domestic pro- quarter of worldwide ma- derstandably dampened activity was at a record vious month, according the three months throu- duct may now shrink by nufacturing activity, they economic activities in the 2.5% in the first quarter said. short term,” they wrote. from the previous pe- “The longer quaranti- “With the outbreak gra- ad riod, Nomura Holdings nes depress Chinese eco- dually under control, go- Inc. economists led by Lu nomic activity, the more vernment agencies have Ting said in a report on economic costs will rise,” been clearing the unwan- Saturday after the data added analysts at Pimco. ted obstacles for produc- release. That was a cut “It’s both a supply and tion resumption.” from their previous fore- demand shock. For most Nomura’s Lu also ex- cast of -1.5% in a Bloom- countries, there will be pects the March PMIs to berg survey last week. a direct hit as exports to rebound, but says activity Standard Chartered Plc China slow.” data will be zero or nega- already expected a -1.5% The biggest concern is tive as businesses won’t contraction before the the uncertainty still sur- be 100% back. data, while Australia & rounding the outbreak, On a year-on-year New Zealand Banking whose tail will first hit comparison, the median Group Ltd. is forecasting economies across Asia forecast for first-quarter a 2% drop, according to from Japan to Malaysia GDP growth is 4.3%. That reports after the release. before impacting Europe. was before Saturday’s If the economy was to The energy, automotive data. Nomura and ANZ contract, it would be the and airline sectors are the both now see it rising 2%, first time that has happe- areas most at risk. while Standard Chartered ned in comparable data Pimco’s view gels expects a 2.8% expan- back to 2011. with Goldman Sachs sion. MDT/BLOOMBERG www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 7 mon 02.03.2020 亞太 ASIA PACIFIC

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

advertorial AP PHOTO

MGM Engages the Hearts of its Team Members during the Epidemic In the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, MGM has proactively supported anti-epidemic measures in collaboration with the Macau SAR government and the community, embracing its corporate social responsibility to the fullest. As a caring employer, MGM also stayed connected with team members during the epidemic, when a majority of them stayed off duty at home or worked from home as part of the government’s measures to contain the spread of the virus. The Company effectively leveraged on its intranet and social media platforms to care for the community and share anti-epidemic tips along with heart-warming messages with team members during the period, generating a stronger sense of togetherness and helping them make good use of their time.

Australia’s first virus Volunteer Work Goes On MGM attaches great importance to the health and safety of its team members. After the government announced a temporary closure of casinos, a majority of team members were either not required to be on duty and stayed death was Diamond at home or worked from home to protect themselves and their family.

