Macao Yearbook 2011

part 2
Overview of the
MACAO SAR

Macao became a Special
Administrative Region (SAR)
of the People’s Republic of
China on 20 December 1999.
The MSAR’s constitutional
document, the Basic Law
o f t h e M a c a o S p e c i a l
Administrative Region, also
came into force on the same
day.

CHAPTER 1
POLITICAL
SYSTEM AND
ADMINISTRATION

Delivering the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2010 (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 1
Political System and Administration
Political System and Administration
Political Structure
Macao People Governing Macao with a High Degree of Autonomy
Macao became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China on
20 December 1999. The MSAR’s constitutional document, the Basic Law of the Macao Special
Administrative Region, also came into force on the same day.
The Basic Law was adopted at the First Session of the Eighth National People’s Congress and
was promulgated on 31 March 1993. It establishes, at the highest level of legal authority, the central
government’s guidelines and policies regarding Macao. It stipulates the system to be practised in
Macao, and lays down the political and administrative framework of the MSAR for 50 years from
1999.
The systems and policies of the MSAR – including its social and economic systems; safeguards
for the fundamental rights and freedoms of its residents; the executive, legislature and judiciary;
and Government policies – are all based on the provisions of the Basic Law.
Under the Basic Law, the MSAR is entitled to a high degree of autonomy in all areas except
defence and foreign affairs. It enjoys executive autonomy, legislative autonomy, an independent
judiciary and the right to final adjudication. The executive and the legislature of the MSAR consist
only of permanent Macao residents. The MSAR maintains the status of free port and independent
tariff region. It also maintains the free flow of capital and the freedom of operations of financial
institutions. It may, under the name “Macao, China”, independently maintain, develop relations
with and sign agreements with various countries, regions and international organisations in fields
such as the economy, trade, finance, transportation, communications, tourism, culture and sports.
The principles of “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao” and a high
degree of autonomy have passed their initial tests with flying colours, and are now broadly recognised
in Macao and infused into its social and political culture.
“Macao people governing Macao” means that the people of Macao are in charge of their own
affairs. Macao’s Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and the
Legislative Assembly, the President of the Court of Final Appeal and the Public Prosecutor-General
shall be permanent residents, and some of these positions may only be assumed by permanent
residents of Macao who are also Chinese citizens.
“A high degree of autonomy” means that the National People’s Congress (NPC) authorises the
MSAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Basic Law, and that the central
government will not interfere in affairs that fall within the autonomy of the MSAR. The MSAR
enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power and the power of final adjudication, as
well as other powers authorised by the NPC, the Standing Committee of the NPC and the Central
People’s Government. However, a high degree of autonomy does not mean full autonomy. In order
to maintain a unified China and to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,
the Central People’s Government retains certain essential powers – for example, the Central People’s
Government is responsible for the MSAR’s foreign affairs and defence.
123

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Chief Executive
The Chief Executive is the head of the MSAR and is accountable to the Central People’s Government
and the MSAR.
The Chief Executive shall be a Chinese citizen of not less than 40 years of age who is a permanent
resident and has ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 20 years.
The Chief Executive is selected by election or through local consultations and is appointed by the
Central People’s Government. The term of office of the Chief Executive is five years and he or she
may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
The Chief Executive is charged with the responsibility of leading the MSAR Government;
implementing the Basic Law and other laws applicable to Macao; signing bills passed by the
Legislative Assembly and promulgating laws; signing budgets passed by the Legislative Assembly
and reporting those budgets and final accounts to the Central People’s Government for the
record; making decisions on SAR Government policies and issuing executive orders; formulating
by-laws and promulgating them for implementation; nominating and reporting to the Central
People’s Government candidates for the posts of Secretaries, Commissioner Against Corruption,
Commissioner of Audit, and leading officials of the Police and Macao Customs Service, and
recommending to the Central People’s Government the removal of the above officials; appointing a
proportion of the members of the Legislative Assembly; appointing and removing members of the
Executive Council; nominating and reporting to the Central People’s Government the appointment
of the Public Prosecutor-General and recommending his or her removal; appointing or removing
presidents and judges of the courts at all levels, public prosecutors and civil servants; and, under
particular circumstances, dissolving the Legislative Assembly.
The first and second Chief Executive of the MSAR was Edmund Ho Hau Wah. The third Chief
Executive is Chui Sai On, currently serving his first term of office.
The Executive Council
The Executive Council assists the Chief Executive in policymaking. Article 58 of the Basic Law
stipulates that, except for the appointment, removal and disciplining of officials and the adoption of
emergency measures, the Chief Executive shall consult with the Executive Council before making
important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Assembly, formulating by-laws or
dissolving the Legislative Assembly. If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of
the Executive Council, the specific reasons should be put on record.
Article 57 of the Basic Law stipulates that the Executive Council shall be composed of seven to
11 Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the MSAR. The Chief Executive shall appoint
them from among principal officials, members of the Legislative Assembly and other public figures.
The Chief Executive shall decide the appointment or removal of Executive Council members.
The term of office of members shall not last beyond that of the Chief Executive who appoints them,
but the members shall remain in place until the new Chief Executive takes office.
Article 58 of the Basic Law stipulates that the Executive Council shall be presided over by the
Chief Executive and meet at least once a month. The proceedings of the Executive Council meetings
are confidential, but a spokesperson announces important decisions to the public. The Executive
Council held 46 formal meetings during 2010.
124

Political System and Administration
The first and second Chief Executive Edmund Ho appointed 10 members to the Executive
Council in both his terms. During the first term, these members included the five Secretaries, two
Members of the Legislative Assembly and three public figures. In the second term, they included
one Secretary, three Members of the Legislative Assembly and six public figures.
The third Chief Executive Chui Sai On appointed 10 members to the Executive Council: one
Secretary, three Members of the Legislative Assembly and six public figures.
The Legislature
According to the Basic Law, the MSAR enjoys legislative autonomy and the Legislative Assembly
is its sole legislature.
The Macao SAR has full legislative autonomy, which embodies and guarantees Macao’s high
degree of autonomy. The legislative power of Macao is exercised solely by the Legislative Assembly.
No other body or entity has legislative power. Laws formulated by the Legislative Assembly shall
conform to the Basic Law.
The Legislative Assembly exercises its legislative power and supervisory power under the Basic
Law and the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly.
Legislative Authority
The term “legislative authority” generally refers to the power to formulate general and abstract laws
that are applicable to the MSAR and its residents. More specifically, the powers of the Legislative
Assembly include the right to make laws, the right to amend laws, the right to suspend the execution
of laws, and the right to abolish laws.
According to the Basic Law and the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative
Assembly members and the Government have the right to introduce bills and propose amendments.
Bills or proposed amendments introduced by the Legislative Assembly members shall be signed
by no more than nine legislators, while any bill introduced by the Government shall be presented
by the Chief Executive. It shall be specified that the Government has consulted with the Executive
Council about the bill. Any bill involving Government policy that is introduced by a Legislative
Assembly member, when exercising his or her sponsorship or co-sponsorship right, requires the
written consent of the Chief Executive. The Government has exclusive sponsorship rights in the
four following respects: electoral law for the Legislative Assembly, public income and expenditure,
political structure and Government operation.
Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly shall come into effect only after being signed and
promulgated by the Chief Executive.
Supervisory Authority and Other Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly include: examining and passing budgets introduced
by the Government; examining the Government’s reports on budget implementation; deciding on
Government motions on taxation; and approving debts to be taken on by the Government.
Debating the policy addresses of the Chief Executive is also the Legislative Assembly’s
responsibility. The Chief Executive is accountable not only to the Central People’s Government
125

Macao Yearbook 2011
but also, as head of the Government, to the Legislative Assembly. Therefore, the Chief Executive
must make regular policy addresses to the Legislative Assembly on behalf of the Government,
introducing and explaining administration guidelines and Government policies. The Legislative
Assembly may debate the Chief Executive’s policy address and any other issue of public interest.
The term “issue of public interest” encompasses all aspects of Macao society; the Legislative
Assembly may hold meetings to discuss such issues, and may require relevant Government officials
to attend those meetings.
The Legislative Assembly receives and handles residents’ complaints; it receives complaints
concerning the existing legal system, but it does not directly handle individual cases or applications
for legal consultations.
The Legislative Assembly also has the authority to impeach the Chief Executive. If one third
of the members of the Legislative Assembly accuse the Chief Executive of a serious breach of law
or dereliction of duty and the Chief Executive refuses to resign, the Legislative Assembly may
decide to entrust the President of the Court of Final Appeal to set up an independent investigative
committee. If the committee considers the evidence sufficient to substantiate such charges, the
assembly may pass a motion of impeachment by a two-thirds majority and report it to the Central
People’s Government for a decision.
Members of the assembly may also pass a resolution to address enquiries into the Government’s
work in accordance with the Legislative Assembly’s Procedure for Inquiry into Government Work.
While exercising the powers mentioned above, the Legislative Assembly may summon witnesses
to testify or give evidence according to the Rules of Witness Testimony.
Composition and Term of Office of the Legislative Assembly
Members of the Legislative Assembly shall be permanent residents of the MSAR. The majority of
them are elected and the term of office, except for the first term, is four years.
The first Legislative Assembly of the MSAR had 23 members, eight of whom were elected
directly, eight indirectly and seven appointed by the Chief Executive. Their term of office expired
on 15 October 2001. The second Legislative Assembly had 27 members, 10 of whom were elected
directly, 10 indirectly and seven appointed by the Chief Executive. Their term expired in 2005. The
third Legislative Assembly likewise has 29 members, 12 of whom were elected directly,
10 indirectly and seven appointed by the Chief Executive.
Subsequent Legislative Assemblies will have the same composition – unless, after 2009, the
need arises to change the method for forming the Legislative Assembly. In this case, amendments
will require the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of the assembly and the consent of the Chief
Executive. The amendments shall also be reported to the Standing Committee of the NPC for the
record.
The Legislative Assembly has one president and one vice president, elected by and from among
its members. The president and vice president shall be permanent Chinese residents who have lived
continuously in Macao for at least 15 years.
Structure and Operation of the Legislative Assembly
The structure of the Legislative Assembly comprises the president, the Executive Board, the
126

Political System and Administration
Committee on Rules and Statutes, standing committees and any follow-up committees and
provisional committees that may be set up. The president represents the Legislative Assembly and
leads and coordinates the assembly’s work. The president performs his or her duties in accordance
with the Basic Law and the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly.
Each Legislative Assembly usually serves four sessions. Each session lasts one year, normally
from 16 October to 15 August of the following year. The Legislative Assembly uses Chinese and
Portuguese, Macao’s two official languages.
The Executive Board
The Executive Board of the Legislative Assembly consists of the president, the vice president and
two elected secretaries. The power of the Executive Board is clearly laid down in the Rules of
Procedure of the Legislative Assembly. It includes assisting the president and vice president in the
performance of their respective duties, and reviewing all issues assigned by the president or the
plenary meeting. In addition, the Executive Board exercises its administrative powers in accordance
with the Legislative Assembly Organisational Law.
Legislative Assembly Committees
The committees of the Legislative Assembly include the Committee on Rules and Statutes, standing
committees, follow-up committees and provisional committees. According to the rules from Articles
22 to 32 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, adopted in Resolution No. 1/1999
and later amended in Resolution No. 1/2004 and 2/2009, every legislator must be a member of
more than one committee.
Committee on Rules and Statutes
The Committee on Rules and Statutes for the first and second Legislative Assembly comprised
five legislators, all of whom were elected by the plenary meeting. The Committee on Rules and
Statutes from the third Legislative Assembly onwards comprises seven members. Under Article 26
of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly, the main responsibilities of this committee
are to initiate and comment on procedures for disputes regarding a candidate’s eligibility and for
the disqualification and dismissal of legislators; to investigate events in the Legislative Assembly
that may tarnish the reputation or dignity of legislators; to comment on any explanation of, or
amendment to, an omission in the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly; to comment on
proposed revisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly; and to make decisions
when jurisdictional conflicts arise between committees.
Standing Committees
The numbers, establishment, names and compositions of the standing committees of the Legislative
Assembly are all recommended by the Executive Board, resolved preliminarily in the first plenary
meeting and then decided by the second plenary meeting of each term of the Legislative Assembly.
The responsibilities of the standing committees (covered in Article 28 of the Rules of Procedure of
the Legislative Assembly) are to review and report on bills, motions, resolutions and amendment
overtures submitted to the Legislative Assembly; to discuss petitions submitted to the Legislative
Assembly; to vote on details of bills that have passed their first reading in a plenary meeting; and
127

Macao Yearbook 2011
to review issues assigned by the plenary meeting or the president.
At present, the Legislative Assembly has three standing committees: the First Standing
Committee, the Second Standing Committee and the Third Standing Committee.
Follow-up Committees
The Legislative Assembly may set up follow-up committees for specific topics or purposes. Their
responsibilities are prescribed by Article 30 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly:
follow-up the important issues related to the specific topics for which they are established; followup
on areas applicable to laws passed by the Legislative Assembly; request relevant officials to
attend meetings to provide explanations and submit important information for policies related to the
follow-up issues; compile a report or submissions of opinions upon completion of any follow-up
work; and provide recommendations for measures to be taken regarding the topics.
The Legislative Assembly has established three follow-up committees: Follow-up Committee
for Land and Public Concession Affairs, Follow-up Committee for Public Finance Affairs and
Follow-up Committee for Public Administration Affairs.
Provisional Committees
The Legislative Assembly may set up provisional committees for specific issues or purposes.
A motion to set up a provisional committee should be tabled by at least five legislators. A
provisional committee reviews the subject for which it was established and submits a report or
comments within a time period specified by the plenary meeting or the president (under Articles
31 and 32 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly).
Organisation Chart of the Legislative Assembly
President
Executive Board
Committee
on Rules
and Statutes
Standing
Committees
Follow-up
Committees
Provisional
Committees
Administrative Agencies and Technical Support Offices
The administrative agencies of the Legislative Assembly include the president, the Executive Board
128

Political System and Administration
and the Administrative Committee, all of which are responsible for the administrative affairs of the
Assembly. In terms of administrative management, the primary responsibilities of the Executive
Board (Law No. 11/2000, Legislative Assembly Organisational Law as amended by the Law No.
1/2010) are to formulate and implement general administrative policies and its measures; decide
the employment and selection criteria of the general staff, executives and supervisors of technical
support offices, including the ceiling of remuneration of employment contract; monitor the finances
of the Legislative Assembly; supervise the staff of the Legislative Assembly’s technical support
offices; appoint and relocate civil servants, service personnel and temporary personnel attached to
the technical support offices; enforce disciplinary measures in accordance with civil service laws
and regulations; formulate internal rules and regulations for the technical support and administrative
offices of the Legislative Assembly; and publish such rules and regulations in the second section
of the Journal of the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly’s technical support offices report directly to the Executive Board. If the
term of the Legislative Assembly expires or if the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, the Executive
Board shall retain its responsibilities until the first meeting of the new Legislative Assembly. The
technical support offices, consisting of staff of the Legislative Assembly, are led by the president and
the Executive Board, and they report directly to the secretary-general. The technical support offices
are divided into sections to handle different portfolios and to provide the Legislative Assembly and
its administrative agencies with technical and administrative support.
The Legislative Assembly’s Public Feedback System
The Legislative Assembly has established a public feedback system to collect opinions, suggestions
and criticisms concerning legislation, Government activities, policies and other issues of public
interest. The system also aims to explain the work of the Legislative Assembly and help citizens to
exercise their rights to submit petitions and make complaints.
Citizens may voice their opinions via the feedback system in person or by telephone, post, fax or
e-mail. The service is available Mondays to Fridays from 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
In addition, legislators receive citizens by appointment from noon to 1.00pm from Monday to
Friday. Legislators make themselves available according to a roster compiled by the Legislative
Assembly.
Electoral Law
Macao’s electoral system is based on the Voter Registration Law (Law No. 12/2000 as amended by
the Law No. 9/2008) and the Legislative Assembly Election Law of the Macao Special Administrative
Region (Law No. 3/2001 as amended by the Law No. 11/2008) The two laws govern both the direct
and indirect elections of the Legislative Assembly, and the appointment of legislators as prescribed
in Annex II (1) of the Basic Law.
The Voter Registration Law contains 60 articles, which govern the voter registration procedures
for natural persons and legal persons, whereas the Legislative Assembly Election Law contains 205
articles, which govern the direct and indirect elections of members of the Legislative Assembly.
Electoral System for the Legislative Assembly
Under the Legislative Assembly Election Law, there are direct and indirect elections.
129

Macao Yearbook 2011
In direct elections, any individual aged 18 years or older and who is a permanent resident of the
MSAR may, after registration under the Voter Registration Law, vote for the 12 directly elected
members of the Legislative Assembly. According to Annex II (1) of the Basic Law, there shall be
12 directly elected members of the third-term and subsequent Legislative Assemblies.
In indirect elections, representatives of legal persons who are confirmed as members of the
relevant sectors for at least four years may, after being registered with and given legal personality
by the Identification Services Bureau for at least seven years under the Voter Registration Law, vote
for the 10 indirectly elected members of the Legislative Assembly.
Under the two election systems, the method used for converting the number of votes into seats in
the Legislative Assembly is as follows: the first candidate on each list receives a quotient equal to the
number of votes recorded for that list. The second candidate on each list receives a quotient equal to
half the number of votes recorded for that list. The third candidate on each list receives a quotient
equal to a quarter of the number of votes recorded for that list, and so on. Legislative Assembly
seats are then awarded to the candidates who, among all lists, have the highest quotients. As regards
the assignment of the final seat: if two candidates from different lists have equal quotients, the seat
shall be given to the candidate from the list that has yet to win a seat. If both lists have won one
or more seats, the seat shall be given to the list that received the most votes. If both lists have won
the same number of votes, the winner of the seat shall be determined by the open drawing of lots.
The Chief Executive shall appoint seven legislators to the Legislative Assembly within 15 days
of receiving the final verified results, as stipulated in Article 134 of the Legislative Assembly
Election Law.
Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Commission
The Electoral Affairs Commission is responsible for promoting, coordinating and supervising the
elections of the Legislative Assembly.
The members of the Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Commission are appointed by the
Chief Executive. The commission has one chairman and four members, appointed from among
appropriately qualified citizens. The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau provides
support to the commission.
The main responsibilities of the Electoral Affairs Commission are to ensure that the campaigning
activities of all candidates are fair; to examine allegations of election misconduct; to report any
illegal acts to the competent authorities; to ensure security during the elections; to recommend
to the Chief Executive the television and radio airtime that should be allocated to each candidate
list; and to examine whether campaign finances conform to regulations. The commission shall be
disbanded 150 days after the ballot is validated and verified.
The Judiciary
The courts of the MSAR have judicial autonomy. They are subordinate only to the law and are
guaranteed to be free from any interference. The MSAR has a Court of First Instance, a Court of
Second Instance and a Court of Final Appeal. The power of final adjudication is vested in the Court
of Final Appeal.
130

Political System and Administration
The Court of First Instance may, when necessary, establish special courts. The previous criminal
prosecution system has been maintained since the establishment of the MSAR.
The MSAR also has an Administrative Court, which is responsible for administrative and tax
litigation. Defendants and plaintiffs who find the ruling of this court unsatisfactory can file an
appeal to the Court of Second Instance.
Judges at all levels are appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of an independent
commission composed of local judges, lawyers and prominent members of the community. The
Chief Executive appoints the presidents of the courts from among the judges. The President of
the Court of Final Appeal shall be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of the MSAR.
Any appointment or removal of the President of the Court of Final Appeal shall be reported to the
Standing Committee of the NPC for the record.
The Public Prosecutions Office is independent and free from interference, as defined by law.
The Public Prosecutor-General shall be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of the
MSAR. He or she shall be nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the Central People’s
Government. Other public prosecutors shall be nominated by the Public Prosecutor-General
and appointed by the Chief Executive. The structure, powers, functions and remit of the Public
Prosecutions Office are prescribed by law.
Relationship between the MSAR and the Central Government
The MSAR is a local administrative region with a high degree of autonomy under the Central People’s
Government of the People’s Republic of China. No department, province, autonomous region or
municipality under the Central People’s Government may interfere in the MSAR’s internal affairs as
specified in the Basic Law. Any person from another province, autonomous region or municipality
must apply for an entry permit to enter Macao. If there is a need for central government departments,
provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities to set up an office in Macao, they must obtain the
consent of the MSAR Government and the approval of the Central People’s Government.
The Central People’s Government is responsible for the MSAR’s defence and foreign affairs.
However, it authorises the MSAR to conduct certain external affairs on its own, under the name
of “Macao, China”. The Central People’s Government appoints and removes the Chief Executive,
principal officials and the Public Prosecutor-General.
Laws enacted by the legislature of the MSAR must be reported to the Standing Committee of
the NPC for the record. However, such reporting shall not affect the entry into force of such laws.
National laws shall not be applied in the MSAR except the following, which shall be promulgated
or legislated by the MSAR.
The national laws applicable in the MSAR by the end of 2010 were:
- Resolution on the Capital, Calendar, National Anthem and National Flag of the People’s
Republic of China;
- Resolution on the National Day of the People’s Republic of China;
- Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China;
- Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Diplomatic Privileges and
131

Macao Yearbook 2011
132
Immunities;
- Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities;
- Law of the People’s Republic of China on the National Flag;
- Law of the People’s Republic of China on the National Emblem;
- Law of the People’s Republic of China on Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone;
- Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental
Shelf;
- Garrison Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;
and
- Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Immunity of the Property of Foreign Central
Banks from Judicial Compulsory Measures.
The MSAR has no jurisdiction over acts of state such as defence and foreign affairs.
Chinese citizens who are residents of the MSAR are entitled to participate in the management
of state affairs according to law.
Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR
The predecessor of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR was the
Macao branch of the Xinhua News Agency. The liaison office received its present name after the
establishment of the MSAR and held its opening ceremony on 18 January 2000. It will continue
to contribute to the development and stability of Macao.
As a working agency stationed in Macao by the Central People’s Government, the liaison office
shall, in the light of the principles of “One country, two systems” and “Macao people governing
Macao”, support the SAR Government in administration in line with the Basic Law, and be
responsible for liaison between the mainland and Macao.
The liaison office is responsible for contacting the MSAR Commission of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the PRC and the People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison; contacting and
assisting mainland authorities in managing mainland Chinese-funded organisations in Macao;
promoting social and economic exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Macao;
reporting to the Central People’s Government the opinions of Macao people about the mainland;
handling Taiwan-related affairs in the MSAR; and handling any other matters assigned by the
Central People’s Government.
In addition, the liaison office shall, through various channels, promote ties with all social
segments in Macao, pay attention to development and stability issues, and provide assistance
wherever necessary.
Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative
Region
Under the Basic Law, the Central People’s Government is responsible for handling foreign affairs

Political System and Administration
related to the MSAR. To this end, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR was established on 20 December 1999.
The duties of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in
the MSAR are:
1. Handling foreign affairs issues related to the MSAR that are the responsibilities of the
Central People’s Government;
2. Handling and coordinating affairs related to the MSAR’s participation in international
organisations and conferences; issues concerning international organisations and
associations that establish branch offices in the MSAR; and matters related to intergovernmental
conferences to be held in the MSAR;
3. Handling matters concerning the application of international treaties in the MSAR;
and assisting with issues concerning the Central People’s Government’s processing of
authorisation for the MSAR Government to negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign
countries;
4. Coordinating and handling issues related to the establishment of foreign consular bodies,
or other official and semi-official organisations in the MSAR, and dealing with relevant
consular affairs; and
5. Handling any other responsibilities assigned to it by the Central People’s Government and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The commissioner’s office has four departments: the Policy Research Department, the
International Organizations and Legal Affairs Department, the Consular Affairs Department and
the Department of General Affairs.
The People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison
The People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison took up its role in Macao on 20 December 1999
with the establishment of the MSAR.
According to the Garrison Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s
Republic of China, the Macao garrison is responsible for the defence of Macao without interfering
in the local affairs of the MSAR. The MSAR Government may, if necessary, ask the Central People’s
Government for assistance from the Macao garrison in maintaining social order and relieving
natural disasters.
The Macao garrison has strictly observed the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, loyally fulfilled
its duty, strengthened exchanges with various sectors of Macao society, and actively participated
in charitable activities.
Executive Structure
The MSAR Government is the executive authority of the MSAR. The Chief Executive is the head
of the Government, supported by secretariats, bureaux, departments and divisions.
Secretariats: there are five secretariats in the MSAR Government, namely the Secretariat for
Administration and Justice, the Secretariat for Economy and Finance, the Secretariat for Security,
133

Macao Yearbook 2011
the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, and the Secretariat for Transport and Public Works.
Each is headed by a secretary. The secretaries, in the above order of seniority, stand in for the Chief
Executive when the Chief Executive is unable to perform his or her duties.
Bureaux: units directly under the secretariats, performing designated functions.
Departments: units affiliated to the bureaux, responsible for establishing operational procedures.
Divisions: units affiliated to the bureaux or departments, responsible for operational duties.
In addition, affiliated units, such as teams and sections, exist within the structure of the MSAR
Government.
The principal officials of the MSAR Government are the secretaries, the Commissioner Against
Corruption, the Commissioner of Audit, and leading police and customs service officials. Principal
officials of the MSAR shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Macao and who
have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 15 years.
The MSAR Government is responsible for formulating and implementing policies; conducting
administrative affairs; managing external relations as authorised by the Central People’s Government
under the Basic Law; drawing up and introducing budgets and final accounts; introducing bills
and motions and drafting by-laws; and designating officials to attend meetings of the Legislative
Assembly to listen to opinions or to speak on behalf of the MSAR Government.
The MSAR Government must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Assembly;
implement laws passed by the Legislative Assembly and already in force; present policy addresses
regularly to the Legislative Assembly; and answer questions raised by members of the Legislative
Assembly.
Secretary for Administration and Justice
The Secretary for Administration and Justice holds authority in areas including: public administration;
civil affairs; legal translation and promotion; legislative affairs and legal administration; the social
rehabilitation of discharged prisoners; civil and criminal records; regulation of the registration and
notarisation system; and publication of the Macao SAR Gazette.
Secretary for Economy and Finance
The Secretary for Economy and Finance is responsible for the Government budget; supervision of
industry, commerce and gaming; offshore businesses (except those under the jurisdiction of other
secretaries); the currency, foreign exchange and monetary system (including the insurance sector);
administration of public finances and the tax system; statistical data; labour and employment;
vocational training; and consumer rights protection.
Secretary for Security
The Secretary for Security holds authority over the internal security of the SAR; criminal
investigation; immigration control; supervision of maritime traffic and the application of penalty
provisions; civil protection; coordination and management of the prison system; and customs affairs
as defined in Law No. 11/2001.
134

Political System and Administration
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture is responsible for education, health, social affairs,
culture, tourism, sport, youth affairs and social security.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works is responsible for land regulation; traffic management;
aviation and port affairs; infrastructure and public projects; transport and communication;
environmental protection; Home-Ownership Scheme housing and public housing; and meteorology.
Commission Against Corruption
The Commission Against Corruption functions independently. The Commissioner Against
Corruption shall be appointed by the Central People’s Government on the nomination of the Chief
Executive. The commissioner is accountable to the Chief Executive.
The Commission Against Corruption is responsible for tackling corruption and fraud. It
investigates, in accordance with the law, corruption and fraud among civil servants and among
individuals involved in voter registration and elections. It also promotes the protection of human
rights, freedoms, legal guarantees, and legitimate rights and interests, as well as ensuring the justice,
legitimacy and efficiency of public administration.
Commission of Audit
The Commission of Audit has been set up in accordance with the Basic Law. It functions
independently and is not subject to interference. The Commissioner of Audit is accountable to the
Chief Executive.
The main responsibilities of the Commission of Audit are to monitor the implementation of the
Government budget, to conduct a “value-for-money” assessment on the subject of audit, and to
monitor the expenditure management, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the Government.
The Commission of Audit has the power to obtain and review the combined financial statements
and annual statements for the MSAR as delivered by the Finance Services Bureau; to require the
department head or anyone who is the subject of the audit to explain or provide information so
that the Commission of Audit can perform its duties; to require the subject of the audit to submit
a budget or revenue and expenditure plan, budget implementation plan, final accounts, financial
statements, audit reports issued by certified public auditors or other information regarding financial
revenue and expenditure; to review and extract information from any book, file or record belonging
to the subject of the audit at no expense; and to access all records, books, vouchers, documents,
cash receipts, stamps, securities, materials and any other Government property held by the subject
of the audit. It shall declare to the Public Prosecutions Office anything it deems appropriate.
Unitary Police Service
The Unitary Police Service is part of Macao’s internal security system, and it is responsible for the
coordination of Macao’s security affairs. It commands and leads police units that now include the
135

Macao Yearbook 2011
Public Security Police and Judiciary Police.
The Commissioner-General is the head of the Unitary Police Service, and he or she is appointed
by the Central People’s Government on the nomination of the Chief Executive, to whom he or she
reports. However, this shall not affect the supervisory power of the Secretary for Security granted
through by-laws.
Macao Customs Service
The Macao Customs Service (Macao Customs), a public body with administrative autonomy
established in accordance with the Basic Law, is responsible for directing, implementing and
supervising customs policy, as well as conducting policing functions such as customs administration
and supervision (as specified in Article 1 of Law No. 11/2001).
The head of the Macao Customs, the Director-General, is appointed by the Central People’s
Government on the nomination of the MSAR Chief Executive, to whom he or she reports. However,
this shall not affect the supervisory power of the Secretary for Security granted through by-laws (as
specified in the sixth paragraph of Article 50 in the Basic Law and Article 6 of Law No. 11/2001).
Office of the Government Spokesperson
The Office of the Government Spokesperson was established under Executive Order No. 41/2010.
It is responsible for formulating information strategies and coordinating their implementation;
ensuring Government communications are coherent and efficient; and fostering the Government’s
relations with the media and the public, in accordance with the Government’s policies, measures
and work.
The Office of the Government Spokesperson reports directly to the Chief Executive and
operates according to the Chief Executive’s guidelines. The office collaborates with the Government
Information Bureau when initiating activities. The office is run by a government spokesperson and
a deputy government spokesperson.
Policy Research Office of the MSAR Government
The Policy Research Office was established under Executive Order No. 375/2010. It is
responsible for carrying out research on the economic and social development of Macao;
analysing and studying structural problems in the economy and society, and Macao’s economic
and social situations; conducting medium to long term studies on Macao’s prospects;
formulating public policies, policy plans and administrative agendas on the basis of public
opinion, and providing information and consultation services to the Chief Executive; analysing and
assessing public policies, plans and administrative agendas; promoting technical cooperation
between the Government and public and private organisations within or outside Macao, and
following up on technical cooperation agreements; and providing and promoting information
within its remit.
The Policy Research Office is run by one director and two deputy directors who are officially
appointed by the Chief Executive; its research and related work are coordinated by a chief adviser
and two technical advisers who are officially appointed by the Chief Executive.
136

Political System and Administration
Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing
The Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region in Beijing reports directly to the Chief
Executive, and it represents the MSAR in Beijing with administrative autonomy. The director of
the office is appointed by the Chief Executive for a fixed term, and he or she represents and leads
the office and plans its activities, also assisting the Chief Executive in liaising with the central
government and local governments of mainland China.
The office assists the Chief Executive in coordinating overall relations between the MSAR and
the Central People’s Government; liaises with Beijing representative offices set up by departments
of the Central People’s Government, provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities; publicises
the social and cultural conditions of the MSAR and develops tourism and cultural exchanges, with
a focus on promoting Macao as a tourist destination; liaises, consults and discusses with mainland
departments, in line with the Chief Executive’s instructions, on the promotion of exchanges and
cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, tourism, culture and training; provides logistical
and information support to the MSAR; assists the MSAR’s public administrative staff working in
Beijing or other regions of mainland China, those staying temporarily for business or training, and
non-civil servants or non-service personnel staying temporarily for training or for other activities
organised by the MSAR; and executes other special tasks or plans assigned by the Chief Executive.
In 2010, the office assisted the Macao Foundation, the Hunan Federation of Literary and Art
Circles and the Hunan Photographers Association in launching “The Impression of Macao – Zhang
Liping Photo Exhibition”; helped the Printmaking Research Center of Macao to hold the “Exhibition
of Modern Printmaking of Macao”; assisted in the “SIGNAL Poster Design Competition Exhibition
Beijing” organised by the Macau Poster Design Association and sponsored by the Cultural Affairs
Bureau and the Macao Foundation; jointly organised with the Macao Foundation and the Baihua
Literature and Art Publishing House of Tianjin a press conference for “Macao in my heart”, an
international Chinese essay competition; helped the Tertiary Education Services Office to organise
the 2010 seminar on Macao’s higher education ; and, in celebration of the 11th anniversary of Macao’s
return to the motherland, held two receptions for leaders of the related departments of the central
government and Beijing-based representatives of provinces and cities as well as for those who have
worked in Macao before and, together with the Macao Students of Beijing Colleges Association,
launched celebratory activities for Macao students studying in Beijing.
The office also helped Macao residents and other local people to follow up on and handle
disputes and problems in investments, residence and studies in mainland China; helped liaison work
between MSAR Government departments and authorities in mainland China; helped governments
and enterprises in mainland China forward letters of intent on cooperation and event invitations,
in order to seek opportunities for mutually beneficial joint developments; and provided technical
support to MSAR Government departments visiting Beijing. In 2010, the office received a dozen
delegations from Macao and mainland China.
Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon
The Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, which reports directly to the Chief Executive,
represents and supports the MSAR in Portugal and has administrative autonomy.
The director of the office is selected and appointed by the Chief Executive, and he or she
represents the interests of the office and the MSAR, assisting the Chief Executive with economic
137

Macao Yearbook 2011
and trade liaison and cooperation between the MSAR and Portugal.
The office is responsible for strengthening the relationship between the MSAR and Portugal;
defending Macao’s interests in Portugal; boosting economic and trade benefits by establishing
relations with organisations, enterprises and public or private bodies in Portugal; promoting the
MSAR’s community and culture, so as to develop cultural exchange; assisting in the training of staff
from Macao in Portugal, and the training of local staff in the MSAR in conjunction with Portuguese
public or private organisations; offering assistance to civil servants, public or private bodies of
the MSAR and to those with an interest in relations with the MSAR; and providing logistical and
information support to the MSAR Government.
In addition, the office also organises activities to promote Macao culture. Every year, it conducts
a Portuguese-language programme tailored to the needs of Chinese residents in Portugal, and offers
Putonghua and Chinese cultural courses to the Portuguese public.
During 2010, the office received Government officials and delegations from various authorities.
In June, the Chief Executive paid an official visit to Portugal, and the office provided support
and followed up on the related work. During his visit, Chief Executive Chui Sai On officiated at
the opening ceremony of the “Photo Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the Macao Special
Administrative Region” held at the office. Moreover, the office also gave substantial assistance
to Florinda Chan, Secretary for Administration and Justice; the Commissioner of Audit the
Commissioner Against Corruption; and a delegation of the Court of Final Appeal and Macao judges,
when they made official visits to Portugal.
The office also provided support to the representatives and delegations of various Macao
Government departments when they made official visits to Portugal.
In addition, the office helped the delegation of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion
Institute (IPIM) participate in the OVIBEJA (Agricultural and Farm Products Exhibition). It also
participated in the 27th general assembly and the executive committee meeting of the Union of
Portuguese-speaking Capital Cities (UCCLA), held in Brazil.
The office also held themed activities – including exhibitions of paintings, seminars and book
fairs – to promote Macao.
Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union
Based in Brussels, the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union comprises a director
and an administrative committee. The director is selected and appointed by the Chief Executive, and
represents the interests of the office and the MSAR; and assists the Chief Executive with economic
and trade liaison and cooperation between the MSAR and the EU.
The role of the office is to strengthen existing ties between the MSAR and the EU; improve the
economic and trading reputation of Macao in the EU and its member countries; defend Macao’s
interests in the EU; promote bilateral economic relations between Macao and the EU and its
member countries; monitor the decision-making process of the EU with regard to Macao’s interests;
collect, handle and provide important information about the EU to the Chief Executive; follow up
on the progress with agreements on trade cooperation between Macao and the EU and its member
countries, and participate in planning and preparing projects related to such agreements; and
defend, in accordance with general guidelines set by the Chief Executive, other interests of Macao,
especially in the realm of tourism.
138

Political System and Administration
In 2010, the office provided assistance to translators and interpreters receiving training in Brussels
according to the cooperation agreement signed between Macao and the European Commission; on
9 July, the office provided technical and logistical support to the 15th EC-Macao Joint Committee
meeting.
Macao Economic and Trade Office to the World Trade Organization
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) was established under By-law No. 23/2003. The office, which reports directly
to the Chief Executive, represents the MSAR and has administrative autonomy. It comprises a
director and an administrative committee.
The director is selected and appointed by the Chief Executive, and he or she represents the
interests of the office and Macao; and assists the Chief Executive with economic and trade liaison
and cooperation between Macao and the WTO.
The role of the office is to represent the MSAR in the WTO and among its members; and follow
up on the management and enforcement of multilateral and bilateral agreements and related legal
documents signed by the MSAR within the WTO framework. With support from the Economic
Services Bureau and other Government departments, it also follows up on relations and negotiations
with WTO members and other economic and trade organisations, and directly defends the interests
of Macao; promotes the economic and trading profile of Macao in the WTO and among its members;
strengthens existing ties between Macao and the WTO and among its members; promotes economic
and trade relations between the MSAR and WTO members; collects and handles all information about
the WTO and its members that is conducive to the MSAR; and, within its scope of responsibilities,
undertakes special work or projects assigned by the Chief Executive.
In 2010, the office received a delegation from the International Law Office that attended the third
session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in
March; a delegation comprising representatives from the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the
Monetary Authority and the Economic Services Bureau that attended the WTO services meetings
in April; a delegation from the Health Bureau led by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture
that participated in the annual World Health Assembly in May; and the delegation from the Standing
Council on Social Concerted Action led by the Secretary for Economy and Finance that visited
Torino Training Centre in Italy and the International Labour Organization in Geneva and attended
the 99th International Labour Conference in June.
Municipal Services
On 14 December 2001, the Legislative Assembly adopted Law No. 17/2001, which dissolved the
Provisional Municipal Council of Macao and Provisional Municipal Council of the Islands and
established the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau on 1 January 2002.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau carries out the functions of the former municipal
bodies in providing cultural, recreational, and environmental hygiene services. It has also taken up
responsibility for affairs concerning people’s livelihood and the living environment; formulating
and organising civic education activities; assisting non-governmental organisations and developing
community spirit. It resolves practical problems encountered by Macao residents by receiving and
139

Macao Yearbook 2011
handling their requests and complaints concerning their daily lives.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is composed of an Administration Committee, a
Consultative Committee and a Supervisory Committee. The Administration Committee is an
executive body that supervises subordinate departments of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau.
It holds regular closed meetings to deal with relevant issues. To strengthen its communication
with the public, the committee arranges public sessions every month to listen directly to citizens’
suggestions, opinions or criticisms.
There are 11 subordinate departments (equivalent to department level in the Government’s
organisation chart) and 35 divisions under the Administration Committee, all of which perform
duties on behalf of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. The 11 subordinate departments are the
Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation; the Department of Food and Animal Inspection
and Control; the Department of Environment, Hygiene and Licensing; the Department of Gardens
and Green Areas; the Department of Construction and Urban Facilities; the Department of Sewerage
and Urban Roads; the Department of Quality Control; the Department of Technical Support;
Department of Administrative Support; and the Department of Finance and Information Technology.
The Macao Foundation
The Macao Foundation was established on 11 July 2001, following the reorganisation and
dissolution of two similar public foundations. It is a public legal body under the supervision of the
Chief Executive and is autonomous in its administration and financial management. Its goal is to
promote, develop and implement research relating to Macao’s cultural, social, economic, educational,
scientific, academic and philanthropic activities, including activities aimed at promoting Macao.
Academic Research and Publishing Work
The Macao Foundation conducted research in three major areas: Macao’s ecology and the
environmental protection industry; relations between Guangdong and Macao in the 30 years between
1987 and 2008; and Macao’s Chinese entrepreneurs’ traditional Confucian values and behaviour.
The foundation co-organised five academic activities with other institutions, including the first
International Conference on Macaology, the international academic conference of the Second
Zhuhai-Macao Cultural Forum, a forum on “Matteo Ricci and Cultural Exchanges between the East
and the West”, the 9th Seminar on Cultural Exchanges Between Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao
and Taiwan, and courses for scholars in Nanjing and Guangzhou.
In 2010, the foundation released 30 new titles including Chronology of the History of Macau;
reprints of The History of Macau (Ao Men Ji Lue) and A Brief History of Macau (Ao Men Zhi
Lue); Nam Van Folklore; eight titles in the Macao Series and the Macao Studies Series; as well as
academic periodicals such as Journal of Macau Studies and Euro Asia Journal of Management.
Organising Cultural Activities
Apart from holding the 2010 UNESCO Children’s Performing Arts Festival of East Asia (CPAF) in
July, the foundation also solely organised or jointly organised with other organisations 30 exhibitions,
performances and arts appreciation activities.
140

Political System and Administration
Cooperation with Other Organisations
The foundation continued to grant subsidies to the United Nations University International
Institute for Software Technology for residential units, maintenance and the purchase of equipment;
offer operational grants to Macao Science Center for the purchase and acquisition of facilities,
equipment, exhibits and indoor renovation; and provide the previous Research Centre for Sustainable
Development Strategies with administrative and technical support. The capital assets, including
all files, of the previous Research Centre for Sustainable Development Strategies were transferred
to the Macao Foundation on 19 December 2010 under Executive Order No. 363/2010, and all its
staff chose to work in the Macao Foundation.
As a founding member of the Institute of European Studies of Macao, Macau Institute of System
and Computer Engineering and the Macau Institute for Development and Quality, the foundation
attended the annual general meetings of these institutes in 2010.
External Cooperation
The foundation held the 4th General Meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia/
Pacific (MOWCAP) in March, and the 11th Regional Meeting of the Secretaries-General of
National Commissions for UNESCO in East Asia in July. Scholars in Macao attended the meeting
of MOWCAP as observers by invitation. During the meeting, it was resolved that the archives of
Macao’s Catholic Diocese, from the 16th to 19th centuries, would be inscribed in the UNESCO
Memory of the World Programme.
As a founding member of the Boao Forum for Asia, the foundation sent a delegation to participate
in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2010, held in Boao, Hainan, during April.
Supporting Post-Earthquake Reconstruction in Sichuan
The foundation has reserved 500 million patacas to support the post-earthquake reconstruction in
Sichuan. To date, it has already signed agreements on three reconstruction projects, for which it
has allocated a total of 385.48 million yuan.
In order to follow up on the reconstruction work, the foundation sent representatives to Sichuan
to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the reconstruction of the ancient building complex in
Mount Qingcheng, and the meeting regarding reconstruction of the Beichuan Qiang Folk Museum.
Subsidies and Scholarships
In 2010, the Macao Foundation approved 661 sponsorship applications, totalling 581 million patacas.
The foundation continued to subsidise foreign and mainland China students, and 211 students
who enrolled in Macao’s tertiary education programmes were granted scholarships. It teamed up
with the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Macao Academy Education Fund Society to
jointly grant subsidies to Macao students, and scholarships for students who study languages and
law in Portugal.
Office for Personal Data Protection
The Office for Personal Data Protection was established by Executive Order No. 83/2007, and
141

Macao Yearbook 2011
operates independently under the supervision of the Chief Executive. It is a public authority
defined by Clause 3 of Article 79 of the Civil Code, and by Law No. 8/2005 of the Personal Data
Protection Act. Its responsibilities, as prescribed in these laws, are to monitor and coordinate the
enforcement and implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act, to formulate confidentiality
rules for personal data, and to monitor how the act is put into practice.
In 2010, the office received 63 complaints regarding, or reports of, leaks or mishandling of
personal data; 24 requests for advice; 361 notifications concerning personal data processing; 28
applications for authorisation of data sharing; and 704 legal inquiries. The office held or co-organised
23 briefing sessions on the Personal Data Protection Act. In all, 17 organisations participated in
these activities, and there were 1,041 attendees. In addition, the office held or co-organised 47
training courses, for 12 participating organisations, and 1,561 attendees.
Civil Service System
The general eligibility requirements for civil servants are that they should be permanent residents
of the MSAR (junior civil servants are exempt from this requirement), aged between 18 and 64
(between 18 and 50 for those on permanent tenure); should possess relevant educational qualifications
or work experience and be capable of performing the roles required; have no criminal record or
other conditions as laid down by law that would render a person inappropriate for the post or job
concerned on a full-time or part-time basis; and be of sound health and mind. In special cases,
non-permanent residents may be employed as consultants or professional personnel.
Civil servants are recruited either by appointment or on contract terms. All civil servants on
permanent tenure are recruited by appointment, including permanent appointments, provisional
appointments and fixed-term appointments. Civil servants without permanent tenure are employed
on contracts, labour contracts or on an ad hoc basis.
The promotion and relocation of civil servants are prescribed by law. Civil servants who breach
disciplinary rules may be sanctioned by written warning, fine, suspension, forced retirement or
dismissal.
Concerning the continued service, appointment and employment of civil servants, under Articles
98 and 99 of the Basic Law, Macao’s serving civil servants, including the police and supporting
members of the judiciary, remained in employment after the establishment of the MSAR. They may
remain in the civil service and retain their seniority with pay, allowances, benefits and conditions
of service no less favourable than before. The Government shall pay such civil servants, or their
dependents, all pensions and allowances due to them on terms no less favourable than before, and
irrespective of their nationality or place of residence.
The Government may employ Portuguese and other foreign nationals previously employed in the
civil service who are permanent residents of the MSAR to serve as public officials in Government
departments at all levels, unless otherwise prohibited by the Basic Law. The Government may also
employ Portuguese and other foreign nationals as advisers or to fill professional and technical
posts. These persons shall be employed only in their individual capacities and shall be responsible
only to the Government.
At the end of 2010, Macao had 22,988 civil servants (excluding 2,084 people recruited through
the outsourcing contract system and employment contracts signed under private law), of whom
22,935 were recruited locally and 53 from elsewhere. Of this total, 59.53 percent were male and
142

Political System and Administration
40.47 percent female. There were 11,957 civil servants with tertiary education qualifications,
representing 52.01 percent of the total; 638 of the bureau directors, department heads, division and
section chiefs – 88.49 percent of the total – held tertiary education qualifications.
Public Administration Reforms
The Government continues to adhere to the principle of people-oriented governance. With a focus
on promoting scientific policy-making and establishing a “Sunshine Government”, the Government
gradually introduced and implemented a series of public administration reforms in accordance with
its overall administration planning.
Policy Consultation
The Government formulated a consultation paper on the Standard Guidelines for Public Policy
Consultation, to collect opinions from different public departments and organisations. In future,
the new guidelines will regulate the conduct of policy consultations by public departments.
In order to ensure that Government policies reflect public opinion, and their measures meets
the people’s actual needs, the Government actively strengthens the functions of the Community
Service Consultation Committee, Community Meetings and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau
Public Forums, so they can better promote or discuss topics related to municipal affairs and people’s
livelihood issues of public concern, listen to views of various sectors of society, and understand
public needs.
Public Services
The Government further improved the network of interdepartmental integrated services. During
the first phase, 163 one-stop services of 14 departments were introduced to the Government
Integrated Service Centre, and the preparation work for the second phase commenced. A Citizen
Satisfaction Survey on the centre was also conducted, as an initiative for improving the one-stop
integrated services.
The Accreditation System for Performance Pledges is effective in strengthening the assessment
and continuous improvement of public services. A total of 457 services to the community provided
by 41 departments have been recognised by the Public Services Assessment Committee. The number
of performance pledges implemented has increased to cover nearly 70 percent of all services to
the community.
The Government actively encourages different departments to obtain ISO Quality Management
System certification, which has already been awarded to 70 subordinate units of 11 departments.
Some departments even obtained certification in other areas. For example, the Civic and Municipal
Affairs Bureau has been awarded ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications in a dozen areas, and the
Government Printing Bureau has been awarded the ISO 27001 Information Security Management
System certification, while the Identification Department is preparing to obtain ISO 27001
Information Security Management System certification for the whole department.
Management of Civil Servants
The Government continued to improve the central management system for civil servants: a
143

