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Residents in the Ilha Verde district opposed plans to build two 50-storey high social housing apartment blocks at the foot of the hill.

The neighbourhood association held a press conference expressing concerns that the authorities did not consult them before hand, and without plans to relocate the LPG depots in the area, which had resulted in explosion and fire in 2005.

They claimed that they only learned the plan from newspapers on 28 September.

They also doubted that the tower blocks may exceed the height of the Ilha Verde hill itself, which means an infringement to current legislations.

Other concerns expressed by the residents included the potential deterioration of air quality, public safety and fire safety, and even flight routes.

Tap Seac Square will be fully completed by early next year, sources told a local newspaper.

The Macao Daily News reported that works are in smooth progress on the underpass and macadamising the square with Portuguese cobbles.

The underpass connecting the square with the rest of the Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida is expected to open to traffic by November.

The entire square is expected to be completed by early next year.

Tap Seac Square began construction in May 2005, and is the largest regeneration plan since the Largo do Senado in Macau's city centre.

The square covers an area of 8,000 sq. metres, macadmised with black, white and red Portuguese cobbles which form circles.

There is a parking area for coaches beneath the square, measuring 5 m in height. There is also a green area and three-storey a food court on the surface and a three-storey shopping centre underground.

Updates to this blog will be disrupted over the next few days until 2 November.

Henry Fok (ÀN­^ªF), an ex-partner of Stanley Ho in Macau's STDM business, has died in Beijing at the age of 83.

Sources told Jornal Va Kio that mainland Chinese President Hu Jintao (­JÀAÀÜ) went to visit him, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, three weeks ago.

Fok was born in Hong Kong in 1923. He made his fortune by operating trading and real estate business.

He also helped the authorities to import necessary materials during the Korean War, when economic sanctions and blockades were imposed to mainland China.

Fok lent Stanley Ho HKD 400,000 (1960s value) in bidding for the gaming monopoly licence in Macau. After the successful bid, he became the largest stakeholder of STDM.

He once said that the development of Macau, and even the career of Stanley Ho, is impossible without him.

He also accused Stanley Ho for poor management of finances of STDM, and later transferred all 27% of his shares to the Henry Fok Foundation to promote philanthropy causes.

He was diagnosed with cancer for the third time about a year ago. Fok once had lymphoma in 1984 but was recovered.

The Japanese Consul-General expressed confidence that direct flights between Macau and Japan will become the reality “in the near future”.

Shigekazu Sato (¦õÃí«©M) believed that formal negotiations between the Macau and Japanese authorities will begin next month, and there are “no big problems” on the details of the agreement, according to Macao Daily News report.

However, he pointed out that formalities are still necessary before the two authorities can sign the agreement, so it may not be possible to have the direct flights inaugurated within this year.

He also expressed confidence that Japanese enterprises will continue to invest more in Macau, and Macau will increasingly become the bridge linking with the markets in southern China.

The European Commission (EC) praises Macau in its annual report on the political and economic situation.

It said that Macau's voters were positive in going to polling stations despite typhoon and heavy rain in September 2005, which reflected developing politics and the elevation of the civic consciousness of the people.

The report also pointed out that the Macau Government reacted quickly on the US Treasury's allegations over a local bank that helped North Korea in money laundering activities.

The EC also affirmed the policies over the Macau Government in amending laws concerning offshore companies and protecting intellectual properties, whilst expressing concerns over the violation of coyprights on TV signals.

According to Jornal Va Kio report, the EC has sent this report to the Macau Government yesterday (26 October).

The Government introduced three concepts on regenerating the Iao Hon neighbourhood in the north of Macau Peninsula.

The built area under these plans are basically similar to the existing neighbourhood, but the green areas will be increased by eight times under re-integration of land. Meanwhile, social amenities will also be added to provide more services.

11 tower blocks will be built under Concept One, with a capacity of about 10,000 residents and average living area of 15 sq. metres per person.

Nine tower blocks will be built under Concept Two, with a capacity of 7,700 residents and average living area of 19 sq. metres per person. Commercial areas will be reorganised so that business environment will be improved under this concept.

Eight tower blocks will be built under Concept Three, and the distance between the blocks will be higher. The concept will be capable of 6,200 residents, and the average living will be 23 sq. metres per person.

Social amenities to be added will include a central park, a bus terminus and taxi stand-by zone, as well as a social facilities complex.

The Executive Council has passed the amendment of the administrative regulations on assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) financially.

Spokesman Tong Chi Kin (­ð§Ó°í) said in a press conference that eight items will be included in the assistance scheme from the original six, including purchasing essential equipments for operations, refurbishments and extensions, signing franchise contracts, acquisition of monopoly in technologicial use and intellectual properties, financial difficulties as a result of contingent situations, as well as promotions and elevation of the capabilities and competitiveness of the enterprises.

The upper limit for the interest-free loan will be MOP 300,000. Under the old rule, SMEs are entitled for MOP 100,000 interest-free loan, and MOP 200,000 under contingent circumstances.

The period for repayments will be extended from six years to eight years.

Meanwhile, SMEs registered in Macau for two years instead of three will be eligible for loan applications. Other eligibilities include the proportion of shares owned by Macau residents must be 50% or more.

The Government has so far received more than 800 loan applications under the scheme, of which 613 were approved, totalling MOP 65 million.

Nearly MOP 30 million of these loans were repaid, but there are also 21 delayed cases, amounting MOP 1.8 million.

Under Macau's definition, SMEs means enterprises employing less than 100 people in Macau, and the employees are working in Macau.

The Legislative Assembly passed in the plenary session the Road Traffic Bill.

Debates between legislators included tougher penalities, vehicle and passenger safety, and environment protection.

The bill will be deliberated in detail, and the Secretary for the Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, promised to sutdy and consider further the regulations during that time.

A summary of speeches before the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on 26 October:

Chan Meng Kam (³¯©úª÷) urged the Government to improve the environment of the Portas do Cerco area. The area is fully packed with motorcycles, hawkers and smugglers.

Leong Heng Teng (±ç¼y®x) and Iong Veng Ian (®e¥Ã®¦) said in a joint speech that the Government should consider investing social assistance and social services to the disabled group.

Lei Chong Cheng (§õ±q¥¿) said that tougher rules should be made to regulate online gambling.

Josˆm Pereira Coutinho expressed worries that Macau's economy is now depending too heaviliy on the gaming sector. He also pointed out current social problems, such as working conditions, social security, public sector workers and political institutions.

Ng Kuok Cheong (§d°ê©÷) urged the Government to introduce a fairer taxation system, to relieve small businesses from heavy burden.

Au Kam San (°ÏÀA·s) said that land concessions should be more transparent.

Leong Iok Va (±ç¥ÉµØ) said that the Government should continue its policies to ban importation of foreign croupiers into Macau, and to formulate policies and take measures to enhance the personal capabilities of local casino workers. Importation of foreign management staff should also be resricted, and assistance should be provided to families with members working on shift.

Leong On Kei (±ç¦wµX) agreed on the recent LRT plan, and said that the project should be far-sighted, and integration with other means of public transport should also be considered.

Kwan Tsui Hang (Ãö»A§ö) demanded the Government to regulate importation of non-resident workers, or the rights of local workers will be jeopardised.