While the epidemic makes us keep a distance from others, Princess passenger MGM still recognizes the importance of standing with the disabled members of the community during the city’s fight 78-year-old man with co- confirmed coronavirus cases against the epidemic. The Company organized volunteer team A ronavirus died in a Perth in Australia, he said. members who stayed at home to chat online with members of hospital, marking Australia’s The death comes just days Long Cheng Center of the Fuhong Society of Macau, sending first fatality, after returning after the Australian gover- them care and sharing tips on epidemic prevention. from the Diamond Princess nment activated an emer- cruise ship off the coast of Ja- gency plan to deal with the Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “Macau is a city pan last month. outbreak, when Prime Mi- of kindness. Under the leadership of the SAR government, we The man was initially sent nister Scott Morrison said join hands with the community to fight against this epidemic. to the Howard Springs facility the risk of a global pande- We have to thank our community partners, who have assisted in northern Australia after be- mic is “very much upon us.” us in sending warmth and supplies to the people in need, coming ill on the flight back Thailand also recorded its first especially when we can’t do that in person due to epidemic from Japan and was then mo- death from the coronavirus prevention reasons.” ved to the Sir Charles Gairdner outbreak over the weekend. Hospital in Perth where he died The 35-year-old retail yesterday. His 79-year-old wife, worker had dengue fever and who also tested positive for the the new disease known as Co- Cheering Up and Sharing Love virus, remains isolated in the vid-19, Suwannachai Watta- While MGM downsized its operations in response to the epidemic, some of its team members remained on the frontline to take good hospital in a stable condition nayingcharoenchai, director care of the property, serve our guests and, most importantly, and there is no risk to the com- general of the Department maintain a high standard of hygiene. MGM sent thank-you messages munity, said Andrew Robert- of Disease Control, said in a to them through videos posted on its intranet and Facebook pages. son, Western briefing yes- To extend its care to all team members, the Company provided Australia’s terday. The them with anti-epidemic messages and practical tips on personal chief health Restrictions patient had hygiene through short but informative home-made videos. It also officer. been hos- posted epidemic prevention guidelines by the government in its Elsewhere on travel from pitalized entire communication platform. in the coun- for nearly a try, two new month and cases emer- were extended died on Feb. Boost Immunity with Home Workout MGM persistently motivated employees to think ged in re- 29 after mul- positively, stay healthy and treasure their time with their cent days in last week tiple organ family. Team members were also encouraged to boost Sydney and failure. their immunity with family members by working out the Gold Coast after a man The patient had tested negati- together at home in the company of an MGM fitness and a woman returned from ve for the virus since Feb. 16 but instructor, who demonstrated a set of simple exercise trips to Iran. Australia over the “the damage was already done in an engaging video clip. Besides, MGM also invited weekend banned incoming to his body” from the infection, Chairman of Chinese Medicine Association of Macau, travel from Iran for non-na- said Tawee Chotpitayasunon- Paulo do Lago Comandante, to share tips with team tionals, and Health Minister dh, adviser to the Department members on a diet to boost wellness! Greg Hunt said he has asked of Disease Control. The health the deputy chief medical offi- ministry is still looking into the To view the series of home-made videos on cheering up MGM team members, free feel to visit MGMShare at Facebook. cer, Paul Kelly, to consider the case, Suwannachai said. appropriate level of travel ad- Almost 3,000 people have vice for Italy. Restrictions on died from the infection, mostly MGM travel from mainland China in epicenter China. Thailand has Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, Macau were extended last week. reported 42 cases of infection, T 853 8802 2888 F 853 8802 3333 “Right from the outset, with 30 of those discharged. E [email protected] we’ve made it clear that we The epidemic saw the U.S. W http://www.mgm.mo/ will take strong action, but record its first fatality from the that Australia is not immu- virus on Saturday and cases in- ne,” Hunt said in Melbourne creased in , Italy and Sou- on Sunday. There are now 27 th Korea. MDT/BLOOMBERG page 8 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo WORLD 國際 02.03.2020 mon