Macao Yearbook 2011
centralised entrance examination was introduced to the general rank and grade system; the
integrated human resource management system and the policy-making system were improved;
and the expansion of the Public Administration Professional Assessment Centre was completed. In
addition, the establishment, amendment and implementation of both the general and special rank
systems were completed. The newly enacted General Regulations for Officers of the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau ensures that public servants can better perform their duties and provide
quality services to the public.
After reviewing previous experience, the Government further enriched the content of Creative
Proposals. The recent campaign attracted participants from 35 different departments, who
demonstrated their creative ideas for public administration reforms. Moreover, the Reading Report
Competition for Civil Servants was also organised.
Organisation Structure and Operation
To coordinate different Government departments, and strengthen the ability to make prompt
responses together with communication between the Government and the public, the Office of the
Government Spokesperson was established.
The Government continues to rationalise its structure and reorganise departments. Apart from
completing the reorganisation of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Legal and Judicial Training Centre
and the Judiciary Police, and the restructuring of the Legal Reform Consultative Committee, it also
completed the proposal for restructuring the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, and
started a study on the merger and reorganisation of the Legal Reform Office and the International Law
Office. Moreover, it analysed the possibilities of and made recommendations on the reorganisation or
establishment of the Government Information Bureau, the Consumer Council, a Tobacco Prevention
and Control Office, the Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal, and the Office of the
Public Prosecutor-General. In addition, a Food Safety Centre will be set up in phases.
E-Governance
Early in 2000, following the establishment of the Macao SAR Government, the e-Government
programme was introduced and a prototype e-Government was created to serve the public through
the collaboration between public authorities and organisations, which would promote, study, plan and
implement a series of electronic technology and infrastructure projects related to their core expertise.
In 2005, the Government formulated the five-year e-Government Development Framework. In 2007,
in line with the development of the Roadmap for Public Administration Reform, the Government
emphasised promotion of external public e-services, electronic administrative management and
paperless operations. In 2010, following the principles of resource sharing, central management,
high efficiency and steadiness and energy saving, the construction of the Government Central Data
Centre was completed.
Since 2001, the Government has been actively participating in compiling the International
Coding Standard ISO 10646. In June and November 2010, a Macao delegation participated in the
34th and 35th Meetings of Ideographic Rapporteur Group under the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO/IRG), held in Japan and Macao, respectively. At the meetings, it submitted
proofs to show that a set of ideographic characters and symbols that are unique to Macao are actually
being used. These proofs are essential to determining whether these characters will be included in
144

Political System and Administration
the future version of the International Coding Standard ISO 10646.
The Working Group on Chinese Coding of Macao continues to promote the standardisation of
Chinese coding throughout the information system in all public departments. In October, 2010, in
order to prepare for the introduction and implementation of standardised Chinese coding, the user
guides of the Macao Information System Character Set and the Macao Supplementary Character
Set were used by the working group member departments on a trial basis.
The Government Portal (www.gov.mo) was launched in December 2004. In 2007, the Government
launched the Civil Servants Website, to let civil servants share and exchange points of view, voice
opinions and make suggestions. In early 2008, the templates for service procedures were fully
implemented. Every department can promptly update its service procedures through the information
system, and then publish them to the Government Portal. These practices raise the accuracy and
availability of information. The Government portal can now provide many online services, including
recruitment and employment, social security and welfare, individual identification documents,
automobile registration and driving licences, public library services, education, legal proceedings,
and commerce and trade. Furthermore, the Government electronic payment platform provides
citizens with an online payment service.
As an important cooperation programme between international and local academic institutions,
eMacao aims to foster the development of e-governance in Macao. The first phase projects finished
in 2006. The second phase (2007-2009) projects were primarily designed to support the development
of e-governance and public e-services, and covered about 20 projects including research and
surveys, proposals on Government information policy, public enterprise framework, guidelines
on e-Government interactive structure, software infrastructure, research on and development of
electronic services, and a series of themed seminars given by experts and scholars from around the
world. The three-year third phase of eMacao, which will soon commence, will further strengthen
e-governance and continue to expand the scope of interdepartmental cooperation.
In October 2010, the Government sent a delegation to attend the International Conference on
Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance 2010 (ICEGOV) cum the 5th China e-Government
Forum, organised by UNU-IIST Center for Electronic Governance and the e-Government Research
Centre of the China National School of Administration of the State Council. ICEGOV was first
held in Macao in 2007, and is one of the world’s most influential academic activities in the field
of e-governance.
In 2009, the first electronic system for applying and being granted permission for leave (eLeave)
was introduced for civil servants. This uses electronic signatures, and its introduction signalled
a more extensive application of electronic certificates as electronic signatures. In addition, the
management of electronic correspondence and electronic documents is maturing, and the quality
of e-governance will gradually improve.
In 2008, Smart ID Cards and imaging scanning technology were adopted for the first time in
voter registrations. In 2009, during the election of the Legislative Assembly, registered voters used
their smart identity cards to quickly complete the verification process and cast their votes. The
Government will improve the use of information technology in the coming electoral activities.
In 2008, a guideline on information security was introduced to different public departments
to promote information security management. In 2009, a management guideline on the use of
the internet and email security was introduced. In 2010, the security of the public administration
website (InforMac) was enhanced. In addition, seminars on information security are held every year.
145

Macao Yearbook 2011
In 2009, the first phase of the ePass Programme (ePass) was launched, to receive free subscriptions
from Macao residents. Subscribers can use a single ePass account to safely and effectively access
online Government services from various public departments. In 2010, the ePass Programme earned
the Gold Award in the category of “e-government” at the Macau Information and Communication
Technology Award (Macau ICT Awards 2010), and the Special Mention Award at the Asia Pacific
Information and Communication Technology Awards.
During 2007, the Government stepped up the use of electronic signatures, and electronic delivery
of official correspondence. In 2008, the Government developed and launched the internal electronic
exchange network, which streamlined the delivery of official correspondence between departments.
In 2010, a total of 36,700 electronic official documents were delivered through the network.
Also during 2009, the Integrated Service Centre and the Public Information Centre rolled out
the remote information counters, through which staff could answer public enquiries through a
video conferencing system.
After more than three years of preparation, the Government Central Data Centre officially
commenced operations in 2010. This includes a data centre, a recovery centre, a magnetic tape
storeroom, a network monitoring centre and a back office, all of which will operate and provide
supporting services around the clock. Services offered by the centre to other public departments
include: hosting services, security services, network services and application services. The Public
Administration and Civil Service Bureau is planning to obtain ISO 27001 Information Security
Management System certification for the centre, as well as introduce various international standards
to improve the services provided and the management quality of the centre.
Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau
The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau conducts research, improves the managerial
skills of civil servants and promotes administrative modernisation under the supervision of the
Secretary for Administration and Justice. It also provides appropriate technical support. In addition,
it promotes the application of modern information technology in all public departments; provides
legal and technical support to all departments and their staff; renders technical support to elections;
offers a public feedback service and provides official information to the public; provides translation
and interpretation between the two official languages; and provides fringe benefits for current or
retired civil servants.
Training of Civil Servants
The Training Division under the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau promotes, designs
and coordinates training programmes for civil servants to remain in line with the developmental
needs of public administration and the goals to be achieved. The training of civil servants includes
special training, job-specific training, language training, vocational skills training and projectbased
training:
146
• Special training is organised as the need arises from Government policy implementation to
stimulate the initiative of public administration officers in complying with the administration
of the SAR Government, and to enable them to develop the knowledge and skills they require
to enhance their efficiency and service quality, with the aim of fostering social development;

Political System and Administration
• Job-specific training focuses on the duties of civil servants, aiming to enhance their
professionalism;
• Ongoing language-training courses cover Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua), Portuguese
and English;
• Vocational skills training comprises courses on management, administration, computing,
psychology and communications, public relations, optimisation of procedures and operations;
• Project-based training provides tailor-made courses catering to the special requirements of
public departments and other bodies; and
• Online learning broadens the methods through which civil servants can learn, and to promote
the culture of continuing education and self-enhancement.
Official Languages
In accordance with Article 9 of the Basic Law, in addition to the Chinese language, Portuguese may
also be used as an official language by the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary
of the MSAR.
Award of Decorations, Medals and Merit Certificates
To commend individuals and organisations for their outstanding performance – in terms of personal
achievements, contributions to the community or service to the MSAR – Chief Executive Edmund
Ho in November 2001 promulgated By-law No. 28/2001, which established rules for awarding
decorations, medals and merit certificates to them. It stipulated four categories of decorations
and merit certificates in the MSAR, namely the Decoration of Honour, Medal of Merit, Medal for
Distinguished Services and Certificate of Merit.
Decorations of Honour are intended to award local or overseas individuals or entities who
make outstanding contributions to the image and reputation of the MSAR, or who make major
contributions to the development of the MSAR. There are three grades of Decorations of Honour:
1. Decoration of Honour-Grand Lotus; 2. Decoration of Honour-Golden Lotus; and 3. Decoration
of Honour-Silver Lotus.
Seven types of Medals of Merit are awarded for: 1. The professions; 2. Industry and commerce;
3. Tourism; 4. Education; 5. Culture; 6. Philanthropy; and 7. Sport. Each of these categories of
decorations is awarded to individuals or entities that make major or excellent contributions in their
respective fields.
Medals for Distinguished Services are awarded to public entities, organisations or their staff for
outstanding performance of their duties. There are two types of decorations in this category. The
Medal for Bravery is awarded to those who show bravery and willingness to make sacrifices and
a commitment to high ideals in their careers. The Medal for Dedication is awarded to those who
demonstrate excellence in their commitment and dedication to performing public duties.
Certificates of Merit commend people who greatly deserve public respect because of their
outstanding contributions to the development, reputation or social progress of Macao. There are
two types of certificates in this category. The Honorific Title-Prestige is awarded only to non-Macao
residents who have made major contribution to the reputation, development or social progress of
147

Macao Yearbook 2011
Macao; while the Honorific Title-Merit is awarded to Macao residents who have made similar
contributions.
The award of decorations and merit certificates is the exclusive prerogative of the Chief Executive,
who may exercise this authority under the following conditions: 1. They are made of his or her own
accord; 2. They are made at the recommendation of Government secretaries; 3. They are made at
the recommendation of other principal officials; or 4. They are made at the recommendation of the
Decoration Awards Committee.
The Decoration Awards Committee consists of a maximum of seven members. They are officially
appointed by the Chief Executive. Their term of office is four years, and they may serve consecutive
terms. Its chairperson is elected by and from among the members.
The by-law also stipulates the methods for presenting an award. Decorations and Certificates
are awarded by administrative orders, and the Chief Executive or a principal official explicitly
authorised by him or her officiates at the presentation ceremony. Certificates of Merit or certificates
accompanying decorations are signed by the Chief Executive and stamped with the steel seal of
the MSAR for certification purposes.
On 19 December 2001, Chief Executive Edmund Ho signed an administrative order to award
decorations and certificates to 39 individuals and entities. This was the first group of individuals
and entities to receive such decorations and certificates since the establishment of the MSAR. The
award ceremony was held on 1 February 2002. By the end of 2010, the Chief Executive had awarded
annual decorations and certificates to 10 groups of individuals and organisations.
Flag and Emblem of the MSAR
The flag of the MSAR has identical patterns and colours on both sides, with the five stars, lotus
flower, bridge and seawater design on the front and back. The rectangular flag has a green background
and a 3:2 length-height ratio. A white, three-petal lotus flower is in the centre of the flag.
The Flag of the MSAR
148

Political System and Administration
Five golden stars, including a larger one in the middle, form an arch over the lotus flower.
Below the lotus flower, a white bridge and seawater are represented as green and white stripes (See
Appendix II of Law No. 6/1999).
The circular MSAR emblem consists of a narrow green border, a ring of characters on a white
background, a green inner circle and elements including stars, a lotus flower, a bridge and seawater.
The outer ring of characters lies between the narrow green border and the green inner circle. In
the upper half of the ring of characters, 14 Traditional Chinese characters meaning “The Macao
Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” are set in a standard traditional
font, evenly distributed along the width of the arch. The lower portion of each character points to
the centre of the emblem. In the lower half of the ring of characters, the Portuguese word “Macau”
is printed in a standard font. The letters are evenly spaced, with the upper portion of each letter
pointing to the centre of the emblem. Both the Chinese and Portuguese characters are distributed
symmetrically on opposite sides of a vertical axis through the emblem. A white lotus flower with
three petals is in the centre of the green inner circle. Above the lotus flower, five golden stars, of
which the middle one is largest, radiate from the centre of the emblem. The lower points of the
stars are directed at the centre of the emblem. Below the lotus flower, a white bridge and seawater
are represented as green and white stripes.
The Emblem of the MSAR
149

150
Secretariat for
Administration and Justice
Secretariat for
Economy and Finance
Secretariat for
Security
Secretariat for Social
Affairs and Culture
Secretariat for Transport
and Public Works
Macao Yearbook 2011
Office for Personal Data
Protection
Office of the Government
Spokesperson
Policy Research Office of
the MSAR Government
Preparatory Office for the
Chinese Medicine
Industrial Park
Macao Foundation
Science and Technology
Development Fund
Macao Economic and
Trade Office to the
European Union
Macao Economic and
Trade Office in Lisbon
Office of the Macao
Special Administrative
Region in Beijing
Macao Economic and
Trade Office to the World
Trade Organization
Office of the Secretary for
Administration and Justice
Identification Bureau
Printing Bureau
Law Reform and
International Law Bureau
Pension Fund
Office of the Secretary for
Economy and Finance
Macao Economic
Services
Statistics and Census
Bureau
Human
Resources Office
Supporting Office to the
Secretariat of China and
Portuguese - speaking
Countries Economic
Cooperation Forum
(Macao)
Macao Trade and
Investment Promotion
Institute
Macao Monetary
Authority
Office of the Secretary
for Security
Public Security Forces
Affairs Bureau
Public Security
Police Force
Fire Services Bureau
Academy of Public
Security Forces
Office of the Secretary
for Social Affairs
and Culture
Macau Government
Tourist Office
Social Welfare
Bureau
Social Security Fund
Tourism Crisis
Management Office
Macau Tourism Promotion
and Information Center
in Portugal
Office of the Secretary
for Transport and
Public Works
Transport Bureau
Environmental
Protection Bureau
Infrastructure
Development Office
Energy Sector
Development Office
Transportation
Infrastructure Office

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the launch ceremony of the seminar, Corruption Prevention in the
Private Sector, and The Collection of Essays in the China-Hong Kong-Macao Anti-corruption Seminar:
The Present and the Future of Corruption Prevention in the Private Sector, held by the Commission
Against Corruption (CCAC), on 23 February.
Political System and Administration
151

Political System and Administration
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, attends a press conference
held by the Government Spokesperson Office to introduce the Code of Conduct for the
Principal Officials in the MSAR, on 28 December.
Opening ceremony of a regional academic seminar with participants from mainland China,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, the Conference on Public Governance and Regional
Governmental Cooperation 2010, on 2 July.
152

The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, attends the awards ceremony for ISO 9001 and
ISO 14001 management certificates for the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau in Inventory Management
of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau’s Publications, Hill Rainwater Network System Management, and
Sampling Management of Imported Frozen Meat, Chilled Meat and Meat Products, on 29 June.
153

Macao’s legal system is
founded on a strong tradition
of adherence to the rule of law
and judicial independence.
Under the principle of “One
country, two systems”, the
Macao Special Administrative
Region has retained its pre-
Handover legal system based
on Continental European
law. Judging by the actual
situation, Macao’s former
legal system has come largely
intact through the period
following the establishment
of the MSAR. The rule of law,
human rights and judicial
independence are fully
guaranteed on paper and in
practice.

CHAPTER 2
the legal
system and
the judiciary

Opening Ceremony for the Judicial Year 2010/2011(Photo:GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 2
The Legal System and the Judiciary
The Legal System and the Judiciary
Macao’s legal system is founded on a strong tradition of adherence to the rule of law and judicial
independence. Under the principle of “One country, two systems”, the Macao Special Administrative
Region has retained its pre-Handover legal system based on Continental European law. Judging
by the actual situation, Macao’s former legal system has come largely intact through the period
following the establishment of the MSAR. The rule of law, human rights and judicial independence
are fully guaranteed on paper and in practice.
Pre-Handover Laws Remain Largely Unchanged
Almost all the laws, decrees, by-laws and other regulatory documents enacted in Macao before
20 December 1999 remain in effect. Only laws or portions of laws that conflicted with the Basic Law
of the Macao SAR were repealed. The principle that pre-Handover laws should remain essentially
unchanged has been incorporated to ensure Macao’s steady and sustained development.
According to Article 145 of the Basic Law, “Upon the establishment of the Macao Special
Administrative Region, the laws previously in force in Macao shall be adopted as laws of the
Region except for those which the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress declares
to be in contravention of this law. If any laws are later discovered to be in contravention of this
law, they shall be amended or cease to have force in accordance with the provisions of this law
and legal procedure.” Likewise, Article 8 of the Basic Law states, “The laws, decrees, by-laws and
other regulatory documents previously in force in Macao shall be maintained, except for any that
contravenes this law, or subject to any amendment by the legislature or other relevant organs of the
Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with legal procedures.”
Five resolutions and four annexes regarding the treatment of Macao’s original laws were passed
in accordance with the Basic Law at the 12th Session of the Standing Committee of the 9th National
People’s Congress, which opened on 31 October 1999.
The resolutions resulted in the scrapping of 12 pre-Handover laws, decrees and regulatory
documents that were found to conflict with the Basic Law. Three more laws that contravened the
Basic Law were not retained but remained in effect as references under the principles of the Basic
Law, until replacement laws could be enacted. In total, 18 items of laws and decrees that were
incompatible with the Basic Law were repealed.
The Standing Committee established guidelines for interpreting the nomenclature contained in
pre-Handover laws, when used to explain or be made applicable to the laws of the MSAR. Under
the guidelines, if the article containing this nomenclature concerns matters that come under the
central government’s supervision or concerns relations between the central government and the
Macao SAR, names or terms such as “Portugal”, “the Government of Portugal”, “the Republic”,
“President of the Republic”, “Government of the Republic” and “Government Minister” shall be
interpreted as referring to the People’s Republic of China, the central government, other Chinese
government authorities or, in some cases, the MSAR Government. The terms “Macau”, “the Macau
territory”, “the local territory” and “the Macau jurisdiction” shall be interpreted as the “Macao
Special Administrative Region”. In addition, any reference to the Macao SAR must conform to
the Macao SAR territorial map issued by the State Council. Furthermore, the titles “courts in the
Macau jurisdiction”, “Common Jurisdiction Court”, “Administrative Court”, “High Court” and
157

Macao Yearbook 2011
“Commission of Public Prosecutors” should henceforth be interpreted as courts of the Macao
SAR, the Lower Court, the Administrative Court, the Court of Second Instance and the Public
Prosecutions Office, respectively. “Governor” and “Governor of Macau” should be interpreted as
the Chief Executive. The terms “Court of Audit” and “High Commission Against Corruption and
Administrative Illegality” shall be interpreted as the Commission of Audit and the Commission
Against Corruption.
Since the Reunification Law of December 1999 also accepts these guidelines, they have been
included as integral parts of the law of the Macao SAR.
Improving the Laws of the Macao SAR
Some of Macao’s original laws needed to be revised, in order to conform to the Basic Law and
reflect Macao’s new status as a special administrative region. The Legal Statute Research and
Adaptation Working Group was established for this purpose in February 2001. Composed of legal
experts and specialists from the Government and Legislative Assembly, it is studying the laws that
are currently in use and proposing adaptations. It also recommends measures to ensure harmony
and uniformity within the legal system.
The Government attaches great importance to legal reform. The Legal Reform Office and Legal
Reform Consultative Committee were both established in March 2005, under Executive Orders
Nos. 58/2005 and 59/2005, respectively. In December 2010, the Legal Reform and International
Law Affairs Bureau was established under By-law No. 22/2010.
Laws of the Macao SAR
The laws presently in force in the Macao SAR include:
158
1. The Basic Law;
2. National laws listed in Annex III to the Basic Law;
3. Laws that were in effect before 20 December 1999 and which have been retained as laws
of the Macao SAR by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; and
4. Laws enacted by the legislature of the Macao SAR.
The Penal Code, Criminal Procedural Code, Civil Code, Civil Procedural Code and Commercial
Code, collectively known as the “Five Codes”, form the authoritative framework of Macao’s legal
system.
National laws shall not be applied in the Macao SAR, except those listed in Annex III to the
Basic Law. Laws listed in Annex III shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation
by the Macao SAR. Currently, 11 national laws apply in the Macao SAR.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress may add to or delete from the list
of laws in Annex III after consulting its Committee for the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the
MSAR Government. Only those laws relating to defence, foreign affairs and other matters outside
the limits of the Region’s autonomy as specified in the Basic Law are to be listed in Annex III to
the Basic Law.

The Legal System and the Judiciary
Fundamental Rights
The Basic Law safeguards the fundamental rights of the people of Macao. These include: freedom
of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and assembly, freedom of procession and
demonstration, the right to organise and join trade unions and to strike, freedom of religion, freedom
to travel, and freedom to enter and leave Macao. Provisions applicable to Macao in the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights and International Labour Conventions also remain in force.
Macao continues to comply with the main international conventions on human rights, including
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women.
Judicial System
Judicial Independence
Under the Basic Law, the Macao SAR enjoys independent judicial power, including the power of final
adjudication. Courts of the Macao SAR exercise independent judicial power. They are subordinate
to nothing but the law, and they are not subject to any interference.
Judges of the Macao SAR exercise judicial authority according to the law, and not according to
any orders or instructions, except as prescribed in the third paragraph of Article 19 of the Basic Law.
Judges are immune from legal action for discharging their judicial functions. The Macao Public
Prosecutions Office likewise exercises the procuratorial functions vested in it by law, independently
and free from any interference.
Judicial Organs
Under the Basic Law and the Macao SAR Judicial Organisation Framework Law, Macao has two
independent judiciary bodies: one is the court system, which exercises judicial power; the other is
the Public Prosecutions Office, which exercises the power of prosecution.
The Courts
Designed in accordance with the Basic Law and the Macao SAR Judicial Organisation Framework
Law, Macao’s three-level court system became fully operational following the formal establishment
of the Macao SAR. This system’s operations totally embody the independent judicial authority and
final adjudication authority granted to Macao by the central government.
Courts are the only institutions vested with judicial functions. They seek to safeguard legally
protected rights and interests, stop unlawful practices and settle public and private disputes. Each
court hears legal proceedings belonging to its respective jurisdiction. Courts are not subject to
interference by any other authority, and they do not abide by any order or instruction. This constitutes
the foundation of judicial independence, promotion of justice, guarantee of social stability and
protection of civil rights.
159

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Court of First Instance
With the establishment of the MSAR, two new courts came into being as constituent parts of
the Court of First Instance. These new courts, the Lower Court and Administrative Court, obtain
their judicial authority from the Basic Law. The Basic Law also permits the Lower Court to form
specialised tribunals, as required, and to retain the Examining Magistracy created under the former
Portuguese administration. The Examining Magistracy therefore functions as part of the Lower Court.
The President of the Court of First Instance is appointed by the Chief Executive from among
the local judges of that level of court. The term of office of the President of the Court of First
Instance is three years, and consecutive terms may be served. The current president is a judge of
the Collegial Panel of the Lower Court. One of the duties of the president is to represent the Court
of First Instance when dealing with other Government agencies.
The Lower Court
The Lower Court currently consists of an administrative centre, three Civil Courts, four Criminal
Courts, two Examining Magistracies, and one Court for Minor Civil Cases (commonly known as
the Small Claims Tribunal). An Information Office has been established to enable citizens and
individuals involved in litigation to learn more about the workings of the courts, and to answer
questions about legal documents issued by the courts.
As at December 2010, the Lower Court has 24 judges: six presidents of Collegial Panels and
18 judges of Single-judge Benches.
The Lower Court may award up to 50,000 patacas in damages for civil cases regarding civil
affairs and labour law. However, it may award unlimited damages in criminal cases tried under
criminal or labour law, or in cases concerning the educational and social protection system that fall
within the jurisdiction of the juvenile judicial system.
Modus Operandi of the Lower Court
The Lower Court adjudicates over legal proceedings either as a Collegial Panel or as a Single-judge
Bench. Unless otherwise stipulated by law, legal actions are heard by a Single-judge Bench.
Collegial Panels comprise a panel president presiding over trials, a judge in charge of the dossier,
and one judge pre-appointed by the Judicial Council.
Trials by the Lower Court are open unless otherwise specified by procedural laws.
Powers of the Civil Court
The Civil Court has the power to hear cases that are civil in nature, and which do not fall under the
jurisdiction of other courts. It also hears cases of other types that do not fall under the jurisdiction
of other courts or tribunals, including all the related matters and issues raised by such cases.
Powers of the Criminal Court
The Criminal Court has the power to hear criminal cases or misdemeanours that do not fall under
160

The Legal System and the Judiciary
the jurisdiction of other courts or tribunals, including all the related matters and issues raised by
such cases.
The Examining Magistracy
The Examining Magistracy currently has two judges.
Judges from the court supervise the office of the Examining Magistracy and assume posts
defined by Items 2 to 5 of Clause 4 of Article 33 in Law No. 9/1999 of the Macao SAR Judicial
Organisation Framework Law. Each post is for a three-year term and is assumed on a rotation basis
according to descending seniority.
Modus Operandi of the Examining Magistracy
The Examining Magistracy hears criminal cases at various stages of investigation. It also conducts
preliminary investigations and, based on the available evidence, decides whether a case should be
brought to trial. This court also carries out judicial work related to imprisonment and detention.
Powers of the Examining Magistracy
The Examining Magistracy has the following powers:
1. During the criminal hearing process, the magistracy exercises investigative judicial functions,
conducts preliminary trials, and decides whether to send a case for full trial.
2. It can implement custodial sentences, and participate in the implementation of detention and
custodial sentences, especially with the following aims:
2.1. Implementation of individual rehabilitation plans;
2.2. Hearing appeals by prisoners or complaints by detainees;
2.3. Hearing appeals against disciplinary judgments made by prison authorities and appeals
by prisoners against disciplinary measures taken against them;
2.4. Exercising flexibility in the implementation or annulment of penalties;
2.5. Deducting hospitalisation time from the total time served in custody if a prisoner has
feigned illness;
2.6. Granting or withdrawing parole;
2.7. Extending penalties;
2.8. Hearing cases of subsequent unsoundness of mind;
2.9. Terminating and extending custody, retrying and re-examining cases;
2.10. Granting and withdrawing trial release;
2.11. Ordering the release of persons;
2.12. Recommending and implementing the pardon of convicted persons in detention or
imprisoned;
161

Macao Yearbook 2011
2.13. Granting and withdrawing restorative justice for persons in detention or imprisoned;
2.14. Inspecting prisons at least once every month to ensure that prison conditions are in
accordance with the law; and
2.15. Dealing with requests from prisoners during such inspections.
Court for Minor Civil Cases
The Court for Minor Civil Cases, commonly known as the Small Claims Tribunal, began operation
on 4 January 2005. It deals specifically with litigation concerning money debts and consumer
rights not exceeding 50,000 patacas in cash value, including consumer credit, management fees,
rentals, use of letters of credit, and instalment payments. Instead of hiring a lawyer and paying
fees in advance, citizens may submit their claims to the Lower Court by filing a relevant form in
sextuplicate, thereby enhancing the efficiency of litigation.
As defined by law, the Court for Minor Civil Cases has the power to hear litigation conducted
in accordance with the special proceedings for minor cases, which include all the incidents and
questions raised by such litigation, as long as it does not prejudice other jurisdictions attributed
to it by law.
The Administrative Court
The Administrative Court has an establishment of two judges, who also oversee the office of the
Administrative Court and assume the posts defined by Items 2 to 5 of Clause 4 of Article 33 of the
Judicial Organisation Framework Law. Each post is occupied for a three-year term and is assumed
on a rotation basis according to descending seniority.
Modus Operandi of the Administrative Court
The Administrative Court adjudicates in cases as a Collegial Panel or as a Single-judge Bench.
Unless otherwise specified by law, cases are heard by a Single-judge Bench.
The Collegial Panel comprises a chairperson appointed by the Judicial Council to preside over
a trial, a judge in charge of the dossier, and one other judge appointed by the Judicial Council.
Powers of the Administrative Court
The powers of the Administrative Court are as follows:
162
1. Hearing disputes concerning public administration, taxation or customs.
2. Hearing the following types of administrative disputes, as long as this does not prejudice
the jurisdiction of the Court of Second Instance:
2.1 Legal disputes stemming from administrative actions or administration-related actions
committed by the following entities:
– Bureau directors or other administrative officials with a rank not higher than that
of bureau director;

The Legal System and the Judiciary
– Bureau directors or other administrative officials with a rank not higher than that
of bureau director;
– Public service legal entities;
– Holders of special authorisation;
– Entities of public associations;
– Public legal persons under the administration; and
– Public departments that possess legal personality and administrative autonomy.
2.2. Disputes regarding elections within public legal entities over which no other court
has judicial authority.
2.3. The following legal actions:
– Those regarding confirmation of legal entitlement or appeals regarding rights
protected by law;
– Petitions regarding access to information, dossiers or proof;
– Petitions regarding administrative contracts; and
– Lawsuits, including petitions for compensation, stemming from non-contract
related injury or harm suffered by civil servants or service staff of the Macao
SAR or other public entities whilst performing public administration.
2.4. Petitions for a court order for an action to be taken.
2.5. Hearing issues relating to voluntary arbitration of administrative disputes within the
jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance, unless otherwise stipulated by procedural
laws.
3. It also hears the following types of legal actions relating to taxation, so long as this does
not prejudice the jurisdiction of the Court of Second Instance:
3.1. Appeals against administrative actions related to actual and potential taxation.
3.2. Appeals related to the calculation of actual and potential tax revenues.
3.3. Appeals related to the assessment of property value.
3.4. Appeals against preparatory acts relating to Items 3.2 and 3.3.
3.5. Appeals against refusal to allow a court hearing for the appeals described in Items
3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.
3.6. Appeals against actions committed by the taxation and administrative authorities
during the implementation of taxation procedures.
3.7. Various legal appeals arising from the implementation of taxation procedures,
including prohibitions, objections to implementation, the examination of creditors’
rights, the formulation of payment schedules, revocations of sale, and incidental
matters arising during the appeals process.
3.8. Petitions during taxation-related disputes for confirmation of right or for access to
information, files, or proof.
163

Macao Yearbook 2011
164
3.9. Petitions for a court order for an action to be taken.
3.10. Petitions for a court order to provide protective measures to guarantee the rights of
a tax creditor.
4. It hears the following types of legal actions relating to customs disputes, as long as this
does not prejudice the jurisdiction of the Court of Second Instance:
4.1. Appeals against administrative actions by the Macao Customs other than hearings
regarding taxation implementation procedures.
4.2. Appeals related to the calculation of customs revenues, and appeals against actions
performed in preparation for a legal appeal.
4.3. Appeals stemming from the refusal by the court to hear an appeal lodged in accordance
with Item 4.2.
4.4. Petitions for confirmation of rights relating to customs matters or for access to relevant
information, files, or other material evidence.
4.5. Petitions for an injunction.
5. It also has the authority to hear the following administrative, taxation or customs-related
legal actions:
5.1. Appeals against actions causing functional conflicts between different public bodies.
5.2. Petitions for suspension of administrative actions, while appeals against such actions
are being heard by the court or are pending trial.
5.3. Petitions for preliminary evidential investigation for proceedings in process or pending.
5.4. Appeals against fines, sanctions and other legally authorised actions imposed by
administrative organs for administrative irregularities.
5.5. Petitions for investigation of decisions regarding the above mentioned fines and
sanctions.
5.6. Appeals, lawsuits and other procedural matters related to administrative, taxation
or customs disputes that are within the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court or
beyond that of the higher courts.
The Court of Second Instance
The Court of Second Instance has seven judges, one of whom is appointed President by the Chief
Executive. The President of the Court of Second Instance serves a three-year term, and represents
the Court of Second Instance when dealing with other Government and judicial authorities. He
or she may serve consecutive terms. In addition to the routine responsibilities that accompany
the positions of judge and president, the president must ensure that the Court of Second Instance
functions effectively.
The Court of Second Instance may award up to one million patacas in damages for civil lawsuits
regarding civil affairs and labour law, for appeals and requests in respect of administrative disputes,
and for taxation and customs disputes.
There is no limit to the damages it may award for criminal cases regarding criminal and labour

The Legal System and the Judiciary
law; or for cases regarding the education or social protection systems that fall within the jurisdiction
of the juvenile judicial system; for legal actions stemming from disputes related to administration,
taxation and customs; or for cases involving the assessment of the legality of regulations.
Modus Operandi of the Court of Second Instance
The Court of Second Instance consists of a competent divisional court that has jurisdiction to
adjudicate on criminal cases, and a competent divisional court for other cases. The Court of
Second Instance functions in chambers and in sessions, unless otherwise stipulated by the Judicial
Organisation Framework Law, the General Rules for Judicial Officers or the procedural laws.
Participants in chambers and sessions include: the president (as compiler of the Reasons for
Judgement or assistant judge), two judges and others specified by the procedural laws; or, the
president (not as compiler of the Reasons for Judgement or assistant judge), three judges and others
specified by the procedural laws, unless otherwise specified by law. The compiler of the Reasons
for Judgment may exercise competences defined by law and assume other duties specified by the
procedural laws.
The Court of Second Instance holds a general meeting once a week. Such meetings are not
open, unless the law otherwise stipulates or unless the court announces judgments that are not
purely interlocutory. The president may, after consulting the judges present, inform the media of
court decisions.
Jurisdiction of the Court of Second Instance
The main functions of the Court of Second Instance include:
1. Hearing appeals against judgments of the Court of First Instance, and appeals against
judgments pronounced in voluntary arbitration lawsuits;
2. Serving as a court of first instance in legal actions against the Commissioner Against
Corruption, Commissioner of Audit, Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service,
Director-General of the Macao Customs, members of the Executive Council, or members
of the Legislative Assembly for actions committed in the execution of their duties;
3. Serving as a court of first instance in legal actions against the Commissioner Against
Corruption, Commissioner of Audit, Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service,
Director-General of the Macao Customs, members of the Executive Council, or members
of the Legislative Assembly for crimes and minor infractions allegedly committed in the
execution of their duties;
4. Serving as a court of first instance in legal actions against judges of the Court of First
Instance and public prosecutors for actions committed in the execution of their duties;
5. Serving as a court of first instance in legal actions against the above-mentioned judges and
public prosecutors for crimes and minor infractions;
6. Deciding by pre-trial whether criminal proceedings should be instituted or investigations
should be executed in the cases set out in Items 3 and 5;
7. Deciding whether criminal cases should be retried, recall of incompatible criminal judgments
165

Macao Yearbook 2011
or suspension of execution of punishment during a retrial;
8. Serving as a court of first instance in appeals against administrative actions and other actions
related to taxation or customs taken by the Chief Executive, the President of the Legislative
Assembly, the President of the Court of Final Appeal, the Secretaries of Government
Secretariats, the Commissioner Against Corruption, the Commissioner of Audit, the
Public Prosecutor-General, the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, the
Director-General of the Macao Customs, the Executive Board of the Legislative Assembly,
the Independent Committee for Nomination of Judges or its President, the Judicial Council
or its President, the President of the Court of Second Instance, the President of the Court
of First Instance or judges supervising the secretariats, the Public Prosecutors Council or
its President, the Assistant Public Prosecutor-General, public prosecutors, or any other
administration authority with a rank higher than bureau director;
9. Hearing disputes regarding regulations for the implementation of administrative functions
by administrative organs;
10. Hearing petitions for the suspension of administrative actions and regulations while appeals
against such actions and regulations are being heard by the court, and matters related to
pending or future appeals;
11. Hearing petitions for evidence-finding during legal proceedings stemming from
administrative, taxation or customs disputes, or for similar legal proceedings that are pending;
12. Re-trial of decisions by the Court of First Instance regarding fines and sanctions levied by
administrative organs for administrative irregularities;
13. Reviewing and confirming other judgments, especially those made by courts or arbiters
outside Macao;
14. Trial of jurisdictional conflicts between different parts of the Court of First Instance;
15. Trial of jurisdictional conflicts between the Administrative Court and the administrative,
taxation or customs authorities; and
16. The exercise of other judicial powers granted by law.
The Court of Final Appeal
The Court of Final Appeal is the highest level of court in Macao.
It currently has three judges. The President of the Court of Final Appeal is appointed by the Chief
Executive from among the serving judges of that level of court, and shall be a Chinese citizen who
is a permanent resident of Macao. The president serves three-year terms, which may be consecutive.
The President of the Court of Final Appeal acts as a representative of the Macao SAR courts and,
besides fulfilling the general responsibilities of a judge and president, must ensure that the Court
of Final Appeal and the Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal function effectively.
Modus Operandi of the Court of Final Appeal
The Court of Final Appeal functions in chambers and in sessions, unless otherwise specified by the
166

The Legal System and the Judiciary
Judicial Organisation Framework Law, the General Rules for Judicial Officers or procedural laws.
Participants in chambers and sessions include the president (as an assistant judge), a judge who
receives the trial documents (to compile the Reasons for Judgment), another assistant judge (the
most senior available who is junior to the judge compiling the Reasons for Judgment), and others
specified by procedural laws. The compiler of the Reasons for Judgment may exercise competences
defined by law and assume other duties specified by procedural laws.
Chambers and sessions are held on Wednesdays, unless otherwise specified by the president,
according to case schedules. Case schedules with dates and times of meetings are posted in the hall
of the court in advance for reference. Meetings of the Court of Final Appeal are not open, unless
otherwise specified by law. However, the president may, after consulting the judges present, inform
the media of the court’s decisions.
Jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
The Court’s jurisdiction includes:
1. Standardising judicial interpretations in compliance with procedural law;
2. Hearing appeals against judgments in civil and labour law disputes made by a Collegial
Panel when the Court of Second Instance was serving as a court of second instance; and
appeals against judgments made by a Collegial Panel regarding administrative, taxation or
customs disputes. In general, the Court of Final Appeal can hear appeals against judgments
made by a Collegial Panel as long as this does not contravene the stipulations of the Judicial
Organisation Framework Law and procedural laws;
3. Hearing appeals against judgments in criminal cases made by a Collegial Panel when the
Court of Second Instance was serving as a court of second-instance. In general, the Court
of Final Appeal can hear appeals against judgments made by a Collegial Panel as long as
this does not contravene procedural laws;
4. Hearing appeals against judgments made by a Collegial Panel when the Court of Second
Instance was serving as a court of first instance, as long as the relevant dispute is subject
to litigation;
5. Hearing actions initiated against the Chief Executive, the President of the Legislative
Assembly or Secretaries of Government Secretariats for actions committed in the execution
of their duties, unless the law stipulates otherwise;
6. Hearing actions resulting from crimes and minor infractions allegedly committed by the
Chief Executive, the President of the Legislative Assembly or Secretaries of Government
Secretariats in the execution of their duties, unless the law stipulates otherwise;
7. Hearing actions initiated against judges of the Court of Final Appeal, Public Prosecutor
General, judges of the Court of Second Instance or the Assistant Public Prosecutor-General
for acts allegedly committed in the performance of their duties;
8. Hearing actions resulting from crimes and minor infractions allegedly committed by the
above judicial officers;
9. With respect to legal proceedings under items 6 and 8, deciding whether to hold a pre-trial
167

Macao Yearbook 2011
168
hearing, bring a prosecution, and/or undertake an investigation;
10. Exercising its judicial power to hear matters relating to a writ of habeas corpus;
11. Hearing disputes related to elections within the Judicial Council and the Public Prosecutors
Council;
12. Hearing petitions for suspension of administrative actions, while appeals against such actions
are being heard by the court or are pending trial; and hearing petitions regarding matters
related to actions awaiting judgment or pending trial;
13. Hearing petitions to gather evidence in cases of administrative dispute pending judgment
or hearing;
14. Hearing jurisdictional disputes between the Court of Second Instance and the Court of First
Instance;
15. Hearing jurisdictional disputes between the Administrative Court and the administrative,
taxation or customs authorities; and
16. Exercising other judicial powers granted by law.
The Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal
The Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal is an autonomous institution that runs
its own affairs, administration and finances. The office is responsible for coordinating the affairs
of all levels of courts, and offers the courts technical, administrative and financial support. It is
headed by the President of the Court of Final Appeal, and is comprised of two departments: the
Judicial and Technical Support Department and the Administrative and Financial Department. It also
contains five divisions: the Judicial Affairs Division, the Organisation and Information Division,
the Translation Support Division, Human Resources Division and Finance and Property Division.
The Judicial Council
The Judicial Council oversees the management and discipline of judicial officers and judicial
support staff.
The Judicial Council is composed of the President of the Court of Final Appeal as its Chairman;
two prominent members of the community appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation
of the Independent Committee for the Nomination of Judges; and two judges selected by judicial
officers. Members of the Judicial Council serve three-year terms and may be reappointed at the
end of their terms.
The Chairman of the Judicial Council shall exercise his or her powers as defined in the General
Rules for Judicial Officers and the Internal Regulations and Rules of the Judicial Council.
An administrative office belonging to the Judicial Council assists in the handling of daily affairs.
Appointment of Judges
Judges at all levels of courts in Macao are appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation
of an independent committee composed of local judges, lawyers and prominent members of the

The Legal System and the Judiciary
community. They are chosen on the basis of their professional qualifications, and qualified judges
of foreign nationality may also be appointed.
The Independent Committee for the Nomination of Judges
The Independent Committee for the Nomination of Judges is composed of seven Macao citizens
appointed by the Chief Executive. It consists of one locally serving judge, one lawyer, and five
prominent members of the community. All its members participate in the committee and perform
their functions in a personal capacity.
The committee functions according to the provisions of the Internal Regulations of the
Independent Committee for the Nomination of Judges. A chairman is elected by the members of
the committee from among their own ranks and exercises authority according to the committee’s
internal regulations. The committee also has a secretary to assist in the handling of affairs of all kinds.
Public Prosecutions Office
The Public Prosecutions Office is the only judicial organ in Macao that exercises a prosecutorial
function. Its responsibilities include representing the Macao SAR in court, initiating criminal
prosecutions, and safeguarding legality and legal rights. Moreover, under specific situations defined
in the procedural laws, the Public Prosecutions Office oversees the implementation of the Basic Law.
The Public Prosecutions Office is an autonomous agency and it exercises its functions independently
and free from any interference. Its independence and autonomy are limited by the criteria of legality
and objectivity of the Public Prosecutions Office, and the instructions and guarantees contained in
other laws to which its officers must strictly adhere. Furthermore, the organisation, responsibilities
and operations of the Public Prosecutions Office are clearly defined by law.
The Public Prosecutor-General is the head and representative of the Public Prosecutions Office
and is appointed by the central government on the nomination of the Chief Executive. Judicial
officers are nominated by the Public Prosecutor-General and appointed by the Chief Executive.
Responsibilities and Powers of the Public Prosecutions Office
The Public Prosecutions Office plays a crucial role in the fight against crime, safeguarding the rule
of law, and nurturing a just, democratic and lawful society in Macao.
The four major functions of the Public Prosecutions Office are as follows:
1. To supervise criminal investigations and ensure successful criminal prosecutions;
2. To represent the MSAR in court;
3. To oversee the implementation of the law; and
4. To safeguard legitimate rights and interests.
The first function of the Public Prosecutions Office is criminal investigation and prosecution. It
supervises criminal investigations and seeks to ensure successful criminal prosecutions. The Public
Prosecutions Office devotes more resources to this task than to any of its other responsibilities.
The Public Prosecutions Office’s supervisory role in criminal investigations chiefly entails the
169

Macao Yearbook 2011
authority to initiate criminal investigations by the police Criminal Investigation Department and,
once an investigation is underway, monitor whether it is being carried out lawfully.
The Public Prosecutions Office’s prosecutorial role entails responsibility for the initiation and
progress of the entire criminal prosecution process. This includes deciding whether to indict a
criminal suspect after an investigation has been completed, and acting as public prosecutor in court
after a criminal case has been submitted to the court for judgment. The Public Prosecutions Office
is also responsible for ensuring that courts proceed according to the law and for monitoring the
implementation of criminal sentences.
The second function of the Public Prosecutions Office is to represent the Macao SAR in court.
When any administrative agency of the MSAR or the public treasury is involved in a lawsuit or
other legal action, it is represented in court by the Public Prosecutions Office.
Another function of the Public Prosecutions Office is to oversee the implementation of the law.
This function is reflected in the Public Prosecutions Office’s authority to investigate whether police
investigations or court functions are being carried out according to the law. It is likewise the duty
of the Public Prosecutions Office to ensure strict adherence to the law, both before and after the
fact, in its supervision of the way various public departments apply the law. When requested, the
Public Prosecutions Office may also exercise a legal consultative role to the Chief Executive or
Legislative Assembly.
Finally, another important function of the Public Prosecutions Office is to safeguard legitimate
rights and interests. This function is exercised in several ways. One is the defence, in situations
defined by law, of collective or public interests. In other situations, the Public Prosecutions Office acts
as the representative of employees and their relatives, or attends any judicial proceedings regarding
bankruptcy or insolvency when public interests are involved. Finally, the Public Prosecutions Office
represents in court individuals who are considered incapable, or who are missing or absent.
One important task that history has delegated to Macao’s judicial institutions is the development
of a judicial framework that is suited to the characteristics of Macao society and consistent with the
legal principles enshrined in the Basic Law. With this aim in mind, the Public Prosecutions Office
has established a new judicial framework entitled “One Institution, Three Levels of Assignment”.
“One Institution” refers to the existence of one unified body within the organisational structure
of the Public Prosecutions Office, as opposed to the three different levels of the office corresponding
to the three tiers of courts. This simple, unified structure better suits a territory with the size and
population of Macao, and it helps to streamline the institution and its personnel structure, and
increase efficiency.
“Three Levels of Assignment” refers to the assignment delegation system inherited by the Public
Prosecutions Office of the Macao SAR from the pre-Handover procuratorial system. Under this
system, three levels of Public Prosecutors (also known as “judicial officers of the Public Prosecutions
Office”), including the Public Prosecutor-General, Assistant Public Prosecutor-General and Public
Prosecutor, act as representatives of the Public Prosecutions Office in Macao’s three tiers of courts
and participate in legal actions.
In conformity with this framework, the Public Prosecutions Office has established subordinate
offices in the following courts:
• In the Court of Final Appeal its office is headed by the Public Prosecutor-General, who
170

The Legal System and the Judiciary
is the chief representative to that court and is supported, when necessary, by an Assistant
Public Prosecutor-General;
• In the Court of Second Instance, the office is headed by an Assistant Public Prosecutor-
General;
• In the Court of First Instance, offices have been established in both the Lower Court and the
Administrative Court. In both offices, a Public Prosecutor acts as the representative of the
Public Prosecutions Office. If a case is serious, complicated, or involves substantial public
interest, the Assistant Public Prosecutor-General may act as the representative of the Public
Prosecutions Office in the Court of First Instance; and
• An independent office at the Examining Magistracy is headed by a Public Prosecutor, who
leads investigations and initiates criminal prosecutions.
Organisational Structure of the Public Prosecutions Office
The Public Prosecutor-General is the head of the Public Prosecutions Office and the most senior
public prosecutor. The Public Prosecutions Office consists of three types of personnel: judicial
officers, judicial support personnel, and professional administrative officers. An Office of the Public
Prosecutor-General has been established to facilitate the Public Prosecutor-General’s management
of the Public Prosecutions Office. Possessing independent control over its own administration
and finances, the Office of the Public Prosecutor-General is supported by the Judicial Support
Department, the Legal Affairs Department and the Department of Human Resources and Finance.
At present, the Public Prosecutions Office has a staff of 30 judicial officers, including one Public
Prosecutor-General, 11 Assistant Public Prosecutors-General and 18 Public Prosecutors. Their chief
responsibilities include criminal investigations and prosecutions, participating as representatives
of the Public Prosecutions Office in all levels of courts, and taking part in criminal, civil and
administrative actions. One Assistant Public Prosecutor-General is assigned as a Director of the
Judiciary Police.
The Judicial Support Department manages the judicial support personnel of the Public
Prosecutions Office’s subordinate offices. It also assists all levels of Public Prosecutors in their
work and deals with various reports related to litigation. Finally, it assists in the provision of legal
consultations and legal aid.
The Legal Affairs Department provides legal opinions on behalf of the Public Prosecutions
Office and the Office of the Public Prosecutor-General regarding the application of the law and the
protection of legitimate rights and interests. To fulfil this function better, it engages in research into
the law and public prosecutorial systems. The department also provides legal guidance to the Public
Prosecutions Office with respect to public promotional activities, human resource and financial
management, and judicial support.
The Department of Human Resources and Finance prepares the Public Prosecutions Office’s
financial budget and handles other financial, accounting and procurement issues. It also undertakes
recruitment and training, personnel management, maintenance of personnel documents, and
management of the facilities of the Public Prosecutions Office.
Judicial Support Personnel are divided into supervisory and judicial clerk grades. Chief clerks,
assistant chief clerks and clerks-in-charge are of supervisory grade, while clerk-specialists, first
171

