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Democrats in Macau will send representative to attend the rally in Hong Kong on 4 December, demanding univeral suffrages to both the Chief Executive and the Legislature, according to a newspaper report.

The Apple Daily News in Hong Kong reported that the New Macau Association decided in an internal meeting a few days ago to attend the rally in the name of the Association.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the newspaper, Chan Wai Chi, the third candidate of the Association during the Legislative Assembly election in September but failed to be elected by just a few hundred votes, said that the political development in Hong Kong is a “model” for Macau.

He told the newspaper that the democratic developments in Hong Kong and Macau are “interactive”, with the fact that consultation mechanism will be reviewed by the Macau Government next year.

He also admitted that he recognised the demand of the Hong Kong people for greater democracy, and pointed out that the proposal put forward by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang is the one “either to be accepted or rejected”, and the lack of consultation in drawing up the proposal.

Chan also pointed out that the “same problem” will appear in Macau in the future.

“We hope that young members (of our Association) can take part in (these) large-scale activities by the Hong Kong democrats, and see for themselves the process of striving for democracy by absorbing experience.”

Although Chan was born in Macau, he used to live in Hong Kong with his father, thus holding a Hong Kong Identity Card.

He also studied Theology between 1992 and 1996, whose teacher was Joseph Jen, now the Bishop of Hong Kong, who had clearly appealed to the Catholics to take part in the rally.

Source: Macao Daily News

Scores of residents in a housing complex at Areia Preta facing power cut at public spaces surrounded a police car during a row between them and the management company.

It is reported that “over a hundred people” gathered in front of the Hoi Pun Gardens last night, in protest of the “failure” of the management company which led to an ultimatum issued by the power supplier CEM to cut off power supply to the public spaces on 12 December.

The management company, however, pointed the finger back to the residents, saying that it is the residents who refused to pay management fees that caused CEM's threat.

Notices were pasted in the afternoon, calling residents to meet and discuss actions to be taken, but they were taken off by other residents, saying that “police has no right to paste notices at their wish”.

The chief of the management company went back to the housing complex at about 22:00, but was later surrounded by “over a hundred” residents.

Police officers arrived at the scene later to understand the situation, and intended to use a police car to send him to a police station for questioning. But residents stopped them, and scores of residents surrounded the police car.

Rubbish bins were also used to block the police car from reversing.

The stalemate lasted for over an hour.

The row on who owns the right to manage the 1,700-unit housing complex has been going on for years. Residents are divided over the issue, with some supporting a particular management company whilst others supporting the other.

The failure to collect full management fees resulted in the housing complex operated in losses, thus owing CEM more than a million Patacas of electricity bill.

An ultimatum was issued by the CEM, warning that should the account not settled before 10 December, all power supply to the public spaces of the housing complex will be cut from 12 December.

However, a CEM spokesman revealed that the company had issued four ultimata before, since May this year.

At the invitation of the Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah, the Shenzhou-6 delegation will commence their three-day visit to Macau today (November 30).

Delegation members are scheduled to arrive in the morning and will meet local professionals from science and technology fields, as well as teachers and students from tertiary colleges, to share with them their with experience with the Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission.

In the evening, the members will attend a welcoming dinner to be hosted by the Government.

On December 1, the two astronauts, colonels Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, will meet primary and secondary school students. They will also meet local residents.

While in Macau they will also visit scenic spots before leaving on a special flight on December 2.

Members of the 30-strong delegation, led by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of China's Manned Space Flight Programme, Mr Hu Shixiang, include Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Mr Zhou Bo; Deputy Director of China Manned Space Engineering Office, Mr Su Shuangning; Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group, Mr Xu Dazhe.

Macau will build its first automated car park to fit the lack of space in old neighbourhoods.

The eight-storey car park will be built at an open space between the Rua da Barca and the Estrada de Adolfo Loureiro, at the San Kio neighbourhood. The building will be based on a concept of a treehouse, according to a report by Jornal Va Kio.

In contrast to similar car parks being built underground, as in other cities, the car park will be built overground to avoid the flooding problem that is consistent in the neighbourhood.

Similar car parks will be built in other old neighbourhoods, if this model is found to be successful.

The surrounding area of the said open space will also be improved under the plan, with the public toilet, refuse collection point and telephone booths being moved to underground; and the green and leisure spaces enlarged.

Meanwhile, the Government has contracted with CAA Consultants to draft a technical proposal to build the car park, worth 1.5 million Patacas.

Chances for terrorist attacks in Macau are “very low”, but the authorities will continue assessing the situation, according to a police official.

Commander-in-Chief of the Unitary Police Services José Pourença Ló Branco told legislators during the debate on next year's security policies, that there is “no evidence” which shows that Macau is an object of terrorist attacks, and chances for those are “very low”.

He claimed that, although the police forces has taken measures to prevent these attacks, it does not mean that terrorism will not appear.

He introduced to legislators that since Reunification, the police authorities in Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong has been conducting exchanges in information on terrorist activities, as well as risk assessments. Contacts have also been established with the consulates in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, enchanced training and regular drills, as well as visits to other places, also help in enhancing the police officers in dealing with terrorist attacks.

Branco also said that if a terrorist attack happened in Macau, rescue will be given priority, in order to lower the number of injuries and deaths, and to restore morale as soon as possible.

He also said that blacklisted people in connection with terrorism will be deported immediately, but such “does not occur often” after Reunification.

A renowned Portuguese linguist came to Macau to assess the Portuguese translation course offered by the Macau Polytechnic Institute.