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

this day in history AP PHOTO

1956 King of Jordan sacks British general

Turkish backed Syrian rebels enter the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province King Hussein of Jordan has sacked the British comman- der of the Arab Legion in what is being seen as an effort to strengthen his own position within the Arab world. Lieutenant General John Bagot Glubb, the British commander of the 20,000-strong Arab Legion, was or- dered to leave Jordan within two hours - but the King re- lented and allowed him to remain overnight to pack his Syria says two warplanes and his family’s belongings. He arrived at London airport this evening - 16 hours after his dismissal. Eight other British officers holding key posts in the Legion have also been removed and replaced by Jorda- downed by Turkey nians. Two Jordanian officers who had worked closely with General Glubb are being retired. News of the General’s departure was greeted with joy- ful demonstrations across the country. as tensions soar Crowds gathered in the main streets and shouted slo- YRIA’S official news Meanwhile, Turkish Pre- tanks and eight helicopters. The U.N.’s International gans like, “Long live the King” and “Long live Arab co- agency said two of its sident Recep Tayyip Erdo- “The Spring Shield ope- Organization for Migration -operation and unity”. warplane were shot gan had on Saturday annou- ration, which was launched said Sunday that by the In dismissing General Glubb, the King has strengthened down by Turkish for- nced his country opened following the abominable previous evening, its staff his own position by shedding the stigma of appearing to Sces inside northwest Syria, its western borders to mi- attack in Idlib on Feb. 27, working along the Turkish- be a British puppet and by courting Arab nationalists. amid a military escalation grants and refugees hoping continues successfully,” -Greek land border “had Under General Glubb’s command the Arab Legion has there that’s led to growing to head into the European Akar said, referring to air observed at least 13,000 become one of the most efficient of the Arab armies. direct clashes between Union. The United Nations strikes that killed 33 Turkish people gathered at the for- There are 67 British officers in the Legion. Arab nationa- Turkish and Syrian forces. said yesterday that at least soldiers. mal border crossing points lists say it represents British rather than Arab interests. SANA says the jets were 13,000 people were massed The operation is Turkey’s at Pazarkule and Ipsala and Under the terms of a 1948 treaty, the British govern- targeted over the Idlib re- on Turkey’s land border with fourth in the war-torn coun- multiple informal border ment is allowed to retain airbases in Jordan and in return, gion, and that the four pilots Greece, try since 2016. crossings, in groups of be- it contributes a subsidy to the Legion. These funds are ejected with parachutes and Erdogan did not explicitly The heavy fighting in tween several dozen and directly controlled by the General. landed safely. link his decision to open northwest Syria has also tri- more than 3,000.” Speaking at London airport, General Glubb said Jordan Turkey’s Defense Minis- the gates to Europe to the ggered a humanitarian ca- Greek authorities fired and Britain had been friends for 35 years, “and the last try said it had shot down military escalation in Syria’s tastrophe and the single lar- tear gas and stun grenades thing I would like is for my personal affairs to cause any two SU-24 aircraft and des- northwestern Idlib provin- gest wave of displacement through Saturday to pre- weakening of that friendship. I am neither shocked, da- troyed air defense systems ce. However, he has warned in the nine-year Syrian civil vent repeated attempts by zed nor angry”. after one of its aerial drones that Turkey “can’t handle a war. a crowd of more than 4,000 He added: “I have always been treated with the grea- was downed. Earlier, Syrian new wave of migration,” an Ankara is worried it mi- people massed at the bor- test kindness by the Hashemite Royal Family and have no complaints.” military-run media said it apparent reference to Idlib ght come under renewed der crossing in Kastanies to Tomorrow, General Glubb will report to the Foreign Of- had downed a drone inside where hundreds of thou- international pressure to cross. fice before going to Chequers for lunch with the Prime northwest Syria, and was sands of desperate Syrian open its now sealed border Stavros Zamalides, pre- Minister, Sir Anthony Eden. closing its airspace for any civilians fleeing Syrian with Syria and offer refuge sident of the local com- Courtesy BBC News flights or drones across the troop advances have moved to hundreds of thousands munity in Kastanies, said country’s northwestern re- toward the Turkish border. more Syrian civilians. Turkey Turkish soldiers were acti- gion. It said any aircraft that Turkish Defense Minsi- already hosts 3.6 million vely helping people cross penetrates Syrian airspace ter Hulusi Akar, speaking Syrian refugees. the Greek border clandes- will be treated as hostile and from military headquarters Turkish President Recep tinely. In context shot down. near the Syrian border, said Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to “Turkish soldiers with Jordan emerged out of the post World War I division of the Mid- The Syrian announce- Turkey aimed to confront open his country’s borders cutters in their hands were dle East under British control. ment came after two days Syrian government forces with Europe made good on cutting the wires of the It became independent in 1946. In 1948 a treaty of alliance of Turkish drone attacks in rather than Russian troops. a longstanding threat to let fence to lead the illegal allowed Britain to retain air bases and a small force in Jordan. In Idlib province that Syrian He called on Moscow to refugees into the continent. migrants” into crossing return, Britain continued to train and subsidise the Arab Legion which began as a security force and became the nucleus of the activists said caused heavy persuade Syrian President His announcement marked the border, he said. “The army. losses to Syrian government Bashar Assad to withdraw to a dramatic departure from attempt was thwarted by King Hussein came to the throne in 1952 and ruled for 47 years forces. These confronta- 2018 cease-fire lines on the the current policy and an the intervention of our own until his death in 1999. He became a stabilising and moderating tions have added to soaring edges of Idlib. apparent attempt to pres- patrol that happened to be influence in a volatile Middle East. tensions between Turkey Referring to losses inflic- sure Europe into offering passing that area on patrol After dismissing General Glubb, he issued a statement empha- sising that Jordan would continue to respect the 1948 treaty. and Russia, which support ted on Syria, he said Turkey Turkey more support in at the time, and it repaired General Glubb returned to Britain as a private citizen. He be- opposing sides of the Syrian had “neutralized” more than dealing with the fallout from the damage in the fence,” came a writer, mostly on Arab affairs. civil war. 2,200 Syrian troops, 103 the Syrian war to its south. he added. MDT/AP www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 9 mon 02.03.2020 資訊／娛樂 INFOTAINMENT