Macao Yearbook 2011
clerks, assistant clerks and junior clerks are of judicial clerk grade. Judicial support staff is mainly
responsible for assisting judicial officers in handling cases.
Professional Administrative Officers, including management officers, professional staff and
assistant staff, are responsible for assisting the Public Prosecutor-General in his or her work. They
provide professional advice, and carry out other work related to human resource and financial
management.
The judicial officers, judicial support personnel and professional administrative officers of the
Public Prosecutions Office are all subject to the General Rules for Judicial Officers, the General
Rules for Ancillary Judicial Personnel and the Macao Public Servants Statutes and Regulations.
The Public Prosecutors Council
The Public Prosecutors Council is an independent body that oversees the evaluation and discipline
of prosecutors and judicial support personnel. Evaluations of their professional skills and adherence
to professional ethical standards are conducted every two years. Evaluators and disciplinary
investigators are assigned by the Public Prosecutors Council, and the results of all evaluations are
subject to its examination and confirmation.
In order to further regulate and standardise evaluation and disciplinary work, the Public
Prosecutors Council issues comprehensive by-laws and standards to accompany its internal
regulations, including the Internal Regulations and Rules of the Public Prosecutors Council and
Regulations Governing the Supervision of Public Prosecutors and Judicial Support Personnel.
The Public Prosecutors Council is a newly formed body. It replaced the former Judicial
Committee, which was responsible for the appointment and administration of judicial officers and
included lawyers, judges, public prosecutors and other members of the community.
The Public Prosecutors Council is organised as follows:
• The Public Prosecutor-General, who acts as President ex officio;
• An Assistant Public Prosecutor-General selected as a representative by judicial officers and
from among their own ranks;
172
• A public prosecutor selected as a representative by judicial officers and from among their
own ranks; and
• Two members of the community appointed by the Chief Executive.
Legal Aid
The Basic Law provides that every resident of Macao shall have certain inalienable legal rights.
These include the right to appeal to the law, the right to initiate a court action, the right to seek
assistance from a lawyer in protecting his or her legitimate rights and interests, and the right to
receive legal aid. But while every Macao resident is legally entitled to appeal to the courts for the
resolution of a dispute, not all residents are financially capable of paying the consequent court costs
and lawyers’ fees. For this reason the law also provides a legal aid system that assists residents who
are less financially able to exercise their legal rights fully.
Legal aid provides exemption or postponement of all or part of advance fees and court fees for

The Legal System and the Judiciary
residents who are less financially able, and appoints a legal representative for them at no charge.
All residents of Macao, including temporary residents, can apply for legal aid if they meet certain
legal requirements. Applicants must submit documentary evidence of their economic status, such
as a Certificate of Indigence (COI) issued by the Social Welfare Bureau or any documentary proof
of reliance on social relief. The documents must indicate that they were issued to allow the bearer
to apply for legal aid. In special circumstances, such as when the applicant is a juvenile or the
aggrieved party in a traffic accident, the COI can be waived, regardless of their financial means.
Legal aid can be applied for at any stage of a legal action.
Residents may apply for legal aid at the courts or through the representative office of the Public
Prosecutions Office at the Lower Court or at the branch of the Public Prosecutions Office at the
Examining Magistracy.
Organisational Structure of the MSAR Judiciary
The Office of
the Public
Prosecutor-General
The Public
Prosecutions
Office
The Court
of Final
Appeal
The Court of
Second Instance
The Office of the
President of the
Court of Final
Appeal
Competent Divisional
Courts for Criminal
Cases and Other Cases
The Court of
First Instance
The Administrative
Court
Civil Court, Examining
Magistracy, Court for
Minor Civil Cases,
Criminal Court, Labour
Tribunal, Family and
Minors Court
Training of Judicial Officers
Faculty of Law of the University of Macau
Since its foundation in 1988, the Faculty of Law of the University of Macau has nurtured many
local legal professionals. Most of Macao’s incumbent judicial officers either graduated from the
faculty or have enrolled in its programmes. Over 90% of Chinese judges, public prosecutors and
lawyers are graduates of the Faculty of Law at the university.
173

Macao Yearbook 2011
In its early days, the faculty conducted the Bachelor of Law Programme only in Portuguese.
It now offers both daytime and evening Bachelor of Law courses in Chinese. Building on the
foundations of the Master of Law Programme in Portuguese, the faculty has added the Master of
Law Programme in Chinese; Master of Law Programmes in European Union Law, International
Law, Comparative Law, and International Business Law in English. The Doctor of Law programmes
taught in Chinese and English were launched in 2007. The Bachelor of Law programmes in Chinese
and in Portuguese essentially follow the Romano-Germanic education system. Postgraduate courses
including Introduction to Macao Law, Legal Practice and Legal Terminology are also provided.
During the 2010/2011 academic year, 361 students were enrolled in the undergraduate law
programme, 188 graduate students were studying for a Master’s degree, 64 students were enrolled
in postgraduate certificate programmes, and 21 students were studying for doctorates.
By 2010, a total of 1,326 students had graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of
Macau. Most of these graduates now serve in Macao as judicial officers, lawyers, registrars, notaries
public, directors, leaders in public administration, and legal experts in the public and private sectors.
Faculty of Law of the Macau University of Science and Technology
Established in 2000, the Faculty of Law of the Macau University of Science and Technology offers
programmes leading to a Bachelor of Law degree, a Master of Law degree and a Doctor of Law
degree. The Bachelor of Law degree programme spans four years, The Master of Law degree
programme two years, and the Doctor of Law degree programme spans three years. The curricula
emphasise basic professional knowledge and theories, as well as practical legal skills.
In addition to essential basic legal knowledge that is typically covered in general legal studies, the
Bachelor of Law degree curriculum includes Macao law, mainland law, comparative jurisprudence,
European Union law and international law. The faculty offers a Master of International Economic and
Business Law degree programme, and a Master of Law degree programme (covering five specialised
subjects: jurisprudence, comparative law, constitutional and administrative law, civil and commercial
law, and criminal law) The doctorate degree programme currently offers doctorates in jurisprudence
theory, civil and commercial law, criminal law, constitutional law and administrative law.
During the 2010/2011 academic year, there were 448 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Law
degree programme, of whom 329 came from overseas and 119 were local residents. There were
63 students working towards a Master of Law degree, and 41 towards a Doctor of Law degree.
Legal and Judicial Training Centre
Established in accordance with By-law No. 1/2003, a revision of By-law No. 5/2001, the Legal and
Judicial Training Centre is an autonomous public institution that offers vocational training courses in
judicature and law. It offers refresher courses to legal professionals, training courses in law to public
administrators, and a multitude of courses aimed at training a variety of legal professionals, including
judicial officers of courts and the Public Prosecutions Office; registrars-general and notaries public;
private notaries; judicial personnel; clerks to registrars and notaries public; and educational officers
of the Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents. It organises retraining courses, refresher courses and
legal training courses for personnel from various public administrative authorities.
The centre trains lawyers and trainee lawyers at the request of the Macau Lawyers Association.
It also organises judicial and legal training activities for overseas civil servants, judicial officers and
174

The Legal System and the Judiciary
legal personnel under cooperation agreements signed with foreign agencies. In addition, the centre
can arrange research activities, publishing work, sessions or meetings relating to any professional
function in the fields of judicature and law, either directly or indirectly.
One of the most important responsibilities of the training centre is to train judicial officers of
the Public Prosecutions Office and the courts. Under the Training System for Admission to the
Bench and the Public Prosecutions Office and the Training Rules for Admission to the Bench and
the Public Prosecutions Office, all judges and public prosecutors must complete a two-year training
course and practical training provided by the training centre. The first judicial officer training
course after the establishment of the MSAR was launched in May 2002, and ended in May 2004.
The second judicial training course commenced in June 2007, and ended in June 2009. The third
judicial training course commenced in June 2009, and ended in June 2011. In 2010, the training
centre began preparations for the entrance examination for the fourth judicial training course, which
will commence in the middle of 2011.
The centre also organises continuing and post-experience courses for judges and public
prosecutors. These courses include joint programmes with the National Judges College and the
National Prosecutors College of China, the Centre for Judicial Studies of Portugal and the National
School for Magistrates of France, as well as training programmes featuring legal experts and other
professionals in Macao as major speakers. In 2010, the centre organised a number of seminars with
topics including “an introduction to the first cases of legislative corruption in mainland China”,
“the viability of a plea bargaining regime”, “the characteristics of judicial corruption in mainland
China, its extent in crimes committed by civil servants and its sentencing criteria”, “the judicial
treatment of illegal immigrants” and “the application of new information technology in criminal
investigations”.
Regarding the training of judicial personnel: in July 2006, the centre completed the first session
of the judicial clerk induction programme since the establishment of the MSAR. The second session
of the same programme was completed in May 2007. By June 2010, a total of 125 participants
from the two sessions had been appointed as judicial clerks. In addition, as requested by the Office
of the Public Prosecutor-General, from September 2007 to May 2008, the centre launched two
programmes for junior clerks preparing to take up senior posts of clerk-specialist and first clerk
at the Public Prosecutions Office, and from June 2010 to February 2011 conducted a training
programme for Public Prosecutions Office assistant clerks preparing for promotion. Moreover, as
requested by the Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal, from March to October 2008
the centre conducted a training programme for incoming clerks-in-charge and a training programme
for bench clerk-specialists preparing for promotion. From January to September 2009, the centre
conducted a training programme for bench Chief Clerks and a training programme for Assistant
Clerks preparing for promotion. In 2010, the training centre kicked off preparations for the new-term
training programme for assistant clerks preparing for promotion, which will commence in 2011.
The training centre also collaborated with the Legal Affairs Bureau to organise a training
programme between June and December 2010, for assistants serving at registries and notary public
offices preparing for promotion, and to hold in July and August talks on personal data protection
law and national security law for registrars and notaries.
Another important task of the centre is to provide general legal knowledge training for civil
servants. Regarding legal training for civil servants and other general and regular programmes:
as well as regular courses on the Basic Law, the centre also launched advanced workshops on the
Basic Law from December 2010 to promote continued study. It has also launched courses on: the
175

Macao Yearbook 2011
regulations for the procurement of goods and provision of services; administrative procedures;
civil service laws and regulations; the laws regarding discipline and punishment; regulations and
laws on administrative contracts; administrative procedural law; labour law, laws on undertaking
public works; and Bachelor of Law degree holders acting as agents in administrative litigation and
implementation of administrative judgments. In response to requests by other public departments,
the centre launched courses on several topics: biomedical law; the Road Traffic Law; and the
management system of strata-title buildings.
The centre also organised a series of courses designed for legal personnel, including a course
on the drafting of laws, conducted in Chinese; a short course on the drafting of laws, conducted in
Portuguese; and three courses conducted either in Chinese or Portuguese on: civil and civil procedural
law; criminal and criminal procedural law; and labour and labour procedural law. In addition,
the centre continued to co-organise with the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau the
continued legal studies programme in Portuguese. The centre also continued its cooperation with the
Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China to organise an advanced
training course on international law and a talk on negotiation and implementation of international
environmental conventions, held in Beijing and Macao respectively. In line with legal reform,
promulgation of new laws and the economic development needs of Macao, the centre organised
talks and seminars on specific topics including: prohibition of illegal provision of accommodation;
anti-computer-crime; anti-drug-trafficking; and compulsory treatment. It also continued to organise
an introductory course on arbitration, and a course on negotiation and mediation.
The centre rolled out activities planned for the 2nd EU-Macao Co-operation Programme in the
Legal Field. From March to December 2010, it organised seminars and workshops on: Urbanism,
Urban Reconstruction and Protection of World Heritage; Revocation of the Administrative Act;
Computer and Internet Crime: Recent Trends and Legal Responses; Cultural Diversity and Human
Rights: A Good Match?; Money Laundering – International Standards against Money Laundering
and Their Implementation in the Macao SAR; and Assessing the Impact of Regulations and the
Formulation of Laws.
Moreover, the centre continued to organise a number of courses for trainee lawyers at the request
of the Macau Lawyers Association, covering criminal procedural law, civil procedural law and
administrative law. These courses are taught in either Chinese or Portuguese. Additionally, both
lawyers and trainee lawyers enthusiastically participated in other training activities offered by the
centre.
During 2010, the Legal and Judicial Training Centre stepped up its research and publishing
efforts. Books published in Chinese included: second edition of Manual of Criminal Procedural
Law – Volume 1 (Chinese Edition); Manual of Criminal Procedural Law – Volume II; and Manual
on Commercial Law I – Company Laws; books in Portuguese included: Justiça Arbitral em Macau
- A Arbitragem Voluntária Interna, and Formação Jurídica e Judiciária - Colectânea - Tomo IV.
Lawyers and the Macau Lawyers Association
Lawyers fulfil a vital role in Macao’s legal and judicial system, especially with regard to ensuring
the ability of residents to seek legal recourse and have access to the courts. No resident should, due
to financial difficulty or any other reason, be denied access to the courts. Lawyers have an obligation
to help residents exercise the right to litigate, and they are obliged to accept court-appointed legal
aid cases.
176

The Legal System and the Judiciary
The Lawyers’ Statutes (Decree-Law No. 31/91/M) of 6 May 1991 stipulate that the Macau
Lawyers Association is a public corporate institute representing the legal profession. Its professional
ethics and practices are defined by the Association’s regulations, including the Statutes of the Macau
Lawyers Association, Internal Rules and Regulations of the Higher Council of Lawyers, Code of
Professional Ethics, Disciplinary Code for Lawyers, Regulations on Attaining Qualification as a
Lawyer, and Regulations on Professional Opinions.
The Macau Lawyers Association is composed of a Presidency, Executive Committee, Supervisory
Committee and Higher Council of Lawyers. The Higher Council of Lawyers exercises exclusive
disciplinary jurisdiction over lawyers and trainee lawyers, and it is responsible for monitoring
their discipline, professional ethics, and moral ethics. It consists of the following members: three
registered lawyers with at least 10 years of practising experience, three registered lawyers with
less than 10 years of practising experience, one judicial officer, one judicial officer from the Public
Prosecutions Office, and one member appointed by the Chief Executive.
Individuals who wish to practise law in Macao and who hold a Bachelor of Law degree from
the University of Macau must register with the Macau Lawyers Association and undergo a period
of internship. Graduates undergoing practical training are called trainee lawyers. The aim of this
training is to afford the trainee an opportunity to gain practical exposure to professional techniques
and ethics, in preparation for work as a fully fledged lawyer.
The period of internship must be not less than 18 continuous months. Trainee lawyers must
register as practising lawyers within 60 days of completing their training.
In line with the Regulations on Attaining Qualification as a Lawyer, Bachelor of Law degree
holders who graduate from a university recognised by Macao and wish to become trainee lawyers
in Macao must take certain orientation courses to familiarise themselves with the local legal system.
The period of study for these courses must be no less than 12 months and no more than 15 months.
After completing the courses, such persons must undergo an internship before they may practise law.
At the end of 2010, there were 209 practising lawyers and 139 trainee lawyers in Macao.
The Legal Affairs Bureau
The Legal Affairs Bureau undertakes a broad array of duties. It conducts research into judicial
policy and provides technical support; implements policies relating to the drafting, translation and
promotion of laws; and handles matters relating to juvenile correctional education and supervision
system and juvenile rehabilitation programmes. Finally, it is authorised to design regulations
for registries, notary public offices and private notaries, and provide them with supervision and
technical instruction. The Legal Affairs Bureau comprises several departments: the Legal Drafting
Department, the Law Translation Department, the Law Promotion Department, the Inspection and
Litigation Department, the Social Rehabilitation Department, the Administrative and Financial
Affairs Department, and the Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents.
The Legal Drafting Department
The Legal Drafting Department is responsible for:
1. Preparing drafts of motions and regulatory documents falling within the ambit of the Chief
Executive and the Government, and other documents required to be published in the Macao
177

Macao Yearbook 2011
178
SAR Gazette;
2. Ensuring that the above drafts comply with the laws and regulations of Macao;
3. Issuing opinions, undertaking research and investigation, and preparing reports;
4. Providing technical assistance to other Government departments and public bodies as
required in the preparation of the documents referred to in Item 1; and
5. Communicating with other Government departments and public bodies in respect of
legislative procedure.
The Law Translation Department
The Law Translation Department is mainly responsible for:
1. Planning and executing the translation of laws in effect, and drafts of motions and regulatory
documents falling within the power of the Chief Executive and the Government and other
documents that are required to be published in the Macao SAR Gazette;
2. Conducting research and suggesting ways to upgrade professional and legal translation
skills;
3. Conducting research into language problems that arise due to the use of certain legal terms,
and interpreting and providing a unified interpretation of such terms; and
4. Preparing and amending legal translation references.
The Law Promotion Department
The Law Promotion Department is mainly responsible for:
1. Research, recommendations, and implementation of initiatives undertaken by the Legal
Affairs Bureau, alone or in conjunction with other agencies, to provide and publicise
information about the law in Macao;
2. Cooperating with the Legal Drafting Department and other Government agencies in the
development of a legal database for Macao;
3. Planning and promoting the legal publishing work of Government agencies; and
4. Conducting research into, and developing a law-editing and compilation system for Macao.
The Legal Affairs Bureau also supervises registries and notary public offices, including the Real
Estate Registry, the Commercial and Movable Goods Registry, the Civil Registry, the notary public
offices including the First Office of the Notary Public, the Second Office of the Notary Public and
the Islands Office of the Notary Public.
Real Estate Registry
The Real Estate Registry is responsible for the registration of property in Macao, and publishing
the legal status of real estate through the registration of acquisitions, mortgages and transfers, to
ensure the security of transactions.

The Legal System and the Judiciary
Commercial and Movable Goods Registry
The Commercial and Movable Goods Registry is responsible for the registration of businesses,
motor vehicles and aircraft in Macao, and publishing the legal status of companies and their owners,
motor vehicles and aircraft, to provide legal protection and security for transactions.
Civil Registry
The Civil Registry is responsible for the civil registration of births, parentage, adoption and custody,
marriages, marriage agreements, deaths and the legal deaths of missing persons, and for issuing
relevant certificates.
Notary Public Offices
The three notary public offices, namely, the First Office of the Notary Public, the Second Office
of the Notary Public and the Islands Office of the Notary Public, are authorised to act as notaries,
especially in the verification of signatures and documents, and the issuing of certificates, warranties,
letters of authorisation, notarial testaments and notarial deeds.
Private Notaries
Macao’s Private Notary system was established in 1991 to undertake part of the work previously
handled by the three Notary Public Offices. Private notaries are regulated primarily by the General
Rules for Private Notaries (Decree-Law No. 66/99/M) and the Notary Code (revised Decree-Law
No. 62/99/M under Law No. 4/2000).
A lawyer is appointed by the Chief Executive as a private notary only when he or she meets all
the qualifying criteria, which include: not being a trainee lawyer; being currently registered with a
solicitor’s firm in accordance with the regulations; being a practicing lawyer operating a law firm
in Macao; and not having been prosecuted or convicted or be scheduled to stand trial for wilful
crimes that seriously damage his or her standing in the legal community. The Legal Affairs Bureau
is responsible for coordinating and supervising licensed private notaries. At the end of 2010, there
were 55 private notaries in Macao.
Law Reform and International Law Affairs Bureau
The Law Reform and International Law Affairs Bureau was established under By-law No. 22/2010.
As well as taking up the functions of the earlier Legal Reform Office and the International Law
Affairs Office, it also serves to drive the work of the Government’s legal coordination mechanism,
hoping to centralise government resources, and to expeditiously prioritise the enactment of laws
to meet social needs.
The bureau is a public department of Macao under the supervision of the Secretary for
Administration and Justice, and is mainly responsible for:
1. Assisting the Government in coordinating the design of legislative plans and supervising
their implementation;
2. Liaising and coordinating with public departments and organisations involved in the drafting
179

Macao Yearbook 2011
of laws;
3. Reviewing and drafting major codes of laws, major legal systems and other major regulations;
4. Providing legal technical assistance on international law affairs as well as international and
inter-regional judicial cooperation;
5. Conducting studies and making recommendations for the improvement of the legal system
of Macao;
6. Setting up and managing legal personnel databases;
7. Undertaking other duties conferred by law.
Legal Reform Consultative Committee
The Legal Reform Consultative Committee was established in March 2005 under Executive Orders
No. 58/2005 and No. 59/2005. The Legal Reform Consultative Committee is an advisory body
chaired by the Secretary for Administration and Justice. It is mainly responsible for:
1. Consulting the public and pertinent professionals about the enactment or otherwise of
certain legislative items; the most appropriate options for laws and regulations that are being
prepared or revised; the texts of laws, regulations and acts; and evaluation of the execution
of statutes;
2. Studying the above findings, and reflecting on whether the opinions collected align with
and are compatible with the general interests of Macao; and
3. Compiling advisory reports and making recommendations with a view to adapting the
development of the legal system to the progress of the society on the basis of the opinions
and comments collected in the consultations.
In 2010, the central mechanism for legal reform, jointly run by the former Legal Reform Office
and the Legal Reform Consultative Committee, implemented legal reform of procedural laws in
line with the governance objectives of the Government, so as to meet social demands for improved
judicial efficiency. Priorities were given to the revision of the Criminal Procedural Code and the
Civil Procedural Code. The central mechanism was also fully responsible for the revisions of the
Insurance Contract Law of the Commercial Code, the General System for Public Administrative
Employment Contracts, along with other relevant regulations.
Other legal reform research projects participated or driven by the central mechanism for legal
reform include: strata titles; the arbitration and negotiation system; and the electronic platform
for civil actions.
To better prioritise legislative plans, the central mechanism for legislation should take a more
pragmatic approach in legislative planning. As such, the Legal Reform Consultative Committee
should submit a legislative timetable to the Legislative Assembly for examination, while the Legal
Reform Office should conduct research and analysis and make preparations for the establishment
of a central institution for legal reform, and be responsible for the preparatory work for and
formulation of the by-law on the Organisation and Operations of the Law Reform and International
Law Bureau, in order to effectively implement the major government policy emphasis on legal
affairs in the coming year.
180

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of a fair to celebrate
the 17th anniversary of the promulgation of the Macao Basic Law, on 28 March.
The Legal System and the Judiciary
181

The Legal System and the Judiciary
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of the
seminar on “Corruption and the Rule Of Law” on 14 May.
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, and the Deputy Secretary
General of the NPC Standing Committee, Qiao Xiaoyang, with the graduates of the
advanced courses on Macao Basic Law, on 13 July.
182

The Government Information Bureau (GCS) holds a press briefing on a Documentary Study
on the Revision Direction of the Press Law and the Broadcasting Law of Macao. Dr. Camoes
C. K. Tam (left), Assistant Professor of Macau University of Science and Technology, presents
the study report to Victor Chan Chi Ping (right), the Director of GCS, on 22 October.
Over 1,563 people visited the Legislative Assembly during its open day on 10 July.
183

The central government is
responsible for the foreign
affairs of the Macao SAR.
W h e n t h e M S A R wa s
established, the central
government set up the Office
of the Commissioner of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the People’s Republic of
China in the Macao Special
Administrative Region, to
handle foreign affairs issues
related to Macao.

CHAPTER 3
EXTERNAL
RELATIONS

The Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation
Between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 3
External Relations
External Relations
The central government is responsible for the foreign affairs of the Macao SAR. When the MSAR
was established, the central government set up the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, to
handle foreign affairs issues related to Macao.
The central government also authorised Macao to manage certain external affairs in accordance
with the regulatory framework stipulated in Chapter 7 of the Macao Basic Law.
As a non-sovereign region, Macao enjoys wide-ranging and close relationships with most
countries and regions throughout the world. This is an advantage for Macao in its longstanding,
extensive, direct, friendly and beneficial relationships, particularly those with European Union (EU)
member states and Romance language-speaking countries.
Friendship with countries far and near is the cornerstone objective of Macao’s policy for
developing its external relations. Macao will continue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral
cooperation with other countries and regions. To facilitate Macao’s further development, the
Government frequently conducts external activities and makes great efforts to promote interaction
and collaboration with countries and regions around the world in areas such as economics, trade
and culture.
Mutual Exemption from Visa Requirements
One of the Government’s major tasks is to promote the Macao Passport and other travel permits.
With the central government’s support and assistance, it has made substantial progress in negotiating
with other countries and regions to grant visa-free access to holders of Macao Passports and travel
permits. By April 2011, a total of 88 countries and regions had agreed to grant visa-free access or
visas on arrival to holders of Macao SAR Passports, with 66 countries and 16 regions allowing visafree
entry, and six countries requiring landing visas for entry (see Appendix 9, “Visa-free Access for
Holders of Macao SAR Passports and Travel Permits”, for more details). In addition, nine countries
have agreed to grant visa-free access or visas on arrival to holders of MSAR travel permits.
The Government also grants visa-free access to nationals or citizens of 66 countries and regions
(see Appendix 10, “Countries/Territories Granted Visa-free Access by the Macao SAR”, for more
details). Nationals or citizens of these countries and territories who are in possession of valid
passports can stay in Macao for periods of 30-90 days. Visitors from certain countries, such as the
United Kingdom, may be given permission to stay for up to six months.
Consulates in Macao
Under the provisions of Article 142 of the Macao Basic Law, the establishment of foreign consular
and other official or semi-official missions in the MSAR is subject to approval by the central
government. Consular and other official missions established in Macao before the Handover by
states with formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China were allowed to remain.
According to individual circumstances, consular and other official missions established in Macao by
states with no formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China were allowed either
187

Macao Yearbook 2011
to remain, or to change to semi-official missions. States not recognised by the People’s Republic
of China were only allowed to establish non-governmental institutions in the MSAR.
By the end of May 2011, a total of 88 countries had established consular services in Macao, and
there were 85 consular establishments. Some recognise Macao as a separate consular district, while
others have extended the duties of their consulates general in Hong Kong to include Macao, or
have empowered them to execute consular duties in Macao (see Appendix 8, “Countries Exercising
Consular Jurisdiction in the Macao SAR”).
Angola, the Philippines and Portugal were the three countries that have established a consulate
general in Macao. Fifty-four other countries have assigned their consulates general in Hong Kong
to cover consular affairs in Macao, including several countries that may execute consular duties
in Macao. These are (in alphabetical order, similarly hereinafter): Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Kazakhstan, Korea, the State of Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, the Netherlands,
New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South
Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States,
Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. China has signed an agreement with Antigua and Barbuda that
allows the island country to establish a consulate general in Hong Kong, but it has not yet opened.
Ten countries have appointed honorary consuls to Macao: Cape Verde, Estonia, Grenada, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru and the United Kingdom. The posts of honorary
consul of Bhutan, France and Surinam are currently vacant.
Eighteen countries with honorary consulates in Hong Kong cover or extend services to Macao:
Cyprus, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Hungary, Iceland, Kenya, Lithuania, Maldives, Namibia, Norway, Rwanda,
San Marino, Seychelles, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania and Uruguay.
International Organisations and Multilateral Treaties
As a modern international city, Macao participates in various international organisations and
multilateral treaties. This helps it to maintain its unique position in the world and to develop external
relations in areas such as economics, trade, finance, aviation, transportation, culture, education,
environmental protection and health.
International Organisations
The principles contained in Articles 136 and 137 of the Macao Basic Law regarding the
appropriate participation of Macao in international activities form the legal bases on which the
central government and the MSAR Government handle issues relating to Macao’s participation in
international activities.
Before the establishment of the MSAR, agreement was reached by the Sino-Portuguese Joint
Liaison Group, which handled issues relating to Macao’s transition period, on negotiating the
terms for Macao’s continued participation in international activities after the Handover. Since the
establishment of the MSAR, the central government has assisted and supported Macao’s participation
in relevant international conferences and activities in accordance with the Macao Basic Law, and
has also shown concern for and safeguarded Macao’s rights and interests in these international
188

External Relations
organisations.
The Government participates in intergovernmental organisations in one of two ways:
1. As a full member of the organisation concerned, with the identity of a separate region that
undertakes international obligations and enjoys corresponding rights and interests; or
2. As an associate member (or affiliate member) or member without voting rights that speaks
as “Macao, China”. In such circumstances, Macao undertakes its international obligations
and enjoys corresponding rights and interests, subject to certain conditions.
During the period following the establishment of the MSAR, Macao maintained a separate
status under the name “Macao, China” in 11 intergovernmental organisations, namely: the World
Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization Regional
Committee for the Western Pacific, the Customs Cooperation Council (now known as the World
Customs Organization), the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT), the Asia and Pacific Development
Centre (APDC), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP), and the International Textile and Clothing Bureau (ITCB).
In addition, Macao attends meetings of other intergovernmental organisations as a member of the
central government delegation. These include the United Nations (UN) Special General Assembly,
UN special agencies, and other groups and agencies within the UN. Its delegates may express
opinions on matters relevant to the MSAR in the name of “Macao, China”. Macao may also attend
non-governmental, regional and specialist meetings of international organisations.
The Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group decided in July 1998 that it would not discuss issues
related to Macao’s continued participation in non-governmental organisations, as both China and
Portugal recognised that such issues should fall within the sphere of Macao’s autonomous affairs
following the establishment of the MSAR. They would thus be left to Macao’s own discretion, and
according to its needs.
As of July 1998, Macao was a member of 29 international non-governmental organisations. They
included the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI), the International Union of
Family Organizations (IUFO), the Asian Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (AACVB),
the World Savings Banks Institute (WSBI), the Union of the Portuguese Speaking Capital Cities
(UCCLA), the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI), the Consumers International
and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).
During 2010, Macao attended several international conferences as a member of central
government delegations or under the name “Macao, China”. Macao attended the following
conferences as a member of central government delegations: the 10th Committee Meeting of the
Public Key Directory Board; the 5th Meeting of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures; the
Meeting of the Special Commission of the Hague Conference on Private International Law; the
99th International Labour Conference; Annual Meeting of the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund; the Diplomatic Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);
the 37th Session of the 2010 ICAO Assembly; the 2010 International Telecommunications Union
Plenipotentiary Conference; the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) and the
Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP6); the 63rd World Health Assembly;
the 61st session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western
189

Macao Yearbook 2011
Pacific; the 20th INTOSAI Congress; the 8th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Prosecutors General; the Executive Committee Meeting of the International Association of
Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA); the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice; the inaugural meeting of the Working Group on Review of the Implementation
of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption; the 4th Annual Conference and General
Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities; the 14th International
Anti-corruption Conference; the 53rd Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs; the
special commission meeting of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation
in Respect of Intercountry Adoption; and the 2nd meeting of the Social Development Division of
the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Also, under the name “Macao, China”, Macao attended a number of international conferences
including: the 34th Meeting of the Ideographic Rapporteur Group (IRG) of the International
Organization for Standardization; the 4th International Conference on Theory and Practice of
Electronic Governance and the 5th China E-Government Forum; the 35th Meeting of the IRG of the
International Organization for Standardization; the 2010 Yellow Ribbon Project; the 30th Asian and
Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA); International Conference on Judicial
Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money
Laundering; the 66th session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP); the second meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Information Exchange
for Tax Purposes; the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the 19th International Safe Communities
Conference; the meeting of the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors (OGBS); the 2010 Plenary
Meeting of the Egmont Group; the United Nations Climate Change Conference; the Open IPTV
Forum; the 18th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI); the
13th WCO Asia Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Conference; the 4th Annual Conference and
General Meeting of the IAACA; the 15th Annual Conference of the International Association of
Prosecutors; the 8th Conference of the Forum of Presidents of Supreme Courts of Portuguesespeaking
Countries and Territories; the Asia Region Heads of Delegation Meeting for the 2011
Arafura Games; the Seventh World Congress on Long Term Care in Chinese Communities; the
11th Asia Pacific Conference on Giftedness; the 2010 ITB Berlin Fair – the world’s leading tourism
trade fair; and the International Conference of the Round Table on Archives.
International Treaties
Article 138 of the Basic Law stipulates the applicability of multilateral treaties to Macao; and this
forms the legal and regulatory framework for the central government and MSAR Government to
implement multinational treaties applicable to Macao.
Prior to the establishment of the MSAR, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group discussed and
reached agreement on the applicability of multilateral treaties to Macao after the Handover. Since
then, the two sides have taken steps to carry out this agreement at international level.
The international covenants applicable to Macao since the Handover include the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights; the Constitution of the International Labour Organization; the Prohibition and
Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour; the International
Maritime Convention; the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer; the International
190

External Relations
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Convention on the Rights of
the Child; the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment; the International Health Regulations; and the Convention Against Discrimination in
Education.
As of 2008, 261 multilateral treaties were applicable to Macao: 49 treaties on foreign affairs
and defence; 15 on civil aviation; 10 on customs; four on drugs; seven on economics and finance;
six on education, science, technology, culture and sport; 17 on the environment and conservation;
three on health; 20 on human rights; four on intellectual property; 10 on international crime; two
on international trade; 36 on labour; 32 on maritime affairs; 10 on private international law; two
on road traffic; four on postal affairs and telecommunications; and 30 on the establishment of
international governmental organisations (see Appendix 11, “Multilateral Treaties Applicable to
the Macao SAR”, for details).
In the area of inter-regional legal and judicial bilateral cooperation in 2010, the Government
continued to work with the mainland authorities on the arrangement of criminal judicial assistance.
As regards international legal and judicial bilateral cooperation on criminal matters, the Government
signed the Agreement Between the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the
People’s Republic of China and the Government of Mongolia on Cooperation to Combat Trafficking
in Persons, greatly facilitating mutual cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking.
Also, the Government continued to work with the government of Mongolia on matters concerning
the Protocol on Criminal Judicial Cooperation and the Protocol on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
During the implementation of the Protocol on Legal and Judicial Cooperation between the MSAR
and the Democratic Republic of East Timor, the Government has been engaged in negotiations
over cooperation agreements on registration and notary public services, vocational training and
the enhancement of personnel capacity.
As regards international law affairs, the Government has completed the Macao section of the
first report of China’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In 2010, the Government also completed compilation of the following reports:
- The Macao report as part of the second China compliance report in accordance with Articles
16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights;
- The Macao report as part of the first China compliance report compiled as required under
Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
- Updates to the Macao sections in all core documents to be attached to China’s human rights
treaty compliance reports to be submitted obligatorily to the UN Human Rights Council; and
- The Macao section in China’s seventh country report on its implementation of Resolution
1373 (2001) to be submitted to the United Nations Security Council’s Counterterrorism
Committee.
In the area of private international law, the Government attended the Special Commission meeting,
as part of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, on the prevention and elimination
of abduction, sale and trafficking of children regarding the implementation of the Convention on
Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
In response to the requests of international organisations and third countries, the Government
191

Macao Yearbook 2011
offered its help by providing relevant data and information, especially in relation to the Government’s
efforts to combat money laundering, the financing of terrorism and human trafficking, as well as
to protect human rights.
The Government sent officials to join the China delegation to attend the fourth meeting of the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on a Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products held in
Geneva, and the fourth session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control.
In preparation for the ICAO Diplomatic Conference, an MSAR delegation convened with China
and Hong Kong delegates in Hong Kong. It later attended the Conference, held in Beijing.
As regards anti-human-trafficking, the Government’s Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures
Concern Committee convened with relevant Japanese government entities in Tokyo.
The Government’s seafarer labour relations law working group is conducting studies on the
Maritime Labour Convention, and plans to implement the legal instrument through internal
legislation.
The Government also attended the 13th Asia Pacific Group Anti-Money Laundering Annual
Meeting held in Singapore.
In 2010, the Government continued to publish international and inter-regional legal instruments
applicable to Macao in the Gazette, including a number of sanction resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council and name lists issued by the Council’s committees, as well as bilateral treaties
signed by the Government and multilateral treaties applicable to Macao that include the additional
protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime: Protocol to
Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and a number
of International Labour Organization conventions.
Macao and the European Union
Official relations between Macao and the EU have been steadily built on the foundation of the
Macao-EC Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1992. Macao has maintained good relations
with the EU in terms of economic and trade affairs ever since the establishment of the MSAR.
The Macao Economic and Trade Office at the Brussels headquarters of the EU seeks to enhance
Macao’s relationship with the organisation.
Under their agreement, Macao and the EU may cooperate in industry, investment, science and
technology, energy, information, training and other areas. A Joint Committee established by both
parties holds an annual meeting to review the implementation of the agreement and discuss its
future development. The meeting’s venue alternates between Macao and Brussels, and 15 such
sessions have been held to date. A great deal has been achieved through this form of cooperation.
According to statistics compiled by the European Commission: since the agreement was signed,
the EU has funded cooperative projects with Macao worth around one million euros per annum. The
projects have included: training for the tourism industry (1999-2001); a European studies programme
(1999-2001); a services development programme (1999-2001) on advising Macao on improvement
of the local services sector; the Asia-Invest programme (2001 and 2002); and the EU-Macao
Legal Cooperation Programme (2001-2005). During 2006, funded by the MSAR Government, the
Directorate General for Interpretation (SCIC) of the European Commission provided training on
192

External Relations
translation and interpretation. In 2009, with regard to legal cooperation between the MSAR and
the European Commission, a new protocol on the second phase of legal cooperation projects was
signed between the two parties. This will be effective for three years commencing in 2010. Those
cooperation projects kicked off in 2010, with a number of training activities guided by legal experts
from the EU and mainland China. All training activities were conducted in collaboration with a
number of public departments.
Also, joint projects inaugurated by Macao and the EU were: the Macao-Europe Centre for
Advanced Tourism Studies (ME-CATS) and the Institute of European Studies of Macao.
Since its establishment in 1992, the Euro-Info Centre has provided specialist services to enable
SMEs in Macao, Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta and neighbouring regions to obtain useful
information about Europe.
In October 2006, the European Commission published the Communication from the Commission
to the Council and the European Parliament – The European Union, Hong Kong and Macao:
Possibilities for Cooperation 2007-2013. It states, “The existing policy and regulatory dialogues and
cooperation between the EU and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs have provided an excellent base
for relations. To move relations further forward, this base needs to be built upon and strengthened,
and at the same time widened to include other sectors and take account of the much greater EU
cooperation with mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao are indeed platforms for deepening
cooperation with mainland China. The EU should now widen and deepen the scope for greater
EU involvement in the ongoing trilateral cooperation between Hong Kong, Macao and mainland
China.” The document also outlines objectives for moving forward with cooperation with Macao
in several areas: trade and customs, finance, people-to-people and academic links, transport, health
and food safety, and the environment.
The EU is Macao’s second-largest trading partner. In 2010, the total value of Macao’s exports
to the EU was 409 million patacas, a decrease of 35.2 percent over 2009; while imports from the
EU were worth 9.96 billion patacas, up by 27.5 percent from 2009.
Visa-free Access
Since 10 April 2001, MSAR Passport holders have been allowed to remain for 90 days without
a visa in the 13 EU member countries that are signatories to the Schengen Agreement. These
countries are: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Greece. In addition, two non-EU countries, Norway and
Iceland, which are also members of the Schengen Agreement, likewise grant 90-day visa-free
access to MSAR Passport holders. This decision facilitates mutual exchange between Macao, the
EU and other European countries.
On the same date, the Government modified local regulations to extend visa-free stays in Macao
for citizens of all EU countries, plus Norway and Iceland, from the original 30 days to 90 days.
In addition, the British government granted up to six months’ visa-free access to MSAR Passport
holders, with effect from 17 April 2002. The Irish government also granted visa-free access to MSAR
Passport holders for up to a maximum of 90 days, with effect from 27 April 2002.
To enhance relations with EU member countries and increase economic and trade relations with
them, the first and second Chief Executive Edmund Ho led delegations to visit Portugal, France,
193

Macao Yearbook 2011
Belgium and Germany in 2000, 2001 and 2004. During 2006, Edmund Ho led a delegation to
Portugal and Belgium, including the EU headquarters in Brussels.
Macao and Portugal
Macao has remained on good terms with Portugal since the establishment of the MSAR. It has
established the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, further strengthening the relationship
between Portugal and Macao.
In May 2000, Macao and Portugal signed an agreement on the Mutual Encouragement and
Protection of Investment between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic
of China and the Portuguese Republic. This serves to strengthen economic and trade cooperation,
and create favourable conditions for mutual investment in the future.
Recently, Macao has signed a series of specific cooperation protocols with Portugal, covering
administration and justice, medicine and hygiene, science and technology, sports and auditing.
On 23 May 2001, the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Macao Special
Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic was signed
in Macao. The agreement’s objective is to promote greater cooperation between Macao and Portugal
in the areas of economics, finance, science, technology, culture, internal public security and justice.
Moreover, to implement the framework agreement fully, the two sides may sign other specific
protocols relating to these areas in the future.
On the basis of the Cooperation Framework Agreement, the Government and Portugal signed
an Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Macao on 10 July 2001 to promote
future cooperation and the development of science and technology. The agreement’s scope covers the
exchange of scientific knowledge and research personnel, the joint formulation and implementation
of research plans, and the joint promotion and organisation of conferences, seminars and other
activities.
Macao’s imports from Portugal during 2010 totalled 135 million patacas, a decrease of
0.73 percent over the 2009 figure; whereas its exports to Portugal increased by 2.66 percent from
2009 to 386,000 patacas.
In 2010, the Chief Executive Chui Sai On led a delegation to Portugal, marking his first official
visit to a foreign country. The visit served to deepen the friendship as well as trade, economic,
social and cultural cooperation between the two places.
Macao and the United States
Since the Handover, interaction and cooperation between Macao and the United States have
strengthened in areas such as combating illegal transhipment, anti-piracy measures, law enforcement
training and anti-terrorism measures. Both sides have expressed readiness to establish a good
relationship, and to extend bilateral cooperation to promote trade and investment. The US Consulate
General for Hong Kong and Macao encourages US officials to visit Macao in order to consolidate
ties between the two parties further.
The United States is Macao’s largest export market, accounting for over 40 percent of its gross
annual exports. The total value of Macao’s gross exports during 2010 was 6.96 billion patacas;
194

External Relations
of these, gross exports to the United States accounted for 782 million patacas, a decrease of
12.2 percent over the 2009 figure. Macao’s total imports from the United States were valued at
2.619 billion patacas, an increase of 18.13 percent over 2009.
Three of the companies granted casino concession or sub-concession contracts by the Government
following the liberalisation of Macao’s gaming industry are US-funded.
Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries
Eight Portuguese-speaking countries – Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-
Bissau, Angola, Mozambique and Timor-Leste – formed the Community of Portuguese-speaking
Countries in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, in 1996. Besides its close links with Portugal, Macao
also has traditional and special relationships with other members of the community. It is the only
Chinese city capable of developing special relationships with the Portuguese-speaking countries
on four continents. As a result, Macao has the unique advantage of serving as an economic and
trading bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
One of the Government’s policy objectives is to transform Macao into an economic and trading
service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The central government also attaches importance to this role. It arranged for Macao to host
the Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China
and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The First Forum was held in October 2003. China and seven
Portuguese-speaking countries, namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique,
Portugal and Timor-Leste, sent government and business delegations to this major event. During
the forum, ministerial-level officials of China and seven Portuguese-speaking countries signed the
Economic and Trade Cooperation Action Plan. They agreed to establish a permanent secretariat
for the forum in Macao.
In September 2006, Macao hosted the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Forum, with the theme
“Deepening cooperation and developing together”. The attendees reviewed the follow-ups to and
the enforcement of the Action Plan on Trade and Economic Cooperation since the First Ministerial
Meeting. Ministers highly commended the permanent secretariat’s efforts to implement the 2003
Action Plan, and its role in providing logistical support and financial guarantees for carrying out
special projects formulated by the participating countries. They also reiterated that Macao should
continue to bring into full play its function as a platform, to strengthen the economic and trade
relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Ministerial-level officials from China and seven Portuguese-speaking countries adopted and
signed the Economic and Trade Cooperation Action Plan 2007-2009.
During the Second Ministerial Meeting, the Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and
Economic Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, bilateral meetings
between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, and an exhibition on the forum’s achievements
were also held.
In November 2010, the third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade
Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held in Macao under the
theme of “Advance Common Development Through Diversified Cooperation”. Premier Wen Jiabao
attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. Attendees representing different countries jointly
195

Macao Yearbook 2011
signed the 2010-2013 Action Plan on Trade and Economic Cooperation at the conference.
To strengthen sporting exchanges between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao
hosted the First Lusofonia Games in October 2006.
The first and second Chief Executive Edmund Ho paid official visits to Mozambique and Brazil
in 2002 and 2005, respectively.
During 2006, the Government also remained committed to strengthening its relations with East
Asia, particularly Southeast Asian countries, for the enhancement of cooperation in areas such as
the economy and tourism. From the establishment of the MSAR Government to the end of 2006,
Edmund Ho led delegations to visit countries including Singapore, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In
2007, he made further visits to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
196

External Relations
Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World
Health Organization, at the Government House on 16 August.
197

External Relations
Chief Executive Chui Sai On meets with the Prime Minister of the Republic
of Portugal, Jose Socrates, in Lisbon on 22 June.
198

The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Florinda Chan, and the representative
of the European Commission Directorate-General for External Relations, Jozsef
Molnar, preside over the opening ceremony of the second EU-Macao Co-operation
Programme in the Legal Field, on 23 March.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the signing ceremony of the Agreement on
Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to
Taxes on Income between the Macao SAR Government and the Government of the
Republic of Cape Verde, on 15 November.
199

External Relations
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the signing ceremony of the bilateral air services
agreement between the governments of the Macao SAR and Japan, on 10 February.
The signing ceremony of the protocol on anti-human trafficking between the
Macao SAR and Mongolian governments is held on 18 October.
200

The closing ceremony of the 4th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the
International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities is held on 5 November.
The graduation ceremony of an economic management class for the officials of
Portuguese-speaking countries, organised by the Secretariat of China and Portuguesespeaking
Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao), is held on 4 June.
201

Although Macao has a
relatively small economy, it
pursues an open economic
policy. It is one of the two
international free ports in
China. Goods, capital, foreign
exchange and people flow
freely in and out of Macao. As
a separate customs territory,
it boasts one of the lowest
tax regimes in the region.
Macao is integrated with
the global economy and
maintains traditional and
special economic ties with
the European Union (EU)
and Portuguese-speaking
countries. Consequently,
Macao plays a relatively
i m p o r t a n t ro l e i n t h e
regional economies and is an
important gateway and bridge
linking mainland China with
international markets.

CHAPTER 4
ECONOMY

Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 4
Economy
Economy
Although Macao has a relatively small economy, it pursues an open economic policy. It is one of the
two international free ports in China. Goods, capital, foreign exchange and people flow freely in and
out of Macao. As a separate customs territory, it boasts one of the lowest tax regimes in the region.
Macao is integrated with the global economy and maintains traditional and special economic ties
with the European Union (EU) and Portuguese-speaking countries. Consequently, Macao plays a
relatively important role in the regional economies and is an important gateway and bridge linking
mainland China with international markets.
The Government’s economic agenda for 2011 aims at: tackling the aftermath of the global
financial crisis and maintaining economic stability; sustaining the trend of economic recovery and
continuing to improve the employment and life of local citizens; promoting adequate economic
diversification and supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
and strengthening regional economic cooperation. All in all, it aims to continuously improve the
business environment, increase overall competitiveness, strive to develop Macao into a world travel
and leisure centre and regional commercial service platform, work hard towards stable economic
development, gradually improve the people’s well-being, and promote social harmony and vibrancy.
Investment Incentives
Macao provides a level playing field for investors from around the world. At the same time, the
series of measures that have been implemented to encourage investment – including the provision
of various tax and financial incentives – have gradually made Macao an ideal place for investors.
Tax incentives
To promote Macao’s long-term economic development, the Government offers tax incentives for
projects that benefit the territory’s development. Investment plans outlined in applications for these
must meet one or more of the following criteria:
• They must promote economic diversity;
• must contribute to the promotion of exports to new markets;
• They must add value to the production chain; or
• They must contribute to technological modernisation.
Once an application is approved, applicants or their companies may be granted the following
tax incentives:
1. Property purchased and used for production is exempt from all property tax. Rented property
used for production is partially exempt. The exemption period for production facilities on
the Macao peninsula is five years; for those on the two islands, it is 10 years;
2. Business tax is entirely waived for candidates who have received preliminary approval.
Establishments (other than offshore banks) on the two islands enjoy a 50-percent reduction;
205

Macao Yearbook 2011
206
3. Profit tax is reduced by 50 percent; and
4. Stamp duty is reduced by between 50 percent and 100 percent for all property transfers
involving industrial use. This includes transactions involving trade, administration, offshore
companies, long-term leases and non-profit organisations. Charitable donations related to
property transfers valued at less than 50,000 patacas also enjoy reduced stamp duty.
In addition, the Government offers the following incentives:
1. Businesses such as guest houses, hotels and restaurants are completely exempt from tourism
tax; and
2. Motor vehicles, tour buses, mass transit vehicles and trucks used by Government departments
in Macao are all exempt from motor vehicle tax.
Those enterprises granted tax incentives in 2010 were mainly engaged in: unspecified furniture
manufacturing, audio and video reproduction, and unspecified textile manufacturing. The tax
incentives approved included 50 percent reductions in profits tax and stamp duty on transfer of
real estate.
Financial Incentives
The Interest Subsidy Scheme on Bank Loans to Enterprises, amended by By-law No. 16/2009 on
8 June, supports local underprivileged enterprises with improving business conditions and thereby
adapting themselves to changes in the industrial structure, with a series of supportive Government
financial measures that include increased resource allocation, expanding the scope of support to cover
more industries, granting entitlement to rebates to more investment projects, simplified application
requirements, and relieving the financial burdens of enterprises benefiting from the rebates. The
scheme is enacted to provide loan interest rebates to encourage local enterprises investing in Macao
to increase investment within their business areas, so as to foster diversification of local economic
activities, promote environmental protection, support technological innovation and transformation,
increase their competitiveness, and realise business modernisation. Enterprises that benefit from
the scheme enjoy a four percent interest subsidy per year. The maximum period of subsidy is four
years, counting from the first day of loan repayments, and the subsidy is calculated according to
the outstanding capital in each instalment.
In 2010, there were a total of 77 applications for the newly amended Interest Subsidy Scheme
for Bank Loans to Enterprises, with 80 cases approved and loans totalling over 190 million patacas
approved. Enterprises granted interest rebates were mainly engaged in retail, real estate activities
and company services, restaurants and hotels, public services, social welfare and private services,
wholesale, as well as transport and warehousing.
Under Decree-Law No. 49/85/M, Article 11 in particular, the Government will grant repayable
or non-repayable subsidies for the following investment projects:
• Manufacturing of new products that involve serious economic risks but are nonetheless
worthwhile;
• Introduction of new projects and developments that support Macao’s industrial development;
and
• Establishment of pollution-prevention facilities that benefit Macao.