João Malaca Casteleiro, full Professor and Head of the Department of Portuguese Language and Culture in the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon, met teaching staff of the Institute, and assessed the plan to reform the Chinese-Portuguese translation course.

He also chaired talks for Portuguese teachers and paid visits to classes.

The Macau Polytechnic Institute set up a Portuguese test centre last year, with the help of the University of Lisbon. The first Portuguese test was conducted at the centre in May this year.

The Institute expressed hope that the test can receive greater support from the University of Lisbon and Professor Casteleiro himself.

An academic assessment report is due to be submitted by Professor Casteleiro on the Chinese-Portuguese translation course reform plan, according to the press release of the Institute.

Groups using Largo do Senado at the city centre for open activities will be restricted from next year, according to a municipal official.

The Chairman of the Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Lao Si Io, answered a question raised by a member of the Bureau's consultative committee that IACM is currently studying the feasibility in restricting the frequency and area groups can use to hold open activities at Largo do Senado.

Dates when these activities are allowed will be set, and bookings will be made on “first come, first serve” basis.

Other venues, namely the Praça da Amizade and the Praça do Lago Sai Van will also replace Largo do Senado.

Meanwhile, Lao claimed that the primary consideration in using Portuguese cobbles in paving the streets in the city centre is to “co-ordinate with the surroundings” and to “extend and connect sigthseeing spots”.

He also claimed that practicalities will be considered when using these cobbles, to prevent slips and to account for vehicle traffic needs.

Source: Government Information Bureau (GCS)

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah today received the World Heritage Certificate for “The Historic Centre of Macao” in Beijing.

State Councilor, Ms Chen Zhili relayed the certificate to Mr Ho at the ceremony, held in the Great Hall of the People, during which the certificates for the world heritages in Jilin and Liaoning provinces were also relayed.

Mr Edmund Ho pledged the SAR’s commitment to conserve, display, educate, publicise and promote its world heritage, alongside other mainland cities and provinces with world heritages, making them last for generations.

“We are delighted to be here today to receive the World Heritage Certificate distributed by the Central Government. While acknowledging that this is a hard-won honour, we recognise our responsibilities have been increased given that 'The Historic Centre of Macao' along with the classified sites in Liaoning and Jilin Provinces, part of China's heritage and the common wealth of humankind,” he said.

“'The Historic Centre of Macao' is one of the most unique reflections of the meeting of Chinese and western cultures on Chinese soil. For more then four centuries, not only did Macau produced many “First in China”, but it also demonstrated the peaceful coexistence of different religions, cultures and ways of life, as well as reflecting the extent of Chinese culture's vitality and tolerance. This tradition of peaceful coexistence and cultural, religious and ethnic diversity is of universal value to human progress and also serves as concrete inspiration for the Chinese people and their Macau compatriots to work together in building a harmonious society.”

He said the inscription of “The Historic Centre of Macao” and other historical sites in the Mainland on the World Heritage List had “contributed to a more balanced and representative selection of China's cultural heritage at the same time as it has enriched the treasures of the world.”

Mr Ho convey his gratitude to the UNESCO, especially to the Director-General, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, the Central Government for its great support and meticulous care throughout the process of Macau's inscription on the World Heritage list, and the Invaluable guidance and assistance of the experts and various organs of the State Council

Vice Minister of Education, Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO and China's representative to UNESCO's Executive Board, Mr Zhang Xinsheng and the Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Mr Shan Jixiang also spoke at the ceremony.

The number of people contracted with HIV/AIDS is on the rise, according to statistics.

There has been a total of 336 HIV infectants since record began in 1986, of which 134 are males, and 202 females. The first AIDS case was found in 1989.

Of the 336 HIV infectants, 32 were confirmed with contraction with AIDS, and 18 of them have already died.

However, since inspection to drug addicts was enhanced in 2003, the number of HIV/AIDS cases appeared to have risen.

There has been 30 discovered HIV cases last year, compared with 24 in 2003 and 22 in 2002.

From January to October this year, some 20 cases of HIV cases were found.

Infections by the local population are rising, and infection by injections are also on the increase.

Legislators from the trade union and the democratic camp do not object importation of foreign workers, but strongly demand the Government to guarantee the local residents' right to employment and wages.

During the Legislative Assembly debate on next year's economic policy, which had run for over 12 hours, Legislator Chui Wai Kuan, himself a businessmen, began the debate by doubting trade union legislators their attitude in labour importation.

Legislator Kwan Tsui Hang responded by saying that the trade unions are “dissatisfied” with labour importation, but never say that Macau should not be allowed to import foreign workers.

It is only this attitude that the Government can keep importing foreign workers, she claimed, and pointed out that “some legislators” “do not face the problem correctly”.

The trade unions are concerned with how to guarantee the rights of local workers, she also said, and suggested to set up “an effective mechanism” to ensure that.

She also recalled the recent dispute of a factory that had dismissed 40 workers, that although the factory backed down in the end, some workers still did not dare to return to work “because they fear that they will be forced out sooner or later”.

Kwan also pointed out that the despatches issued by the Macau-Portuguese Government to authorise the importation of workers “do not bear legal validity”, and hence could not penalise those who had broken the relevant labour regulations.

She proposed drafting a specific law to govern labour importation.

Meanwhile, legislators Au Kam San and Ng Kuok Cheong pointed out that unfairness to local workers, and importation of non-technical workers must be stopped.

The whole debate on labour importation had lasted for three hours.