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

YOUR STARS The Born Loser by Chip Sansom

Aries Taurus

Mar. 21-Apr. 19 Apr. 20-May. 20 If your feet aren’t planted firmly If you’re making any big decisions on the ground today, you’re in today, you need to be selfish with danger of getting swept away in your time. Take all you need to someone else’s dreams! you can be learn what you need to know. You supportive of your friends, without have to feel comfortable coming doing all the work for them. down on one side or another. Gemini Cancer

May. 21-Jun. 21 Jun. 22-Jul. 22 You won’t have much patience for Your instincts are good, so why the folks who love to beat around aren’t you trusting them? Just the bush today. If someone can’t because that one friend was right just say what they mean and and you were wrong doesn’t mean be clear about it, you won’t be that they know better than you interested in them. how you should run your life! SUDOKU WEATHER Leo Virgo MIN MAX CONDITION Jul. 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sep. 22 Easy Easy+ CHINA Today, your perception is starting Respect other people’s opinions Beijing 9 c l o u d y to shift. You’re suddenly much and they’ll respect yours. While it -3 more willing to see the other side of might take everything you’ve got to Harbin -12 -2 moderate snow someone’s argument and see that, keep from screaming at someone while this person might not agree who’s saying totally nutty things, Tianjin 1 9 o v e r c a s t with you, they do have a good point. holding back is absolutely essential. Urumqi -4 0 fl u r r y Libra Scorpio Xi’an 2 13 c l o u d y Lhasa -5 10 clear Sep.23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Chengdu 12 20 c l o u d y All of this running around could The explorer deep inside you Chongqing 12 15 d r i z z l e be distancing you from the real should call all the shots today. Let meaning behind what you’re it lead you into investigating new Kunming 9 18 shower doing! You have to make more kinds of art. You’re ready to have Nanjing 11 d r i z z l e time, and you have to make it your beliefs challenged and evolve 8 today. into a new way of thinking. Shanghai 8 13 d r i z z l e Wuhan 10 d r i z z l e Sagittarius Capricorn 8 Medium Hard Hangzhou 8 20 o v e r c a s t Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Taipei 18 22 o v e r c a s t It’s not a day for feeling; it’s a day Be mature today. Step up and 17 26 c l o u d y for thinking! Your brain is set to accept the ramifications of your think in a more analytical way, and recent behavior. The good news Hong Kong 18 22 c l o u d y your heart is letting it drive things is that when you face the music for a while. You might start to seem and dance, you’ll end up getting a bit detached from friends. in the groove in no time at all! WORLD Aquarius Pisces Moscow -1 3 d r i z z l e Frankfurt 3 9 d r i z z l e Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb.19-Mar. 20 Paris 8 11 c l o u d y A little voice inside you is You’ve been almost like an action telling you to heed the warnings hero lately, swooping in and London 7 9 c l o u d y around you. “Keep your cards coming to the rescue of people close to the chest,” says that in need! All of this helping others New York -5 11 clear voice, and you should definitely has been wonderful for your self- obey it. esteem It can be exhausting work!

CROSSWORDS USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ACROSS: 1- Small amounts; 5- Rows; 10- Change for a five; 14- Hydrox rival; 15- Bandleader Shaw; 16- Ralph Lauren brand; 17- Rover’s pal; 18- Short journey; 19- Hungarian sheepdog; 20- Observes Ramadan; 22- Equiangular; 24- “You are ___”; 27- Grandson of Adam; 28- Lycanthrope; 32- Part of LED; 36- Boxer Laila; 37- Emergency calls 999 Taxi 28 939 939 / 2828 3283 Silvery fish; 39- Square one; 40- Cheek; 42- Love, in Paris; 44- Coup d’___; 45- Had dinner at home; 47- Ancient region of Asia Minor; 49- Clean air org.; 50- Keyed up; Fire department 28 572 222 Water Supply – Report 2822 0088 51- Announces formally; 53- Durable wood; 56- Mariners can sail on seven of these; 57- Submerged to the mid-leg; 61- Cursed; 65- Bakery worker; 66- Pave over; 69- PJ (Open line) 993 Telephone – Report 1000 Auction site; 70- Like some orders; 71- Bucky Beaver’s toothpaste; 72- ___ dancing is popular with cowboys!; 73- Like pie?; 74- Ruhr city; 75- Hula hoops?; PJ (Picket) 28 557 775 Electricity – Report 28 339 922