Economy
Export Diversification Incentives
Any company registered with the Economic Services Bureau may apply for a subsidy on any of
the following:
Full subsidies – rental of exhibition venues and expenses for the construction, installation and
dismantling of booths; expenses for furnishing booths and assistance with their operation during
exhibitions; and expenses relating to participation in exhibitions by chambers of commerce, including
travel expenses for their representatives (the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute will
decide the number of representatives);
Sixty-percent subsidies – production of printed materials, such as leaflets, catalogues and
pamphlets up to a maximum cost of 40,000 patacas; production of audio-visual equipment up to a
maximum cost of 70,000 patacas; and individual participation in exhibitions outside Macao up to
a maximum cost of 60,000 patacas, for the renting of booths and set-up fees; and
Fifty-percent subsidies – products for participation in international exhibitions or trade missions
led by the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; transportation costs for product samples
(weighing a maximum of 20 kg for air transport and up to three cubic metres in size for sea transport);
and two economy-class return tickets (purchased from local travel agents) for each enterprise.
Manufacturing, tourism and gaming, banking and finance, construction and real estate have long
been considered the four pillars of Macao’s economy. However, following the transformation of both
the internal and external economic environments, the shares of these four pillar industries in Macao’s
GDP have seen remarkable changes. Recently, the tourism and gaming industry’s contribution to
Macao’s GDP has overtaken the combined total of the other three industries.
Manufacturing
The 1980s may be regarded as a period when Macao’s manufacturing industries flourished.
However, since the 1990s, Macao’s economic development has leaned towards service industries.
Manufacturing industry’s contribution to GDP declined from 20.6 percent in 1989 to 1.5 percent
in 2009. In 2009 the local manufacturing industry’s total production value and total added value
were 7.77 billion patacas and 1.68 billion patacas, respectively.
The total value of Macao’s exports in 2010 was 6.96 billion patacas, a decrease of 9.3 percent
from the 2009 figure. The value of locally produced exports was 2.39 billion patacas, 19.6 percent
less than in 2009. The value of re-exports declined to 4.57 billion patacas, a decrease of 2.8 percent
on the 2009 figure. Hong Kong continued to be the main market for Macao’s exports, accounting
for 43.1 percent, a slight decrease of 0.4 percent compared to 2009; mainland China accounted
for 15.8 percent of total exports and the United States accounted for 11.2 percent, representing
decreases of 1.4 percent and 40.2 percent, respectively, from the figures in 2009.
An analysis of the composition of local exports shows that the total value of textiles and garment
exports during 2010 was 1.63 billion patacas, 34.1% percent less than in 2009; they accounted for
23.4 percent of total exports by value. Jewellery, cigarettes and alcohol accounted for 10.6 percent
and 6.8 percent, respectively; machinery and spare parts accounted for 6.5 percent of total exports
by value.
Seven years have passed since CEPA was first implemented. After rounds of negotiations and
207

Macao Yearbook 2011
repeated expansion of the initiatives, its scope has been continuously expanded to promote the
prosperity and development of both the mainland and Macao, and the economic and trade ties
between them. In 2010, 1,210 types of products of Macao origin (2010 Mainland Tariff Code)
enjoyed zero tariffs in mainland China. Under CEPA, total exports for 2010 reached 65.252 million
patacas, with products including garments and knitted textiles, stationery, stamps, crude glycerine,
fatty acids, cement, food items, copper-clad laminates, yarns and recycled plastics. Tax with a total
value of 4.582 million patacas was waived. During the past seven years, the total value of zero-tariff
goods entering mainland China in accordance with CEPA provisions was 16.694 million patacas,
and 12.966 million patacas of taxes were waived.
According to the Second Supplementary Protocol to CEPA, from 1 January 2006, Macao
manufacturers may submit lists of goods subject to zero tariffs to the Economic Services Bureau.
The bureau shall, prior to 1 March and 1 September each year, submit the list of goods verified
and certified to the Ministry of Commerce. After consultation on the rules of origin for the relevant
goods by the Customs General Administration and the Economic Services Bureau, the mainland
authorities shall grant zero tariff to the relevant goods before 1 July in the current year and 1 January
the following year, respectively.
Financial Industry
The financial industry in Macao underwent rapid development towards the end of the 1980s.
Following 20 years of growth and refinement, Macao now boasts a sophisticated and open financial
system with unique characteristics in the region. The Monetary Authority supervises Macao’s
financial industry.
Macao’s financial institutions consist of banks, insurance companies, financial companies,
financial intermediaries, bureaux de change, cash remittance companies, non-banking credit agencies
and the representative offices of overseas financial institutions. At the end of 2010, the financial
institutions authorised to operate in Macao were 29 banks (including the Government-owned
Postal Savings Office), 23 insurance companies, one finance company, two financial intermediary
companies, 11 bureaux de change, six bureaux de change counters, two cash remittance companies,
one non-banking credit agency and one representative office of an overseas financial institution.
Banks are the main providers of credit in Macao. Of the 29 banks, 12 are locally incorporated,
one is an offshore bank, and the other 17 are branches and subsidiaries of overseas banks (one of
which is offshore banks).
The Banking System
The primary legislation regulating Macao’s financial industry, the Financial System Act, was
promulgated in 1993, and focuses on measures to strengthen risk management. In particular, it
emphasises strict requirements on operators, and monitors the suitability of major shareholders
and managers, and new operating risks. The act also introduced a new monitoring system based
on financial institutions and their subsidiaries. The act takes into account the recommendations
of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and lessons learnt from the EU’s experience in
harmonising banking legislation, while drawing on the experiences of countries and territories
whose financial systems are similar to those of Macao.
In accordance with the Financial System Act, the Chief Executive of the MSAR may, on an
208

Economy
individual basis, approve the registration of credit institutions in Macao, the establishment of
branches of overseas credit institutions, the setting-up of branches or representative offices outside
Macao by locally registered credit institutions, and the establishment of financial intermediaries
and other financial institutions in Macao, after considering the advice of the Monetary Authority.
However, this provision does not include companies regulated by special laws.
In addition, under Decree-Law No. 58/99/M of 18 October 1999, the Offshore Service Law, the
Chief Executive of Macao, may, on the advice of the Monetary Authority, grant permission for the
establishment of offshore financial institutions.
At the end of 2010, the 29 banks in Macao had assets totalling 540.1 billion patacas, and 4,865
employees in 177 headquarters and branches. The total deposits in the banking system amounted
to 341.5 billion patacas, while loans totalled almost 245.7 billion patacas – the loan-to-deposit
ratio being 71.9 percent.
The Macao banking system’s four characteristics are that it is:
1. International. Only one of the 29 banks currently operating in Macao is registered with local
capital. The other banks are either branches or subsidiaries of overseas banking groups.
Most foreign capital comes from eight countries and regions: mainland China, Portugal,
the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong;
2. Technologically advanced. The software and hardware infrastructure of Macao’s banks are
now highly sophisticated. Most banks offer electronic banking to customers. Banks in Macao
closely cooperate with one another. All ATMs located in Macao are interconnected, serving
customers of different banks. Additionally, some banks offer 24-hour banking services via
mobile phone and the Internet;
3. Regulated. Although Macao’s financial market is limited in size, operators abound and
competition is keen, interbank competition is fair and governed by current laws and
regulations, contributing to well-disciplined and regulated business activities in the market;
and
4. Focused. The mainland China-funded banks, Portugal-funded banks and Hong Kong funded
banks have always taken significant market share in Macao, providing the conditions and
foundation for deeper economic co-operation between Macao and mainland China, economic
and financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao, and Macao’s role as a platform
for trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Monetary Policy
Capital flows freely and currencies are freely convertible in Macao. The Government’s currency
policies are to defend Macao’s currency and maintain its foreign exchange stability. The two policy
tools used to achieve these objectives are the deposit reserve and monetary bills. The deposit reserve
ratio is three percent for current savings, two percent for time deposits of less than three months, and
one percent for time deposits of over three months. Monetary bills are a short-term money market
tool issued by the Monetary Authority; and they are used to adjust the liquid capital of patacas in
the financial system. The interest rate usually remains competitive with interbank offer rates in
Hong Kong. In addition, the Monetary Authority of Macao adjusts liquidity in the money market
via repurchase agreements and currency exchange contracts with the banks.
209

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Pataca
The pataca has been the legal tender of Macao for more than a century. As early as 1905, the former
Portuguese administration authorised the Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) to issue pataca notes.
The first pataca notes were issued on 27 January of the following year. At that time, the Mexican
eightreales silver coin, called Pataca Mexicana in Portuguese, was very popular in Asia, and the
pataca was named after it.
In 1980, the former Portuguese administration set up the Issuing Institute of Macau (Instituto
Emissor de Macau), which was given the monopoly right to issue pataca notes. Since then, the
Banco Nacional Ultramarino has continued to issue banknotes, but has acted only as the agent of
the Issuing Institute of Macau. On 1 July 1989, the Monetary and Foreign Exchange Authority of
Macau was created. The Government redeemed the right to issue patacas, but the Banco Nacional
Ultramarino remained the agent bank for issuing notes. In October 1995, the Bank of China (BOC)
became the second agent bank for note issuing. Although more than one bank is now authorised to
issue notes in Macao, overall power to issue currency is still retained by the Government.
Under the currency board system, all the patacas issued must be 100-percent-backed by foreign
exchange reserves. As legal backing for the notes they issue, the agent banks for note-issuing are
required to pay an equivalent amount in Hong Kong dollars to the Monetary Authority of Macao;
in exchange they receive a Zero-Percent Certificate of Indebtedness at a fixed exchange rate of one
Hong Kong dollar to 1.03 patacas. The 100-percent reserve backing system enables the Monetary
Authority to ensure the full convertibility of the pataca into its reserve currency – the Hong Kong
dollar – thus establishing the linked exchange rate relationship between the pataca and the Hong
Kong dollar. As the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, the pataca is indirectly pegged
to the US dollar at an exchange rate of one US dollar to about eight patacas.
The Government’s policy is to support the circulation and use of the pataca without rejecting the
circulation and use of other currencies. Decree-Law No. 16/95/M, Circulation of Local Currency
– Mandatory Use of the Pataca, requires that any goods sold and services offered in local business
transactions must be clearly priced in patacas; and they can also be simultaneously priced in one
or more other currencies. Under the decree-law, regardless of the nature and objectives of the debts
and transactions, no reasons or excuses can be used to decline settlement using the pataca.
From September 2002, the Bank of China began to provide deposit, remittance and exchange
services in patacas in some major cities in Guangdong. The exchange business network has since
been extended to cover nearly all provinces and municipalities in mainland China. This move is
certain to increase the usage and circulation of patacas.
Foreign Exchange Reserves and the Reserve Fund
The Government consistently adheres to prudent investment strategies for managing foreign
exchange reserves and the reserve fund. Provided the balance of payments remains healthy
and stable, various investment tools may be used to achieve principal-guaranteed growth. At
the end of 2010, Macao’s foreign exchange reserves totalled 190.2 billion patacas, 30 percent
more than 2009. The Government’s reserve fund amounted to 13.1 billion patacas, up two
percent from 2009.
210

Economy
The Insurance Industry
Market Overview
At the end of 2010, 23 insurance companies were permitted to conduct business in Macao. Of these,
11 were life insurance companies and the other 12 were engaged in non-life insurance. Classified
by their origins, eight of these companies were local, and the other 15 were branches of overseas
companies. In addition, one fund-management company was authorised to conduct pension-fund
business in the SAR. At the end of 2010, the insurance industry employed 438 people. There were
2,924 authorised insurance intermediaries: 2,025 individual agents, 817 salespersons, 63 corporate
agents, and 19 insurance brokers.
In 2010, insurance premiums totalled 3.78 billion patacas, 15.7 percent more than in 2009. Life
insurance premiums amounted to 2.69 billion patacas, an increase of 15.3 percent over 2009, and
accounting for 71.2 percent of the market’s total income. Non-life insurance premiums totalled
1.09 billion patacas, an increase of 16.7 percent over 2009.
At the end of 2010, seven life insurance companies and one pension-fund management company
were providing private pension fund management services. Forty-one pension funds have so far
been established under the Legal Framework for Private Pension Funds, of which five are closed
end and 36 are open-end funds. To date, there are over 700 private pension fund schemes that were
established by corporate firms or self-employed individuals, benefiting a total of nearly 80,000
people. The assets of the managed funds totalled 6.2 billion patacas.
Supervision and Regulation of the Insurance Industry
In Macao, the authority to supervise, coordinate and inspect insurance activities rests with the Chief
Executive, while the Monetary Authority is authorised to perform these functions.
The Macao Insurance Law, the Legal Framework for Private Pension Funds, and the Insurance
agents and Brokers Law have been formulated to regulate insurance companies, private pension
fund management companies, and insurance intermediaries, respectively.
The Macao Insurance Law regulates companies engaged in insurance and reinsurance business
in the territory. It was revised in 1997. The aim of the revision was to align its supervisory function
with international standards. The revised law contains the requirements for authorisation, for setting
up a margin of solvency and technical reserves, and for revealing financial status.
The Legal Framework for Private Pension Funds came into effect in 1999. It stipulates that pension
funds should be subject to management by life insurance companies or companies specially set
up for fund management. To safeguard retirees’ interests effectively, this framework also specifies
legal provisions for regulating the management of pension funds.
First stipulated in 1989, the Insurance Agents and Brokers Law was amended in 2001 and 2003. It
regulates the business conduct of insurance intermediaries, the minimum requirement for licensing,
the rights and responsibilities of intermediaries, and the legal authority of the supervisory body.
Compulsory Insurance
There are six categories of compulsory insurance in Macao, all of which require uniform policy
211

Macao Yearbook 2011
wording and tariff rates. The compulsory insurance categories are: motor vehicle (third-party risks)
insurance, employees’ compensation insurance, professional liability insurance for travel agents,
public liability insurance relating to the installation of publicity and advertising objects, third party
liability for pleasure boats, and civil liability insurance for lawyers.
Insurance Intermediaries Quality Assurance Scheme
To raise the overall level of professionalism of insurance intermediaries, it is required that all
applicants must pass a qualification examination before obtaining an intermediary licence and
conducting insurance business in Macao. However, there was a two-year grace period for people
working as insurance intermediaries prior to 2002. The grace period expired at the end of 2003. In
2010, 1,734 sat the insurance intermediary qualification examination; the pass rate was 85 percent.
To safeguard customer interests, the Monetary Authority has enacted various rules that set
standards for data disclosure methods and procedures for insurance companies. The rules include
detailed explanations of the cooling-off period specific to life insurance policies, and the rights and
interests concerned, as well as various guidelines regarding life insurance.
The Construction and Real Estate Industry
As Macao’s economy rebounded soon after the Handover, the local property industry entered a
new stage of development.
The average sales price for residential units in Macao in 2010, calculated in terms of usable floor
area, was 31,016 patacas per square metre, 33.5 percent higher than the previous year’s figure of
23,235 patacas. The average prices for residential units on the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane
were 28,340 patacas, 33,278 patacas and 60,769 patacas per square metre, respectively.
In terms of the ages of buildings, the average selling price of residential units built during and after
2000 was 44,100 patacas per square metre during 2010. The average price for those built from 1990
to 1999 was 25,236 patacas; for those built during and before 1989, the figure was 18,948 patacas.
The average sales price per square metre of usable floor area of office units in 2010 was 22,857
patacas, up by 5.6 percent from the figure of 21,650 patacas in 2009. The corresponding sales price
of industrial units was 6,962 patacas, up by 14.5 percent from the figure of 6,079 patacas in 2009.
Construction of new buildings that began in 2010 occupied a total area of 183,600 square metres,
and would provide a total of 870 units, representing decreases of 19.8 percent and 43.8 percent
respectively, compared to 2009. Of these units, 781 were residential properties, 648 less than the
total of 1,429 in 2009. Completed buildings occupied a total area of 1.2715 million square metres,
and provided 4,527 units, representing a 9.6 percent decrease and 39.2 percent increase, respectively,
compared to 2009; 4,066 of these units are residential, 970 more than the total of 3,096 in 2009.
There were 29,671 property transactions in 2010, 71.1 percent more than in 2009. Of these, 10,576
(35.7 percent) were for units in new buildings, while 19,041 (64.3 percent) were in the secondary
market. The total value of transactions was approximately 56.754 billion patacas, 1.2 times the
figure for 2009. The value of property transactions involving new buildings totalled 31.263 billion
patacas, 55.1 percent of the entire amount.
In 2010, the number of signed real estate mortgage loans contracts totalled 10,284, an increase
212

Economy
of 56.6 percent compared to 6,565 in 2009. Of these, 8,500 were mortgage loans for residential
units, an increase of 50.8 percent compared to 5,636 in 2009.
In 2010, prices of construction materials only decreased slightly in the third quarter. For the year
as a whole, there was a trend of growth. Overall residential construction material prices in 2010 saw
a 9.8 percent increase over the previous year. The sharpest increase was in the price of electrical
wires, which increased 28.7 percent, while iron and steel increased 6.5 percent.
During 2010, the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 2.8 percent, while
their real wages index decreased by 0.8 percent.
Employment and the Labour Market
In 2010, Macao experienced a faster recovery from the economic crisis, driven by the tourism
and gaming industry. In the first half of 2010, the construction industry faced the most serious
employment situation among all Macao industries. The Labour Affairs Bureau arranged temporary
emergency employment registration for unemployed construction workers, and recommended
workers on the registration list to various contractors undertaking large construction projects and
public construction projects, helping unemployed people find work. Also, the Labour Affair Bureau
organised subsidised training courses at appropriate times to ease the financial difficulties and
strengthen the vocational knowledge of under-employed and unemployed construction workers.
In the second half of the year, thanks to the start of various public infrastructure projects and the
resumption of several large tourism and gaming construction projects, the employment situation of
the construction industry quickly improved. As a result of efforts in various areas, the employment
situation in 2010 was stable; the overall unemployment rate was 2.8 percent, 0.8 percentage points
lower than in 2009.
To strengthen regulations on importing non-resident workers, the Law on Employment of Non-
Resident Workers came into force on 26 April 2010. The new law reaffirms the sole reason for
employing non-resident workers as supplementing the shortage of local manpower, and stipulates
that administrative approval must be obtained beforehand. It also emphasises the principles of no
discrimination and equal pay, assures employment priority for local workers, and ensures equal
rights, working conditions and benefits for local and non-resident workers.
The Working Population and Labour Force Participation Rate
In 2010, Macao’s working population totalled approximately 327,600, with a labour participation
rate of 71.5 percent. The labour participation rate for males was 77.6 percent, and for females,
66 percent. Classified by age and gender, the 25-29 age group and the 30 to 34 age group both had
the highest labour participation rate of 92.7 percent, with 97.2 percent of men and 89 percent of
women participating in the 25-29 age group, and 97.7 percent of men and 88.6 percent of women
participating in the 30-34 age group.
Employment
The employed population in 2010 was 318,300, of whom 50.8 percent were male. In terms of
distribution by sector, about 60 percent of the working population engaged in the following industries:
cultural, entertainment, gaming and other services (23.9 percent); hotels and catering (13.6 percent);
213

Macao Yearbook 2011
wholesale and retail (13.3 percent); and real estate and industrial and commercial services (8.7
percent). Classified by occupation, clerical workers made up the largest group, followed by service
workers, retail workers and non-technical workers; altogether, these three categories accounted for
26.6 percent, 22.1 percent and 19.2 percent, respectively, of the entire working population.
Of the employed population, 21.8 percent had qualifications not higher than primary education,
27.2 percent had completed lower secondary school education, 28.4 percent had completed higher
secondary school education and 22.6 percent had completed tertiary education. The main age groups
in the employed population were 45 to 49, 35 to 39 and 40 to 44, accounting for 14.4 percent, 12.8
percent and 12.6 percent, respectively, of the working population.
Unemployment and Underemployment
In 2010, Macao had around 9,300 unemployed people; the unemployment rate was 2.8 percent,
and the underemployment rate was 1.8 percent. Among the unemployed, 89.3 percent had work
experience and were looking for jobs, whereas 10.7 percent had not worked before and were looking
for their first jobs. In terms of education, 34.2 percent of unemployed people had completed primary
education or below; 28.4 percent, 24.1 percent and 13.3 percent had completed lower, higher
secondary and tertiary education, respectively. The main age groups of unemployed people were
20 to 24, accounting for 17.2 percent of the unemployed, followed by 45 to 49 and 50 to 54, both
accounting for 16.1 percent of the total.
Among people who had become unemployed and were seeking new jobs, most (28.9 percent) had
previously worked in construction. Cultural, entertainment, gaming and other services came second
among industries they had previously worked in, with 17.9 percent of jobseekers having experience
in this sector. The wholesale and retail and hotel and catering sectors accounted for 15 percent and 14
percent, respectively. In terms of their previous occupations, 23.3 percent of unemployed job seekers
were service workers and salespersons, 21.9 percent were industrial craftsmen and artisans, and 21
percent were non-technical workers. The major causes of unemployment were personal or family
reasons (33.7 percent), termination of temporary jobs (22.9 percent) and layoffs (16.9 percent).
Monthly Earnings
Statistics reveal that in 2010, the overall median monthly income of the working population of
Macao was 9,000 patacas. Specific median levels were: manufacturing industry – 6,000 patacas;
construction – 9,500 patacas; wholesale and retail trade – 7,500 patacas; hotels and catering – 7,000
patacas; transport, warehousing and communications – 8,500 patacas; gaming – 13,000 patacas;
and financial services – 13,000 patacas.
Non-Resident Workers
In line with the prevailing situation in the labour market, the Government evaluated and approved
applications for importing labour in strict accordance with the law. At the end of December 2010,
Macao had 75,813 non-resident workers, a slight increase of 1.2 percent over the previous year’s
figure. The hotel and catering industry accounted for the largest share of non-resident workers (22.1
percent), followed by domestic helpers (20.8 percent), cultural, entertainment, gaming and other
services (15.8 percent), including 4,568 construction workers directly hired by gaming companies;
real estate and industrial and commercial services accounted for 11.7 percent.
214

Economy
Finance and Taxation
Budgetary Management
To ensure the best allocation of public funds, the Macao SAR has formulated a set of statutory
policies for managing the fiscal budget. Macao’s system of public finance is designed in accordance
with legal regulations and the best interests of the community. It regulates the Government’s revenue
and expenditure, and ensures that all Government departmental expenditure is legal and complies
with required procedures.
The management of the budget in Macao consists of budget formulation, budget implementation
and budget supervision.
Drawing up the Budget
Every year, the Finance Services Bureau sets out a budget for the revenue and expenditure of the
Government. Once passed by the Legislative Assembly and approved by the Chief Executive,
this becomes a legally binding document. The establishment of Government budgets is regulated
primarily by By-law No. 6/2006 and Decree-Law No. 41/83/M. In August 2009, By-law No.
28/2009 was promulgated, amending parts of By-law No. 6/2006. The law lists detailed and stringent
requirements for the format and formulation procedures of budgets in Government departments.
The budgets of autonomous entities and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau are regulated by
By-law No. 6/2006 and Law No. 17/2001.
The format of Macao’s overall budget must clearly list all revenue and expenditure. The total
amount of each revenue and expenditure item must be recorded in the overall budget of Macao
without omission. The budget must not specify which revenue item is to balance which expenditure
item. Every revenue item is numbered and titled in the budget. The number is comprised of four
groups of two digits, classified as chapter, section, article and clause. The budgeted expenditure is
classified as economic, organisational or functional.
There are no rigid legal restrictions governing the schedule for formulating the budget. However,
every July, each department usually submits its budget plan for the following year to the Finance
Services Bureau. All submitted plans are studied and consolidated by the Finance Services Bureau,
submitted to the Chief Executive in September, and to the Executive Council and Legislative
Assembly in October for discussion. The approved budget is promulgated in the Macao SAR Gazette
and officially becomes the legal document for Government finance the following year.
Budget Implementation
Implementation of the fiscal budget consists of three parts: revenue, expenditure and budget
corrections and modifications. Regarding revenue, any revenue not recorded in the budget, even
if legal, cannot be cleared or collected. Collected sums may exceed the amounts stipulated in the
budget. Items must be recorded in the expenditure budget before they can be paid. Expenditure cannot
exceed the amount stipulated in the budget. Unless otherwise permitted by law, monthly expenditure
cannot exceed one twelfth of the total budget. The law stipulates the maximum expenditure that
may be paid from any special revenue item, and it must be the same as the revenue collected from
the same item. If actual expenditure exceeds the amount stipulated in the budget, the budget must
215

Macao Yearbook 2011
be corrected or modified before the expenditure is paid. If the overall budget expenditure increases,
the budget must be corrected by Executive Order. If the extra expenditure can be offset by unused
funds from other expenditure items, the budget shall be modified accordingly. The extra expenditure
shall be paid from unexpected revenue, accumulated reserves, or other legal and usable revenue.
Budget Supervision
Supervision of the implementation of the budget can be divided into three stages: supervision before
implementation, supervision during implementation and supervision after implementation. The
Chief Executive and the Executive Council verify the annual Government budget. In addition, under
the requirements of the second paragraph of Article 71 of the Basic Law, the budget shall also be
discussed and passed in the Legislative Assembly before becoming effective. Relevant Government
departments and the Finance Services Bureau are responsible for supervision during implementation
of the budget. Supervision primarily ensures that all expenditure is legal and authorised, and checks
that the classification of expenditure is correct and whether any appropriate funds remain available
for use. Supervision after implementation of the budget is carried out by the Commission of Audit,
which works independently and is directly accountable to the Chief Executive.
Public Finance
The objectives of public finance are to guarantee the proper functioning of Macao’s financial
management, make effective use of resources, and ensure that accounting principles are observed.
The Finance Services Bureau must submit the overall accounts of the MSAR to the Commission
of Audit to be audited within five months of the end of the fiscal year. The Commission of Audit
has the power to audit and inspect the Government’s revenue, profit and loss, assets and debts, and
compile an audit report. The report is submitted to the Chief Executive, together with the accounts.
In order to fulfil its legal responsibilities, the Finance Services Bureau records the expenditures
of Government departments and organisations every year. The criteria for creating public accounts
include the following:
216
• The fiscal year is from 1 January to 31 December and all revenues and expenditures must
be recorded in the accounts of that year;
• In order to complete the final accounts, departments and organisations are not allowed to
take up commitments that cannot be implemented, settled or paid by 31 January following
the fiscal year concerned;
• Permission for the payment of expenditures becomes invalid on 31 January of the following
fiscal year; and
• The accounts and budget are calculated from 1 January to 31 December every year. Both
share a similar structure and focus primarily on economic classification.
Management of Public Property
The Public Property Management Department under the Finance Services Bureau is responsible for
the management and maintenance of the durable assets of the Government. This includes carrying
out procedures related to trading in the Government’s physical property, assisting with clarification

Economy
of the characteristics of vehicles owned by each Government department, holding open tenders for
goods and services required by the Government, organising and updating records of durable assets
and lists of assets, and analysing the tangible asset accounts of public departments.
To implement the above responsibilities, the Finance Services Bureau holds public auctions
each year for confiscated goods or goods which are deemed unusable by Government departments.
To increase its revenue, the Government holds direct public auctions for furniture and electrical
appliances of significant value. Auction dates are announced and auctions follow the principle that
the highest bid wins. Besides public auctions, the Finance Services Bureau conducts open tenders
for goods and raw materials needed by the Government. The tender agenda are published in local
newspapers, the Macao SAR Gazette and the Finance Services Bureau website to increase the choice
among commodities and the transparency of the tender process. Qualified registered companies
can participate in the bidding for all or part of the commodities. The winner is the bidder who
makes the best offer in terms of price, delivery date and quality of goods. The judging criteria also
include the quality of goods provided in the previous year, overrulings, the business reputation of
the bidders, and the location of the commercial establishments. After the tender, the Chief Executive
or the authorised entity approves matters related to the concession. However, to protect the public
interest, the Finance Services Bureau may reserve the right to grant the concession.
In addition, the Finance Services Bureau is also responsible for maintaining and repairing
Government properties and conducting tenders for related repair projects.
Sources of Tax Revenue
Government Tax Revenue
Macao has adopted a simple taxation structure with low tax rates. The annual assessment period
is from 1 January to 31 December. Fourteen taxes are levied in Macao, including gaming tax,
business tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, real estate tax, tourism tax, motor vehicle
tax and stamp duty.
Gaming Tax
The operators of all types of gaming activities, including casino gaming, horse racing, dog racing
and lottery bets, are liable to pay a certain percentage of their gross revenues in tax, or pay tax
according to other levy scales. Thirty-five percent of gross casino gaming revenue must be paid in
tax. Gaming tax is the major source of revenue for the Government, accounting for over 70 percent
of its total revenue.
Business Tax
Tax regulations require that a business tax be levied on all individually and collectively operated
industrial and commercial businesses. The amount of tax depends on the nature of the business,
although it is typically 300 patacas a year. For commercial banks, the tax is 80,000 patacas.
Profit Tax
Profit tax is levied on total revenue generated by industrial and commercial businesses. The tax rate
217

Macao Yearbook 2011
is progressive. For annual net profit in excess of 32,000 patacas, the rate ranges from three percent
to 12 percent; while tax is waived on annual net profit below 32,000 patacas.
Personal Income Tax
Income tax is levied on working income. Daily-wage temporary workers, full-time employees or
freelancers must pay income tax if their annual income exceeds 95,000 patacas. The tax rates range
from seven percent to 12 percent. The income of professionals is calculated on the basis of actual
or estimated profits, depending on whether the taxpayer has complete accounting information.
Tourism Tax
A five-percent tourism tax is levied on all the service charges of hotels and similar establishments,
holiday resorts, gyms and health clubs, steam baths, massage parlours and karaoke restaurants.
Real Estate Tax
Annual revenues from buildings in Macao are subject to the real estate tax. The amount of tax
payable is determined by rental income, with tax rates of either 6 percent or 10 percent.
Stamp Duty
The tax rate for transactions involving building units on the Macao peninsula and the two islands
is one percent to three percent. A stamp duty of five percent is levied on gifts of personal chattels.
Excise Duty
Excise duty is levied on cement, fuel, lubricants, tobacco, alcoholic drinks and sparkling soft drinks
containing flavourings and minerals. Certain alcoholic drinks are subject to an ad valorem tax based
on their CIF price in Macao, while other products are subject to fixed rates of consumption tax.
Motor Vehicle Tax
Importers of vehicles or participants in the economy involved in vehicle transactions must pay
motor vehicle tax based on the taxable value of new motor vehicles, including cars as well as light
and heavy motorcycles. The motor vehicle tax is applied on a sliding scale. The effective average
tax rate on automobiles is 30 percent for vehicles of taxable value of or below 100,000 patacas.
For vehicles of taxable value between 100,000 patacas and 200,000 patacas, the corresponding
and effective average tax rates are 40 percent and 35 percent, respectively. For vehicles of taxable
value between 200,000 patacas and 300,000 patacas, the corresponding and effective average tax
rates are 65 percent and 45 percent, respectively. For vehicles of taxable value between 300,000
patacas and 500,000 patacas, the corresponding and effective average tax rates are 70 percent and
55 percent, respectively. For vehicles of taxable value above 500,000 patacas, the effective average
tax rate is 55 percent. The effective average tax rate for light and heavy motorcycles is 10 percent
for motorcycles of taxable value of or below 15,000 patacas. For motorcycles of taxable value
between 15,000 patacas and 25,000 patacas, the corresponding and effective average tax rates
218

Economy
are 35 percent and 20 percent, respectively. For motorcycles with taxable value between 25,000
patacas and 40,000 patacas, the corresponding and effective average tax rates are 40 percent and
30 percent, respectively. For motorcycles with taxable value above 40,000 patacas, the effective
average tax rate is 30 percent.
Finance Services Bureau
The Finance Services Bureau is primarily responsible for:
• Structuring the MSAR’s public accounts system and fiscal policy and guiding their operation
and implementation to ensure the normal management of the MSAR’s finances;
• Suggesting proper and effective allocation measures for short-term and long-term resources;
• Assisting in the establishment of investment policies for Government departments;
• Monitoring the use and payment of public funds;
• Managing the MSAR’s tax affairs;
• Implementing tax policy and evaluating its financial, economic and social effectiveness; and
• Working with the Monetary Authority and other entities in the financial and foreign exchange
sectors to formulate and implement currency, financial and foreign exchange policies.
Registered Auditors and Accountants
At the end of 2010, there were 12 registered auditing companies, 107 registered auditors and 153
registered accountants in Macao.
The “Mainland Factor” in Macao’s Economy
Macao and the mainland have long maintained mutually beneficial and cooperative economic and
commercial ties, which have become even closer since China opened up to the international trading
community. Under the principle of “One country, two systems”, the Government has been actively
strengthening economic and trade interaction and cooperation with provinces and cities on the
mainland through appropriate institutions and mechanisms, further developing Macao’s role as a
gateway and bridge. Interaction and cooperation with Guangdong Province and Fujian Province
have continued to develop; and cooperation with Chongqing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Tianjin has
gradually begun. Implementation of CEPA on 1 January 2004 and the framework agreement for
Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) regional cooperation signed in June 2004 marked new milestones for
economic and trade cooperation between Macao and the mainland. Macao’s emphasis on economic
cooperation with the mainland and the use of the enormous China market as its hinterland have
enhanced its economic position.
At the same time, mainland capital has become the growth engine for Macao’s economic
development. Mainland-funded enterprises mainly engage in manufacturing, trade, finance, tourism,
construction, transportation and insurance. In September 2004, the Ministry of Commerce and the
Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office under the State Council jointly announced the Provisions
for the Verification and Approval of Matters Concerning Mainland Enterprises Wishing to Invest
and Establish Enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. These
219

Macao Yearbook 2011
delegate authority for approving investments by mainland enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao
from the Ministry of Commerce to municipal level supervisory departments. In the longer term,
the implementation of this policy will help to encourage and support investments by mainland
enterprises in Macao, thereby promoting economic cooperation between Macao and the mainland
and attracting more capital from the mainland.
The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (hereinafter
referred to as “the Outline”), introduced by the National Development and Reform Commission in
January 2009, sets out the blueprint to develop the Pearl River Delta into a large metropolitan region
of top global competitiveness; it will be mainly driven by the mutual cooperation and synergies
among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
The 12th Five Year Plan mentioned strengthening of cooperation between mainland China,
Hong Kong and Macao and the continued implementation of CEPA; support for developing Macao
into a world tourism and leisure centre and speeding up development of the economic and trading
service platform between China and Portuguese speaking countries; support for establishing a more
diversified economy and speeding up development of industries such as tourism, MICE (Meetings,
Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), Chinese medicine, education, as well as cultural and
creative industries.
Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that the volume of trade between Macao and
mainland China was 2.26 billion US dollars, up 8 percent year-to-year. During 2010, Macao had
274 investment projects in mainland China, with an actual investment value of 660 million US
dollars. The cumulative total of Macao’s mainland China investment projects was 12,556 at the end
of December 2010, with an actual investment value of 9.7 billion US dollars. Macao investments
accounted for 0.9 percent of mainland China’s cumulative total of foreign investments.
The Mainland China and Macao Closer Economic Partnership
Arrangement (CEPA)
The Mainland China and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) is an
arrangement between two separate tariff zones of a single country that is similar to a free-trade
agreement. In conformity with WTO rules and with the approval of the State Council, consultations
for establishing CEPA were initiated in June 2003 in Beijing. On 17 October 2003, vice President
Zeng Qinghong witnessed the signing by the Macao SAR Government and the Ministry of Commerce
of the general principles of CEPA and its six annexes, namely: the Arrangement for Implementation
of Zero Tariff for Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin for Trade in Goods, Procedures for the Issuing
and Verification of Certificates of Origin, Specific Commitments on Liberalization of Trade in
Services, Definition of “Service Supplier” and Related Requirements, and Trade and Investment
Facilitation. CEPA became effective on 1 January 2004.
Between 2004 and 2010, mainland China and Macao signed seven Supplementary Protocols
to CEPA.
Essentially, the three broad areas are as follows: trade in merchandise, services trade and trade
and investment facilitation. Regarding merchandise trade: all goods originating from Macao have
since 2006 enjoyed zero tariffs when imported into mainland China, after the standards on places of
origin were stipulated. In mid 2010, the number of goods that had set standards on place of origin
totalled 1,209. (There were 273 in 2004, when the measure was first implemented). Regarding
220

Economy
services: mainland China has relaxed its market entry requirements for Macao service providers in
various industries. Since 2011, mainland China has opened 43 areas and formulated 261 measures
for Macao, creating great room for collaboration and an extensive platform for the cooperative
development of both Macao and mainland China.
Regarding facilitation of trade and investment: Macao and mainland China have begun
cooperation in 10 fields. These are:
1. Trade and investment promotion;
2. Facilitation of customs clearance;
3. Merchandise inspection, fauna and flora quarantine, food safety, health and communicable
disease inspection and quarantine, accreditation and standardised management;
4. E-commerce;
5. Transparency of laws and regulations;
6. Cooperation between SMEs;
7. Cooperation with different industries, including Chinese medicine, MICE, cultural industry,
environmental protection, and creative technology;
8. Protection of intellectual property rights;
9. Cooperation between brands; and
10. Cooperation in education.
The scope of CEPA will be continuously expanded. The signing and implementation of such
agreements will significantly benefit the development and prosperity of both the Macao and
mainland economies, and help to strengthen economic and trade relations and cooperation between
the two sides and other countries and regions. In addition, they will benefit Macao’s industrial
diversification, facilitate the growth of Macao’s industrial and business sectors and give Macao
residents opportunities to seek greater room for their business and professional development on
the mainland.
The Economic Services Bureau joined hands with the Legal Affairs Bureau and the Macao Trade
and Investment Promotion Institute to launch the official CEPA website (www.cepa.gov.mo). This
aimed to provide a convenient channel for industrial and commercial enterprises and the public
to obtain information about laws and regulations regarding trade and investment between Macao
and mainland China.
PPRD Cooperation
To promote cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region, optimise the integration of the
region’s resources, and expand, deepen and implement measures for regional cooperation, the First
PPRD Regional Cooperation and Development Forum was jointly held by Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan,
Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan and the two Special Administrative
Regions (Hong Kong and Macao) in 2004. The PPRD Cooperation Framework agreement was signed,
laying a solid foundation for cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, industry and investment,
environmental conservation, health and communicable disease prevention, and other measures
aimed at promoting PPRD cooperation.
221

Macao Yearbook 2011
In August 2010, the 6th PPRD Regional Cooperation and Development Forum was held in
Fuzhou, Fujian. It was attended by delegations led by the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, and other
government leaders in the region.
In addition, the 2010 MIECF hosted by the Government and co-organised by 10 provincial/
regional governments in the PPRD area was held from 8-10 April 2010 in Macao. Members of the
PPRD region (9+2) set up their own pavilions and sent delegations to participate.
Relationship with Guangdong Province
Many manufacturers in Macao have moved their businesses across the border. Most of these
investment projects and properties are concentrated around the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in
Guangdong Province. The PRD offers Hong Kong and Macao investors a vast area for expansion,
while capital and technology from Hong Kong and Macao are driving the region’s economic
development.
The Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference mechanism was established in 2003.
The conference set six priority projects for cooperation between the two regions. These were the
service sector, the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone research on the joint development of
Hengqin Island, a large-scale cross-border traffic network, tourism, and cooperation between ports.
The conference mechanism has further enhanced the foundations for cooperation, complemented
the strengths of each partner, and integrated the advantages of the two regions. The combination of
Guangdong Province’s manufacturing industry, technical skills, talents and low costs with Macao’s
status as a separate tariff region and free port has created mutual development and prosperity.
The Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone, the first large-scale joint investment project
by the two sides, was approved by the State Council on 5 December 2003. It is being built between
Maoshengwei in Gongbei, Zhuhai, and Ilha Verde in northwestern Macao. Phase one of the project
has a total area of 400,000 square metres. Some 290,000 square metres of this are in Zhuhai, and
110,000 square metres are in Macao. The Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone aims to
enhance development of industries, and serves as a hub for logistics, transhipments and exhibitions.
The 2010 Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference was held in Macao on 31 May 2010.
With the advantages of “One country, two systems”, both Guangdong and Macao have taken the
opportunity to announce and implement the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development
of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020), and the Master Development Plan of Hengqin Island; they
have also taken the great opportunities arising from the implementation of CEPA, carrying forth
the fine tradition of pragmatic cooperation, adopting innovative pilot schemes, engaging in the joint
development of Hengqin Island, expanding cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, raising the
level of cooperation, and achieving new results. Following the conference, both parties signed the
Memorandum on the Improvement of the Drafting of the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Framework
Agreement, the Memorandum on the Exploration of Guangdong-Macao Joint Construction of
the Chinese Medicine Industrial Park, as well as an agreement on Guangdong-Macao tourism
cooperation.
In 2010, the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province
and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute co-organised trade and economic
promotion activities that included: the Seminar on Guangdong-Macao-Portugal Trade and Economic
Co-operation and Service Industries 2010, and the Seminar on Guangdong-Macao-Spain Trade and
222

Economy
Economic Co-operation and Service Industries 2010, held in June in Porto, Portugal, and Madrid,
Spain, respectively; in the same month, a trade and economic promotion delegation organised
by the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong Province and a
Macao delegation comprising representatives from the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion
Institute and local entrepreneurs jointly attended the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries
Economic and Trade Cooperation Fair – Portugal, which was held in Lisbon, Portugal; and the 2010
Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair held in July at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention
and Exhibition Centre.
Ties with Fujian Province
Macao is an important partner of Fujian Province. Economic and trade relations between Fujian
and Macao have a solid foundation and are significant to both parties.
The Fujian-Macao Economic Promotion Association was created on 26 January 1999. It is
primarily responsible for studying and formulating policy measures and an overall strategic plan for
economic cooperation between Fujian-Macao; coordinating and facilitating major economic projects
in these two areas; and delineating the tasks for economic cooperation between Fujian and Macao.
In 2007, the Government became a member of the China International Fair for Investment
and Trade (CIFIT), held in Xiamen, Fujian. In the same year, the Investment Promotion Agency
of the Ministry of Commerce and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute signed a
memorandum of cooperation, which secured the partnership between the Macao International Trade
and Investment Fair (MIF) and CIFIT.
Since 2007, the Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has arranged for Macao entrepreneurs
to take part in the China Cross Strait Technology and Projects Fair, held in Fuzhou, Fujian, every
June. The Government has been one of the organisers since 2008.
In October 2010, the Vice Governor of Fujian, Ye Shuangyu, led a delegation to attend and
establish Fujian pavilions at the 15th MIF and the Portuguese-speaking Countries–Fujian–Macao
Trade and Economic Co-operation Seminar and Roundtable on Fujian Electronic Watches and
Clocks.
Ties with Chongqing
The Chongqing-Macao Economic Promotion Association was created in June 2000 to study and
formulate plans and development directions that support economic and technical cooperation,
cultural exchanges and policy regarding economic and technical cooperation between Macao
and Chongqing; to organise, select and coordinate projects to promote economic and technical
cooperation between the two economies; and to study and resolve difficulties encountered during
cooperation. The Chongqing-Macao Economic Promotion Association set up an office in Macao
on 23 October 2002, marking a new stage of development in cooperation between the two cities.
Since 2001, the Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has arranged for Macao entrepreneurs
to participate in the China Chongqing International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair (CCISF),
held in Chongqing. MIF (Macao International Trade and Investment Fair) and CCISF have been
partner exhibitions since 2007.
223

Macao Yearbook 2011
In October 2010, the Chongqing Municipal Government organised a delegation to join and
establish a pavilion at the 15th MIF.
Ties with Other Mainland China Provinces
The Government is committed to the policy of “Reaching out and inviting in”. While striving to
maintain close economic and trade relations with its neighbouring regions, it works actively to
explore better relationships with other provinces on the mainland. In recent years, it has established
good interactive relationships with Inner Mongolia, as well as with Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and it
has gradually developed economic and trade activities based on these foundations.
The Government continues to strengthen the functions of Government departments and ad-hoc
committees in these areas. Its objectives are to formulate better economic policies and implement
them more effectively, to promote the economic integration of Macao and the mainland more
vigorously, to strengthen Macao’s role in the three service platforms, to enhance its industrial
structure, and to relieve unemployment.
Economic Services Bureau
The Economic Services Bureau is responsible for formulating Macao’s economic policies and
fostering industrial development; the licensing, registration and supervision of manufacturing
establishments; issuing licences for external trade operations; controlling and supervising product
manufacturing processes in Macao; issuing certificates of origin; supervising marketing channels;
ensuring the efficient management and protection of intellectual property rights; ensuring payment
and collection of consumption tax and managing relevant system guaranties; ensuring that the
requirements of other types of economic legislation are abided by; and contributing to Macao’s
efficient participation in the WTO and other international and regional economic organisations.
Industrial Licences
Under Decree-Law No. 11/99/M dated 22 March 1999, all assembly and processing manufacturing
enterprises licensed under Decree-Law No. 55/97/M dated 9 December 1997 and listed in Category
D of the first revised edition of the Macao Industries Classification Index must apply for industrial
licences from the Economic Services Bureau. Under Article 11 of Decree-Law No. 11/99/M, it is
strictly prohibited to carry out the above activities in residential buildings.
Applications for industrial licences are classified as “general system” (for industrial buildings),
“special system” or “special activities”. A non-special activities licence for a general-system
operation in an industrial building costs 500 patacas. The fees for special-system (not located in
industrial buildings) or special-activity licences are calculated according to the floor area, and they
range from 700 patacas to 4,500 patacas.
In 2010, the Economic Services Bureau issued nine general-system industrial licences and 20
special system/special activities industrial licences. In addition, 24 general-system industrial unit
licences and 27 special-system/special-activity industrial unit licences were issued, 120 industrial
licences and 158 industrial unit licences were revoked, and 100 industrial licences were reissued
due to the transfer, removal or merger of industrial establishments, or because information relating
to them had changed.
224