DOWN: 1- Tip, as a hat; 2- Operatic solo; 3- Places to sleep; 4- Assuage; 5- ___ PSP 28 573 333 Macau Daily Times 28 716 081 Mahal; 6- 401(k) alternative; 7- Sewing case; 8- Wash cycle; 9- Attack; 10- Adverse; 11- Person, place, or thing; 12- Actress Customs 28 559 944 Raines; 13- Potting need; 21- Puts in Friday’s solution stitches; 23- Olympus residents; 25- Type S. J. Hospital 28 313 731 of tomato; 26- Varnish resin; 28- Attended;

29- Overjoy; 30- Up; 31- Deluge; 33- Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com Kiang Wu Hospital 28 371 333 Western; 34- Hang with cloth; 35- Kett and James; 38- Melodies; 41- Sororal; Commission Against 43- Wedding shower?; 46- Penury; 48- Sigher’s word; 52- Also; 54- Eagle’s home; Corruption (CCAC) 28326 300 55- Hangs on to; 57- Bird of prey; 58- Final Four org.; 59- Electric fish; 60- School IAM 28 387 333 orgs.; 62- Theatrical award; 63- Wife of a rajah; 64- Sight organs; 67- Hydrocarbon Tourism 28 333 000 suffix; 68- Campaigned; Airport 59 888 88

ad page 10 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo ADVERTISEMENT 廣告 02.03.2020 mon

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 11 mon 02.03.2020 體育 SPORTS

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

the holding of the ceremonial le- gislature’s annual session have been postponed indefinitely. The outbreak is expected to further Beijing 2022 organizers say slow an economy already growing at its lowest level in three decades. China has recorded almost 80,000 cases of the virus that cau- on-track despite virus outbreak ses the disease COVID-19, by far RGANIZERS of the the most of any country. 2022 Beijing Winter Beijing won the right to host

Olympic Games say AP PHOTO the 2022 amid light competition, they are on track to despite questions about a lack of Ocomplete all competition venues natural snow, pollution and scar- by year-end and have teams in ce water resources. That came lar- place for test events, despite the gely on the back of its successful devastating impact of the novel track record of hosting the 2008 coronavirus outbreak that origi- Summer Games and its ability to nated in the country late last year. reuse many of the venues from The pledge was made by Bei- that earlier event, pushing down jing Vice Mayor Zhang Jiandong the cost of the games. to participants in last week’s Wor- Organizers told participants ld Broadcaster Meeting for the ga- last week that the Genting Snow mes that was relocated to Madrid Park in the Zhangjiakou compe- because of the outbreak. Zhang tition zone, where the snowboard and other organizers participa- parallel giant slalom, snowboard ted online from committee head- slopestyle and snowboard halfpi- quarters in Beijing. pe events will be held, is already in “We will try our best to push use, while the National Alpine Ski forward the preparations for Bei- Center in the suburban Yanqing jing 2022 amid the fight against competition zone is ready for test the virus and make sure the pre- events. Yanqing will also host the parations are done in time and up whether this year’s Tokyo Olym- that Japan is at critical juncture to sought to slowly get its economy sliding events and Zhangjiakou, to standard,” Zhang, who is also pic Games, set to open on July 24, determine whether the country back on track by offering loans, in the neighboring province of executive vice president of Bei- can proceed, although Japan has can keep the outbreak under con- tax breaks and other incentives. Hebei, will host ski jumping and jing 2022, was quoted as saying taken extensive measures to curb trol ahead of the Tokyo summer Strict travel restrictions remain, other outdoor events. in a news release from the Beijing the spread of the virus. Japanese Olympics. however, and a host of cultural Indoor events such as, speed committee. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said With new virus cases falling to and sports events have been can- skating, curling and hockey, are to Questions have arisen about at a news conference Saturday around 500 or less daily, China has celled, while school openings and be held in downtown Beijing. AP

ad Chinese man sentenced to die the for murders at virus roadblock BUZZ A driver who fatally stabbed two people guarding a virus-con- citing the Intermediate People’s Court of Honghe Hani and Yi trol roadblock in southwestern China was sentenced to death Autonomous Prefecture. yesterday, a state news agency reported. A passenger in Ma’s minivan tried to remove the roadblock, Xi- The report was a rare sign of public defiance of sweeping an- nhua said. It said Ma stabbed a member of the checkpoint team ti-disease controls that suspended access to several major ci- who used a cellphone to film the incident and a second member ties and shut down much of China’s economy starting in late who came to defend him. January. The passenger was tried separately, Xinhua said. OPINION Ma Jianguo arrived at the roadblock in Honghe County in Chinese authorities are trying to revive commercial activity World Views Yunnan province on Feb. 6, the Xinhua News Agency reported, but many controls on movement still are in effect. Karl W. Smith, Bloomberg

The US fed’s response

to the coronavirus AP PHOTO doesn’t go far enough AP PHOTO

Both the Federal Reserve and the White House are considering emergency measures to combat the eco- nomic fallout from the coronavirus. These are the ri- ght responses, but they don’t go far enough. Venezuela Socialist To be clear, the coronavirus is first and foremost a hardliners in Venezuela opened fire during public-health threat. The full resources of the federal a march headed government should be marshaled against it. At the by Juan Guaidó, same time, the government shouldn’t focus only on injuring a 16-year-old public health, and it’s wrong to argue that efforts to demonstrator and address the economic effects of the virus are a distrac- adding to tensions tion. in the country as the The underlying theory seems to be that there are opposition leader seeks only two possible outcomes of the coronavirus ou- to revive his campaign to tbreak. Either the U.S. will adequately address the oust Nicolás Maduro. public health threat, in which case emergency eco- nomic measures will not be needed; or the U.S. will fail to prevent a pandemic, in which case they will be useless. AP PHOTO This thinking is mistaken. Yes, if there is a pandemic, the human toll will exceed the economic toll — but the economic toll cannot be ignored. The U.S. would be facing a severe recession, and efforts to mitigate it Hong Kong tycoon could help reduce the number of families faced with Ecuador Officials the double crisis of illness and . yesterday confirmed Besides which, even if the government succeeds Lai arrested in fresh the first case of the new in stopping a pandemic, it does not follow that the coronavirus in the South economy will be fine. The very responses necessary American nation, while crackdown on activists reported two to stem the crisis — quarantines, shutting down more cases and Brazil workplaces, avoiding crowds, and the like — will take NATALIE LUNG & sights into the city’s politi- an official best known for one more. Ecuador’s a toll on the economy. There is also the possibility cs. The Global Times, a na- carrying out a campaign to SHERIDAN PRASSO Health Minister Catalina that, even if a pandemic is avoided, pockets of the vi- tionalist newspaper under remove crosses from chur- Andramuño Zeballos rus will continue to emerge until an effective vaccine ONG Kong media China’s Communist Party, ches in Zhejiang provin- said a more-than-70- can be developed. Htycoon and a promi- cited Lai’s meeting with ce, as director of the Hong year-old Ecuadoran That scenario would create a constant level of fear nent democracy advocate U.S. officials including Vice Kong & Macau Affairs Offi- woman who lives in that is itself depressing to economic growth. Another Jimmy Lai, who has long President Mike Pence and ce. In January, Beijing had arrived in the country drag on growth would be the disruption to global denounced as a traitor by Secretary of State Michael appointed Luo Huining - a on Feb. 14 showing no trade as the coronavirus spreads to less prepared na- symptoms of illness. Chinese state media, was tions. Pompeo in an editorial Fri- cadre known for executing All these effects could be enough to push the U.S. among activists swept up day praising his arrest. President Xi Jinping’s anti- into a recession. And once a recession hits, the Fed in a fresh wave of arrests in “Many believed Lai is -corruption campaign - as lacks the tools to easily pull the U.S. out. the Asian financial hub. the ‘chief traitor’ who has head of China’s Liaison Of- AP PHOTO The prudent course, then, is to take action now. In Lai, 72, was arrested brought chaos to the coun- fice in Hong Kong. 2007, as the global financial crisis was unfolding, the Friday on suspicion of try and disorder to Hong On Aug. 31, the day Lai Fed repeatedly relied on half measures until it became participating in an unlaw- Kong,” the paper