Economy
Certificates of Origin
Certificates of Origin (CO) may be applied for from the Economic Services Bureau. These are used
to prove to a third party that exports have been sufficiently assembled and processed in Macao, and
are thus classified as products originating in Macao. However, for goods that can be produced more
cheaply outside Macao, the origin may still be classified as Macao, even if part of the production
process took place outside Macao.
COs are issued on the basis of Macao’s standards or appropriate international practices and
standards derived from the regulations of importing countries/regions; these standards are used to
verify that the products originated in Macao.
There are four types of COs: the Certificate of Origin, the Generalised System of Preferences
(GSP) Certificate of Origin, the Certificate of Origin (Foreign Products) and the CEPA Certificate of
Origin. The first is a general document used for customs clearance. The second is used for customs
clearance in importing countries and regions that use GSP. The third is used to prove that Macao
was not the origin of products re-exported via Macao. The fourth is used for goods of Macao origin
that enjoy zero tariff and other incentives under CEPA.
In 2010, the Economic Services Bureau issued 14,350 COs, for exports that were primarily
destined for the United States and the EU. Exports to the United States accounted for 45.3 percent of
the total; exports to the EU for 33.1 percent. The bureau also issued 39 GSP Certificates of Origin;
84.6 percent of these were for exports to the EU. It also issued 423 CEPA certificates of origin.
Certificates of Macao Service Supplier
To enjoy the incentives and benefits under CEPA, all Macao enterprises that conform with Annex
5 of CEPA and all regulations in supplementary protocols are required to apply to the Economic
Services Bureau for a Certificate of Macao Service Supplier. From 1 January 2004, when CEPA
was implemented, to 31 December 2010, the Economic Services Bureau issued 410 Certificates
of Macao Service Suppliers. The certified enterprises are engaged in various industries including
transport and logistics, conference and exhibition services, management consulting, construction
engineering, retailing, telecommunications, legal consulting, advertising, sales and marketing of
air freight services, real estate, audio-visual equipment and travel agencies.
The Economic Services Bureau has established the CEPA Information Centre, to handle public
enquiries and process applications.
Export and Import Licences
Licences for Export and Import are regulated by External Trade Law (Law No. 7/2003). Under
the law, any natural person or legal person may engage in external trade activities, provided the
Government holds evidence that they have fulfilled their tax obligations, particularly those involving
business tax and excise duty. Macao exercises minimal controls over import and export activities
that are consistent with its international obligations, and considerations of environmental, sanitary,
safety and security issues.
The laws and regulations that currently govern imports and exports include:
• Law No. 7/2003 of the External Trade Law;
225

Macao Yearbook 2011
226
• Regulatory By-law No. 28/2003 on External Trade Operations;
• Executive Order No. 368/2006; (Importation Table B amended through Executive Order
180/2010);
• Decree-Law No. 45/86/M on regulations applicable to Macao under the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
• Law No. 4/99/M of the Excise Duty Regulations amended by Law No. 8/2008 on 25 August
and Law No. 7/2009 on 25 May;
• Decree-Law No. 62/95/M about the formulation of policies and measures on the Control
and Reduced Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances and its related regulations;
• Executive Order No. 425/2009 setting a limit on the annual import of HCFCs, in Table C
of Executive Order No. 78/GM/95, issued on 4 December; and
• Decree-Law No. 51/99/M regulating commercial or industrial activities concerning computer
programmes, audio-visual products, and other relevant regulations.
According to law, licences must be applied for in advance for commodities that are subject to
the special regime, which are listed on Exportation Table A and Importation Table B (contained
in Annex II of Executive Order No. 368/2006 amended through Executive Order No.180/2010),
regardless of the type of import or export. These licences are issued by authorised institutions. The
Economic Services Bureau is authorised to issue such licences.
Commodities subject to the special regime, and listed on Exportation Table A and Importation
Table B, are classified into imports and exports, according to the type of external trade activities.
Regulated exported goods include:
• Textiles and garments;
• Species regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES);
• Ozone-depleting substances;
• CD ROM production facilities; and
• Weapons, ammunition and related parts and accessories.
Regulated imported goods include:
• Drinks with alcohol concentrations of at least 30 percent by volume, and tobacco;
• Motor vehicles;
• Species regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES);
• Ozone-depleting substances;
• CD ROM production facilities and materials;
• Live animals, meat and seafood, eggs and certain milk products;
• Pharmaceutical products and drugs, and certain chemicals;
• Weapons, ammunition and related parts and accessories;

Economy
• Inflammable explosives; and
• Certain telecommunication transmitters and receivers.
Since applications for export licences for textile and garment products were first processed
electronically in the fourth quarter of 2000, the Economic Services Bureau has been stepping up its
efforts to electronically process applications for import and export licences. Since the introduction
of the pilot scheme for electronically processing the import licence applications of some products in
2004, the number of applications for electronic services gradually increased from 2005 to 2010, with
product categories expanding to include cigarettes, alcohol, motor vehicles, and air conditioners.
In 2010, the Economic Services Bureau issued 12,994 export licences and 28,869 import licences.
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
The Intellectual Property Department of the Economic Services Bureau is responsible for managing
and enforcing laws relating to intellectual property rights; enhancing regulations relating to
intellectual property rights; and implementing laws and regulations that are currently applied
to industrial property rights (including the preparation of patent application documents; designs
for semiconductor products; external designs of industrial products and new industrial designs;
trademarks, business names and logos; places of origin and geographical indications and awards).
It is also responsible for updating and recording any amendments, renewals and acts of termination
of the above registered information. In addition, the department registers copyright and other related
rights collectively managed by relevant organisations. The Macao Customs Service is responsible
for enforcement of legislation and implementation of punitive measures regarding intellectual
property rights, to enhance fair competition and combat counterfeiting, thus promoting compliance
with intellectual property rights and authorship regulations.
Intellectual Property Rights System
The Copyright Law and the Industrial Property Law are currently the two major pieces of legislation
related to intellectual property rights in Macao.
Copyright Law
In Macao, copyright is regulated by the 27 April 1966 Decree-Law No. 46980, published in the
Government Gazette on 8 January 1972. Scientific and technological advancements and rapid
developments in the content of intellectual property rights have made the original copyright system
obsolete. Although Law No. 4/85/M was announced on 25 November 1985 and supplemented by
Decree-Law No. 17/98/M promulgated on 4 May 1998, copyright was not well protected by clearly
defined terms until the Copyright and Related Rights Law (Decree-Law No. 43/99/M) was gazetted
on 16 August 1999 and came into effect on 1 October of the same year. The new regulation provides
full protection for works of literature, drama, music, art, movies and television broadcasting, as well
as all original productions, and it fulfils the requirements of Trade Related Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) formulated by the WTO.
Copyright in Macao is generated automatically, that is, it is possessed automatically. Therefore,
copyright registration is unnecessary for full legal protection. In Macao, copyright is usually valid
227

Macao Yearbook 2011
for the period of the owner’s lifetime plus an additional 50 years, although this period can vary
slightly, on a case-by-case basis.
The Industrial Property Rights System
Macao’s old Industrial Property Code was published in the Government Gazette on 24 March 1959.
It was actually an extension and application of the Industrial Property Code of Portugal. Decree-Law
No. 40/87 of 20 April 1987 made numerous amendments to the original Industrial Property Code and
was adapted from Portuguese legislation to apply to conditions in Macao. Other than applications
for trademarks, which could be submitted in Macao, Portugal’s National Industrial Property Office
had sole authority to examine and issue licences. Other patent protection had to be extended from
Portugal to Macao. The new Decree-Law No. 16/95 was promulgated by Portugal on 24 January
1995 to completely replace the original Industrial Property Code, and it was published in Section 1
of the 36th issue of the Government Gazette on 4 September 1995. On 6 November 1995, the 45th
issue of the Government Gazette published Decree-Law No. 56/95/M establishing Macao’s own
trademark protection system, which went into effect on 6 December 1995. The Economic Services
Bureau processes all applications for and examinations of trademark licences in Macao, which is
no longer institutionally dependent on Portugal’s National Industrial Property Office.
The current Industrial Property Law was promulgated on 13 December 1999 and went into
effect on 7 June 2000, replacing the original rules and regulations. It was only then that Macao
had its own industrial property rights laws and was able to completely fulfil its international duties.
The new Industrial Property Law offers protection in the following eight areas: patents, including
invention patents and utility patents; certificates of complementary protection for drugs and herbal
medicines; topology maps of semiconductor products; industrial designs and new industrial products;
trademarks; the names and logos of business establishments; places of origin and geographical
indications; and awards.
Trademark Registration
Any trademarks that fulfil the requirements of the Industrial Property Law may be registered in
Macao, but registration is not compulsory. Trademark registration is geographical: trademark
regulations in Macao protect only trademarks issued in Macao. Separate applications must be made
in other countries and regions for protection there.
In 2010, the Intellectual Property Department of the Economic Services Bureau received 6,754
applications for trademark licences, an increase of 10.18 percent on the 6,130 applications processed
in 2009. Countries and regions applying for trademark registration included mainland China, the
United States, Macao, Hong Kong, Japan, France, British Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Singapore
and Italy. By the end of 2010, the Economic Services Bureau had received a cumulative total of
69,165 applications.
Patent Registration
Since 7 June 2000, all applications for patents – including invention patents and utility patents,
designs and new products – may be submitted directly to the Economic Services Bureau. In
addition, applicants may request that their applications be sent to designated entities for qualitative
examinations, and that examination reports be released.
228

Economy
In addition, the Economic Services Bureau and the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO)
signed the Cooperation Agreement on Intellectual Property between the State Intellectual Property
Office and the Economic Services Bureau of the Macao SAR on 24 January 2003. They agreed
to extend the applicability of patent approvals by SIPO and patent applications made to SIPO
to Macao. The effective period of this agreement was extended for five years from 2008. By the
end of 2010, the Economic Services Bureau had received 582 applications for extension of the
applicability of patents.
In 2010, the Intellectual Property Rights Department of the Economic Services Bureau received
applications for 74 patents and the registration of 71 designs and new products. The enterprises
making these applications were mainly from countries and regions with high technology, such as
the United States, Taiwan and Japan. By 31 December 2010, the Economic Services Bureau had
received a cumulative total of 1,155 applications for patents and 709 applications for the registration
of designs and new products.
SME Assistance Programme
Supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has always been a focal
point for the Government’s policy. In 2003, in response to the prevailing socio-economic situation,
three enterprise-financing programmes were introduced.
Under the SME Assistance Programme introduced in May 2003, the Government provided
enterprises with interest-free loans to improve business, enhance operating capacity and mitigate
impacts from SARS. During the past few years, Macao’s economy has grown rapidly. To meet the
increasing demands arising from development, in November 2006 the scheme was revised, and the
maximum amount of financial aid was increased from 200,000 patacas to 300,000 patacas. Upon
a new revision in February 2009, the maximum amount was further increased to 500,000 patacas.
By the end of December 2010, 5,637 applications had been received; 4,964 of them were approved,
and financial aid totalled 1.077 billion patacas (These figures include the financial aid applications
by businesses affected by Severe Typhoon Hagupit in 2008). The enterprises that received loans
are mainly engaged in retailing, construction and public works, catering, hospitality, wholesale,
public services, social welfare and private services, as well as real estate and company services.
The SME Credit Assurance Scheme was launched in August 2003. The scheme is designed
to assist enterprises in obtaining bank loans for business development. The MSAR Government
provides eligible enterprises with credit guarantees of up to 50 percent of a bank loan up to 1.5
million patacas. The scheme was revised in June 2009, with the maximum credit guarantee rate
raised to 70 percent, and the maximum credit guarantee amount raised to 3.5 million patacas.
From the scheme’s commencement to the end of December 2010, the Government received 188
applications, involving loans of 436 million patacas; 181 of these applicants obtained Government
credit guarantees totalling 287 million patacas. Most applicants were from the construction and
public works sector, followed by retailing, wholesaling, imports and exports, textiles, garments,
leather manufacturing, real estate and company services.
The SME Special Credit Assurance Programme was introduced in August 2003. Its aim is to
assist enterprises to carry out special projects. Under the financing scheme, the Government provides
banks with a maximum of 100 percent credit guarantee for the eligible enterprises. The maximum
credit is one million patacas. Since the scheme’s implementation to the end of December 2010, the
Government had received 64 applications, involving credit guarantees of 50.137 million patacas,
229

Macao Yearbook 2011
and 52 applicants obtained the 100 percent credit guarantee for amounts totalling 41.737 million
patacas. Most of the approved enterprises are engaged in retailing business, followed by paper,
printing and publishing, wholesaling, imports and exports, construction and public works, textiles,
garments and leather manufacturing.
Monetary Authority of Macao
The Monetary Authority of Macao functions as a quasi-central bank and has the power to supervise
Macao’s financial system. Its predecessor was the Issuing Institute of Macau (Instituto Emissor
de Macau).
Established in 1980, the Issuing Institute of Macau was formerly responsible for issuing the
local currency, the pataca, and managing Macao’s foreign exchange reserves.
In July 1989, the Monetary and Foreign Exchange Authority of Macau was created and assigned
clearly defined functions and autonomy in administrative, financial and asset management. The
authority also replaced the Issuing Institute of Macau. On 21 February 2000, the authority was
renamed as the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM). Its functions and responsibilities remained
unchanged.
In accordance with its statute, as approved by Decree-Law No. 14/96/M dated 11 March 1996,
the Monetary Authority is endowed with the following powers:
230
• To advise and assist the Chief Executive in formulating and implementing monetary,
financial, foreign exchange and insurance policies;
• To guide, coordinate and oversee the monetary, financial, foreign exchange and insurance
markets, ensure their smooth operation and supervise the operators of these markets
according to the terms established in the regulatory statutes governing each respective area;
• To monitor internal monetary stability and the external solvency of the local currency,
ensuring its full convertibility;
• To exercise the functions of a central monetary depository and manage the territory’s
currency reserves and other foreign assets; and
• To monitor the stability of the financial system.
In addition to supervising the monetary and financial markets according to current legislation, the
Monetary Authority also actively promotes long-term financial stability and sustained development.
Trade and Investment Promotion Institute
The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is a non-profit organisation mandated
to promote trade and attract foreign investment. Its main responsibilities include the following:
• To help local industrial and business sectors maintain and promote their contacts with
government, trade and investment promotion organisations, chambers of commerce and
other relevant organisations in Macao, on the mainland and around the world;
• To introduce potential investors to the local investment environment and its opportunities,
and to provide rapid and convenient integrated services to them;

Economy
• To provide back-up services, such as free offices, to help potential investors in Macao reduce
their start-up costs;
• To provide trade, economic, statistical and general information and market analysis to help
investors explore the market and develop their business;
• To individually or jointly organise exhibitions and other promotional events in Macao, to
actively participate in such events held outside Macao, and to sponsor the participation of
local enterprises in such events as a way to create trade opportunities;
• To organise local economic delegations to visit other countries and areas in search of business
opportunities, and to welcome visits by external delegations to Macao, in order to create
channels for exchange and cooperation;
• To issue business licences and offer technical assistance and supervision to non-financial
offshore institutions, and to promote local non-financial offshore development through
various activities;
• To evaluate and approve applications for local residence by investors, their management
staff and professionals; and
• To edit and publish trade and economic publications to promote Macao’s business
environment.
External Cooperation
The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is a member of World Association
of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and Asia Trade Promotion Forum (ATPF). In recent
years, IPIM has signed cooperation agreements with trading organisations of Angola, Brazil, Cape
Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Timor-Leste and many provinces and regions of
the mainland including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hebei, Sichuan, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Inner
Mongolia, Shantou, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Chongqing, as well as the trade
and economic authorities of the United States and Vietnam. To better service Macao enterprises in
mainland China, and to attract mainland China enterprises to invest in Macao, since 2006 the IPIM
has established liaison offices in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province; Jieyang, Guangdong Province; and
Chengdu, Sichuan Province. To initate trade cooperation between Macao and the three Northeast
provinces, in 2010 IPIM began establishing a liaison office in Shenyang, providing convenient
services concerning trade, investment and business for corporations in Macao and the three Northeast
provinces. The office is expected to be officially established in 2011.
Macao Business Support Centre and the SME Service Center
A subsidiary of IPIM, the Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC) was officially opened on
1 August 2002; it was further expanded in 2005. The centre not only provides office space in Macao
for local and overseas official and semi-official trade promotion organisations and chambers of
commerce, but also provides small offices, multi-function meeting halls and rooms, small exhibition
halls, library and computer rooms with internet access for enterprises and investors aiming to
establish operations in Macao. It also offers comprehensive trade and commercial services to SMEs.
These efforts have enabled enterprises to minimise their start-up costs and risks, facilitating their
231

Macao Yearbook 2011
development. The centre also established a long-term office for chambers and institutions, to provide
regional trade consultations and business referral services, increasing the number of channels for
exchanges between Macao and foreign businesses.
To implement the Government’s policy of strengthening support for SMEs, the Macao
Business Support Centre established the SME Service Center (SMEC) on 23 August 2007. The
main function of the centre is to launch various services in support of local SMEs, catering to the
different needs of the enterprises in their process of development. These services include support
for brand building and increasing the number of business opportunities as enterprises develop; a
consultation and information service including one-stop Macao trade consultation, convention
information and consultation, franchise information and consultation, and providing the latest
trade publications; financial incentives and concessionary promotion schemes include financial
incentives for participation in exhibition and trade fairs, promotion incentives in electronic business,
and SME promotion scheme. The service centre provides enterprises with facilities and services to
conduct exchanges, find business partners, seek business matching, or promote their own services
and products. Since its establishment, the SME Service Center has held various business and trade
activities, such as seminars, business exchanges, and promoting products and services in foreign
countries, to help local SMEs to expand their operations.
The Macao Business Support Centre and the SME Service Center are committed to becoming
an integrated trade and commerce service platform for foreign and local SMEs.
Macao International Trade and Investment Fair
Organised by IPIM since 1996, the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) is the
largest international exhibition in Macao, attracting visitors and exhibitors from all over the world
every year. In 2005, MIF became an approved event of the Global Association of the Exhibition
Industry (UFI). It was the first Macao event to receive UFI certification. The UFI has also enrolled
IPIM as a full member.
The goals of the fair are: to promote Macao products, introduce investors to the investment
environment in the territory, strengthen the position of Macao as a bridge and gateway, create a
favourable trading environment for external investors, open a window for attracting overseas SMEs
and technology to Macao, and highlight Macao as a regional services platform.
The 15th MIF was held during 21-24 October 2010, attracting over 81,000 visits; 8,200 of which
were by professional business clients. There were 1,400 exhibition booths, resulting in 1,151 business
matchings and 62 agreements. The exhibitors came from more than 60 countries and regions. These
figures clearly demonstrate the MIF’s increased scale and internationalisation.
This year’s MIF included additional topical exhibition zones such as the Beijing zone, Zhuhai-
Hengin Investment Project zone, Hainan International Tourist Island Investment Project zone,
cultural and creative industry zone, and small domestic electrical appliances zone; the expanded
sales zone included SMEs from mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan, enriching the
exchanges of exhibition content. During the MIF, the Macau Fashion Festival 2010 was held;
through organising professional fashion shows, the entrepreneurial vitality of fashion enterprises
from Macao and abroad was displayed, creating an exchange and cooperation platform for fashion
manufacturers, brand management organisations and designers/design institutions.
232

Economy
One-Stop Service for Investors
IPIM’s One-Stop Service for Investors provides all-round support and assistance to investors
throughout the implementation of an investment project. Through meetings by appointment, the
Internet and telephone calls, the IPIM gets in touch with investors, and appoints dedicated staff to
support their investments in Macao – all the way from simple consultation, to every administrative
procedure involved. Also, free business matching services are offered through a web-based service
platform, business negotiations, project matching, promotional activities and publications, helping
investors to find an ideal business partner.
The Investment Committee, a liaison engine comprising nine Government departments – IPIM;
Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau; Economic Services Bureau; Labour Affairs Bureau;
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; Finance Services Bureau; Health Bureau; Macao Government
Tourist Office; and Fire Service – helps to offer guidance to investors, and follow up on all the
necessary administrative procedures involved in launching and implementing an investment in
Macao. The Investment Committee also appoints dedicated public notaries to handle procedures
involved in company set-up and business registration, providing comprehensive services to investors.
One-stop services for investors include:
• One-stop consultation service on investing in Macao;
• Dedicated staff to support the whole implementation of an investment plan in Macao;
• Dedicated public notaries to provide one-stop services with regard to company registration;
• One-stop support for all relevant administrative procedures;
• Business matching service to assist investors in finding business partners;
• Macao and mainland China legal consultation (for commercial cases) referral service; and
• International market information.
Offshore Services
Macao’s Offshore Law, Decree-Law No. 58/99/M, has been in effect since 1 November 1999. Tax
incentives for operating an offshore service business in Macao include exemption from profit tax,
business tax and certain stamp duties. In addition, managers and specialised technicians of the
offshore institution who are non-Macao residents and who are authorised to reside in Macao are
exempted from personal income tax for the first three years of their employment in the offshore
institution.
Offshore institutions are classified into the offshore financial industry (approved and supervised
by the Monetary Authority of Macao) and offshore service industry (approved and supervised by
IPIM). There are two types of offshore service institutions: offshore commercial service institutions
and offshore auxiliary service institutions. An offshore commercial service institution may provide
services to any third party, not just to its holding company. However, an offshore auxiliary service
institution can only provide services to its parent company/companies.
Operations of offshore services in Macao must abide by the following rules: use only non-Macao
currency in their transactions and settlements; target only non-Macao residents as customers; and
focus only on non-Macao markets.
233

Macao Yearbook 2011
Offshore businesses are permitted in the following eight categories:
1. IT hardware consultancy;
2. IT consultancy and programming;
3. Data processing;
4. Database-related activities;
5. Administrative and Archive/Filing Support;
6. Research and development;
7. Testing and technical analysis; and
8. Operation and management of ships and aircraft.
The offshore service industry helps to strengthen Macao’s function as a trade and commercial
services platform, allowing investors to set up their bases in Macao to explore overseas markets,
or to take Macao as a logistics support centre for their sales networks.
Applications for Temporary Residence Permits
Under the Investors, Managerial Personnel, and Technical and Professional Qualification Holders
Residency Scheme (By-law No. 3/2005), IPIM issues temporary residence permits for the following
applicants: investors who plan to make significant investments that facilitate Macao’s development
and whose plans are being considered by the relevant authorities; investors who have made significant
investments that facilitate Macao’s development; and management or technical personnel who
have already been hired by Macao employers and whose diplomas, professional qualifications and
experience are regarded as conducive to Macao’s development.
The By-law No. 7/2007 promulgated by the Government in April 2007 suspended the effect of
clauses of the By-law No. 3/2005 concerning applications for property investment residency. The
move was part of the Government’s initiative to review the long-standing investment residency policy.
Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center
The Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM) was established in 1996. It is
a non-profit organisation jointly established by the Government and the private sector. The mission
of CPTTM is to help enterprises effectively use new approaches, ideas, information and technology
to enhance the value of their products or services. The objective is to increase productivity and
competitiveness, support the establishment and development of new businesses, and encourage
employees to pursue self-development, or establish their own businesses.
Vocational and Professional Training
The vocational/professional training series provided by the centre can be divided into four categories
as follows:
234
1. Continual Development Series for Employees;
2. Training Series for the Middle-aged, which helps participants to renew their vocational

Economy
skills;
3. Training Series for Adolescents, which develops participants’ vocational interests; and
4. Enterprise and Business Management Series, specially designed for entrepreneurs and
business persons.
In the Continual Development Series for Employees, the centre offers training courses specific
to employees in a particular industry, such as architectural design, advertising, convention and
digital design, real estate, personal image design, financial services, apparel and fashion creativity,
and information technology; other series of courses are offered for the enhancement of IT skills,
business language skills, and administration and management skills.
In 2010, the centre organised 898 training courses and seminars, spanning a total of 19,719
learning hours, an increase of seven percent compared to 2009, with approximately 18,000 trainees.
These courses included courses open to the public, as well as commissioned courses catering to
the training needs of differing organisations.
Professional Qualification Examinations
The Professional Examination Resources Unit under the centre manages various professional
qualification public examinations and provides the public with information about these and other
local professional examinations. The unit also serves as the Macao Centre for National Vocational
Qualification Assessment. In mid 2010, the unit became the examination centre for the LCCI
International Vocational Qualification Certificate Macao Region Series Exam, organising three
regular examinations for local candidates.
At present, there are four types of examinations available at the Professional Examination
Resources Unit:
1. China’s National Vocational Qualification Assessment;
2. Information Technology specialties, including professional IT certifications offered by
Prometric and Pearson VUE, Adobe graphic/website design certification, AutoCAD
certification, CISSP certification, Microsoft’s MOS/MCAS certification, Chinese Input Skills
Examination and China Qualification Certificate of Computer and Software Technology
Proficiency;
3. Management and Professional Techniques specialties, including the ISTO ‘s ISO9001/14001
proficiency test, examinations of City & Guilds, LCCI examinations, and professional
qualifications in project management and logistics; and
4. Business languages.
In 2010, the Professional Examination Resources Unit received 1,927 applications for these
public professional examinations.
Technical Training and Support Services
The House of Apparel Technology provides technical training on and promotion of technology,
to improve traditional industrial processes and move the garment industry towards high added
value. The House of Apparel Technology also helps employees in the industry to improve their
235

Macao Yearbook 2011
manufacturing technology knowledge, pattern-making techniques, and supervisory, management
and procurement skills. In addition, it offers the industry a number of technical back-up and support
services. It also established fashion information stations to provide manufacturers and designers
with up-to-date information on trends in fashion and textiles. In addition, CPTTM supports the
industry in building individual brand names, as a means of sharpening the industry’s international
competitiveness.
In 2010, CPTTM continued to organise a diploma course in fashion design, which lasts more
than one year, to foster the development of local fashion designers. It organised graduation shows,
in which students displayed their works. Separately with the Sino-Portuguese Vocational School and
the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, it organised the Creative Fashion Design and Production
Course and a number of summer courses on apparel production, design and creativity. It also
continued to hold the Macao Creative Fashion Design and Sewing Competition for Youth 2010 and
the 1st Macao Fashion Illustration Composition, aiming to foster the development of young apparel
crafters and designers. Since the Image Lab of CPTTM was certified by City and Guilds as an
examination centre for professional certification in beauty therapy, professional diploma in beauty
therapy and professional certificates in make-up, the lab began to offer relevant professional courses.
All candidates passed the assessment, raising the level of Macao’s beauty and cosmetics industry.
Since 1999, CPTTM has been helping fashion designers and trainees to participate in various
design competitions and shows; they have achieved excellent results on many occasions. Many
of these members have even built their own brand names and entered the Asian market. In 2010,
CPTTM helped its trainees to participate in major fashion design competitions held in Beijing and
Humen. It also helped fashion designers and trainees to join local and overseas major exhibitions,
including the 6th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), the 3rd Crossstrait
(Macao) Cultural Industry Fair, the 15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair
(MIF), Macao Fashion Festival 2010, and Taipei IN Style 2010 (TIS), and further boosting Macao’s
profile in the fashion design scene. To foster the all-round skills of fashion design trainees, CPTTM
launched an incubation programme called MaConsef.
By holding seminars related to fashion, CPTTM regularly introduces the latest fashion
information and techniques to the fashion community. During 2010, it held four seminars, which
attracted more than 200 participants.
In 2010, 536 persons sat for the International Professional IT Certification Examination; 459
of them passed. Among them, 54 were university/secondary school students who took the IT
course and sat the examination through participating in the Full-time Students Professional Skills
Enhancement Scheme.
The Macao team trained and selected by CPTTM won seven gold, five silver, and two bronze
prizes in the secondary schools section of the 6th Hong Kong-Macao Youth Networking Skills
Competition in 2010.
During 2010, CPTTM provided systematic training in computer application skills to 772 middleaged
individuals, to enhance their vocational skills.
Management Information and Consulting Services
CPTTM continues to provide integrated services based on the principle of “Encouragement of
planning: training, information and counselling”, and assists local organisations in enhancing their
236

Economy
management levels to international standards. As a corresponding member of Macao, China in the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the centre provides a comprehensive range of
services including: management system consulting, management system nonconformity analysis
and internal audit services; the assistance scheme for the first International Management System
Certification/Accreditation; dissemination of information about new standards and publishing of
The Development Trend for Management Standards, as well as standards/ISO publications search
and sales services.
In 2010, CPTTM handled 48 cases in terms of management system and standards consulting.
There were 24 applications for subsidised programmes to attain first time International Management
System Certification/Accreditation. From October 1996 to the end of 2010, 201 companies applied
for subsidies, and of these 158 subsequently achieved certification; they were from engineering
and construction, facility management (including properties, security and cleaning service),
manufacturing, public utilities, non-profit organisations and other service industries (including
trade, logistics, transportation, tourism service, financial service and IT).
CPTTM continued to distribute the Good Management Series: Food Safety Management Toolkit,
including the first volume Food and Catering Industry, second volume Bakery Industry, and third
volume Refrigeration Industry. These toolkits serve as references and supplementary teaching aids
for the industries. The series will be further expanded to include Campus Catering, to support the
strengthening of campus food hygiene and safety.
To further promote the enhancement of Macao product quality and safety, starting in February
2010, CPTTM piloted a launch of the industrial product External Testing Relay Service. Service
categories in the first phase include clothing and electronic/electrical appliances; starting from
October, the service categories were expanded to include food. By the end of December, CPTTM
had handled 1,616 applications.
To enhance sustainable development and environmental protection, CPTTM continued to
support local organisations with incorporating the ISO14001 environmental management system,
implementing green management and strengthening understanding of corporate social responsibility.
From 2006 to the end of 2010, a total of 2,175 primary school students from 16 schools participated
in the annual Children’s Environmental Protection Movement – Young Green Pioneers training
programme of CPTTM.
To strengthen business competitiveness, over many years CPTTM has conducted a series of
business management training courses. In 2006, the centre introduced a free “Easy Accounting
for Small Enterprises” software and support service. By the end of 2010, it had distributed 1,595
sets of the software, and 725 people had attended the tutorials.
External Interaction and Cooperation and Services for SMEs
CPTTM has always focused on fostering mutual exchange and cooperation in science and technology
between Macao and other regions. Apart from staging various scientific and technological exchange
activities in Macao, CPTTM encouraged and arranged for local enterprises to participate in similar
activities held outside Macao.
In 2010, CPTTM again organised participation by Macao enterprises in the China Hi-Tech Fair
(CHTF). The Macao Pavilion covered an area of 180 square metres, with 15 display booths shared
among 12 Macao enterprises and organisations. In addition, CPTTM organised another delegation
237

Macao Yearbook 2011
with IPIM to join the 8th China Cross-Strait Technology and Projects Fair.
CPTTM has long offered a variety of support services to SMEs. In 2010, it took on 36 cases
of SMEs seeking assistance, and completed 30 of these. In general, the assistance sought can be
categorised into technical intermediary, consultation, and finding clients, business or business
partners. Moreover, CPTTM offered a business Portuguese consultation service to help government
departments, government-affiliated organisations, social groups, private enterprises and individuals
to overcome their difficulties in using Portuguese.
World Trade Center Macau
The goals of the World Trade Center Macau are to promote and expand trading opportunities beyond
Macao, to assist individuals and enterprises in searching for international business opportunities,
and to pioneer the exploration of new markets for Macao business organisations. Through close
contacts and cooperation with world trade centers throughout the world, it provides detailed global
information about manufacturers, exporters and importers in response to requests from companies
and clients seeking assistance in developing overseas markets. Its library helps to classify different
products and provides enquiry services. It also offers trading and economic analysis for clients and
produces market reports. Through the World Trade Center Macau, members can stay in close touch
with nearly 300 world trade enters around the world, building new market networks and researching
potential international trading partners.
The World Trade Center Macau and the Arbitration Centre of the China Chamber of International
Commerce (CCOIC) have co-established the CCBC-CCPIT Joint Conciliation Centre for resolving
commercial disputes between mainland and Macao enterprises.
Euro-Info Centre, Macau (EIC-Macau)
Established in 1992 following a proposal by the Macau Government and endorsement by the
European Commission, EIC-Macau is a relay office of the SME and Investment Promotion Institute.
It is also the first European information centre ever established in Asia. At present, EIC-Macau is
jointly managed by the Institute of European Studies of Macau; Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Macau;
the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; and the SME and Investment Promotion
Institute. The main missions of EIC-Macau are:
238
• To act as an interface between Macao SMEs and European Union (EU) institutions;
• To help enterprises profit from opportunities in Europe;
• To provide enterprises with information on the EU;
• To provide advice and guidelines on connections between enterprises and the EU;
• To assist enterprises by allowing them to benefit from EIC-Macau’s close contacts with
other Euro-Info Centres and links with the European Commission; and
• To promote information exchange, business, trade and cooperation among enterprises in
the EU, Macao, the mainland, and other Asian countries and regions.
Macao Industrial Parks Development Company
To optimise the use of existing resources, in June 2004 the Government restructured the Concordia

Economy
Industrial Park Co. into the Macao Industrial Parks Development Co. The new company’s function
is to develop and manage land reserved for industrial development and related activities within
Macao, including the management and development of Concordia Industrial Park, the Macao section
of the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone and other industrial parks. The Government and
the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute hold 60 percent and 40 percent of the shares
in the company, respectively.
To attract investment and promote industrial diversification, the former Portuguese authorities
decided to develop an industrial park on the Concordia Reclaimed Zone in Coloane in 1993.
Concordia Industrial Park takes up 160,000 square metres of the total reclaimed area of 337,000
square metres. Concordia Industrial Park Co. (SPIC) was established to manage the industrial park.
SPIC was established as a private company in October 1993, and it has been a member of the
International Association of Science Parks since 1996. With the aim of strengthening and facilitating
cooperation with other science and technology parks, SPIC has entered into cooperation agreements
with Taguspark-Lisboa Science and Technology Park, Polo Cientifico e Tecnologico da Madeira SA
and Mutela Technological Park. SPIC has also built close relationship with the China Association
of Science and Technology Industrial Parks.
Concordia Industrial Park has been designed to accommodate small and medium-sized industrial
projects that are non-polluting and cannot be carried out in the ordinary multi-storey industrial
premises that are common in Macao. The most-welcome projects involve:
• New technologies or technological advances;
• New or high-value-added products;
• Major investments in production equipment and machinery;
• Significant enhancement of Macao’s exports;
• A high percentage of qualified or skilled manpower;
• Key scientific or technological services to support industrial production; and
• Energy-saving programmes.
As of the end of 2010, nine factories had been established in Concordia Industrial Park; eight
of them had commenced operations.
Construction of the Macao park of the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone has proceeded
smoothly. As of the end of 2010, 38 projects were approved for the Macao park, nine involve building
factories and 29 involve factory leases.
All the enterprises in Concordia Industrial Park and the Macao park of the Zhuhai-Macao
Crossborder Industrial Zone have been granted multiple investment incentives.
Labour Affairs Bureau
The Labour Affairs Bureau is responsible for implementing policies concerning labour, employment,
occupational safety and health, and vocational training. Its duties are:
• To analyse and research the social environment for labour, employment, occupational safety
and health and vocational training;
239

Macao Yearbook 2011
240
• To coordinate activities related to the implementation of labour policies;
• To promote employment and vocational training;
• To enforce and follow up on the execution of administrative or legislative measures regarding
labour relations and labour conditions;
• To develop activities to enhance awareness of occupational safety and health; and
• To promote and foster implementation of obligations set out by conventions of the
International Labour Organization, which are applicable to Macao.
Employment Services
The Employment Department of the Labour Affairs Bureau offers free employment, recruitment
and career-counselling services to local citizens; and it assists job seekers looking for work in the
private sector, as well as employers who are hiring workers. It also reviews and approves applications
for business licences by employment agencies.
In 2010, the department continued to strengthen its online self-service job-matching programme,
optimising the vacancy search function on the Recruitment and Job-matching website. It also
started an immediate job-matching and vocational counselling service for job seekers, and held
mock interview workshops to increase employment prospects for job seekers. Also, it continued to
handle registration and matching for the on-the-job training and employment programme and the
Graduate Mainland Internship Scheme. It also maintained communications and cooperation with
employers’ and employees’ organisations, providing matching placement services for both parties.
In response to the dire employment situation of the construction industry in the first half of 2010, the
Employment Department arranged temporary emergency employment registration for unemployed
construction workers and recommended that contractors of large construction works and public
work projects recruit those workers; it also participated in monitoring the recruitment activities
of various large corporations and public construction projects. A total of 1,688 job seekers found
employment in these projects. The department is also responsible for managing the service worker
human resource database for the conference and exhibition industry. It also helped to review and
amend the law governing employment agencies.
In 2010, the department registered 15,221 job seekers, 130 of whom were registered with a special
programme that provides employment services for the disabled. A total of 134,782 job vacancies
were registered with the department. It arranged 63,371 employment interviews and placed 1,385
job seekers (46 of whom were physically disadvantaged) in new employment, involving 100 types
of occupations. Of the 1,385 successful placements, 39.5 percent involved office or hotel cleaners
and similar workers, salespersons and merchandise demonstrators, unclassified clerical workers,
waiters/waitresses and similar workers, as well as unclassified protection service workers.
In 2010, the department issued 6,594 unemployment subsidy certificates, 122 declarations for
unemployed training subsidies, four proposals regarding subsidised jobs for the unemployed, and
five proposals regarding subsidies for young first-time job seekers.
In 2010, the department received 167 applications for employment agency business licences.
Of these, 11 were new applications, 107 were renewals, and 33 were applications for changing the
particulars of existing licences, and 11 were cancellations. The remaining five were applications
for re-issue or adding back offices.

Economy
Vocational Training
The Vocational Training Centre’s main responsibility is to provide various kinds of vocational
training to citizens with a view to increasing the competencies of local workers. In addition, it made
efforts to promote technological cooperation and information exchange with other departments in
terms of vocational training, and to align the development approaches of training programmes. It
has also begun to establish a vocational skill evaluation system for different industries, in order to
standardise the skills levels of human resources.
In 2010, the Vocational Training Centre trained 14,333 people in a wide range of courses that
emphasised practicality and a goal-oriented approach, in order to make various choices available
to citizens and train and reserve professionals for every industry in Macao.
Numbers of Vocational Training Centre Students in 2010
Type of training Course modules Total no. of students
Occupational
training
Apprentice training 174
Training for professional qualifications 80
Industry-specific development training 3,369
Second-skill training 1,764
Employment training for the middle-aged 6,425
Continuous
training
Retraining 30
Fishing moratorium training programme 361
Temporary assistance scheme for
underemployed workers from the
1,956
construction industry
Vocational skills pre-examination study
course
174
Total 14,333
Courses
Apprentice training refers to pre-employment full-day courses that last for two years and are
designed for people aged 14 to 24 who have completed Form Three secondary education or above.
Courses on electrical installation, electrical and communications engineering, and automotive
engineering continued in 2010. Students who complete and pass the courses are awarded certificates
of professional qualification equivalent to second-year level in senior secondary school. By 2010,
the apprentice training courses had been run for 14 consecutive years, and a total of 488 qualified
technical workers had been produced in the previous 12 annual programmes. The graduation of the
12th apprentice training programme was in August 2010; there were 46 graduates who completed the
programme, with a graduation rate of 100 percent. The rate of instant employment was 84.8 percent,
in terms of the number of trainees employed within one month after completing the programme;
241

Macao Yearbook 2011
61.5 percent of these trainees were engaged in an industry related to the training.
Professional qualification training courses are designed for people aged 15 or above, or those
who have completed junior secondary education. In 2010, four professional qualification courses
were provided on subjects including cooking and dim sum making, for a total of 80 trainees.
Industry-specific development training programmes covered a wide spectrum of industries.
To enhance the professional standards of industries and assist industry workers to develop
more specialised skills, the Vocational Training Centre actively made use of technical teams in
neighbouring regions to organise more advanced training courses and professional study courses
enjoying regional or international recognition. With the economic recovery in 2010, various gaming
enterprises have cancelled unpaid leave; this has resulted in a drastic decline in the number of courses
for labourers affected by unpaid leave. Over the year, 127 industry-specific development courses
were held for 3,369 students, down by 26.2 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively, compared to 2009.
The second-skill training scheme aims to encourage residents to develop their vocational skills
according to their competences and interests, thereby increasing their options and prospects for
employment. The scheme covers three stages: introductory, elementary and advanced training. People
who complete all three stages of training should be able to fully master the relevant vocational
skills. In 2010, the scheme held 88 courses, training a total of 1,764 people, down by 14.6 percent
and 11.6 percent, respectively, compared to 2009. The major reason was that there were fewer
courses due to restructuring.
The employment training scheme for the middle-aged is for middle-aged people who have low
academic qualifications and difficulties in finding jobs, or those who cannot secure better jobs. It
aims to help them with relevant training to enhance their vocational skills, so they can secure a job
or change to a better one, in order to fully utilise the manpower in Macao. In 2010, 266 courses
were organised under this scheme. Enrolments totalled 6,425 students, down 16.9 percent and 15.5
percent, respectively, from 2009, mainly because several courses that had been offered for some
years needed to be restructured and repositioned. Enrolment for these courses ceased in the fourth
quarter of 2010.
Retraining courses aim to equip unemployed people with skills that will help them re-enter the
labour market. Since citizens’ demand for full-day off-the-job retraining courses decreased, in 2010
the centre held only two such courses, for 30 trainees.
The Fishing Moratorium Training Programme offered 96 hours of training, including 84 hours on
vocational skills and 12 hours on sea knowledge. The participating fishermen were granted training
subsidies based on their class attendance rates, to ease their financial burdens when acquiring
vocational skills outside the realm of their profession during the two-and-a-half-month, zero-income
fishing moratorium. In 2010, 14 courses were provided to 361 participants, representing increases
of 16.7 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively, compared to 2009.
The temporary assistance scheme for underemployed construction workers was launched in May
2010. It aims to alleviate their financial difficulties and strengthen their indsustry knowledge. A
total of 1,956 people participated in the scheme. Following the launch of numerous public works
projects and the resumption of large scale projects in the gaming industry, the construction industry’s
employment situation swiftly improved. As a result, the scheme was suspended in July 2010.
The On-the-job Training and Employment Programme aims to foster employment and improving
unemployment conditions. The programme was mandatory for six gaming concessionaires, as well
242

Economy
as enterprises employing 30 or more non-technical non-resident workers in the accommodation
and catering service areas. Such enterprises must take in local unemployed non-technical workers
as trainees on a stipulated pro rata basis. The programme also welcomed non-targeted enterprises
to join on a voluntary basis, to provide trainee posts to local workers.
All employees participating in the on-the-job training programme were entitled to training
subsidies from the Government. Local workers in the programme were required to receive training of
less than three months in a company, and the remuneration would be a combination of a 3,500-pataca
training subsidy paid by the Government and the basic wages paid by the company. Through
on-the-job training, participants could acquire basic skills and industry knowledge. At the same
time, participating enterprises could, over time, employ suitable local workers, thus decreasing the
number of non-resident non-technical workers, assuring employment priority for local workers.
In 2010, 83 enterprises were required to join the on-the-job training and employment programme
on a mandatory basis, leading to direct employment of 1,284 local workers and provision of
on-the-job training to 20 employees, of whom 15 were hired by the companies upon completion of
the training, and five applied for termination of training for reasons of mostly voluntary quitting.
In 2010, two enterprises joined the programme on a voluntary basis, with one unable to achieve a
successful match; one worker was successfully referred and employed.
The Graduate Mainland Internship Scheme chiefly offers the chance to receive training in large
enterprises in mainland China to graduates of full-time programmes at local tertiary institutions,
or who obtained tertiary degrees or above over the last two years. The scheme aimed to allow local
graduates to obtain work experience, broaden their horizons and learn more about the country, to
brighten their career prospects. Graduates were allowed to choose among enterprises according to
their specialties and development needs, and could receive a monthly living and accommodation
allowance of 5,500 patacas. Of the 53 people receiving training in mainland China, one terminated
the training on finding a job, and 52 people were still receiving training at the end of 2010.
Skills Evaluation
The Labour Affairs Bureau signed the Agreement on Guangdong-Macao Vocational Skills
Development and Cooperation with the Department of Human Resources and Social Security
of Guangdong Province in 2009. Both parties made elementary floral arranger the first pilot job
under the policy of “One examination, two certificates”. In November 2010, the skills test for
“One examination, two certificates” was held in Macao, with 62 Macao citizens passing the test
and obtaining the national professional qualifications issued by the Guangdong Occupational
Skill Testing Authority and the vocational skills certificate issued by the Labour Affairs Bureau.
Both parties will actively expand the scope of “One examination, two certificates”, and discuss
the possibility of introducing international vocational qualifications standards to expand “One
examination, two certificates” to “One examination, three certificates”.
The Vocational Training Centre compiled testing standards and examination paper database for
more than 10 job areas, including construction, engineering and maintenance, gaming, and florists
(which is related to convention and hotel industries). The content for the bricklayer, surface material
paver, and plasterer skill tests of the construction industry were organised. Regarding engineering
and maintenance: preparation was completed for the maintenance electrician and elementary
electrical equipment installation worker skill tests. Regarding the gaming industry: preparation for
the gaming dealer skill test was close to completion.
243

Macao Yearbook 2011
Labour Regulations
The Labour Relations Law (Law No. 7/2008) is the basic law on industrial relations. It defines
the rules and regulations on working hours, working at night and on shifts, weekly rest days,
mandatory holidays, annual leave, absence from work, maternity leave, remunerations, termination
of employment, contract types, administrative infractions, and procedures and penalties for minor
contraventions. The law further protects and balances the legal interests and rights of employers
and employees alike.
The Law on Employment of Non-Resident Workers, effective from 26 April 2010, and its
relevant supplementary rules further implemented the Framework Law on Employment Policy and
Workers’ Rights, reaffirming that when employing non-resident workers, the employer must assure
employment priority for local employees, and ensure equal rights, working conditions and benefits
for local and non-resident workers.
Labour Relations
The Labour Inspection Department under the Labour Affairs Bureau provides consultancy services
on labour regulations to local citizens free of charge, accepts and mediates in labour-relations
disputes, enforces labour regulations, and works with the Public Security Police to combat illegal
labour activities.
In 2010, the Labour Inspection Department provided 5,184 consultations about labour regulations
to enquirers visiting the office. Among the individuals who sought assistance, 76.2 percent were
employees and 23.8 percent were employers. Most enquirers were from the community, social and
individual services industry, as well as families hiring maids. Most of the consultations concerned
layoffs (31.2 percent), annual leave (eight percent) and wages (5.9 percent). In addition, it provided
40,345 phone consultations.
A total of 2,033 complaints were handled, involving 3,651 employees, 41.2 percent less than
in 2009. Most involved layoffs (20.7 percent), wages (13.6 percent) and weekly rest days (10.6
percent). In terms of industries, most complainants were from the construction industry (39.8
percent), followed by the tourism industry (16.5 percent) and gaming industry (6.5 percent).
The 7,998 complaints regarding labour disputes, industrial accidents and occupational diseases
that were settled in 2010 involved 8,798 employees and 3,313 workplaces. Investigations of
employment disputes revealed 1,823 breaches of laws regarding statutory holidays, layoffs, and
wages. Of these, 9.7 percent were cases in which the employer paid the employee’s claim without
resorting to compiling transcripts of evidence; the remaining cases were resolved through the
compilation of evidence transcripts or court litigation.
Along with the promotion of the Labour Relations Law, employers and employees became more
familiar with laws and regulations and more aware of protection of rights. Both the numbers of
complaints and of cases initiated for employment disputes decreased. However, since the purview
of the Labour Relations Law was expanded to protect the legal rights of employers and employees
in more aspects, the number of breaches of law and the number of employees receiving damages
increased. Compensation arising from employment disputes, industrial accidents and occupational
diseases totalled 67.93 million patacas. Industrial accidents, wage compensation and layoffs
accounted for 42.4 percent, 21.3 percent and 11.5 percent of these cases, respectively. A total of
5,734 employees received compensation.
244

Economy
The Labour Inspection Department received notifications of 81 cases of agreements on
lowering basic remuneration, involving 834 local employees, and eight non-resident employees.
After investigations, four cases were filed as alleged contraventions of the Labour Relations Law,
involving eight persons.
The Labour Inspection Department received 177 copies of employment contracts for the
underaged, involving 572 individuals aged over 16 but below 18, and two aged over 14 but below
16. After verifications, 42 cases were filed as alleged contraventions against the Labour Relations
Law, involving 60 persons.
In its efforts to combat illegal employment, the Labour Affairs Bureau filed 1,071 cases of
illegal working, in accordance with the Regulation on the Prohibition of Illegal Employment and
the Law on Employment of Non-resident Workers and its relevant supplementary laws. After
investigations, there were 772 cases of non local citizens working without permits. Also, 305 non
local residents were found to be engaged in activities for their own benefit, and were fined a total
of 16.36 million patacas.
Under the Law on Employment of Non-resident Workers and rules related to non-resident
worker accommodation rights stipulated in Executive Order No. 88/2010, from 26 April 2010 to
31 December 2010, 32 cases regarding the accommodation rights of non-resident workers were
initiated. The Labour Affairs Bureau carried out 33 inspections involving 1,324 non-resident workers.
Occupational Safety and Health
The functions of the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Labour Affairs Bureau
are as follows:
• To coordinate educational and publicity activities on occupational safety and health;
• To conduct research, assessments and surveys of occupational hazards;
• To monitor compliance with regulations governing occupational safety and health;
• To eliminate harzards with respect to occupational safety and health in the workplace, and
sue companies and organisations which do not comply with regulations, in accordance with
its purview;
• To offer occupational health checks and certify occupational diseases; and
• To research and make proposals about strengthening and improving regulations and
guidelines on occupational safety and health.
In 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Department conducted 6,844 regular safety and
hygiene inspections of 2,023 construction sites in Macao, and submitted 2,519 recommendations for
improvements. In addition, it participated in a number of safety commissions organised by different
Government departments, including the Industrial Workplace Licence Examination Commission,
the Pharmaceutical Businesses Licence Examination Commission, the Food and Beverage Catering
Venue Examination Commission, the Hotel and Similar Establishment Licence Examination
Commission and the Driving School Licence Examination Commission. These jointly conducted
217 inspections of the workplaces of 159 enterprises and made some 195 recommendations for
improving the working environment, hygiene and safety.
The department’s Workplace Hygiene Laboratory evaluates potential hazards such as lighting,
245