said. was accused of participa- clear that the financial sector would fall apart. And the ful assembly last year and The arrests come amid ting in an unlawful assem- White House’s response to the recession was a stimu- Slovakia The center- intimidating a reporter in a lull in protest activity bly, tens and thousands of right populist opposition lus that was both inadequate and larded with political 2017, Hong Kong Supe- following more than six people took to the streets favors. Those mistakes should not be repeated. claimed victory in the rintendent Wong Tung- months of nearly non-s- in central Hong Kong to parliamentary election The Fed should immediately cut interest rates by -kwong said. He was given in Slovakia, ending the half a percentage point. It should then prepare both to top demonstrations and protest China’s refusal to reign of the country’s cut interest rates all the way to zero at its March mee- police bail and TV footage as Hong Kong battles the allow a direct vote for the showed him leaving the outbreak of the deadly co- city’s leader. Demonstra- long dominant but ting and to outline the extraordinary measures, such scandal-tainted leftist police station shortly af- ronavirus. Earlier this year, tors turned out despite a as quantitative easing and yield-curve control, that it party that governed is prepared to employ if the crises worsens. ter the briefing. He didn’t Beijing also appointed new police ban and the arrests on an anti-immigration The White House should send an economic aid pa- answer questions from re- hard-line officials to lead of several high-profile pro- platform. ckage to Congress that includes not only the type of porters as he approached the agencies that oversee -democracy activists and payroll and investment tax relief that Republicans su- his vehicle. the city, including the Liai- lawmakers. is set to pport, but also the social spending and state aid that The move follows years son Office. Hong Kong saw one of evacuate 151 citizens Democrats support. Including spending provisions of criticism against Lai in Next Digital Group Di- the most tense and vio- from the Chinese would serve two functions. city of Wuhan as a Chinese state media, whi- rector Mark Simon said by lent clashes that weekend, One, it would make the package larger and its impact new virus continues ch has often listed him stronger. Two, it would prevent the package from get- phone that Lai’s arrest pro- featuring roadblocks set to spread across the ting bogged down in partisanship. It would thus avoid among a “Gang of Four” bably stemmed from the on fire outside the police globe, authorities a crucial defect of former President Barack Obama’s democracy advocates fo- Liaison Office’s desire to headquarters in Wan Chai. said yesterday. The stimulus, which sparked a conservative backlash by menting unrest in the for- show it was taking action. The city descended into South Africans will be failing to include the type of tax cuts that could have mer British colony. While “This is ridiculous,” Simon further chaos as riot po- evacuated in a military earned it Republican support. the media network Lai fou- said. lice stormed into Prince operation that will see them quarantined for 21 It’s possible that these measures would be overkill. nded, Next Digital Ltd. and The Hong Kong police Edward station in Kowloon Even if so, the downside is small. At worst, aggressive days after they arrive in its Apple Daily newspaper, have been going through to make arrests inside the country. aid would overstimulate the economy and produce a backs the protests, it’s been footage and trying to track subway trains. little . But inflation has been below target for years since he was seen as down around protesters The allegation of inti- Vatican A coughing a decade. A tax cut and spending package would also playing a central role in the and other suspects. Two midating a reporter stem- Pope Francis told add to the deficit. But it would create far less debt than city’s democracy move- pilgrims gathered a prolonged recession. former pro-democracy med from a 2017 exchange ment. lawmakers and activists, with a journalist from the for the traditional The public health response to the coronavirus has Sunday blessing that Still, elder Hong Kong Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Oriental Daily newspaper. to be the government’s top priority. Yet an economic he is canceling his response is also necessary. To be effective, it must be democracy advocates like Sum, were also arrested The outlet had long sought participation at a week- swift, sizable and bipartisan. Otherwise, the U.S. risks Lai are often sought out by Friday. to have Lai prosecuted over long spiritual retreat in slipping into another long recession. American diplomats, offi- Earlier this month, Chi- the 2017 incident, Simon the Roman countryside cials and journalists for in- na tapped Xia Baolong, said. BLOOMBERG because of a cold.