Macao Yearbook 2011
heating, workplace noise levels, and organic solvents. In 2010, for occupation safety and hygiene
inspection of the hotel and catering industry, the lab had initiated evaluations and re-evaluations
in 47 hotels and 48 dining places, resulting in 216 and 233 recommendations for improvements,
respectively. The lab also conducted occupational safety and health inspections of supermarkets,
garment factories, and noodle factories, as well as the cleaning of outer walls of hotels and
commercial buildings. The lab carried out 87 inspections, and made 173 recommendations. Specific
occupational safety and health inspections were given to workplaces where there were relatively
high numbers of accidents in 2009, including 14 department stores, processed food factories and
fuel suppliers, as well as 31 dinning places, and made 69 recommendations. Other undertakings
included investigations of industrial accidents, following up on complaints, responding to enquiries
regarding occupational safety and health, as well as providing occupational health and safety
recommendations to Government departments and private organisations. Occupational safety and
hygiene inspections focusing on workplace prevention of Influenza A (H1N1) were conducted in
24 workplaces.
The Occupational Safety and Health Department has established some Occupational Health
Clinics, which hold industry-specific occupational health examinations every year at the requests
of enterprises, and provide pre-employment and employment medical check-up services to minors.
In 2010, they offered 6,128 occupational health examinations and made 9,880 recommendations on
safeguarding employees’ health. In accordance with Decree-Law No. 34/93/M, the clinics followed
up on the hearing examination for employees working in high-noise-level industries, and randomly
inspected 15 organisations employing high-noise-level equipment. There were 361 occupational
health inspections of working environments, resulting in 545 recommendations on the improvement
of occupational health. The department continued to investigate physical body functions through
184 evaluations, contributing 30 recommendations for improvements. In addition, the clinics offered
1,687 pre-admission health checks for students who were registering for occupational training
programmes organised by the Labour Affairs Bureau, making 228 recommendations on personal
health care. They also responded to 79 enquiries concerning occupational health and diseases.
To disseminate information about occupational safety and health, and develop a health and safety
culture among the general public, employees and employers, and to encourage the development
of safe working habits and a rise in safety levels in different industries, the department organised
a variety of activities. These activities included talks, courses, promotion schemes, news features
and advertisements in the press, as well as printing and distributing leaflets. To further promote
occupational safety and health information to Macao citizens, the first occupational safety and
health e-bullitin for citizens was issued and uploaded to the website of the Labour Affairs Bureau
in December 2010. During the year, there were 62 events to promote occupational safety and health,
including occupational safety and health promotion activities in hotels and schools, occupational
safety and health charter signing ceremony, and the Construction Industry Safety Award Scheme.
The scheme aims to commend and praise the contractors, subcontractors and site safety managers
who have good performances in occupational safety and health. It attracted participation by 26
organisations, 12 sites and 42 safety managers and workers.
In 2010, the department held talks for 2,605 people, including: 97 classes on Occupational
Safety and Health Training Courses, with 2,158 people awarded certificates of competency; seven
Temporary Anchor Devices Courses, with 136 people awarded certificates of competency; and
577 classes and 78 refresher classes of Construction Industry Occupational Safety Courses. A
total of 6,157 people were given Construction Industry Occupational Safety Cards after passing
the assessments, and 1,601 had their cards renewed. In cooperation with the University of Macau,
246

Economy
the department organised four construction safety supervisor certificate courses, with 136 people
passing and obtaining the qualification of construction safety supervisor.
Human Resources Office
The Human Resources Office (HRO) was established under Executive Order No. 116/2007. Its
main duties are:
• To collect and analyse all information related to the local labour market and its changes.
The administration will rely on this information for making decisions on matters concerning
employing non-resident employees;
• To recommend measures on employing non-resident employees, for consideration by senior
officials;
• To accept applications for employing non-resident employees, and to compile these
applications into dossiers;
• To work with other public departments to jointly enforce laws related to employing nonresident
employees; and
• To enforce labour laws and implement related policies with the Labour Affairs Bureau.
Employment of Non-resident Employees
The major premise of the Government’s policy on the import of labour is to ensure local workers
have priority in gaining employment, and to protect their employment rights and benefits. As such,
the employment of non-resident employees is merely a measure for overcoming the shortage of
local manpower, whilst ensuring the continuous and stable development of Macao’s economy.
Since its establishment on 28 May 2007, the HRO always analyses rigorously every application for
employing non-resident employees. During 2010, it received 30,910 applications for work permits
for professionals, non-professionals, domestic helpers, non-resident workers and activities for
personal interest, including importation of non resident employees, renewal of permits, changing
employees, transference of employees, statements of objection, and petitions. Of these applications,
10,650 were for non-professional employees, 4,637 were for professional employees and 15,604
were for domestic helpers. Also, there were 19 applications for work permits to engage in activities
for the applicants’ own benefits. At the end of 2010, there were 75,813 employees with non-resident
ID cards in Macao.
Consumer Council
The Consumer Council is supervised by the Secretary for Economy and Finance. Its main
responsibilities include:
• Offering opinions on Government policies to protect consumer rights, and promoting
measures that are necessary to protect those rights;
• Maintaining close contacts with similar entities, and promoting consumer protection;
• Carrying out surveys and promoting special programmes to support the least-favoured
consumers, namely the elderly, handicapped and poor;
247

Macao Yearbook 2011
248
• Offering guidance and information to consumers;
• Adjudicating on claims and complaints lodged by consumers, and bringing them to the
notice of the competent authorities; and
• Making available a mechanism for conciliation, mediation and arbitration of minor disputes
regarding consumer goods and services.
Establishment of Cooperative Networks
In 1997, the council became a full member of Consumers International. It subsequently signed
cooperation agreements with Portugal’s Instituto do Consumidor (Consumer Institute), the Instituto
Nacional del Consumo (National Consumer Institute) of Spain, and the Consumers Association
of Singapore. It also formed an alliance network with consumer protection units in the “9 +2”
PPRD region. In October 2009, the Consumer Council announced a declaration of cooperation
together with 22 consumer protection agencies in Hong Kong and a number of cities in mainland
China, to establish the Urban Alliance for the Protection of Consumer Rights. In the past decade,
the council signed cooperation agreements on protection of consumers’ rights with 41 mainland
China consumer protection units including the Zhuhai Municipal Consumer Council, the Beijing
Consumers Association, the Shanghai Commission for the Protection of Consumers’ Rights and
Interests, the Shandong Provincial Consumers Association, the Chongqing Commission for the
Protection of Consumers’ Rights and Interests, the Zhejiang Provincial Consumer Association, the
Tianjin Consumers Association and Shenzhen Consumer Council. In these networks, the signatories
exchange relevant information and conduct various cooperative programmes.
Reception Services
To enhance its services to consumers and to make it easier for Macao residents to file complaints
and make enquiries, the Consumer Council opened a branch in the North Zone in 2001 to serve the
growing population there. At the end of 2001, the headquarters of the Consumer Council moved
to Inacio Baptista Road, further improving its services to consumers. In addition, consumers from
across the world can file complaints and submit enquiries to the Consumer Council via e-mail.
Consumer Arbitration Centre
The Consumer Arbitration Centre was established in 1998 with an aim of resolving minor disputes
that occur within the territory, and which do not involve more than 50,000 patacas, through mediation,
conciliation and arbitration.
A consumer who has suffered loss from a defective product or unsatisfactory service or who has
been forcibly overcharged can approach the Consumer Arbitration Centre, bringing any documents
(such as invoices or receipts) that relate to the case. The Consumer Arbitration Centre comes under
the auspices of the Consumer Council, which appoints an appropriate officer and professional staff
to handle the matter and provide required legal assistance to both parties. The decision is made by
a judicial officer acting as a part-time arbitrator.
Businesses that value their reputations and wish to resolve potential customer disputes are invited
to apply for membership.
By 2010, 1,379 active companies had joined the Consumer Arbitration Centre. They included

Economy
Chinese and western pharmaceutical businesses, department stores, supermarkets, catering
companies, jewellery and timepiece shops, insurance agencies, laundry and dyeing companies,
beauty and fitness centres, mobile telephone companies, computer products companies, travel
agencies and real estate agencies.
Consumer Rights
Under Law No. 12/88/M, any person who accepts products and services for private use from
individuals or groups of a business nature who engage in business activities is regarded as a consumer.
Consumers have the right to receive health protection and be safeguarded against dishonest and
irregular practices relating to the promotion or provision of goods or services; to receive guidance
and be informed; to be safeguarded against risks that could damage their interests; to be protected
against any loss and to receive compensation; and to be treated fairly and be able to participate in
the legal and administrative defence of their rights and interests.
To promote consumer rights and legislation, the Consumer Council published the first issue
of Consumer Report in July 1993. By the end of December 2010, it had published a total of 210
issues, with a print run of 5,000 copies per issue. The publication addresses matters such as making
safe and informed consumer decisions in everyday life, the tasks of the Consumer Council, and the
development of consumer protection policies in international organisations.
Complaints
In 2010, the Consumer Council received 2,566 complaints and 5,116 enquiries. The number
of cases handled totalled 7,797, including 115 suggestions. The complaints mainly concerned
public transport, telecommunications services, the quality, maintenance and sales method of
communications equipment, and disputes arising from food and beverage sales methods.
Numbers of Complaints and Enquiries Processed by the
Consumer Council from 2006-2010
10,000
8,000
8,303
7,797
6,000
4,865
5,454
5454
4,875
4,000
2,000
0
2006
2007 2008 2009 2010
249

Macao Yearbook 2011
In line with the Government’s strategy to develop gaming and tourism and the facilitated
individual travel (FIT) scheme for mainland residents, the Consumer Council is strengthening its
services for tourists, and is dedicated to promoting the development of a sound consumer rights
protection mechanism in Macao. Of the nearly 8,000 complaints and enquiries received in 2010,
about 28 percent were made by tourists.
Yearly Quality Mark of “Certified Shops”
The Consumer Council had introduced the “Certified Shop” mark of good quality to the general
public on 15 March 2001. This mark has been recognised by all public departments and organisations
in Macao and the mainland. To boost wider acceptance of this mark, enhance protection of
consumers’ rights in Macao and promote “good faith tourism”, since 2007 it has been jointly issued
by the Consumer Council and the Chamber of Tourism of the All-China Federation of Industry
and Commerce (ACFIC).
To qualify for membership of the Consumer Arbitration Centre and receive a “Certified Shop”
emblem, a shop must not have had any complaints filed against it within the previous year. This
mechanism encourages shops to maintain a good reputation and respect consumers’ rights. By the
end of 2010, the Consumer Council had issued the “Certified Shop 2011” emblem to nearly 1,261
establishments.
To reinforce the regulations concerning Certified Shops and to provide consumers with better
protection, the council has requested these shops to abide by the following additional rules:
250
• To offer consumers after-sales service, and provide accurate information about the products
and services they sell;
• To list the specific prices of products and services on their invoices; and
• To settle disputes with consumers within 14 days of receiving complaints, either through
refunds, replacement of goods or submission to the Arbitration Centre.
To further guarantee and enhance the reputation of the Certified Shops, the Consumer Council
has formulated a code of practice for each industry sector in keeping with social developments,
demanding each sector’s Certified Shops respect and observe the code. At present, 11 industry
sectors under the Certified Shops mechanism – covering cleaning and dyeing services, real estate
agents, supermarkets, pharmacies, beauty services, gold and jewellery, leather garments and shoes,
communication equipment, computer products, birds’ nest products and electrical appliances
retailing – have implemented these codes of practice. These codes set stricter standards for the
operation of Certified Shops. The Consumer Council has also established a mechanism to assess
whether the Certified Shops implement their general pledges and codes of practice.
Statistics and Census Service
The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) is the Government body responsible for the orientation,
coordination, implementation and supervision of Macao’s statistical activities. Autonomous in all
technical matters, it produces qualitative and quantitative, demographic, social, economic and
environmental statistics; and it studies and applies methodologies regarding data collecting, as
well as statistical analyses. It takes into account the recommendations and opinions of the Statistics
Consultative Commission to supervise and coordinate all statistical activities in Macao’s statistical

Economy
information system.
Production of Official Statistics
According to Decree-Law No. 62/96/M promulgated on 14 October 1996, all statistical information
compiled by Government statistical agencies is regarded as official. The DSEC is responsible for
producing demographic, economic, social and environmental statistics. On the other hand, the
Monetary Authority of Macao compiles financial, currency, foreign exchange and insurance sector
statistics.
The DSEC compiles a range of official statistics based on data collected through regular or
irregular censuses and statistical surveys, and on administrative information provided by various
departments. The statistical information is an important reference for the Government in formulating
policies, for investors making business decisions, and for academics conducting research.
Particularly noteworthy among the Statistics and Census Service’s regular statistical operations
are the Population and Housing Census conducted every 10 years, and the By-Census and Household
Expenditure Survey conducted every five years. In addition, it conducts the annual Construction
Survey; Industry Survey; Hotel Industry Survey; Food and Beverage Survey; Service Sector Survey;
Transport, Warehousing and Communications Survey; and Wholesale and Retail Trade Survey.
In addition, the DSEC collects monthly or quarterly data relating to the economic activity of
Macao, including external trade in commodities, tourism, convention and exhibition, retail, prices,
employment and construction.
The DSEC also produces a number of statistical indicators, including: Demographic, Estimations
of Population and Labour Statistics indicators. The Gross Domestic Product is produced by
integrating and analysing economic, social and public financial statistics of Macao.
Dissemination of Statistical Information
The DSEC publishes essential statistical data that are of public interest via various media. More
detailed information are then revealed to users via a website and in publications. All official statistical
data are provided for free. Users may download the data from the website, or obtain the data or
make enquiries about them from the Documentation and Information Centre. The DSEC strictly
abides by the principle of confidentiality, and will only release information in the general sense,
and keep personal or specific information confidential.
Public Census 2011
Preparations for the 2011 census began in the fourth quarter of 2008, including questionnaire
surveys, updating building archives and development of information systems. A pilot survey for
the 2011 population census was held during 13-27 August 2010, testing and evaluating work such
as personnel training, sub-station system and information collection procedures, to prepare for the
15th population census and the fifth housing census in 2011.
Gross Domestic Product
To more accurately reflect the de facto changes of the Macao economy and increase the comparability
251

Macao Yearbook 2011
of the GDP data with that of other countries and regions, the Statistics and Census Service has
taken into consideration the latest regulations and recommendations from the System of National
Accounts as well as the actual situation in Macao and made three improvements when amending
the local GDP:
252
1. Using chain volume measures when calculating quantity change in local GDP;
2. Employing the composite price index to correct for the exports of gaming services; and
3. Employing the reference interest to estimate the Financial Intermediation Services Indirectly
Measured (FISIM).
In the third quarter of 2010, the Statistics and Census Service released for the first time the chain
volume measures of local GDP; to help information users to compare and make cross-references, it
also extended the use of previous constant price series till the fourth quarter of 2010, before ceasing
the compilation by old methods in 2011.
Optimising Data Collection Process and Website Services
To reduce the burden of completing questionnaires for information providers, and to raise the
efficiency of information collection, the DSEC conducted surveys through sampling and simplified
questionnaires. In addition, in 2010 it continued to provide the electronic questionnaire download
and upload function to its website, to accelerate the process of switching to electronic data collection;
it also introduced the SMS statistical message enquiry service (only Chinese version is currently
available), allowing information users to acquire their required information through different
channels. Moreover, the DSEC announced in 2010 the Amendments to Gross Domestic Products
and Total Income of Macao Residents 2002-2009; it also added the turnover rate of mainstream
industry employees, employment rate, and job vacancy rate, as well as the average employment
per household and the median monthly household income by year, in response to its users’ needs.
In 2010, the DSEC continued to conduct the Documentation Centre Satisfaction Survey, the
External Merchandise Trade Code Enquiry Service Satisfaction Survey and the Website User
Satisfaction Survey, to comprehensively collect the opinions of different users, and improve its
services.
Supporting Office to the Permanent Secretariat to the Forum for Economic
and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries
The Supporting Office to the Permanent Secretariat to the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation
between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was established in Macao in accordance with
Executive Order No. 33/2004, on the foundation of the Preparatory Office for China–Portuguese
Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Co-operation Forum, established in 2003. It focuses on
providing administrative and resources support to the secretariat, which promotes the development
of economic and trade relationships between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, based on
Macao’s role as an economic and trade services platform.
In April 2008, the fourth regular meeting of the Permanent Secretariat to the Forum for Economic
and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries approved and passed a
revised charter of the permanent secretariat. According to the new charter, the permanent secretariat
established in 2004 became a permanent organisation for the benefit of the forum. As such, the

Economy
permanent secretariat should establish an administrative office in the Macao SAR, with seconded
staff from the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, a supporting office comprising MSAR Government
officials, and a liaison office formed by delegates from participating countries.
During 13 to 14 November 2010, the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic
and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held in Macao.
Among the participants were Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao; Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta, President
of East Timor; Jose Socrates, Prime Minister of Portugal, Carlos Gomes Junior, Prime Minister of
Guinea-Bissau; Aires Ali, Prime Minister of Mozambique; Inocencio Sousa, Minister of State of
Cape Verde; Abraao Pio Gougel, Minister of Economy of Angola; Pedro Luiz Carneiro de Mendonca,
Deputy Foreign Minister of Brazil and more than 20 ministerial rank officials. The forum’s opening
ceremony was also attended by more than 1,700 representatives of government departments, trade
promotion agencies, entrepreneurs, financiers, business chambers, and social groups of participating
countries, consul generals based in Hong Kong and Macao, and international organisations. The
2010 ministerial conference was the highest level, largest scale and yielded the most fruitful results
of all such conferences since the establishment of the forum.
In 2010, senior officials of China and Portuguese speaking countries made over 170 mutual
visits, 54.5 percent more than in 2009. Of these, 25 were state leader visits and bilateral meetings,
representing an increase of 56.3 percent over 2009, and the most since the establishment of the forum.
To further extend the forum’s influence on the participating countries and enhance its functions, the
services office cooperated with the permanent secretariat to promote external exchanges. In June
2010, a delegation of the permanent secretariat visited Portugal, Cape Verde and Mozambique,
visiting the government departments in these three countries that were responsible for forum affairs,
as well as the China Ambassadors and commercial counsellors.
In 2010, the permanent secretariat established links with 15 mainland China commerce
departments, visiting the Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangdong;
the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Guangzhou; the Science, Industry,
Trade and Information Technology Commission of Shenzhen; the Investment Promotion Bureau
and the Science, Industry, Trade and Information Technology Commission of Zhuhai; the Bureau
of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of Foshan; and the Zhongshan Foreign Trade and
Economic Cooperation Bureau. It aims to strengthen mutual understanding between the different
regions and Portuguese-speaking countries, hold seminars with local enterprises, introduce the
forum development situation and the investment environment of Portuguese-speaking countries, hold
field trips to local enterprises, and discuss matters concerning cooperation. Working relationships
were also established with the commerce departments of Sichuan, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Fujian
and Hunan.
In 2010, the permanent secretariat signed a cooperation agreement with the China Foreign
Trade Center and the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) of the Ministry of
Commerce, reaching a consensus on expanding the exchanges between organisations, exchanging
information, providing mutual convenience and strengthening cooperation in the promotion of
trade and human resources training. By the end of 2010, the permanent secretariat had signed four
external cooperation agreements; it had also conducted negotiations with the Investment Promotion
Agency of the Ministry of Commerce. A further agreement will be signed to promote cooperation
in investment between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The services office assists the permanent secretariat to take part actively in various promotion
activities in trade investments. In 2010, the permanent secretariat formed a delegation to participate
253

Macao Yearbook 2011
in the 6th Forum on Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and Portuguese-speaking
Countries in Lisbon, Portugal; took part in the 107th and 108th Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou,
China, and set up an exhibition area at the Canton Fair; participated in the organisation of the
2010 Zhejiang’s China Time-honoured Brands and Zhejiang Macao Branded Products Fair and the
Foshan-Macao CEPA Cooperation Symposium. The services office assists the permanent secretariat
to track the development of the cooperation projects, serves the enterprises, provides relevant
information to enterprises promptly, and refers cooperation partners; a total of 20 links or project
briefings were made. It also organised four enterprise seminars in Macao to listen to the opinions
and recommendations from enterprises on the trade cooperation with Portugal-speaking countries.
Regarding development of human resources: under the Forum in 2010, there were eight
study courses and technical training courses co-organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the
permanent secretariat, involving economic management, engineering and infrastructure construction
management, renewable energy, marine fishery resources management, practical agricultural skills,
and nursing skills. Over 300 officials and technicians of Portuguese-speaking countries received
training. In June, the permanent secretariat received 26 participants of the workshop on special
economic zones for Mozambique ministerial officials and 25 participants of the seminar on economic
management in Portuguese-speaking countries.
The services office assists the permanent secretariat to fully utilise the advantages of Macao as
a platform that links China and Portuguese-speaking countries. In 2010, the permanent secretariat,
the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, and the Macao Government Tourist Office co-organised
the Lusofonia Festival and Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, inviting
participation by cultural and artistic groups from Sichuan Province and Portuguese-speaking
countries. It not only promoted cultural exchanges between various countries but also enriched
Macao’ cultural market, which was welcomed by Macao citizens; the services office also coorganised
with the Macao Airport Management Company the 3rd China and Portuguese-speaking
Countries Airports Conference, to exchange ideas on promoting cooperation between participating
countries in terms of airport management, construction and cooperation, deepening cooperation
between air transport organisations, and strengthening human resources training. The conference
achieved positive results. The permanent secretariat participated in the 15th MIF and set up a pavilion
for Portuguese-speaking countries; it also participated in activities organised by the Government,
such as the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum (MIECF).
Financial Intelligence Office
In response to trends in international developments, on 29 July 2006 the Chief Executive issued
Order No. 227/2006 to establish the Financial Intelligence Office.
The Financial Intelligence Office is an independent department, directly under the Secretariat
for Economy and Finance. Its main duties include: to collect all kinds of financial intelligence
and maintain a financial database; to analyse the data and report any suspected money laundering
activities to the Public Prosecutions Office; to provide all kinds of assistance, particularly material
and professional technical support, on request from the criminal police units, judicial authorities or
other organisations authorised to prevent and suppress money laundering and terrorism financing;
to fulfil interregional agreements and international legal instruments by providing or receiving data
regarding money laundering and terrorist crimes from authorities outside Macao in accordance with
relevant rules; to formulate and revise anti-money laundering and terrorism financing guidelines in
254

Economy
collaboration with other relevant authorities; and to carry out public promotional and educational
programmes against the crimes of money laundering and terrorism financing.
In parallel with the laws and regulations to prevent and curb money laundering and terrorism,
the Financial Intelligence Office focuses on the following key aims:
1. To continuously enhance citizens’ understanding of anti-money laundering guidelines and
their own obligations;
2. To strenuously improve database software and hardware, and enhance intelligence analyses,
to effectively identify potentially high-risk transactions and relationships between suspicious
transactions, in order to more effectively assist the Public Prosecutions Office and the
Judiciary Police in their investigations; and
3. To continuously align with the latest international anti-money laundering standards, to
fulfil the obligations of international agreements and legal instruments in accordance with
the requirements of international organisations and the specific situation in Macao so as
to strengthen the ability to combat money laundering crimes. Also, to conduct research
and establish channels for cooperation and improve intelligence exchanges by signing
cooperation memorandums with other countries.
Starting from November 2006, the Financial Intelligence Office has been receiving reports on
suspicious transactions. In 2010, it received over 1,200 reports. After analysing and processing
them, the office reported some of the cases to the Public Prosecutions Office. Most of the entities
that submitted those reports were in the finance sector or the gaming sector, while some were in
the real estate or the retail sectors. This indicated that, over time, the Financial Intelligence Office’s
efforts to educate the general public had proven effective.
Macao is a member of the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), which conducted
a comprehensive assessment on Macao’s progress in 2006. After thorough examinations, the APG
approved the evaluation report on Macao in 2007, and found the SAR’s performance in combating
money laundering satisfactory, an encouraging assessment. In 2010, the Financial Intelligence
Office continued to closely follow up with various Government departments regarding progress
with implementing the report’s recommendations, and reported to the APG regarding the latest
situation. Also, the Financial Intelligence Office and various regulatory authorities discussed
the need to revise the laws and rules against money laundering and terrorism financing to meet
international requirements. It also made recommendations to the Government on ways to improve
the legal system concerning anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism-financing.
The Financial Intelligence Office maintained contacts with the APG and other regional members.
It sent staff to participate in meetings and workshops organised by the APG. It also helped other
international organisations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank,
to organise training activities relating to combating money laundering and terrorism financing in
Macao, to enhance the analytical ability and skills of law-enforcement personnel.
Locally, the Financial Intelligence Office is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the
interdepartmental task force on money laundering. The task force members included the Monetary
Authority, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, the Economic Services Bureau, the
Finance Services Bureau and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The Financial
Intelligence Office stipulated guidelines for industries being monitored, compiled regular reports
from information on suspicious transactions, and provided various monitoring authorities with
255

Macao Yearbook 2011
information on trends in reports of suspicious transactions and characteristics of these cases.
In the area of international cooperation, the Financial Intelligence Office signed cooperation
memorandums with the financial intelligence bodies of six regions: mainland China, Portugal,
Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines. It also joined the Egmont Group in May 2009,
and with the group as a platform it looked towards promoting connection and collaboration with
even more countries and regions. The Financial Intelligence Office will continue to explore the
possibilities of signing cooperation memorandums with other regions.
Consultative Bodies
Economic Development Council
The Economic Development Council was established under By-law No. 1/2007. It is the
Government’s consultative department for formulating economic development strategy, economic
policies and manpower policies.
The council’s duties are:
• To provide comments and recommendations on the Government’s economic development
direction and social development strategy, human resources development strategy, and on
other issues related to economic development and human resources development policies;
and
256
• To provide comments on the formulation and implementation of these policies and
regulations.
The council comprises the Chief Executive as its chairperson and Secretary for Economy
and Finance, together with representatives of organisations with different economic interests,
professionals, outstanding and reputable people in relevant fields, and representatives of relevant
public organisations and departments. The chairperson may invite representatives of public and
private entities and other people who are knowledgeable and experienced in the matters under
discussion to sit in on meetings, but these people cannot vote.
Standing Council on Social Concerted Action
The Standing Council on Social Concerted Action is an advisory body to the Chief Executive on the
formulation of labour policies. It was established in accordance with the Decree-Law No. 59/97/M.
Its objective is to facilitate dialogue and coordination between administrative authorities, employers
and employees. This aims to ensure their participation in the formulation of labour policies, and in
activities that strengthen social development.
The council’s chief responsibilities are to offer suggestions and proposals on wages, the labour
system, increasing employment, social security and the social repercussions of labour policies. It
also provides advice on labour legislation and bills.
The council consists of the Chief Executive (who presides over its meetings); secretaries with
responsibility for the economy, security, and culture; members of the Executive Committee; three
representatives from Macao employers’ associations (who must be the heads of their associations);
and three representatives from Macao labour associations (who must be the heads of their
associations).

Economy
In accordance with legal requirements, the Secretary for Economy and Finance is authorised to
be the council’s chairperson. A secretary-general is designated with his approval.
The council holds two plenary meetings each year. Special meetings may be called by the
chairman or at the request of one third of the members. During plenary meetings, the chairman,
secretaries responsible for economy, labour, tourism and security, and representatives of the
employers’ and labour associations can make decisions by simple majority.
The council has also established an executive committee, comprising two Government
representatives acting as its coordinator and deputy coordinator, two representatives from employers’
associations, and two representatives from labour associations.
The council held two plenary meetings and seven executive committee meetings during 2010.
257

Macao Yearbook 2011
Macao Yearbook 2011
258

Economy
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of the
7th World Summit of Chinese Entrepreneurs, on 23 October.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On officiates at the opening ceremony of the
15th Macao International Trade and Investment Fair, on 21 October.
259

Economy
The Sixth Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development
Forum is held in Fuzhou from 27 to 29 August.
The opening ceremony of the third Pearl River Forum and the Summit
on Creating a World Class PRD Metropolis - Present and Future
Perspective is held on 22 April.
260

2010 MIECF: The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen,
presides over the launch ceremony of Green Business Co-operation Day, on 8 April.
The Signing Ceremony of the Action Plan of the Third Ministerial Conference of the
Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking
Countries is held on 14 November.
261

To meet the real needs of
sustainable development
of Macao, the Government
continues to implement and
modify measures to regulate the
scope and pace of the gaming
industry’s expansion. With
the objective of increasing the
industry’s competitiveness, the
Government stringently limits
the numbers of new casinos,
gaming tables and slot machines.
It also strengthens supervision
of the gaming industry to
facilitate appropriate, gradual
and healthy development of
the industry, and promotes
responsible gambling.

CHAPTER 5
THE GAMING
INDUSTRY

Large-scale Tourism Facilities (Photo: Lam Sao Wa)

Part 2 Chapter 5
The Gaming Industry
The Gaming Industry
To meet the real needs of sustainable development of Macao, the Government continues to implement
and modify measures to regulate the scope and pace of the gaming industry’s expansion. With
the objective of increasing the industry’s competitiveness, the Government stringently limits the
numbers of new casinos, gaming tables and slot machines. It also strengthens supervision of the
gaming industry to facilitate appropriate, gradual and healthy development of the industry, and
promotes responsible gambling.
According to statistics provided by the Statistics and Census Service and the Gaming Inspection
and Coordination Bureau, gaming tax revenues continued to set new records in 2010, amounting to
68.776 billion patacas, 50.5 percent above the 2009 figure of 45.698 billion patacas. They accounted
for 87.85 percent of the Government’s total revenue in 2010. The gaming industry’s gross income
was 189.588 billion patacas, up by 57.49 percent from 120.383 billion patacas in 2009.
The History and Variety of Gaming in Macao
With a history stretching back over three centuries, gaming is one of Macao’s oldest industries.
Legal gaming businesses in Macao currently include games of luck, interactive gaming, pari-mutuels
(betting on animal races) and lotteries. MSAR Law No. 16/2001, Gaming Industry Regulatory
Framework, states that games of luck are gambling games with results that depend completely or
mainly on the player’s luck. Since such games must be played in casinos or other licensed venues,
they are usually known as casino games. Games of luck form the biggest sector of Macao’s gaming
industry. Gross revenues in this area rose to 188.343 billion patacas in 2010, 57.78 percent more
than the previous year’s figure of 119.369 billion patacas, and accounted for 99.34 percent of the
industry’s gross takings.
The laws and regulations governing gaming allow the following types of games to be played in
casinos: Baccarat, Blackjack, Boule, Dice/Craps, Big-and-Small, 12-number game, Fan-tan, Fish-
Prawn-Crab dice game, Lucky 13-card game, Mahjong, Baccarat Mahjong, Chinese Dominoes
Mahjong, Pachinko (Japanese pinball game), Chinese Dominoes (Pai Gow), Chinese Dominoes
with two stones, Three-card poker, Five-card poker, Roulette, Sap I Chi (or 12-card game), Super
Pan Nine game, Taiwanese Dominoes, Three-card Baccarat, Wheel of Fortune, Football Poker, Stud
Poker, Tombola, Slot Machines, Q Poker, Casino Challenge, Makccarat, Texas Poker, Fortune 3
Card Poker, Fortune 8, Dragon/Phoenix and Omaha Poker.
Three significant changes occurred in Macao’s gaming industry during the 20th century. The
most important and far-reaching of these was the establishment of a syndicate jointly formed by
Hong Kong and Macao businessmen Stanley Ho Hung Sun, Henry Fok Ying Tung, Teddy Ip Tek
Lei and Ip Hon in 1961 to enter an open bid for a casino gaming licence. The syndicate’s successful
bid subsequently led to the founding of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM) in
1962, which replaced the Tai Heng Entertainment Corporation that had held a gaming monopoly
for the previous 24 years. STDM’s exclusive casino gaming concession was renewed four times in
the following four decades, and ended only on 31 March 2002.
Under its franchise concession contract, STDM paid a special gaming tax to the Government.
Its rate was revised many times; but as of 2001, it was 31.8 percent of the company’s gross revenue.
265

Macao Yearbook 2011
Meanwhile, the concessionaire was required to invest in major infrastructure developments, and
fulfil an obligation to benefit the Macao community. Prior to Macao’s return to the motherland, the
highest-ever annual casino gaming gross revenue was only around 17.78 billion patacas – a much
lower figure than those seen in more-recent years.
Horse racing and dog racing are also legal gaming activities in Macao, and they are categorised as
pari-mutuels. According to the definition in MSAR Law No. 16/2001, Gaming Industry Regulatory
Framework, pari-mutuels are animal races or sports on which bets are placed, and the winners share
the pooled bets in accordance with their stakes and after the deduction of commissions, charges
and taxes.
In fact, the histories of horse racing and dog racing in Macao can be traced back at least as far
as 1842 and 1932, respectively, although repeated suspensions and resumptions of racing have
occurred, due to changing economic conditions. At present, the Macau Jockey Club (MJC) operates
Macao’s horseracing activities; while the Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome Co. organises dog races.
To create more favourable conditions for the development of horse racing and dog racing in
Macao, the Government granted approval in August 2003 for related franchise operators to accept
online bets via the Internet. At present, the MJC has approval to simulcast and accept bets on races
in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. In 2010, approval was granted to simulcast races in South
Africa.
In 2010, gross revenue from horse racing in Macao increased by 31.83 percent compared with
the previous year’s figure, while gross income from dog racing increased by 3.98 percent.
In addition to casino gaming, horse racing and dog racing, many other gaming activities are
popular in Macao. The most popular of these are sports lotteries.
Sports lotteries are operated by Macau Slot Co. (Macau Slot). The Government granted the
company a franchise to conduct football betting in 1998 and basketball betting in 2000. Since 1987,
Macau Slot has also held the franchise to operate instant lottery tickets, which were launched in
Macao in 1984.
Pacapio, a kind of Chinese lottery, is one of the oldest lottery formats in Macao. Pacapio tickets
are printed with the first 80 Chinese characters from a book called The Thousand-Character Classic.
Formerly, punters chose 10 characters to bet on, and the 20 winning characters were picked at
random by a pigeon. Later, the winning characters were decided by a ball-draw system. From the
late 1990s onwards, the drawing of pacapio was computerised, and it subsequently became known
as “Computer Pacapio”. Since April 2004, the Government has also allowed betting on pacapio via
telephone or the Internet. The Wing Heng Lottery Co. currently holds the concession to operate
Chinese lotteries.
Gross revenue from sports lotteries, instant lotteries and pacapio accounted for only 0.25 percent
of Macao’s gross gaming income during 2010.
Macao’s long heritage and rich variety of gaming activities has brought it worldwide renown as
a tourism and gaming destination.
Decisive Liberalisation and Timely Control
The gaming monopoly franchise system enjoyed a long history in Macao after it was introduced in
the 1930s. In 1982, the Legislative Assembly passed Law No. 6/82/M stipulating that the operation
of casino gaming activities would be subject to a monopoly franchise or special concession
266

The Gaming Industry
system. Under the special concession system, concessions were granted to a maximum of four
concessionaires. In 1986, the Legislative Assembly passed Law No. 10/86/M, which partially revised
Law No. 6/82/M. The amendment stipulated that a maximum of three concessionaires would in
future be granted gaming concessions. It indicated that the then administration was considering
ending the casino gaming monopoly, though this move was not implemented at the time.
After the establishment of the MSAR, the Government decided to end the franchise contract
when it expired on 31 December 2001. In order to bring new momentum to Macao’s gaming sector
and the entire economy, appropriate competition and modern operating and management models
were to be introduced. The Government also expected the new arrangements to create more job
opportunities and lay solid foundations for Macao’s sustainable development.
The Macao Gaming Committee was established in July 2000, under the chairmanship of the
Chief Executive, in order to look into the future approach to developing the gaming industry.
In late August 2001, the Legislative Assembly approved Law No. 16/2001, Gaming Industry
Regulatory Framework. As well as clearly defining “casino” and “gaming”, the framework spelt
out regulations governing the number of concessions, conditions and processes for open bidding,
and operating models and qualifications of shareholders and concessionaires, as well as issues
concerning gaming tax and contributions to charity.
The Chief Executive signed the by-law for Open Bidding for Casino Concessions: the Contract
and the Required Qualifications and Financial Strength of Bidders and Concessionaires (By-law
No. 26/2001) on 26 October 2001. The by-law stipulated that a bidding committee comprising
no fewer than three members be established. It also determined the nature of premiums and the
payment method.
On 30 October 2001, the Casino Concessions Committee responsible for coordinating work
related to the tender invitation and bidding was established by Executive Order. The eight-member
committee is chaired by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen. The bidding
process officially began on 2 November. After a series of procedures including an international
tender invitation and tender evaluation, the Chief Executive issued an Executive Order on 8 February
2002 granting provisional casino concessions to Galaxy Casino Company (Galaxy), Wynn Resorts
(Macau) (Wynn), and Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM).
In 2002, the Government signed a Concession Agreement on Operating Games of Luck and
Other Games in Casinos in the Macao Special Administrative Region with SJM on 28 March,
with Wynn on 24 June, and with Galaxy on 26 June. The 18-year concession contract with SJM
is valid from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2020, while the 20-year concession contracts with Wynn
and Galaxy are both valid from 27 June 2002 to 26 June 2022. All three concessionaires must pay
a special gaming tax of 35 percent. Additionally, SJM must annually contribute 1.6 percent of its
gross gaming revenue to a Government-appointed public foundation for promoting, developing
and conducting research regarding cultural, academic, charitable and other relevant activities; plus
another 1.4 percent to bodies supporting urban development, tourism and social security. Wynn and
Galaxy must likewise contribute 1.6 percent of their gross gaming revenues to the foundation, as
well as contribute 2.4 percent of gross gaming revenues to bodies supporting urban development,
tourism and social security.
The successful granting of the new casino concessions indicates that Macao’s gaming industry
has entered a new era. Under the contracts, the three concessionaires will invest a combined amount
of at least 17.54 billion patacas by the end of 2009.
267

Macao Yearbook 2011
According to Law No. 16/2001, a maximum of three casino gaming concessions can be granted.
However, after granting licences to three operators, the Government agreed to allow Galaxy, SJM
and Wynn to each grant a gaming sub-concession to one other operator, to meet Macao’s changing
needs. Thus, a “3+3” market structure was formed.
In December 2002, the Government and Galaxy agreed to amend its concession contract. The
Venetian Group was authorised to operate casino gaming in Macao under a sub-concession. With
the permission of the Government, in April 2005 SJM signed a sub-concession contract with MGM
Grand Paradise (hereinafter referred to as MGM), and in September 2006 Wynn signed a contract
with Melco PBL Gaming (Macau) (hereinafter referred to as Melco PBL).
As a result, there are now six licensed gaming companies in Macao, each of which enjoys
the right to autonomously operate casino gaming businesses as an independent legal person. On
1 April 2002, SJM, a subsidiary of STDM, became the first new concessionaire to open for business.
The opening-up of the gaming market has greatly added to the development of Macao’s economy.
After the gaming industry had grown rapidly for several years, the Government found the time was
right to review the present conditions and future development. On 22 April 2008, the Chief Executive
announced new measures for the gaming industry, and decided the number of gaming licences
would not be increased in the foreseeable future. In February 2010, the Government restructured the
Macao Gaming Committee; it is now chaired by the Chief Executive. The committee is responsible
for formulating relevant policies for development of the gaming industry, monitoring the industry’s
development and operation, and drawing up regulations and guidelines.
In 2010, no new casinos were opened. As at the end of the year, there were 33 casinos operating
in Macao. Of these, 20 belonged to SJM, three to the Venetian Group, five to Galaxy, one to Wynn,
three to Melco PBL, and one to MGM.
At the end of 2009, the numbers of gaming tables increased from 4,770 to 4,791, a slight rise
of 0.44 percent, while the number of slot machines dropped from 14,363 to 14,050, a decrease of
2.18 percent. On 23 March 2010, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, announced
that the total number of gaming tables in Macao would be limited to 5,500 in the coming three
years, until the end of 2012.
A major gaming tourist attraction planned to open in 2011 increased the demand for human
resources. At the end of 2010, there were 3,761 vacant gaming jobs (excluding vacancies for gaming
promoters and gaming associates), 3,379 more than the 2009 figure, representing a nearly 9-fold
increase. Categorised according to occupation, the vacancies included 2,121 for dealers, 1,037
for cage cashiers, pit bosses, casino floor persons and betting service operators, as well as 163 for
casino waiters, slot machine attendants, security guards and CCTV surveillance staff.
At the year-end, the gaming industry had 44,806 paid employees (excluding gaming promoters
and gaming associates), an increase of 1.8 percent over the end of 2009. Of these, 19,149 were
dealers, representing an increase of 4.8 percent; 11,923 were cage cashiers, pit bosses, casino
floor persons and betting service operators, representing a decrease of one percent; while 5,171
were engaged as waiters, slot machine attendants, security guards and CCTV surveillance staff,
representing a decrease of 2.1 percent.
In December 2010, the average monthly wage for full-time paid employees in the industry
(excluding incentive bonuses and rewards) was 15,700 patacas, an increase of four percent compared
with the 2009 figure. The average monthly wage of dealers was 13,610 patacas, 2.6 percent higher
268

The Gaming Industry
than in the previous year. The average monthly wage of cash cashiers, pit bosses, casino floor
persons and betting service operators was 19,330 patacas, representing an increase of 5.1 percent.
The average monthly wage of casino waiters, slot machine attendants, security guards and CCTV
surveillance staff increased by 3.4 percent, to 10,400 patacas.
Legal Regulations Refined and Junket Commissions Capped
To regulate gaming and related activities more effectively in the wake of changes in the industry,
the Government has formulated and promulgated a series of laws and regulations since 2001. They
included laws to regulate gaming promoters and gaming-related loan activities.
The gaming promotion system can be traced back to the 1930s. Since the 1980s, gaming promoters
have made great contributions to Macao’s gaming sector. However, they had no legal status until
the passage of Law No. 16/2001. This law defines a gaming promoter as a person who promotes
casino games and provides players with services such as transportation, accommodation, catering
and entertainment, in return for commissions or other rewards from gaming concessionaires.
By-law No. 6/2002 is the main provision for regulating casino gaming promotion activities.
When the by-law was promulgated in 2002, it was named the By-law on the Qualifications and
Regulations for Casino Gaming Promoters. In August 2009, as amended by By-law No. 27/2009,
it was renamed the By-law on the Regulation of Casino Gaming Promotion Activities. It includes
detailed requirements for mandatory qualifications and the liabilities of promoters, licensing
processes and registration of promoters with gaming concessionaires. The by-law strictly regulates
the mandatory qualifications of gaming promoter licence applicants, as well as gaming promoters
who serve a company or individual business owner.
Under the by-law, only persons granted a gaming promoter’s licence by the Gaming Inspection
and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) are permitted to engage in gaming promotion activities. Gaming
promoters must conduct their businesses in accordance with contracts signed in triplicate with related
concessionaires. These contracts must be in writing, and the signatures they bear must be notarised
immediately. Copies of contracts must also be submitted to the DICJ. The Government began to
accept applications for gaming promoter licences on 7 June 2004. By the end of 2010, a total of
193 such licences had been issued. Of these, 155 were issued to companies and 38 to individuals.
Gaming promoters may select partners according to their business needs. However, the eligibility
of their partners is subject to the DICJ’s examination and approval.
As a result of more aggressive market competition, the price war in junket commissions increased
the operating costs of VIP rooms in casinos, thus reducing their profits. The resulting vicious
competition has hindered the normal development of the gaming industry. To maintain market order
and effective regulation of the industry, the Government decided to set a cap on junket commissions,
for safeguarding the healthy development of the gaming industry.
On 21 May, the Government held the first joint meeting with the management of the six casino
operators, to discuss the cap on junket commissions. After negotiations in several meetings, the
Government and the industry operators reached a consensus to cap junket commissions at 1.25
percent. In August 2009, the Government promulgated By-law No. 27/2009, to amend By-law
No. 6/2002 concerning the regulations of the commissions or other rewards to gaming promoters.
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, then signed an order to set the upper limit
on the junket commissions for gaming promoters from gaming concessionaires; in September,
269

Macao Yearbook 2011
the Secretary signed Order No. 83/2009 to cap junket commissions of gaming promoters at 1.25
percent of bets, and require each gaming concessionaire to submit a monthly report to the DICJ.
Following the promulgations of the by-laws, the Government continues to maintain
communications, discussions and reviews with the gaming concessionaires and other industry
operators. The Government will also listen to opinions from all parties, and introduce more refined
and detailed guidelines. The amended by-law came into force on 1 December 2009.
Gaming promoters are legally obliged to pay tax at a rate of five percent on commissions they
collect from concessionaires, and other remuneration they receive.
The Government is also making efforts to regulate gaming-related loan activities. The Law on
Regulating Credit Related to Gaming and Betting in Casinos or Other Gaming Venues (Law No.
5/2004) was passed by the Legislative Assembly in May 2004, and came into force on 1 July the
same year. It stipulates that only concessionaires and sub-concessionaires are authorised to conduct
credit-related business. In addition, gaming promoters and management companies are also allowed
to conduct such business provided they have already signed relevant contracts with a concessionaire
or sub-concessionaire. The credit provided in accordance with this law is regarded as statutory debt.
The law also states principles and conditions governing the signing of contracts, credit activities
and other related matters. It defines the granting of credit as being transfer of the ownership of
casino gaming chips to a third party when the lender is not immediately compensated by a monetary
payment. It also clearly defines different types of money.
The enactment of the Law on Regulating Credit Related to Gaming and Betting in Casinos
or Other Gaming Venues is a significant step forward in regulating the development of Macao’s
gaming industry.
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ)
Restructuring Supervisory Departments to Reinforce Functions
To ensure the effective regulation of the gaming industry, it is essential to enact relevant laws
and regulations, as well as establish efficient administrative and regulatory institutions. From the
formation of the Gaming Inspection Committee in the 1960s right up to the establishment of the
DICJ after the Handover, the functions and effectiveness of supervision in this area have been
continuously strengthened. Since the liberalisation of the gaming industry, the Government has
restructured the DICJ’s two departments and six divisions into four departments and one division
under By-law No. 34/2003 promulgated on 4 November 2003.
The DICJ is headed by a Director, assisted by a Deputy Director. It consists of four departments
and one division: the Inspection of Games of Fortune Department, the Inspection of Pari-Mutuels
Department, the Audit Department, the Research and Investigation Department, and the
Administrative and Finance Division.
The DICJ’s responsibilities include the following:
• To collaborate in the definition, coordination and execution of economic policies concerning
the operations of casino gaming and other types of gaming, pari-mutuels and gaming
activities offered to the public;
• To monitor, supervise and regulate the activities of concessionaires;
• To ensure relationships between the concessionaires and the Government and the public
270

The Gaming Industry
comply with relevant regulations and benefit Macao;
• To monitor, supervise and regulate the eligibility of individual or corporate gaming
promoter(s), their partners and principal employees;
• To investigate and penalise any administrative infractions found to be taking place, according
to appropriate, substantial and procedural legislation; and
• To execute competences not listed above, but which are of a similar nature, in accordance
with an order by the Chief Executive or other legal provisions, as well as those stipulated
in By-law No. 34/2003.
Its primary regular duties include:
Inspecting the Assessment of Gross Gaming Revenue
The Concession Agreement on Operating Games of Luck and Other Games in Casinos in the Macao
Special Administrative Region stipulates that each concessionaire is liable to pay a certain percentage
of its gross gaming revenue in the form of gaming tax. Thus, relevant departments attach great
importance to supervising the accounting of gross gaming revenue. Since such activities take place
in casinos and their cashiers’ offices, the DICJ stations inspectors in them to audit their accounts.
Ensuring the Observance of Laws and Regulations in Casinos
In accordance with relevant laws, the DICJ is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of
casinos, including the collection of money and chip boxes, tip boxes, calculation of chips, the
banker’s fund, and various types of chips. It also inspects activities on gaming tables, and mediates
in disputes between individuals and between gaming concessionaires and members of the public.
Incidents such as thefts in casinos or at gaming tables, misconduct by dealers, disputes, fighting
and the ejection of unwelcome persons occur frequently.
Analysing Changes in Gaming Operations
The DICJ must give its approval before any changes may be made to gaming operations. The usual
practice is for a concessionaire to submit a plan for the proposed changes in its operations, and for
the Inspection of Games of Fortune Department to study the proposal and comment on its feasibility
and appropriateness. The most common scenarios are changes in maximum bet amounts, in the
initial flow on gaming tables, in the numbers of gaming tables, in the operating hours of gaming
tables, in the use of new chips, and the introduction of new slot machines.
Pre- and Post-activity Inspection
All pari-mutuels and lottery activities are inspected by the DICJ, which conducts inspections before,
during and after each event. In addition, after an event the concessionaire must submit reports and
data to the DICJ.
Preventing, Eliminating and Punishing Illegal Gambling
The DICJ uses the following measures to prevent, eliminate and punish illegal gambling activities:
271

Macao Yearbook 2011
cooperation with other Government departments and community groups to educate teenaged students
and the general public via promotional campaigns; collection of information about illegal gambling
activities through a variety of channels, and referral of relevant data to the police for further action
if investigations confirm such activities have taken place; and identification and administrative
punishment of individuals involved in illegal gambling in accordance with Law No. 8/96/M.
A total of 279 people were found to be involved in illegal gambling during 2010, an increase
of 22.4 percent on the previous year’s figure. Of these, 91 percent were Macao residents who were
involved mainly in mahjong. The DICJ continues to educate the public, to stringently combat and
prevent illegal gambling.
Monitoring Sales of Lottery Tickets and Lucky Draws
The DICJ receives applications for approval of the sale of lottery tickets and lucky draws. Permits
for these are issued once the approval process has been completed. It also monitors the entire
operation of such activities.
Registering and Inspecting the Qualifications of Gaming Promoters
Under the By-law on the Regulation of Casino Gaming Promotion Activities (By-law No. 6/2002),
the DICJ is responsible for examining the qualifications of applicants for gaming promoter licences.
Gaming promoters can only operate if they possess such a licence. Their business activities are also
monitored by the DICJ once their licence has been issued.
With regard to the implementation of the cap on junket commissions, the bureau continued to
improve the detailed report on payments related to junket commissions and relevant audit procedures.
It also used field sampling to ensure that the junket commissions paid by the concessionaires did
not exceed the stipulated upper limit.
Regular Account Auditing
The DICJ’s Audit Department is responsible for regular audits of accounting data provided by the
accounting systems of casino concessionaires. The department also verifies the implementation
of contracts between the Government and concessionaires, especially the fulfilment of payments
specified in contracts.
Establishing a Gaming Activities Database
The DICJ’s Research and Investigation Department is responsible for collecting, analysing and
processing all information related to the activities of licensed gaming operators and their financial
indicators, in order to create and continuously update a database about the major activities of licensed
gaming operators. Besides compiling financial forecasts about gaming activities, the department
supervises and investigates the financial background and eligibility of gaming-related companies
on a day-to-day basis.
In 2010, the DICJ continued to improve the mechanism of gaming regulations, amend relevant
laws and regulations, improve the internal structure of the gaming industry, and enhance the
competitiveness of the Macao gaming industry in the international market. Likewise, it closely
272

The Gaming Industry
monitored problems arising from the gaming industry, and actively promoted and publicised
“responsible gambling”, liaised with casino concessionaires to establish a healthy corporate image,
and supported the implementation of policies preventing and regulating pathological gambling. Its
efforts can be summarised as follows:
To ensure all gaming concessionaires fully comply with the requirements stipulated in the
Guidelines on Preventive Measures Regarding Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing
of Terrorism (AML/CFT Guidelines), the DICJ completed the draft of Anti-Money Laundering
Audit Procedure Manual and continued to send personnel to carry out auditing against money
laundering in concessionaires’ casinos.
As a result of the growing number of slot machines, the bureau continued to study and develop
a remote supervision system with dedicated access to central monitoring systems It also conducted
a feasibility study on authentication technology of slot machines with Macao Polytechnic Institute,
as a solid foundation for the establishment of a testing laboratory for slot machines and gaming
machines.
To ensure that all gaming concessionaires fully comply with the requirements stipulated in the
Minimum Internal Control Requirements (MICR), the DICJ started sending personnel to carry out
MICR field auditing of concessionaires in 2010. Thus, it can further monitor their actual operations
and optimise MICR operation procedures by the concessionaires.
In line with the Government’s policy to prevent excessive expansion of the gaming industry,
the bureau actively monitored the changes in the numbers of gaming tables and slot machines in
concessionaires’ casinos. In order to strictly control the number of gaming tables in Macao, the
bureau conducts stringent examination procedures for every gaming project application.
To increase understanding of responsible gambling among Macao residents and tourists, the DICJ
continued to hold publicity campaigns with gaming-related companies. The DICJ held a responsible
gambling awareness week with the Social Welfare Bureau and the University of Macau for the
second consecutive year to educate citizens, with the aim to alleviate social problems arising from
gambling, so that the gaming industry can develop in a stable and peaceful society.
In line with the introduction of the four specific options for World Cup 2010 by Macau Slot,
the DICJ reviewed relevant specific betting regulations. The Macau Jockey Club was approved to
simulcast races in South Africa. In response to the new bet types and pools, the bureau has improved
and optimised its management and supervision of the relevant betting system.
Source: DICJ
The Contribution of Casino Gaming to
Macao’s Gross Gaming Revenue during 2010
(Billions of Patacas)
Item 2010
Gross revenue from casino gaming 188.343
Gross gaming revenue 189.588
Proportion of contribution 99.34%
273

Macao Yearbook 2011
Gross Revenues of Different Types of
Casino Gaming during 2010
(Billions of Patacas)
Source: DICJ
Item
Gross revenue
Roulette 0.672
Blackjack 2.29
VIP Baccarat 135.648
Baccarat 34.917
Mini Baccarat --
Fan-tan 0.183
Big-and-Small 3.555
Chinese Dominoes (Pai Gow) 0.086
Boule -
Mahjong 0.034
Slot Machines 8.618
Chinese Dominoes Mahjong --
Three-card Poker 0.131
Fish-Prawn-Crab 0.093
Three-card Baccarat 0.219
Pachinko --
Tombola 0.0017
Wheel of Fortune 0.032
Live Multi Game 0.153
Football Poker ---
Stud Poker 1.060
Q Poker 0.001
Casino War 0.157
Dice/craps 0.163
Makccarat 0.004
Texas Poker 0.216
Fortune 3 Card Poker 0.109
Fortune 8 --
Dragon Phoenix -0.00004
Total 188.343
Note: As the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) revised its statistics of gaming tax revenue and the
Government’s recurrent revenue, the comparative figures of 2009 were adjusted accordingly.
274

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of ‘The House
Of Dancing Water’ show at City of Dreams.
The Gaming Industry
COTAI Strip
275

Tourism is the backbone of
Macao’s economy. Since the
MSAR’s establishment, the
Government has created a
stable and peaceful society.
As its tourism facilities have
continuously improved, the
Macao Government Tourist
Office (MGTO) has launched
a new series of marketing and
promotional programmes
that focus on both mainland
China and other countries
a n d re g i o n s . B e s i d e s
continuing to attract people
from mainland China to visit
Macao, it actively explores
international markets,
and has achieved positive
results. All these efforts have
been instrumental in the
diversified development of
Macao’s tourism industry.

CHAPTER 6
TOURISM

Cultural Exchange (Photo: Chan Chan U)

Part 2 Chapter 6
Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is the backbone of Macao’s economy. Since the MSAR’s establishment, the Government
has created a stable and peaceful society. As its tourism facilities have continuously improved, the
Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has launched a new series of marketing and promotional
programmes that focus on both mainland China and other countries and regions. Besides continuing
to attract people from mainland China to visit Macao, it actively explores international markets, and
has achieved positive results. All these efforts have been instrumental in the diversified development
of Macao’s tourism industry.
Overview of Tourism in Macao
Major Markets
According to the Statistics and Census Service, the total number of tourists visiting
Macao in 2010 was 24,965,411, a 14.8 percent increase over the 2009 f igure.
As the global economy revives, Macao’s tourism has shown significant improvement. The number
of visitors from Greater China, Southeast Asia, America and Europe has steadily increased.
Since 2003, the sources of Macao’s visitor arrivals have undergone structural changes. The
mainland has overtaken Hong Kong as the largest single source of visitors. Since July 2003,
residents from the mainland have been allowed to apply for a pass to visit the two regions on an
individual basis under the facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme. The number of mainland
tourists has been increasing dramatically; the mainland is now Macao’s most important market for
tourism, and it also has the greatest potential for further growth. By the end of 2010, the scheme
had been extended to residents of the following provinces and cities: all of Guangdong Province;
Beijing; Shanghai; Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi in Jiangsu Province; Hangzhou, Ningbo and Taizhou
in Zhejiang Province; Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian Province; Chongqing; Tianjin;
Chengdu; Jinan; Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province; Nanning; Haikou; Changsha; Guiyang;
Kunming; Nanchang; Shijiazhuang; Changchun; Hefei; Zhengzhou and Wuhan. They are 49 cities
in total, with a total population of 300 million.
In 2010, Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) comprised 88.1 percent of
the total market, and the international market comprised 11.9 percent. Mainland China continued
to be the largest market for visitors to Macao. A total of 13,229,058 mainland tourists came to
Macao in 2010, a 20.4 percent increase over the 2009 figure. They accounted for 53 percent of the
total number of visitors, among which 5,486,173 visitors (41.5 percent) travelled to Macao on an
individual basis under the facilitated individual travel (FIT) scheme.
At present, Hong Kong and Taiwan are Macao’s second and third most-significant sources of
tourists. The number of Hong Kong tourists in 2010 reached 7,466,139, an increase of 11 percent
over the 2009 figure; while the number of Taiwan tourists in 2010 was 1,292,734, just about the
same as in 2009.
In 2010, there was a significant increase in the number of Korean tourists, which rose to become
the sixth largest source of tourists, from ninth in the previous year. The total number of Korean
tourists was 331,768, a 62 percent increase over the 2009 figure. There was a significant drop in the
number of Thai tourists, which became the ninth biggest source. The total number of Thai tourists
279

Macao Yearbook 2011
was 212,442, a 12.4 percent decrease over the 2009 figure.
The global economic improvement gave a new impetus to Macao’s tourism, showing a significant
positive impact on the longhaul market from May 2010. During 2010, the number of tourists from
the international market was 2,977,480, an 8.5 percent increase over the 2009 figure.
The Hotel Industry
According to statistics from the Licensing and Inspection Department of the Tourist Office, at the end
of 2010, Macao had a total of 62 star-rated hotels: eight five-star luxury hotels, 15 five-star hotels,
13 four-star hotels, 14 three-star hotels, and 12 two-star hotels. There were also 31 guesthouses.
Together these hotels and guesthouses provide a total of 20,988 rooms.
Hotels provided 20,412 of the 20,988 rooms, of which 3,684 were five-star luxury, 8,567 were
five-star, 4,530 were four-star, 2,830 were three-star, and 801 were two-star rooms. The other 576
rooms were in guesthouses.
According to the Statistics and Census Service, at the end of 2010, Macao had 27,516 hotel
employees, of whom 27,391 worked in star-rated hotels and 125 in guesthouses.
The total number of guests who occupied hotel rooms in Macao during 2010 was 7,755,214,
a 15.5 percent increase over the 2009 figure. The average year-round hotel occupancy rate rose
from 71.57 percent in 2009 to 79.8 percent in 2010. The average length of stay was 1.54 days, an
increase of 0.04 day compared with the 2009 figure.
According to statistics provided by the Macau Hotel Association, the average room rate of
Macao’s three to five-star hotels in 2010 was 1,111.01 patacas, a 7.69 percent increase compared
with 1,031.64 patacas in 2009. The average occupancy rate of three to five-star hotels was 84.51
percent, which was 8.39 percentage points more than the occupancy rate of 76.12 percent in 2009.
Travel Agencies
At the end of 2010, there were 150 travel agencies with valid licences in Macao, eight (5.63 percent)
more than in 2009. A total of 1,477 people held tourist guide licences issued by the MGTO, an
increase of 135 (10.1 percent) compared with the 2009 figure. The language abilities of these tourist
guides span Cantonese, Putonghua, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, French, Spanish, Russian,
Hokkien and Chaozhouese.
In 2010, 5,745,222 tourists visited Macao on package tours, an increase of 23.6 percent over
2009. Most package tourists (4,067,123) came from the mainland, an increase of 22.2 percent over
the 2009 figure. The second and third-largest sources of package tourists were Hong Kong and
Taiwan, at 279,823 and 277,197, respectively.
In 2010, a total of 252,493 Macao residents joined outbound package tours. Of these, 183,944
(72.9 percent) headed for the mainland. Taiwan and Japan were the second and third most-popular
tourism destinations for Macao residents, with Taiwan attracting 14,476 visitors or 5.7 percent of
the total, and Japan attracting 13,662 visitors or 5.4 percent of the total.
Tourism Policy
To facilitate the goal of developing Macao into a global centre of tourism and leisure, the Government
280

Tourism
works towards the objectives of promoting quality tourist infrastructure construction and enhancing
quality of tourism products and services.
The Government will prepare to amend laws related to the tourism industry, and improve relevant
laws and regulations to ensure a quality tourism environment.
As cultural tourism becomes a core element of Macao tourism, the Government is studying the
advantages of integrating the world heritage resources to promote development of tourism, and
cultural and creative industries. It actively introduced a number of integrated tourism projects to
develop sightseeing tourism for families, lengthen the average duration of tourists’ stay and increase
their spending. Also, it provided more support to the industry, encouraged diversified cultural tourism
activities, and attracted various markets through creative and diversified promotion.
By focusing on the characteristics of different markets, the Government promoted special tourist
routes and products, including cultural tourism, shopping and leisure, as well as ecological tourism,
to demonstrate the diversity and attractiveness of Macao’s tourism offerings, consolidate the existing
market and develop potential markets. It also set up a user-friendly tourism information website.
Event tourism will be developed, with a focus on the markets for business conferences, association
conferences and incentive travel. The Government will continue to strengthen its role in the Industry
Partner Programme.
In addition, it will strengthen its close cooperation with the National Tourism Administration,
tourism departments of provinces and cities, and the World Tourism Organization, in order to expand
the scope of tourism cooperation, and promote regional cooperation in all areas and at all levels.
Macao Government Tourist Office
The functions of the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) include helping to formulate and
implement local tourism policies, protecting and enhancing the value of Macao’s tourism resources
and deploying them appropriately, and enriching and diversifying Macao’s tourism products. The
MGTO encourages and promotes activities that benefit tourism, promotes inbound Macao tours
in relevant markets, and works closely with public and private entities to promote Macao. As the
authority in charge of Macao tourism and as Macao’s tourism representative abroad, it builds
relationships with international tourism organisations. In addition, the MGTO makes suggestions
about legislation related to tourist facilities, services and products; monitors the activities of
operators to ensure they comply with relevant tourism laws and regulations; and licenses tourism
venues and activities.
To promote Macao, the MGTO has set up representative offices in many countries and territories
throughout the world, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, German-speaking countries, France, the United
Kingdom/Ireland, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Macao’s tourism industry is
also actively promoted by the Tourism Section of the Office of the Macao Special Administrative
Region in Beijing, the Macao Economic and Trade Office to the European Union in Belgium, and
the Macau Tourism Promotion and Information Center in Portugal.
Macau Business Tourism Centre
To continue the promotion of the development of the convention and exhibition industry, the Macau
281

Macao Yearbook 2011
Business Tourism Centre hired internationally renowned and experienced industry specialists to
assist in various research projects and planning. By organising training and seminars, industry
members can deepen their knowledge of the business and enhance the sound development of the
industry; at the same time, the centre helps and supports the organisation of major international
conventions and events, and works continuously to develop a business tourism database.
During 2010, the Tourist Office adopted an incentive mechanism for exhibitors, providing
incentives and subsidies to operators to participate in business travel exhibitions in various overseas
markets. In 2010, there were 130 partner exhibitors, a 12 percent increase over the 2009 figure.
The scope of service of exhibitors spanned accommodation, venues, transportation and logistics,
catering and entertainment, event management, and public relations and advertising.
Meanwhile, the Tourist Office continued to implement the Strategic MICE Market Stimulation
Programme to provide financial assistance and support to conventions, conferences, exhibitions
and incentive travel in Macao. During 2010, 167 activities were organised, among which 62 were
conferences, 27 were exhibitions, and 78 were incentive travel events. The assistance totalled
approximately 50 million patacas. The Macau Business Tourism Centre received 21 study groups
and site visits comprising 262 participants from around the world; also, it supported 266 conventions,
exhibitions and incentive travel events hosted in Macao.
Industry Management
In industry management, the law on the Prohibition of Illegal Provision of Accommodation came
into effect on 13 August 2010. To ensure effective enforcement of the law, the Tourist Office started
practical planning and preparation, liaised closely with the corresponding Government departments,
water and electricity supply companies, neighbourhood associations and affected residents, deployed
human resources and provided training.
It also actively worked on promotion of the new law by producing and distributing leaflets, as
well as displaying advertisements on buses and taxis. It also used SMS text messages and video
advertisements on Guangdong Television, Shenzhen Television, Zhuhai Television and the largescreen
television at Border Gate Checkpoint to remind tourists to patronise only licensed hotels
and guesthouses.
The Tourist Office continued to provide a travel hotline service (2833 3000) to receive and
mediate complaint calls involving unlicensed guesthouses and to provide a 24-hour enquiry and
assistance service to tourists and citizens.
Handling Tourist Comments
If tourists are dissatisfied with the services, quality or charges of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies,
transportation, shops or entertainment facilities during their stay in Macao, they may dial the
travel hotline, or file complaints directly with the MGTO and with any of its public reception and
information counters. Tourists outside Macao may file complaints with the MGTO’s overseas
representative offices via post, fax and e-mail, or by completing a complaint form.
In 2010, the MGTO received 519 cases, including complaints, compliments and suggestions
concerning retail services, gaming establishments, restaurants, travel agencies, hotels, transport,
frauds, and others relating to public entities. This was an increase of 16.1 percent over the 2009
figure.
282

Tourism
Information Counters
The Public Relations Division of the MGTO’s Department of Promotion has 10 information counters,
which are at major ports and tourist attractions in Macao (the Border Gate, Macao Ferry Terminal, the
Macau Business Tourism Centre, Guia Lighthouse, Macau International Airport, Macau Fisherman’s
Wharf and Taipa Ferry Terminal), and major ports in Hong Kong (Shun Tak Centre and Hong Kong
International Airport). These provide up-to-date tourism information, distribute leaflets, publicise
large promotional events and provide assistance to tourists. The information counters also provide
tourists with information about the cultural and historical background of Macao’s tourist attractions,
customs and traditions, cuisine, transportation and accommodation. They assist tourists who are
involved in accidents or other mishaps while visiting Macao.
In 2010, the information counters in Macao and Hong Kong assisted 1,320,529 visitors, an
increase of 3.24 percent over the 2009 figure.
Tourism Training
Tourism and related industries account for a significant proportion of Macao’s total workforce. The
Government attaches great importance to training people employed in the tourism sector; it offers
training courses for various tourism-related professionals through the Institute for Tourism Studies.
The Institute of Tourism Studies
Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is a public tertiary education institute
affiliated to the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture. In 2000, IFT became the first educational
institution to be granted the TedQual Certification by the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO). The Institute provides a range of degree courses and professional training in the tourism
sector, and cooperates with institutions abroad to provide advanced management courses and
master’s programmes. In addition, the IFT has been commissioned by the Government and other
institutions to conduct policy research on tourism planning and development.
The IFT’s mission is to become an international tertiary institution of choice for tourism
and service industry studies. It produces graduates with professional knowledge and technical
competence, thus preparing them for future leadership responsibilities within the industry, for the
benefit of both Macao and the Asia Pacific region. The following three characteristics enable the
IFT to accomplish its missions:
1. Uniqueness: Operating independently, the IFT focuses on providing tertiary education and
vocational training in tourism and service management;
2. Integration: It integrates the advantages and special characteristics of academic development
and vocational training; and
3. Internationalisation: It builds mutually beneficial, cooperative relationships with relevant
overseas organisations, actively promoting academic and international exchange activities.
In 1997, the IFT was chosen as a “train-the-trainer centre” offering training and advisory services
for members of the Asian-Pacific Education and Training Institutes in Tourism (APETIT), a body
fully supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP). In the same year, it received the Gold Award for Education and Training from PATA,
283

Macao Yearbook 2011
which endorsed its curricula and programme quality. In 2002, the institute teamed up with the
European Union to establish the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) for the
local tourism and service industry, and it won the PATA award for the second time.
In 1999, the IFT, in conjunction with the European Union, established the Macao-European
Centre for Advanced Tourism Studies (ME-CATS) to introduce new European-style concepts of
tourism and service management to the development of tourism in the Asia Pacific region. The
centre’s goals are to become a regional tourism educational and training base, promote academic
exchanges and share experience between tertiary educational institutions in Europe and Macao.
In 2003, the IFT was invited by UNESCO and the International Centre for the Study of the
Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) to become a founding member of the
Asian Academy for Heritage Management. The academy’s objective is to promote and strengthen
training for the professional management of cultural sites within the region.
In 2004, the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS) appointed the IFT as Asia
Pacific Board Member. The association helps to enhance the development of international tourism
education and leisure education activities in Macao, exchanges between teachers and students,
academic research and the professionalism of educational programmes.
In 2008, the IFT was awarded the Medal of Merit for Tourism by the Government in recognition
of its significant contributions to the development of local tourism.
To meet the human resources demands of the tourism sector and complement the sector’s future
development, the institute raised the student intake of its degree programmes to 420 during the
2010/2011 academic year. During the 2010/2011 academic year, 1,317 students enrolled in its
Tourism Business Management, Heritage Management, Hotel Management, Tourism Convention and
Event Management, and Tourism Retail and Marketing Management degree programmes. During
the 2011/2012 academic year, a degree programme in culinary arts management will be added.
In the 2009/2010 academic year, 15,571 students enrolled for various professional and continuing
education courses. Of these, 583 participated in the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System
(MORS); 3,945 students joined professional training courses under the Community Education and
Development Programme.
The IFT has established relationships with government departments, universities, tourism and
hospitality institutions, tourism organisations and associations in numerous countries and regions,
including the mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United
States, Thailand, Myanmar, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Vietnam, and Canada. This international
network facilitates academic and cultural exchanges, and promotes overseas internships, faculty
and student exchanges and “train-the-trainer” programmes.
In response to demand from the community and the tourism industry, the IFT offered certificate
and diploma courses on event tourism and hospitality, as well as an one-year-and-a-half Diploma in
Western Culinary Skills and Diploma in Pastry and Bakery programmes to the industry’s personnel.
In the 2010/2011 academic year, 196 students joined these programmes.
In conjunction with the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the IFT launched a three-year
Tourism Techniques Course for senior secondary school students at the Escola Luso-Chinesa
Tecnico-Profissional (Sino-Portuguese Vocational School), a subsidiary of the bureau. It also
284

Tourism
teamed up with a number of organisations and institutions to promote various courses under the
community education development programme, aiming to meet the demand for human resources
that arises from the development of Macao’s tourism industry and hotel industry.
Tourism Resources
Boasting a brilliant and fascinating history encompassing 400 years of cultural exchange between
China and the West, Macao has a unique appeal to tourists. Its scenery is embellished with tourist
treasures of all types, including picturesque dwellings constructed in traditional styles and ancient
temples built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, buildings with Southern European architectural
features, baroque-style churches and impressive contemporary structures.
Churches
Ruins of St Paul’s
Macao’s most famous landmark is the Ruins of St Paul’s, the surviving facade of St Paul’s Church.
Designed by a Spanish Jesuit, construction of the original church began in 1602, and it was completed
between 1637 and 1640. St Paul’s Church has been destroyed by fire three times between its earliest
incarnation and the ruined facade that we see today. Although it was rebuilt on previous occasions,
a fire broke out in the church on the dusk of 26 January 1835 and soon raged out of control. After
more than two hours, almost the entire structure was destroyed, with the exception of the precious
facade, which remained standing after the blaze. The facade has since been repaired many times,
and it is now generally known as the Ruins of St Paul’s. The latest major repair and cleaning project
was carried out in 2004.
St Paul’s Church is a delicate mixture of European Renaissance and Eastern architectural styles.
The former Portuguese administration conducted a maintenance project on its site between 1990 and
1996; and the Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt was built at the same time. Its collection includes
paintings, sculptures and ceremonial decorations from churches and abbeys.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Guia
Originally built in 1622, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia is the oldest building on Guia Hill. A
project to enlarge it was carried out in 1637 and was completed in 1638. The Portuguese dedicated
the church to the protector of seafarers. The interior preserves features such as the arched ceilings
that were common in 17th century Portuguese abbeys. In 1996, a mural was discovered inside the
church, a rarity in the churches of southern China.
St Anthony’s Church
The oldest church in Macao, St Anthony’s Church, was built by the Society of Jesus between 1558
and 1560, and it is located opposite Luis de Camoes Garden. Catholics regard St Anthony as the
patron saint of marriage, so locals also call it the “Wedding Church”.
The church assumed its present appearance after restoration in 1930. Its history is briefly recorded
on a plaque by the door: “Built in 1638. Burnt down in 1809. Rebuilt in 1810. Burnt down again
in 1874. Repaired in 1875”.
285

Macao Yearbook 2011
St Augustine’s Church
St Augustine’s Church was built by Spanish Augustinian Friars in 1591. It is one of the oldest
churches in Macao. The church underwent considerable changes and assumed its present form
when it was restored in 1874.
Standing 17 metres high, the church has the classic style of European Renaissance architecture.
It has a simple exterior and a spacious interior. On the marble-clad altar is a statue of Jesus Christ
carrying the cross.
St Dominic’s Church
Located in the central district of the Macao peninsula, St Dominic’s Church stands on part of the
former site of the St Dominic’s Convent. Spanish friars who came to Macao from the Philippines
built the old church, which was dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, in 1587, and it was later
taken over by Portuguese disciples. It was initially built of camphor wood and then restructured
with stucco bricks and cream-coloured stones. The architecture of the building is in the Portuguese
style, which was popular in the Orient in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The church has three chapels. The main chapel is deep and broad, and separated from the other
parts of the building by a solid brick arch. The ceilings are decorated with pictures, among which
is a crown just above the altar. The door is delicately carved and the stained-glass imagery is bright
and pleasant. Above the altar is a statue of the Virgin and Child. In the main chapel stands a statue
of Our Lady of Fatima, from which the Parade of the Virgin commences on 13 May each year.
Believers march to Penha Hill to commemorate the Virgin Mary’s appearance in Fatima, Portugal.
In 1997, the former Portuguese administration undertook a comprehensive maintenance project
and set up a museum of sacred art inside the three-storey bell tower. The collection includes many
religious articles of artistic value, as well as scriptures and carved wooden representations of saints.
In recent years, major international concerts held inside the church have imbued it with an even
more profound sense of culture.
St Lawrence’s Church
St Lawrence’s is one of Macao’s most famous large churches. Built in the middle of the 16th
century, it has undergone several restorations, and its present construction was completed in 1846.
Renovation work in 1979 has made its ancient structure appear even more imposing. The church’s
design is truly magnificent, with identical towers on each side: one displays a clock and the other
a copper bell to summon its congregation to Mass. The roof is constructed of Chinese tiles, while
the interior is elegantly decorated in an Oriental style.
The high altar contains a majestic figure of St Lawrence in resplendent vestments, holding the
Bible in one hand and the gridiron on which he was roasted to death in the other. The Portuguese,
great mariners and navigators, believed that St Lawrence offered protection and bestowed the gift
of the wind.
Hermitage of Our Lady of Hope
The Hermitage of Our Lady of Hope, also called St Lazarus’s Church, was Macao’s cathedral until
286

Tourism
the present one was built. It was also the first cathedral built after the establishment of the Macao
Diocese. Whenever a new bishop arrived in Macao to take up office, he first had to come to St
Lazarus’s Church to receive his crosier before he could exert his power. Consequently, this church
is especially holy among Catholics in Macao.
It was once known as the “Lepers’ Temple”, because a leprosarium was located behind it. In
January 1576, Pope Gregory XIII declared Macao a diocese and designated St Lazarus’s Church
as its cathedral. Later, the church decided that the cathedral should not be located adjacent to the
leprosarium, and so another church was built to serve as the cathedral.
The present structure of St Lazarus’s Church remains as it was in 1885. The plasterwork in front
of the church was renewed in 1957, when major renovations were also carried out. The cross in
front is constructed from granite boulders and it bears the Latin inscription, “Crux da Esperanca
Anno de 1637”, meaning “Cross of Our Lady of Hope, in the year 1637”.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral has a long history. Built in 1576, it was originally a simple wooden structure. It was
rebuilt as a large concrete church in around 1622, and was destroyed by a typhoon in 1836. Between
1844 and 1850, Catholic parishioners collected donations to rebuild the church and enlarge it to
its present size. On 14 February 1850, Bishop Jeronimo Jose da Mata in Macao administered the
Holy Sacrament in the new building for the first time.
In 1937, under the direction of Bishop Jose da Costa Nunes, the interior of the Cathedral
was redecorated. Fifteen stained glass windows were installed in the wall of the main altar. The
renovation cost 109,000 patacas and gives the Cathedral its splendid appearance today. Many major
events in the Church’s calendar centre on the Cathedral, especially during Easter. In addition to
the procession of Our Lord of Passion, a solemn parade takes place on Good Friday and special
masses are held on Easter Sunday.
The Cathedral is also called the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady. Flanking the main altar
are holy statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Fatima. Many Catholic relics and
antiques are displayed in the Bishop’s Office for the appreciation of the public.
Fortresses
Mount Fortress
Mount Fortress is located to one side of the Ruins of St Paul’s, and it is one of Macao’s major tourist
attractions. Work on its construction began in 1617, during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the
Ming Dynasty, and it was completed in 1626. Mount Fortress was originally used by the Church
to protect the clergymen of St Paul’s Church from pirate attacks. It was later turned into a military
installation. In the past, the fortress stood high above the city centre of Macao, and it was regarded
as an important part of its defensive fortifications. Huge steel cannons were placed on the four
sides of the fortress. Although these cannons have lost their military function, they have become
antiquities and witnesses to history.
Mount Fortress occupies an irregular, four-sided site covering about 8,000 square metres. Thick,
sturdy walls surround it. With its broad base and tapering upper parts, it looks like an ancient
287

Macao Yearbook 2011
European castle. Much cultural heritage and many historic structures are preserved within the
fortress. For example, the ancient fortress tower was once an office of the Society of Jesus. It was
also used as the office of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, and it has now been
rebuilt as the Museum of Macao. To the right is an old bell fashioned by a famous cannon foundry;
it was once removed to Portugal but later returned to Macao by missionary sisters. At the entrance,
a stone carving records the fort’s military successes in defending the city against invasion.
Mong Ha Fortress
Construction of Mong Ha Fortress was begun in 1849 by Governor Ferreira do Amaral,
who anticipated an enemy attack. The project was halted after the governor’s assassination.
Construction resumed in 1864, and was finally completed in 1866. The fort covers an area
of 650 square metres.
The fortress was later converted into a barracks for African Portuguese soldiers stationed in
Macao, so local people also call the hill “Black Ghost Fortress”. After the former Portuguese
administration withdrew its Macao garrison during the 1970s, the barracks were abandoned. In
the 1980s, Mong Ha Fortress was renovated and became the Government-owned Tourism School,
now known as the Institute for Tourism Studies.
St Francis Fortress
St Francis Fortress is situated in the south-eastern corner of the old Nam Van coast. It was
constructed in 1622, with two floors. There used to be a tunnel leading to the lower floor, but it
was later covered up during reclamation works. Its stone walls are 6.6 metres high and 66 metres
long. Built from enormous granite boulders, the sturdy but oft-repaired stone wall has survived
for several hundred years.
In 1584, Spanish clergymen built the St Francis Convent on the site behind the St Francis Fortress,
and the convent was later converted into a barracks. In the 20th century, after Portuguese soldiers
withdrew from Macao, the barracks became the headquarters of the security forces in charge of
the Marine Police, Public Security Police and Fire Service.
Guia Fortress
Perched on Macao’s highest hill, Guia Fortress occupies about 800 square metres. Its construction
began in 1622 and it was expanded from 1637 to 1638. In the old days, it was valued for military
purposes, because of its position overlooking the entire peninsula. It was therefore classified as a
restricted military area until 1976, when the Portuguese army left. It was then turned into a tourist
spot, and its appearance has been kept intact until now.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Guia in the fortress was built in 1622. Adjacent to the hermitage is
the 13-metre-high Guia Lighthouse. Built in 1864 and officially put into use on 24 September 1865,
it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Far East. In September 1874, it suffered storm damage. It
was later repaired and a revolving installation imported from Paris was added; it resumed service
in June 1910. With a visibility of 25 nautical miles from Macao, it has been guiding seamen ever
since. Typhoon signals are hoisted on the side of the lighthouse to warn nearby residents whenever
a typhoon approaches.
288

Tourism
Barra Fortress
Barra Fortress, also called Pousada de S. Tiago Fortress or Sai Van Fortress, was built on the site of
an old and rustic fort in 1622. It was situated at the narrow entrance of the Inner Harbour, and was
therefore a good place for monitoring nearby marine activities. Thus, it was an important fortress
for protecting the Inner Harbour of Macao. The walls of the fortress are 110 metres long and 40
metres wide, forming a platform that is three metres above sea level. There used to be a stone pond
in the middle of the fortress to store water, and an underground storehouse.
Inside the castle is a small Catholic chapel called the Chapel of St James, which was used by
soldiers in the fortress as a place of worship. In 1981, the castle was converted into a hotel, while
retaining its old characteristics.
Three Ancient Grand Temples
Macao’s famous grand temples are the A-Ma Temple, Pou Chai Buddhist Monastery and Temple, and
Lin Fong Temple. Many visitors are attracted to these temples, because of the different generations
and backgrounds they represent, and because of the gods to whom they are dedicated.
A-Ma Temple
The A-Ma Temple is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Macao. With a history dating
back over 500 years, it is the oldest of Macao’s three ancient grand temples.
Built in the Ming Dynasty, the A-Ma Temple was originally called the “A-Ma Pavilion” or
“Tin Hau (Heavenly Queen) Temple” by the local people. The entire temple consists of four main
structures: the Stone Hall, the Main Hall, the Hong Ren Hall and the Kun Iam Pavilion. Decorated
with stone lions flanking the gate and flying eaves on the roof, the ancient structure is distinguished
by its traditional Chinese cultural characteristics.
Between Hong Ren Hall and Kun Iam Pavilion, there are many stone inscriptions along the cliff
path written by celebrities, statesmen, poets and scholars and engraved in different calligraphic styles.
The A-Ma Temple is busiest during Chinese New Year and A-Ma’s Birthday on the 23rd day of
the 3rd month of the Lunar Calendar. Starting at midnight on Chinese New Year’s Eve, the temple
is crowded with faithful devotees worshipping the goddess and praying for good fortune.
Pou Chai Buddhist Monastery and Temple
Built in the late Ming Dynasty, Pou Chai Buddhist Monastery and Temple is also called Kun Iam
Tong Temple. Distinctively grand and lofty in appearance, it features three lines of buildings in
groups. The Buddhist monastery is built in the ancient Chinese architectural style of Hui Fei,
resembling ancient Chinese temples on famous mountains. The first large hall in the monastery is
dedicated to the Three Precious Buddhas, the second to the Buddha of Longevity, and the third to
Kun Iam. Besides the large halls, there are also some other buildings, such as the western hall, the
eastern hall, the backyard garden, and so forth. Such a large Buddhist temple complex is unusual
in Macao and Hong Kong.
Many collections of paintings, items of calligraphy and antiques by famous masters are housed
289

Macao Yearbook 2011
in the temple. They include the works of Gao Jianfu, a famous painter of the Ling Nan (Guangdong
and Guangxi areas) school, and his student Guan Shanyue; Chen Gongyin, who ranked among
the three great poets in Ling Nan; and the famous scholar Zhang Taiyan; as well as inscriptions by
ancient celebrities such as Mi Fu, Dong Qichang, and Liu Yong.
A granite table and four stone benches stand in the monastery’s back garden. This was the place
where the unequal Sino-American “Mong Ha Treaty” was signed. The famous Lover’s Tree is also
in the garden.
Lin Fong Temple
Built in the Ming Dynasty, Lin Fong Temple is one of the most famous temples in Macao. Formerly
named the “Tin Fei Temple”, Lin Fong is a comparatively small monastery and temple dedicated
to Tin Hau. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been expanded and renovated from time to time, and it
has gradually been expanded to its present size.
Today, the main Lin Fong temple is for worshipping Kun Iam and Tin Hau; whereas other gods
are worshipped in the Kun Iam Hall, Wu Di Hall, Ren Shou Hall, Shen Nong Hall, Yi Ling Hall,
Cang Xie Hall, Ju Yong Hall, Jin Hua Hall and Dou Mu Hall.
There is a lotus pond inside the temple compound. On summer days, when lotus blossoms and
leaves cover the entire pond, one can smell the fragrance from a distance. There is also a unique
and lifelike frieze composed of writhing divine dragons and enormous carp.
In the middle of the 19th century, Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty imperial commissioner, received
Portuguese officials in Lin Fong Temple during his temporary residence in Macao.
As well as the three ancient grand temples, there are many other old temples in Macao, such as
the Na Tcha Temple, Hong Kung Temple, Tam Kung Temple, Yeok San Buddhist Monastery, Chu
Lam Chi Buddhist Monastery, Sam Po Temple, Po Tai Buddhist Monastery, Lin Kai Temple, Pak
Tai Temple and Tin Hau Temple.
Cybernetic Fountains
Macao has a cybernetic fountain at the Nam Van Lake. The fountain comprises various spouts and
lights for fountain shows. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau schedules two musical fountain
shows and laser fountain shows on Saturdays and Sundays. More shows are staged during special
festivals, such as New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas. In
2003, with the support of the Macao Foundation, a coloured laser performance system boasting
the world’s most powerful high-luminosity projection system (10,000 lux) was installed in the
fountain in Nam Van Lake. Synchronised with the existing cybernetic fountain and laser system,
the new installations offer citizens and tourists innovative digital performance programmes with
cutting-edge technology.
Macau Tower
The Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre, which was funded and constructed by the
Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau, officially opened on 19 December 2001 as Macao’s new
signature landmark. Soaring 338 metres high, the Macau Tower was the tenth-highest freestanding
290

Tourism
tower in the world and the eighth-highest in Asia when it was completed.
The main observation level is 223 metres above the ground, and consists of four floors. Two floors
accommodate an indoor viewing deck, cafe, revolving restaurant and outdoor viewing deck. The
indoor viewing deck provides visitors with panoramic views of up to 55 kilometres. These beautiful
vistas include the whole of Macao itself, the PRD region, and the outlying islands of Hong Kong.
The multifunction convention and entertainment centre integrated with the tower also has four
floors containing exhibition and conference facilities.
A-Ma Statue
Located at the top of the Alto de Coloane, the A-Ma Statue is the tallest white marble statue of this
goddess in the world. Constructed from 120 white marble boulders and completed on 28 October
1998, it is 19.99 metres in height. The face is carved from a single white marble boulder, and the
statue weighs 500 tonnes.
International Sports and Cultural Events
Macao hosts a variety of international sports and cultural events throughout the year. These play
an important role in promoting Macao, enhancing its international profile and attracting tourists
and visitors.
Macau Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix began in 1954, and was originally an amateur sports event for Macao motor
racing fans. Today, it has become a major event for the world’s leading racing teams.
Every year in late November, over 200 world-class drivers and thousands of visitors flock to
Macao to join the world’s only street track event that includes both a formula touring car race and
a motorcycle race.
The Formula Three race of the Macau Grand Prix is the premier event, drawing 30 national
championship racers from throughout the world to compete for the honour of first prize.
Macao first hosted the Formula Three race in 1983, and it was included in the calendar
of international motor races after Ayrton Senna won the first prize on that occasion. Michael
Schumacher rapidly developed into a remarkable world champion Formula One racing driver
after winning the Macao championship in 1990. The following year, David Coulthard captured the
attention of the Formula One racing community by winning his laurels in Macao. In 1999, runnerup
Jenson Button went directly from the winner’s podium in Macao into the arena of the Formula
One championship. The race also attracts Grand Prix street track riders and motorcycle superstars,
such as Kevin Schwantz, Carl Fogarty, Didier de Radigues and Ron Haslam, all of whom regularly
compete in the event.
Macao International Marathon
The Macao International Marathon seeks to foster sports development, enhance international
friendship and promote Macao’s sports and tourism industry to the world.
291

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Macao International Marathon is held every December and is the largest track-and-field
event in Macao. The route circles the Macao peninsula and crosses to Taipa and Coloane islands,
and has a total length of 42.195 kilometres. Marathon competitors come from all over the world, and
include athletes from Macao and Hong Kong as well as famous international track-and-field stars.
Macao International Fireworks Display Contest
The Macao International Fireworks Display Contest is recognised throughout the world. It attracts
numerous prominent fireworks companies and is attended each year by large numbers of tourists
and Macao residents. The contest provides an opportunity for Macao to showcase its tourism
industry and reputation.
The first Macao International Fireworks Display Contest was held in 1989, and was contested
by just five teams, from Portugal, Japan, the mainland and Taiwan. In 1995, the contest attained
a new level of importance when the number of competing teams increased to 10, with two teams
displaying their fireworks creations each night. Over the past 22 years, the contest has become a major
annual tourism event, in which competing teams dazzle audiences with their unique manufacturing
techniques and spectacular pyrotechnics.
The Macao International Fireworks Display Contest is usually held between September and
October each year, on the seafront near the Macau Tower.
Other major sports events and cultural activities held in Macao include the FIVB World Grand
Prix, the Macao Open (Golf Tournament), the annual Macao International Dragon Boat Races,
the Macao Arts Festival in March, the Macao International Music Festival in October, and Macau
Food Festival.
Culinary Delights
Since Chinese and Western cultures coexist in Macao, it offers food that blends culinary influences
from around the world. Different cuisines can be sampled throughout the area, and tourists may
taste the regional dishes of Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan, Guangdong and Taiwan to their heart’s
content. They can also enjoy authentic cuisines from Portugal, Italy, France, Japan, India, Vietnam,
Korea, Brazil and Thailand.
Through a process of evolution, Macanese cuisine now appeals to the Oriental palate. Regarded
as one of the world’s unique cuisines, it is actually a distillation of the culinary arts of Portugal,
Africa, India, Malaysia and mainland China’s Guangdong Province. Bacalao balls, African chicken,
spicy prawns, Portuguese chicken, stewed duck with herbs, stewed knuckle with red beans, stuffed
crab shells, and grilled sardines are all celebrated delicacies in Macao.
Macao specialties also include almond cakes, egg rolls, crackers, peanut candy, chicken-shaped
pastries, dried preserved fruits and various dried meats. Tourists love to buy these snacks as gifts
for relatives and friends, or for their own enjoyment. Pastry houses and snack shops cluster along
Almeida Ribeiro Avenue to the Auto Novo Alley, Sao Paulo Road and around the old district on
Taipa island.
292

Tourism
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of
PATA Travel Mart 2010, on 15 September.
293

Tourism
Chief Executive Chui Sai On officiates at the inauguration ceremony of the
“Expo 2010 Shanghai China – Macau Week”, on 13 October.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On visits an exhibition hall of the Macao
Government Tourist Office in Lisbon, on 20 June.
294

The opening ceremony of the 10th Macau Food Festival on 5 November.
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, leads a delegation
to visit the travel carnival of Macao Week, in Taipei on 4 September.
295

Tourism
The Macao Government Tourist Office and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau
jointly hold a series of events to celebrate the Lunar New Year on 14 February.
Prior to the Macau Grand Prix taking place next day, the racing drivers participate
in a promotional event, the Macau Grand Prix Challenge, on 17 November.
296

The opening ceremony of the 22nd Macao International Fireworks Display
Contest, on 11 September.
297

Tourism
The Macao Government Tourist Office organises the Tray Race and its
awards ceremony, to celebrate World Tourism Day on 24 September.
The 22nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest on 1 October:
Italy team’s fireworks.
298

The 22nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest on 1 October:
China team’s fireworks.
299

Macao is a peaceful, safe
city with a much lower
crime rate than many other
cities around the world. Its
citizens are well housed and
adequately paid for their
work. Taking into account
the social situation and crime
trends, the Government’s
security authorities adjust,
deploy and execute relevant
measures to effectively
combat and prevent crime,
safeguard the security of
residents and their property,
and maintain social stability
and peace in accordance with
the policy guidelines.

CHAPTER 7
Public
Order

Graduation Ceremony of the Training Programme for Police Cadets (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 7
Public Order
Public Order
Macao is a peaceful, safe city with a much lower crime rate than many other cities around the
world. Its citizens are well housed and adequately paid for their work. Taking into account the
social situation and crime trends, the Government’s security authorities adjust, deploy and execute
relevant measures to effectively combat and prevent crime, safeguard the security of residents and
their property, and maintain social stability and peace in accordance with the policy guidelines.
Unitary Police Service
The Unitary Police Service was formed as part of Macao’s internal security system following the
establishment of the MSAR Government, and it began operating in October 2001. It commands
and leads the operations of the Public Security Police and Judiciary Police.
The Public Security Police and Judiciary Police come under the direct central command of the
Unitary Police Service. Through these two organisations, the Unitary Police Service ensures public
security, maintains public order and provides a peaceful environment in every area of Macao.
Its duties are to lead and coordinate the operations of the two bodies by commanding them in
the performance of their duties, coordinating all their criminal investigations, overseeing their
operations, and evaluating the results of their actions. When considered necessary, the Unitary
Police Service may intervene in police operations and directly coordinate and participate in
joint actions. By strengthening its operational capability, the Unitary Police Service enhances
its ability to combat crime, reduce crime rates, maintain public order, and ensure the safety of
people and property.
The Unitary Police Service plans and advises on operations. It consists of six subsidiary units:
the Office of the Commissioner General, the Intelligence Analysis Centre, the Operations Planning
Centre, the Administration and Finance Department, the Computer and Information Technology
Unit and the Information and Public Relations Office.
The Office of the Commissioner General is responsible for assisting the Commissioner General
in the execution of his duties. It consists of the office coordinator, adviser, Commissioner General’s
secretary and office assistant.
The Intelligence Analysis Centre is primarily responsible for collecting and analysing information.
It conducts research and makes recommendations based on important intelligence that has been
consolidated and provided by the Public Security Police and Judiciary Police. It is also responsible
for studying and designing intelligence systems, in terms of their development, application, and
management. Responding to the trend of intelligence-led policing, the centre has appointed police
affairs coordinators to maintain close contact with police authorities in neighbouring regions and
overseas. These help to sustain communications with police authorities in other regions, and make
timely use of the latest information about police operations and crimes outside Macao, in order
to ensure that the MSAR has the strongest-possible crime-fighting capability. By cooperating
with neighbouring regions, the centre can also combat cross-border crime – which has become
increasingly serious as the result of social changes – more effectively.
The Operations Planning Centre assists the Commissioner General of the Unitary Police
303

Macao Yearbook 2011
Service in planning and implementing operations. It cooperates with the Intelligence Analysis
Centre in drafting and updating public security and contingency plans, conducts research, plans
joint operations involving subsidiary police departments, and follows up and supervises the
implementation of action plans. In addition, the centre directs training programmes and joint
exercises with other police departments. It then assesses results and capabilities, and carries out
studies to make improvements.
The Administration and Finance Department is a logistics and support department responsible
for providing material and administrative assistance. Its major tasks include preparing budgets
and supervising their implementation. It is also responsible for all administrative and personnel
management matters.
The main responsibility of the Computer and Information Technology Unit is to provide
information and telecommunications technology support to the Unitary Police Service, in partnership
with the two subsidiary police departments, for the purpose of drafting information guidelines,
and studying the feasibility of developing information technology (IT) projects. The Information
and Public Relations Office is responsible for handling external relations and police ceremonial
issues. Its other tasks include releasing operational information from the Unitary Police Service,
organising activities to promote relations with the public, and coordinating with the two subsidiary
police departments to organise such publicity programmes.
Since the establishment of the Unitary Police Service, its command and leadership have enabled
the Public Security Police and Judiciary Police to cooperate more closely and effectively to prevent
and combat crime. Hence, it has greatly enhanced the ability of the police to maintain public order
and the stability of the community.
Public Security Police
The Public Security Police is primarily responsible for ensuring order in Macao. It guarantees
fundamental civil rights, personal freedoms, the rule of law, and maintenance of public order;
thereby ensuring the safety and peace of the community. The Public Security Police takes measures
to prevent crime, especially organised and serious violent crime. It also rescues and assists disaster
victims. Its officers patrol the streets and public places on a daily basis, as part of its commitment
to protecting public peace and order, especially during public gatherings, protests, ceremonies,
celebrations and performances. In addition, the Public Security Police implements road and traffic
regulations. Regulating the movement of people into and out of Macao, in order to maintain effective
immigration control, is another of its duties. Immediate action is taken in response to reports of
actual or planned criminal activities, and offenders are detained by the Public Security Police until
criminal police officers arrive to take over the case.
Affiliated units of the Public Security Police include a Directorate and Interdepartmental Board,
Resource Management Department, Information Department, Operations Department, Immigration
Department, Traffic Department, Macao City Police Department, Taipa and Coloane Islands Police
Department, Tactical Police Unit and Logistic Support and Services Division, as well as the Police
School and Police Band.
At the end of 2010, the Public Security Police comprised the following disciplined services
staff:
304

Public Order
Rank
Members
Commissioner 2
Deputy Commissioner 2
Senior Assistant Commissioner 8
Assistant Commissioner 19
Senior Superintendent 42
Superintendent 29
Chief inspector 183
Inspector 235
Sergeant 564
Senior Constable 292
Constable 2,725
Total 4,101
Note: The above table shows only the number of disciplined services staff at the Public Security Police, but
not staff assigned to other departments.
Operations Control Centre
The Operations Control Centre comes under the Operations Department of the Public Security
Police. All 999 emergency calls from residents are routed to the centre, which classifies them and
arranges for police officers to visit the scene and take action. Calls concerning fire alarms, dangerous
rescue missions, and cases of injured and sick people are connected to a three-way conference
call system that includes the caller, an officer handling 999 calls, and Fire Service personnel; and
immediate and appropriate action is taken. Emergencies are referred to the relevant police station
for appropriate action. Accidents at sea are reported to the Macao Customs Service.
The 999 emergency hotline provides an instant, convenient channel for residents to obtain
help in emergencies. To prevent abuse, the source and content of every call are recorded and can
be subsequently traced if necessary. The Operations Control Centre received 409,662 emergency
calls during 2010.
The centre also supervises traffic-monitoring systems. Video cameras installed on all sea bridges
transmit images of traffic that enable its officers to observe and control traffic flows.
The Operations Control Centre is equipped with a computer-controlled video alarm system that
can transfer video footage from crime scenes direct to the centre. This enables officials to learn
about a situation quickly, and respond to it.
305

Macao Yearbook 2011
Police Tactical Unit
The Police Tactical Unit was established in 1979, with 20 staff, and by 2010 had expanded to 630
team members.
Under the Police Tactical Unit, there are six special units – the anti-riot team, VIP and important
facility protection unit, bomb-disposal team, police dog team, inspection and security team, and
special operations team. They are responsible for the safety of important facilities, combating
criminals – especially those using firearms, and taking action when there is serious violence,
including instances of sniper attacks and hostage-taking.
Judiciary Police
The Judiciary Police is a criminal investigation police department under the supervision of the
Secretary for Security, and it specialises in crime prevention and investigation. It also assists the
judiciary and other Government departments in investigating criminal activities.
In response to rapid economic and social development, a sharp increase in the transient population
and more complex modus operandi involving high technology, aiming to prevent and combat crimes
effectively, the Judiciary Police amended its organisational and staffing structure to meet the needs
for law enforcement, ensure proactive enforcement and strengthen criminal intelligence.
At present, the subsidiary units of the Judiciary Police are the Criminal Investigation Department;
the Department for the Investigation of Gaming-related and Economic Crimes; the Intelligence and
Support Department; the Forensic Science Department; the IT and Telecommunications Management
Department; the Management and Planning Department; the Judiciary Police Training School;
Interpol Macau, China (Sub-bureau of the Chinese National Central Bureau of ICPO – Interpol);
and the Criminal Intelligence Division. During 2010, the total number of permanent staff positions
in the Judiciary Police increased from 853 to 1,356. The number of serving staff was 927.
In 2010, the Judiciary Police received 9,898 criminal cases, of which 4,081 were designated
as investigations, 2,768 were preliminary investigations, 2,766 were investigations that had been
requested and the other 283 were indictments. In the year it handled 10,047 criminal cases, of
which 4,513 were designated investigations, 2,826 were preliminary investigations, 2,425 were
investigations that had been requested, and 283 were indictments. The investigations it completed
involved: two homicides, two kidnaps, 16 illegal confinements, 25 extortion cases, 38 arson cases,
165 profiteering and loan-sharking cases, 1,655 gaming-related cases, 102 cases of drug trafficking,
132 cases of drug taking, 1,491 thefts, 152 robberies, 240 cases of passing counterfeit currency,
309 frauds and 68 phone frauds.
Criminal Investigation Department
The Criminal Investigation Department undertakes specific crime investigation duties. It is
empowered to prevent and investigate the crimes listed in Article 7 of Law No. 5/2006, including
drug trafficking and drug taking, robbery, assault and battery, theft, organised crime and other
offences liable to a maximum punishment of imprisonment for more than three years, and where
the identity of the purported offender is unknown.
The subsidiary units of the Criminal Investigation Department were the Narcotics Division,
306

Public Order
Organised Crime Division, Personal Offences Section, Property Offences Section, Robbery Offences
Section and Arson Offences Section.
Gaming-related and Economic Crimes Investigation Department
The major responsibilities of the Gaming-related and Economic Crimes Investigation Department
are to prevent and investigate illegal gambling, loan-sharking and crimes in casinos; fraud, abuse
of trust and writing bad cheques; counterfeiting of documents and money, passing counterfeit
banknotes, crimes of disobedience, false identity declarations, forging of civil identification,
possessing or passing other individuals’ identification documents and information; and money
laundering and terrorism financing.
The subsidiary units of the Gaming-related and Economic Crimes Investigation Department are
the Gaming-related Crimes Division, Economic Crimes Division, Anti-Money Laundering Division
and IT Crimes Division, of which the IT Crimes Division is a new department specialising in the
prevention and investigation of IT crimes, aiming to effectively respond to technology-related crimes.
Intelligence and Support Department
Headed by the Director of the Judiciary Police, the Intelligence and Support Department is
responsible for organising, installing, operating and maintaining the automated registration system
which handles policing and criminal information, facilitating the investigation of crimes that fall
within the scope of the Judiciary Police, and devising strategic plans for combating crime. It also
provides operational and technological support to all investigation subsidiary units, especially in
prevention of triad activities, organised crime and terrorism.
The Intelligence and Support Department was upgraded from a division to a department,
which comprises the Intelligence Consolidation Division, Operations Support Division, Technical
Investigation Division and Special Investigation Division, aiming to enhance its function of gathering
and analysing criminal intelligence, fully utilise the intelligence-based criminal investigation and
ensure proactive law enforcement.
Forensic Science Department
The Forensic Science Department is an independent technical department, and comprises the
Crime Scene Investigation Division, Forensic Division and Forensic Support Division. Its major
responsibilities are: to organise and guide crime scene investigation; to perform criminal forensic
examination, especially examination and quality management involved in physics, biology,
documentation, videos, traces, drugs and toxicology; to manage the physical evidence submitted for
examination; equipment and facilities for such purposes and forensic science files; and to conduct
research for development of forensic technology.
The IT and Telecommunications Coordination Department
The IT and Telecommunications Coordination Department is responsible for analysing,
coordinating, assessing, defining and executing all necessary IT and telecommunications system
plans required by the Judiciary Police in the execution of its duties, as well as studying from an IT
307

Macao Yearbook 2011
and telecommunications point of view, specific technology to prevent and suppress crimes. The
department is also responsible for designing, installing and maintaining all related equipment, and
providing technical assistance to the Computer Forensics Division in investigations of high-tech
crimes.
The subsidiary units of the IT and Telecommunications Coordination Department are the
Information Technology Division, Telecommunications Division and Computer Forensics Division,
of which the newly set up Computer Forensics Division is responsible for assisting in the area of
information technology and investigation of high-tech and IT-related crimes; gathering, inspecting
and analysing electronic evidence and presenting it to the court, so as to ensure the legitimacy,
independence, professionalism and authority of relevant law enforcement work.
Judiciary Police Training School
The functions of the Judiciary Police Training School are to select and train personnel for special
duties in the Judiciary Police, supervise trainees, publish promotional materials and organise
publicity programmes.
Its training programmes include induction, in-service training and promotional training for
inspectors and assistant inspectors, detectives and assistant criminologists handling criminal cases.
In 2010, the school provided 60 courses totalling 2,514 teaching hours for 3,277 staff on induction
training, in-service training, promotion-related training and joint programmes co-hosted with other
institutions.
The Judiciary Police Training School produces three regular publications: Judiciary Police
Newsletter, Criminal Investigation and the Legal System and the Judiciary Police Annual Report.
Interpol Macau, China (Sub-bureau of the Chinese National Central
Bureau of ICPO – Interpol)
The Interpol Macao, China (Sub-bureau of the Chinese National Central Bureau of ICPO – Interpol)
carries out or assists in operations in Macao at the request of overseas Interpol offices. It issues
international arrest warrants from Macao to Interpol’s headquarters in France, releases relevant
crime information, submits executable temporary detention requests in accordance with extradition
procedures in other countries, and detains or helps to detain extraditable fugitives subject to Interpol
international arrest warrants. Among its other functions are the detention of criminals or suspects
repatriated to Macao, and the provision of advice on crime prevention and reduction. In addition,
the sub-bureau exchanges materials concerning international crime, releases documents on police
matters, and establishes cooperative relations with overseas public security authorities. At the same
time, it receives, classifies, handles, issues and files documents concerning international criminals.
Service Provider and Complaints Centre
The Service Provider and Complaints Centre aims to provide a convenient channel for residents to
submit suggestions and voice complaints about members of the Judiciary Police who contravene
the law, thus helping the public to supervise the disciplined services. The centre received 504
cases in 2010: 59 crime reports, 53 complaints, four comments or suggestions, 326 enquiries, two
commendations, four cases providing criminal information and 56 cases concerning other matters.
308

Public Order
Police-Community Relations Research Group
The Police-Community Relations Research Group is responsible for collecting information about
police-community relations, and studying issues of concern. It also provides basic consultation
services about the judiciary police’s law-enforcement functions and promotes legal awareness
among the public. In addition, it encourages interaction between the police and the community
and the involvement of every citizen in law enforcement, and it strives to increase the efficiency
of law enforcement.
Youth Support Centre
The Youth Support Centre includes an inspector, several criminal investigators and one social
worker. Based on conditions in the community, it studies the characteristics and trends of juvenile
delinquency and makes relevant proposals for its prevention. The centre also develops close
relationships with schools and youth associations. It exchanges information and makes suggestions
concerning trends in juvenile offences. Over time, the centre aims to identify the causes and thwart
the spread of such illegal activities. Through lectures, seminars and other promotional programmes,
the centre educates and guides young people and helps them to develop healthy lives and values.
In 2010, the centre arranged 81 lectures on the prevention of juvenile delinquency, provided
individual counselling to 20 students, patrolled primary and secondary schools 194 times, conducted
social service outreach services on 77 occasions, and organised 38 student tours of police facilities.
These activities produced positive results in helping to prevent juvenile delinquency.
Crisis Negotiation Unit
Under the management and command of the Deputy Director responsible for criminal investigation
and operations, the Crisis Negotiation Unit is designed to alleviate crises and disputes and minimise
casualties and property losses by conducting negotiations. Members of the unit were drawn
from various investigation departments and all participate on a voluntary, part-time basis. They
become formal members of the unit after strict selection and training procedures. They also need
to participate in regular drills and training. The unit comprises three teams, members of which
are called upon to serve as negotiators in emergency situations, such as advising on instances of
suicide and hostage taking.
In 2010, the Crisis Negotiation Unit handled 12 cases of suicide and self-confinement, all of
which were satisfactorily resolved.
Crime Prevention Team for Residential Buildings
Given the increase in burglaries, robberies, drug-related crime and fraud in residential buildings,
the Judiciary Police set up the Crime Prevention Team for Residential Buildings in early 2010, so as
to understand the crime situation and collect crime evidence in a timely and proper manner, assist
in developing strategies to prevent and combat crimes, strengthen residents’ awareness of crime
prevention and jointly protect the safety of the residents by liaising directly with caretakers and
residents. Residents can call the hotline of the Crime Prevention Team for Residential Buildings
to provide crime information and give opinions.
309

Macao Yearbook 2011
Macao Public Security Forces
The Macao Public Security Forces (FSM) consists of the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau,
Public Security Police Force, Fire Service and Academy of Public Security Forces. The FSM
had 5,094 disciplined services staff and 825 clerical staff at the end of 2010. It cooperates with
the Unitary Police Service, Macao Customs Service, Judiciary Police and Macao Prison to form
Macao’s internal security system.
Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau (DSFSM)
The DSFSM was founded on 28 January 1991, with the Decree-Law No. 6/91/M. It took over
the functions of the former Public Security Forces Headquarters, and it became an administrative
department of the Macao Public Security Forces. On 29 April 2002, By-law No. 9/2002 was passed,
internally restructuring the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau, which then began to operate
within the new organisational framework.
The DSFSM is primarily responsible for providing technical and administrative support in terms
of law, personnel, logistics, financial management, telecommunications, infrastructure, organisation,
information, planning, coordination and programme standardisation. Its subsidiary units include
the Administrative Management Department, the Technical Support Department, and the Public
Relations and Historical Archive Office.
Recruitment
Recruitment of police officers and fire service officers comes under the central control of the DSFSM.
To increase the quality of police cadets, it raised the minimum academic entry requirements for
police officers and Fire Service officers to Form Three (Chinese school) or Grade Nine (Portuguese
school) levels in 1998.
Following the promulgation of Law No. 6/2002, the courses designed for police cadet recruitment
were renamed the Training Programme for FSM Police Cadets. Afterwards, under By-law No.
13/2002, the Government revised certain regulations related to the recruitment and training of
police cadets. In addition, applicants must pass a full medical examination, a physical fitness test,
a general knowledge test and a psychological test. At the end of the 11th training programme in
2010, some 208 candidates were recruited, of whom 174 chose to become police officers, and 34
to become fire service officers. At the end of the 12th training programme, 129 candidates were
recruited, of whom 105 chose to become police officers, and 24 to become fire service officers.
The following table shows details of the 2010 recruitment:
Training Programmes for
FSM Police Cadets
Number of
Applicants
Number of Students after Selection
Male Female Total
12th 2,443 111 18 129
13th 2,375 173 33 206
14th 1,104 112 2 114
310

Public Order
After passing the training programme examinations, an eligible candidate can choose to become
a police officer or a fire service officer. Also, clerical staff are recruited by the Public Security Forces
Affairs Bureau (DSFSM). After examinations and assessments, successful applicants are allocated
to various divisions of the Macao Public Security Forces (FSM).
Enquiries and Complaints
A public enquiry service was launched in conjunction with the establishment of the DSFSM. Under
the auspices of the Public Relations and Historical Archive Office, it provides services ranging
from answering enquiries about different units of FSM to hearing suggestions and complaints
from the public.
After receiving the enquiries, suggestions or complaints from members of the public, officers
analyse the issues raised, contact the relevant units to investigate the content of the enquiries or
complaints, and follow up on the investigations. The results will be reported by the DSFSM when
they become available, or the unit handling the enquiry will respond directly to the person making
the enquiry, suggestion or complaint.
In 2010, the DSFSM received 185 cases, including 18 complaints, 12 suggestions and opinions,
143 enquiries, one crime report and four commendations. A further seven cases were found to be
unrelated to the FSM. Of the 18 complaints, five concerned equipment and facilities, four concerned
police officers, three concerned traffic issues, and three concerned service procedures. Most of the
other cases were related to the environment, noise, and public health.
Disciplinary Cases
The FSM requires rigorous disciplinary compliance from all its officers. According to information
provided by the FSM, during 2010 it handled 376 disciplinary cases involving 397 people, of whom
335 were in the Public Security Police, 33 in the Fire Service, three in the DSFSM and five in the
Academy of Macao Public Security Forces. Most disciplinary actions were for minor offences.
However, five Public Security Police officers and two Fire Service officers were disciplined for
criminal offences.
Fire Service
During the mid-19th century, Macao already had an official fire service similar to the present-day one.
The Fire Service was restructured after the establishment of the Macao SAR, and its duties
and functions were redefined to better satisfy the needs of social and economic development. Its
organisation currently consists of a Command Office, Discipline Committee, Legal Advisors’
Division, Command Support Office, Resources Management Department, Personnel and Logistics
Division, Technical Support Division, Macao Operations and Ambulance Division affiliated to
the Macao Operations Department, Islands’ Operations and Ambulance Division affiliated to the
Islands’ Operations Department, Fire Service School, Services Division and Airport Division.
The Fire Service aims to protect human life and property from the threat of disasters, and to
prevent and extinguish fires. Its core functions are to assist in cases of fire, flooding, collapse of
buildings, or any other life and property-threatening situations. It also takes measures to prevent
fires and provide assistance in emergency cases involving illness or danger. The Fire Service also
311

Macao Yearbook 2011
participates in civil protection and emergency management.
At the end of 2010, the Fire Service had a staffing level of 1,173 posts, with 870 personnel in
service and 303 vacancies. It has seven fire stations on the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane
islands: the Fire Service Headquarters and Sai Van Lake Station, Central Station, Areia Preta Station,
Taipa Island Station, and Coloane Island Station, plus two stations at Macau International Airport.
The Fire Service responded to 32,848 incidents during 2010.
Appliances and Equipment
The Fire Service currently has 156 fire vehicles: 16 large water pumps, 14 fire tenders with turntable
ladders, six rescue units, three large foam and dry powder tenders, one tender equipped for high
rescues, six rescue cushion tenders, two lighting tenders, two ventilation tenders, two breathing
apparatus tenders, two command cars, 25 ambulances, two ambulance transits, two emergency
medicine support cars, one sterilised equipment transit tender, eight ambulance motorcycles, three
fire motorcycles, 14 fire/ambulance motorcycles, two hose layers, two chemical equipment tenders,
four lorries, 11 jeeps, one vehicle for mobile promotions for fire prevention, and 27 other vehicles
for general duties.
Fire Fighting
In 2010, the Fire Service handled one No. 3 alarm fire, 17 medium-sized fires, 669 small fires, and
412 miscellaneous fires. Classified by cause, 654 fire incidents were due to the careless disposal
of embers, 118 were the result of electrical short circuits, 109 were accidental false alarms, five
were deliberate false alarms, 26 were due to suspected arson and 187 were due to other causes.
Fire injured 93 people during the year.
Other Emergency and Special Services
The Fire Service provides other accident, emergency and special services, such as handling gas
leaks, emergency opening of doors and the rescue of people trapped in malfunctioning lifts, and
suicide attempts. It assists the injured in industrial and traffic accidents, removes fallen objects,
cleans roads, and deals with collapsed buildings or fallen trees, landslides and flooding. When
needed, it also provides emergency and special services to Macau International Airport. In 2010,
the Fire Service responded to 5,228 emergency calls concerning such incidents.
Ambulance Service
The Fire Service is also responsible for all emergency assistance work in Macao. Its emergency
ambulance team comprises 539 paramedics. All have completed professional courses in nursing and
possess recognised nursing qualifications. In 2010, the Fire Service responded to 26,521 emergency
requests for ambulances, and dispatched ambulances on 29,624 occasions. The ambulance service
chiefly attends to injuries caused by fire, such as burns and scalds; industrial accidents; traffic
accidents; domestic accidents; suicides; cuts or fractures caused by fighting; sudden illnesses, such
as heart attacks, epilepsy, fainting, and mental disease; and other situations where people require
emergency medical help.
312

Public Order
Fire Prevention
Articles 2 and 3 of Decree-Law No. 24/95/M stipulate that the Lands, Public Works and Transport
Bureau and other licence-issuing bodies have the authority to supervise compliance with and
full implementation of the Rules and Regulations on Fire Prevention and Safety. The relevant
authorities must request the Fire Service and other Government departments to cooperate in these
areas of their duties and authority. Under the Rules and Regulations on Fire Prevention and Safety,
the Fire Service is responsible for monitoring the design of all new buildings and fire-prevention
equipment. It also inspects older buildings and advises on improvements to fire-prevention facilities.
In addition, it examines and monitors fire-prevention measures in shopping malls, factories, catering
establishments, and various recreational and entertainment venues. It ensures the proper observance
of fire-prevention regulations and the use of fire-fighting equipment. It submits reports on the results
of its investigations and proposes follow-up processes to the relevant authorities.
In 2010, the Fire Service examined 1,713 construction plans, conducted 1,036 site inspections,
performed 872 fire-fighting-equipment tests and undertook 1,961 fire-prevention and safety patrols.
It handled 370 complaints about fire safety and awarded 48 quality certificates for fire-prevention
and fire-fighting equipment.
As most accidental fires are due to personal negligence and lack of knowledge about fire
prevention, the Fire Service produced and distributed to residents booklets and leaflets containing
fire-prevention guidelines. As part of its promotional and educational efforts, it aims to enhance
residents’ awareness of how to prevent fire accidents. In 2010, the Fire Service gave 100 lectures
to residents, organisations, hotels, factories and schools. These were attended by a total of 9,973
people. In addition, through its enquiries and complaints mechanism, the Fire Service responded
to 266 enquiries about fire prevention and safety.
Academy of Macao Public Security Forces
The Academy of Macao Public Security Forces is a bureau-level unit under the Secretary for Security,
and it is the tertiary educational institution responsible for training Macao’s senior police officers.
The academy’s core functions are to develop education, conduct research and assist society. Its
objective is to train police officers and Fire Service officers serving in different units of the FSM.
It provides enhancement programmes, refresher programmes and professional training courses for
the FSM. In addition, it organises training courses related to the promotion of FSM police officers
and Fire Service officers.
Since its establishment, the academy has produced a large number of senior local police officers
and firefighters equipped with professional knowledge, skills and capabilities for the Macao Public
Security Forces.
From 1995 to 2010, the academy trained 218 officers in its Police/Fire Service Officers’ Training
Programme. These graduates have now taken up leadership and directorate positions in different
units of the FSM. At present, 74 people (including two exchange trainees from mainland China)
are attending its ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth training programmes.
From 1991 to 2010, a total of 5,140 officers attended the Training Programme for Police Cadets
provided by the academy’s Joint Training Centre.
313

Macao Yearbook 2011
The academy attaches great importance to staff training. In line with technological advances,
social changes and the practical needs of the police forces, the academy has gradually improved
its training mechanisms to accelerate the updating of knowledge, with the aim of providing greater
learning and training opportunities for officers.
The academy organised several programmes, lectures and seminars during 2010. About 2,500
participants attended its 41 training courses.
Traffic Accidents
According to statistics provided by the Public Security Police, 13,155 traffic accidents occurred in
Macao during 2010, resulting in 5,303 injuries and 10 fatalities.
Macao Customs Service
The Macao Customs Service (Macao Customs) was officially inaugurated on 1 November 2001.
A ceremony was held on 6 November 2001 to celebrate its establishment, and the formal inauguration
of the Macao Customs Service Building. The Establishment Day of the Macao Customs Service
has been commemorated on 6 November of every year since then.
Founded in accordance with the Basic Law, Macao Customs is an independently administered
public authority. It is responsible for leading, implementing and monitoring measures related to
customs policies, as well as policing duties related to customs affairs.
The duties of Macao Customs include preventing, tackling and eliminating customs fraud. It is
also committed to curbing and stamping out unlawful trafficking. It helps to monitor external trade
activities and contributes to protecting and enhancing Macao’s international reputation. Macao
Customs also safeguards intellectual property rights, as prescribed by law. It is dedicated to fulfilling
Macao’s international obligations relating to customs matters and looking after the safety of people
and property, as set out in the security policies of Macao. It also participates in civil protection
preparedness, and special emergency operations.
Macao Customs has a Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Assistant Director-General,
Operation Management Department, Checkpoint Enforcement Department, Intellectual Property
Rights Department, Marine Enforcement Department, Information and Communication Technology
Department, Internal Affairs Office, and Finance and Administration Department.
Marine Supervision
The Macao Customs Fleet is responsible for patrolling Macao’s coastal waters. With the cooperation
of the Frontier Defence Office of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department and other
mainland China customs departments, it has strengthened its role in tackling organised illegal
immigration and smuggling activities. In 2010, the Macao Customs Fleet and customs-related units
in mainland China (such as the Frontier Defence Brigade of the Zhuhai Public Security Bureau)
conducted 55 joint operations along the coast of Macao, to ensure order and safety at sea.
The Macao Customs Fleet currently has nine patrol vessels and 23 high-speed boats.
314

Public Order
International Cooperation
Macao Customs is a member of the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The service has participated in various international operations, including: “Project Crocodile”
with the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the
Pacific to fight cigarette smuggling; “Project Sky-Hole-Patching” to combat illegal trade involving
chemicals that damage the ozone layer; the Drug Seizure Immediate Notification System for
International Airports, to aid in intercepting drug smuggling; and activities to prevent and combat
crime related to terrorism, measures against human trafficking and activities to prevent and combat
money laundering.
Handling Enquiries and Complaints
The Internal Affairs Office, which comes directly under the Director-General of Macao Customs,
is responsible for handling reports, complaints and enquiries. It offers a wide range of channels
for systematically receiving public enquiries and complaints about its performance, including a
24-hour report and complaints hotline, an enquiry hotline during office hours, email, and opinion
boxes located in relevant units and meeting rooms. During 2010, the office received 287 reports
from the public. The topics included intellectual property infringements, violation of external
trade policies, violation of marine safety regulations, illegal immigration, illegal labour, and drugrelated
activities. In all, there were 74 complaints, concerning the conduct of customs officers,
service procedures, equipment and facilities, environment and noise pollution. It also handled
3,345 enquiries. The establishment of a report and complaints mechanism will further improve
the quality of Macao Customs and staff professionalism, thus creating favourable conditions for
increasing service efficiency.
Civil Protection
Civil protection aims to prevent major loss of life and damage to property in the event of serious
accidents, natural disasters and crises. It is jointly conducted by Government departments and public
institutions, with the involvement of residents. Civil protection procedures can reduce casualties
and save lives in dangerous situations.
The Action Coordination Centre makes suggestions and deploys manpower and material resources
to coordinate and supervise a programme of measures to limit or prevent the effects of any serious
accident, disaster or other catastrophe that occurs. It takes all necessary precautions to maintain
basic services and normal living conditions for residents in the event of tropical storms or other
abnormal situations.
Civil protection will be carried out in phases, according to the nature of the disaster and the
needs it creates in terms of rescue and other requirements. If necessary, Macao can be divided
into two districts, the Macao peninsula and the islands area. Separate district action centres can be
set up to carry out or coordinate activities under the overall command of the Action Coordination
Centre headquarters.
The Public Security Forces, other Government departments, non-governmental organisations and
private-sector companies jointly participate in civil protection. They include the Civil Protection
Action Centre; Islands Area Action Centre; Fire Service; Public Security Police; Public Security
315

Macao Yearbook 2011
Forces Affairs Bureau; Academy of Macao Public Security Forces; Public Security Coordination
Office; Judiciary Police; Macao Customs; Civil Aviation Authority; Maritime Administration; Conde
S. Januario Hospital; Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Lands, Public Works and Transport
Bureau; Government Tourist Office; Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau; Government
Information Bureau; Social Welfare Bureau; Housing Bureau; Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau;
Health Bureau; Transport Bureau; Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM); Companhia de
Telecomunicacoes de Macau (CTM); Kiang Wu Hospital; Macao Water Supply Company (SAAM);
and Teledifusao de Macau (TDM).
Macao Prison
Macao Prison has a history dating back several hundred years. Located on Coloane island, the
prison, formerly called Coloane Prison, was completed and went into use in 1990. After a few
years, to meet special public security needs, construction of a Special Detention Centre located
next to the Academy of Macao Public Security Forces on Coloane island and managed by the prison
began in 1998. It was put into service in 1999, to house inmates requiring special supervision or
custody. The nearby facility, formerly called the Coloane Youth Prison, is now a section for female
inmates. The Coloane Prison was officially renamed the Macao Prison when the Macao SAR was
established on 20 December 1999.
Functions of the Prison
The prison is authorised to implement confinement and custodial sentences. It executes courtimposed
prison sentences, and punishes and disciplines inmates. It also assists in the rehabilitation
of inmates by operating prison workshops. The aim is to help inmates return to and reintegrate into
society, making reasonable use of manpower and material resources.
The prison has separate male and female sections. Each has its own sub-sections for inmates
on remand and convicted inmates.
The prison can also set up special detention zones in other locations for inmates who must be
held under absolute or limited isolation regulations and special isolation security regulations.
With the approval of authorised Government officials and in exceptional situations, the prison
can provide protective custody for certain inmates.
Prison Facilities
The prison consists of nine buildings, six of which accommodate inmates. One of the buildings,
situated next to the Academy of Macao Public Security Forces, is used to house inmates who are
under special supervision or isolation in a special detention zone. Three other buildings house the
security control room and office, workshops, classrooms and a multi-function room and clinic.
Other annexes include an administration office, a separate office building where staff handle daily
office routines and receive the public, and a security building that serves as the entrance as well
as a frontline security area.
In order to efficiently supervise and provide medical care for inmates, the Health Bureau and
the Macao Prison jointly established a custodial ward in Conde S. Januario Hospital. It is equipped
316

Public Order
with standard medical treatment facilities, and provides both outpatient and inpatient services for
inmates. It is staffed by medical personnel on a rota basis and prison guards.
To improve the quality of its services on a continuous basis, the Macao Prison Service Enquiry
Centre is established at Block A, 8/F, China Plaza, Praia Grande Avenue. The centre deals with
general enquiries, complaints by citizens, applications for visiting permits and certificates, as well
as appointments with social workers, and receiving letters and supplementary documents from
the public.
Prison Population
The prison can accommodate a maximum of 1,341 inmates. As at 31 December 2010, it held 929
inmates: 227 were on remand and 702 were convicted.
Statistics of Inmates in Macao Prison
(As at 31 December 2010)
21%
4%
11%
64%
Male Sentenced Prisoners 596 Female Sentenced Prisoners 192
Male Prisoners on Remand 106
Female Prisoners on Remand 35
Returning to Society
To implement its plan to assist inmates in returning to society, the prison provides education and
occupational training. Inmates can apply to study according to their educational level, interests
and needs.
Education
In conjunction with the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the prison provides courses for primary
317

Macao Yearbook 2011
and junior secondary-level students. Inmates can apply according to their academic qualifications
and personal interests. Following an academic placement test, arrangements are made for them
to study to meet their educational needs. Upon completing each subject and passing their exams,
inmates receive a grade report form.
In addition, inmates can apply for distance learning correspondence courses. The content of
courses is subject to examination by the prison authorities.
Vocational Training
The prison has set up a number of vocational training workshops, where professional tutors provide
guidance for inmates. Inmates may apply for training in line with their individual wishes and future
career plans. The prison authorities also evaluate their disciplinary behaviour, and their physical
and psychological health prior to making such arrangements.
The Macao Prison Fund provides the operating costs for the workshops, and all their earnings go to
the fund. The fund is mainly used to provide services that encourage inmates to become self-reliant.
To create more learning opportunities for inmates, there are 15 occupational training workshops
in the prison. They include tailoring workshops, plus workshops specialising in various fields such
as carpentry, printing, metal and hardware, handicraft, engineering maintenance, plumbing and
electrical skills, automobile maintenance, laundry, bread and cake making and other culinary skills.
In line with the requirements of social development, Macao Prison has established partnerships
with the Institute for Tourism Studies, the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre
and the Macau Library and Information Management Association to organise various training
courses that enable inmates to become certified waiters, retail sales staff, professional beauticians,
hairdressers and librarians. The programmes help them to equip themselves with professional skills,
thus paving the way for their return to society.
Examinations for Internationally Recognised Vocational
Qualifications
To help inmates return to society and offer them the chance to acquire a recognised vocational
qualification, the City and Guilds of London Institute (City & Guilds) has appointed Macao Prison as
a professional qualification examination centre for the beauty and garment-manufacturing industries.
Inmates who pass examinations receive internationally recognised Vocational Qualification
Certificates.
Assistance and Counselling for Inmate Welfare
As well as providing meals and medical care, the prison is also concerned with inmate’s psychological
and mental health. Every inmate is monitored by a social worker, and there is also a resident
counsellor to help inmates when needed. Also, if inmates have children under 16 years of age, they
can apply to join the Child Support Programme, in which they can meet their children on weekends
and Sundays. There will be social workers helping them to strengthen parent-child relationships,
such as through playing games.
Inmates are allowed to write to their family and friends. Each inmate is allowed a maximum of
318

Public Order
six visitors at one time, and a weekly one-hour visit by family members or friends at an appointed
time. Under certain conditions, with the approval of the prison authority, an inmate can contact
family members by telephone or apply for face-to-face visits. They are allowed freedom of religious
belief and may keep objects of worship approved by the prison authorities.
A complaints system and other channels exist to hear inmates’ grievances.
Public Relations
The Public Relations Division of the Macao Prison is charged with liaison with the public and media;
receiving and handling enquiries, suggestions and complaints; welcoming visiting organisations and
authorised consuls or diplomatic representatives; and organising promotion activities for the prison.
During 2010, Macao Prison was visited by 1,207 people from 46 organisations, including local
organisations and schools, as well as correctional institutions from other regions. The prison also
arranged interview sessions, during which inmates talked to visiting students, so their personal
experiences might educate young people.
Local residents can voice their concerns, suggestions and complaints through personal visits,
letters, faxes and hotlines. As for the complaints mechanism, in addition to the specially assigned
team, either the Prison Director or Deputy Director is responsible for following up on all reported
cases.
Social Rehabilitation
The Social Rehabilitation Department under the Legal Affairs Bureau has three primary
responsibilities: to provide rehabilitation services to adult inmates and to provide correctional
services to rectify the behaviour of juvenile delinquents. It attempts to help clients reintegrate
themselves into society and start new lives, and to help them get back on the right track.
Rehabilitation services include compiling pre-sentencing social reports to facilitate the courts
in passing sentences, and assisting the courts in implementing non-custodial sentences, such as
suspended sentences, probation, drug treatment and rehabilitation, and working or performing
community service in lieu of paying fines. The Social Rehabilitation Department can formulate
ancillary counselling programmes according to individual needs, which combine correction and
counselling, to help people start normal lives. The counselling and support programmes typically
include a programme focused on adaption to the new life, psychological counselling, and drug
treatment and rehabilitation services.
Correctional services for juvenile delinquents range from compiling pre-sentencing social
reports to assisting the courts in passing sentences and conducting educational programmes, such
as community service orders and probation orders. The services focus on offering appropriate
counselling and education for juvenile delinquents. The Social Rehabilitation Department makes
arrangements for young offenders to return to schools, provides occupational training for juvenile
delinquents and counselling for their family members, to help them return to normal family life.
As at 31 December 2010, the Social Rehabilitation Department had followed up on 551 cases,
of which 368 concerned adults and 183 concerned minors.
319

Macao Yearbook 2011
Cases Handled by the Social Rehabilitation Department in 2010
Adult cases
Juvenile cases
Categories of
cases
Cases
received
Cases
concluded
Cases in
progress
Categories of
cases
Cases
received
Cases
concluded
Cases in
progress
Pre-sentencing
reports
215 360 78
Pre-sentencing
reports
116 118 4
Probation 85 75 98 Reconciliation 5 6 0
Suspended
sentences
119 76 181
Imposition
of rules on
conduct
19 35 12
Community
service orders
5 8 3
Community
service orders
17 17 11
Requests for
not registering
convictions in
criminal records
6 6 - - -
Probation
orders
67 133 136
Judicial
reinstatements
38 43 1
Temporary
residence
29 35 20
Others 14 14 7 Observation 6 6 - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - Others 8 9 - - -
Total 482 582 368 Total 267 359 183
Total cases in progress 551
Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents
Operating under the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents takes in young
people who have violated the law and who have been referred by the courts. It aims to help them
resolve psychological, mood and behavioural problems, and improve their ability for independent
thinking and self-care, thereby equipping them with the life skills they need to adapt better to
society in the future.
The reformatory is divided into separate areas for boys and girls, with counsellors working
around-the-clock in each. There are also social workers, psychologists, occupational training
tutors and teachers, who support and cooperate with each other to provide continuous, planned
and relevant services.
320

Public Order
Inmates
The reformatory generally only accepts young people aged 12 to 16, but may extend its services to
them until they reach 21. There were 36 boys and seven girls in the reformatory at the end of 2010.
Academic and Occupational Training
The reformatory offers formal primary and secondary school subjects, as well as electronics and
electrical engineering courses. It can also arrange for its inmates to study at other occupational
training centres. Short-term classes on interviewing skills, explanations of emotional intelligence
and art therapy are held to enable youngsters to learn more.
Personal Counselling
Many young people experience problems relating to self-image, rational thinking, the ability to
distinguish right from wrong, and ethical values. Each receives counselling from social workers
to assist with specific problems.
Community Service Plan
In order to help young people understand society better and develop a sense of social responsibility,
the reformatory has established a number of voluntary work teams to provide social services; they
include cleaning and maintaining the homes of elderly people living alone and of people recovering
from mental illness, as well as assisting communities in holding various activities.
Family Counselling
To help inmates reconnect with their families, the reformatory also provides a family counselling
service. It rebuilds relationships between young people and their families, improves communication
between parents and children, develops a family support network and boosts the parents’ role in
education. It also gives families access to other social welfare, such as financial, housing, medical,
employment and educational assistance, to help recipients reintegrate into society.
321

Macao Yearbook 2010
Macao Yearbook 2011
322

Public Order
The Secretary for Security, Cheong Kuoc Va, attends the awards ceremony
for the 50th anniversary of the Judiciary Police, on 15 July.
323

Public Order
Public Security Police Day celebration: Outstanding officers and citizens are presented
with awards and certificates for contributions to crime fighting, on 7 March.
The Consultative Council of Public Administration Reform holds a seminar on public order
and police community relations, Effective Implementation of Traffic Law and Promotion of
Police Community Relations, on 21 June.
324

The Government launches a typhoon drill, entitled Cheng Sam, on 7 April.
The maritime administrations of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao jointly launch
a search and rescue exercise on 10 June.
325

Since its establishment, the
Macao SAR Government
has actively promoted the
development of non-tertiary
education and tertiary
education in Macao. It has
continued to enhance the 15-
year free education scheme,
and explored the formulation
of a series of policies including
the blueprint of education
development during the next
decade, and implementing
the administration directions
o f “ I m p rov i n g M a c a o
through education” and
“Strengthening Macao with
talents”. In addition, in
adherence to the principle of
diversity in tertiary education,
the Government supports
the autonomy of tertiary
institutions, and coordinates
the development of different
tertiary institutions, to
enhance the overall quality
and academic standard of
Macao education.

CHAPTER 8
EDUCATION

Macao Polytechnic Institute (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 8
Education
Education
Since its establishment, the Macao SAR Government has actively promoted the development of
non-tertiary education and tertiary education in Macao. It has continued to enhance the 15-year
free education scheme, and explored the formulation of a series of policies including the blueprint
of education development during the next decade, and implementing the administration directions
of “Improving Macao through education” and “Strengthening Macao with talents”. In addition, in
adherence to the principle of diversity in tertiary education, the Government supports the autonomy
of tertiary institutions, and coordinates the development of different tertiary institutions, to enhance
the overall quality and academic standard of Macao education.
Non-tertiary Education
Since its establishment, the Government has made every effort to put more resources into education.
Macao is the first region in Greater China to provide 15 years of free education.
Macao’s non-tertiary education includes kindergartens and primary prep schools, primary and
secondary schooling and vocational schools. There are both public and private schools in Macao,
but a majority of them are private or subsidised. Since the former Portuguese administration started
the 10-year free education scheme in 1995, private schools have been further divided into two
categories: those within the public school network, and those outside the network.
Macao does not have a universal education or examination system. In general, local schools
follow different education systems according to their needs and goals, and adopt Chinese, British
or Portuguese education systems in accordance with their missions.
The aim of the Government’s policy is to ensure diversity in education while establishing a
relatively uniform mainstream education system that can interface with those of other regions. To this
end, primary prep schools have been abolished, to avoid early childhood education becoming similar
to primary school education, and the duration of senior secondary education is fixed at three years.
According to Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) statistics, there were 78 licensed
schools in Macao during the 2010/2011 school year, 11 of which were public schools, while the
remaining 67 were private. Of the schools, 66 offered formal education only, three offered recurrent
education only, and nine offered both formal and recurrent education.
During the 2010/2011 school year, 75,525 students received non-tertiary education, while
72,364 received formal education. Of these, 10,804 (14.3 percent) attended kindergartens, 23,785
(31.5 percent) attended primary schools, 37,224 (49.3 percent) attended secondary schools, 1,507
(2 percent) received vocational skill education, and 551 (0.7 percent) were enrolled in institutions
for children with special educational needs. Some 3,161 students were receiving recurrent education,
including 227 primary school pupils (0.3 percent) and 2,934 secondary school students (3.9 percent).
Of the secondary students receiving recurrent education, 238 (0.3 percent) attended vocation schools.
There were 5,268 teachers in non-tertiary education during the 2010/2011 school year, an increase
of 5.7 percent over the 2009/2010 school year.
329

Macao Yearbook 2011
Education and Youth Affairs Bureau
The DSEJ reports to the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, and it is the Government department
responsible for developing, directing, coordinating, administering and evaluating various aspects of
non-tertiary education. It is also responsible for issues concerning young people, and for supporting
youth associations and similar organisations.
The DSEJ is responsible for implementing educational policies, developing all types of education,
providing the necessary conditions for the sound operation of local education institutions. It also
implements policies to encourage services that contribute to the cultural development of young
people and their harmonious integration into society.
Non-tertiary Education Council
To further strengthen the consultation function of the Non-tertiary Education Council and to ensure
its members are representative, the by-law Composition and Operation of the Non-tertiary Education
Council came into effect on 10 August 2010.
The Non-tertiary Education Council is a Government consultative body, and has representatives
from many sectors of the community. Through active participation, coordination, cooperation and
reviews, the members work together to promote the development of education.
In 2010, the Non-tertiary Education Council held four plenary meetings, one joint seminar
between the Non-tertiary Education Council and the Youth Affairs Council, and nine task force
meetings. Through the task force on compulsory education and the task force on private school
teaching staff, the council offered recommendations on formulating and amending education related
by-laws. It also conducted studies and made recommendations concerning the development of
non-tertiary education in the next 10 years, through the task force on the 10-year plan for Macao
non-tertiary education.
Education Development Fund
The Government established the Education Development Fund in 2007, to support and drive
programmes and projects with good development prospects in non-tertiary education. The School
Development Scheme and the Continuing Education Subsidy Scheme are two major subvention
schemes launched by the Education Development Fund.
In the 2010/2011 school year, the School Development Scheme provided subsidies amounting
to 450 million patacas to 1,737 education development projects, on issues including: curriculum
and teaching reform, improvement of student assessment, training of teaching staff, recruitment
of specialised staff, expansion of school buildings and renewal of facilities, promotion of reading,
promotion of family-school cooperation, development of vocational education, information
technology education, inclusive education, arts education and extra-curricular activities. In the
2010/2011 school year, the Education Development Fund launched the Financial Aid Scheme for
School Computer Renewal, to subsidise upgrading students’ computers in schools.
The Government launched the Continuing Education Subsidy Scheme in 2007. In cooperation
with training institutes, the scheme provides school fee subsidies for eligible students to encourage
learning and self-improvement, and to nurture the idea of lifelong learning. In the 2010/2011 school
330

Education
year, the scheme provided subsidies totalling over 14 million patacas to 2,414 training programmes
of 62 organisations, with over 28,000 participants.
Compulsory Education
Compulsory education is defined as universal education that is compulsory for all minors aged
from five to 15. Parents have an obligation to enrol minors entitled to compulsory education in
school every year. The Government and education institutions are obliged to ensure that school-age
children complete compulsory education. To strengthen the protection mechanism of compulsory
education, in 2010 the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau focused on work to amend compulsory
education by-laws.
The DSEJ operates the School Truancy Reporting Mechanism, School Places Consultation and
Arrangements, and Drop-out Students Support Services, and allocates subsidies to community
associations to fund the Campus Adaptation Programme, to provide school dropouts within the
scope of compulsory education with educational and counselling services, as well as help them
return to classes. In addition, the Identification Services Bureau issues enrolment notifications by
double registered mail, on behalf of the DSEJ, to parents or guardians of school-age children who
hold Macao resident identity cards and are entitled to compulsory education but are yet to enrol in
any school in Macao, to ensure school-age children’s right to receive education.
Free Education
Since the 2007/2008 school year, free education has been fully implemented throughout the 15-year
period of compulsory education: three years of kindergarten, six years of primary, three years of
junior secondary and three years of senior secondary schooling.
The Government increased the funding in the 2010/2011 school year by raising the free education
subsidies in every section. The subsidies for each class of senior secondary schooling, junior
secondary schooling, and primary and kindergarten schooling were raised to 840,000 patacas
(35-45 pupils per class), 730,000 patacas (35-45 pupils per class) and 540,000 patacas (25-35
pupils per class), respectively. The subsidies were between 5 percent and 5.8 percent higher than
in the 2009/2010 school year.
The Government further increased its subsidies to students attending private schools that are
not part of the free education network. It raised the subsidies for kindergarten and primary school
pupils to 11,000 patacas per head, whereas secondary school students each received an increased
subsidy of 13,000 patacas. In addition, the Government continued to offer textbook allowances in
the 2010/2011 school year to ease parents’ economic stresses. Students who are Macao residents
receiving formal education in Macao each received 1,500 patacas.
To create favourable conditions for small-class teaching, the Government has reduced the number
of pupils for each class from 35-45 pupils to 25-35 students. This began in the 2007/2008 school
year, initially covering the first year in preschool education, and was subsequently expanded to
cover other school years. In 2010, the pupil limit for the 2010/2011 school year that was originally
applicable to the first year of primary education was extended to the third year of primary education,
speeding up implementation of small-class teaching.
In the 2010/2011 school year, the class-teacher ratio in kindergartens, primary and secondary
331

Macao Yearbook 2011
schools was enhanced to not less than 1.5, 1.9, and 2.3 teachers per class, respectively. In the same
year, the teacher-student ratio in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools was enhanced to
not more than 16.7, 14.8 and 14.8 pupils per teacher, respectively.
Free Education Subsidies and Tuition Fee Subsidies
Education Level
2009/2010 School Year
Subsidy per Student
(patacas)
2010/2011 School Year
Subsidy per Student
(patacas)
Kindergarten and
Primary
510,000 per class 540,000 per class
Free
Education
Subsidies
Junior Secondary 690,000 per class 730,000 per class
Senior Secondary 800,000 per class 840,000 per class
Note:
1. If the number is smaller than the stipulated lower limit, subsidy is calculated as follows:
(subsidy amount shown above ÷ stipulated lower limit) x actual number of students.
2. In the 2010/2011 school year, if a senior secondary Form Three class has more than 45
students, then the subsidy for the 46th to the 55th student will be 10,500 patacas each;
for the 56th to the 65th, 7,000 patacas each; and for the 66th or above, no subsidy will
be offered.
Tuition
Fee
Subsidies
Education Level
Kindergarten and
Primary
2008/2009 School Year
Subsidy per Student
(patacas)
2009/2010 School Year
Subsidy per Student
(patacas)
10,000 11,000
Junior Secondary 12,000 13,000
Senior Secondary 12,000 12,000
Ten Year Plan for Non-tertiary Education (2011-2020)
To further enhance the quality of non-tertiary education, in 2010 the Government formulated a
consultation document for the Ten Year Plan for Non-tertiary Education (2011-2020), according
to the current situation of Macao education and the future needs for talents in society, through
in-depth discussions by the Non-higher Education Commission and its task force. Through public
consultation involving different sectors of society, the Government is devising the blueprint for
future development of education.
Curriculum Development
The DSEJ follows the regulations of the Fundamental Law of Non-tertiary Education, to amend
the curriculum framework and roll out the research and formulation work on the basic aptitude
332

Education
requirements in every period of education. In 2010, the DSEJ completed the consultation on the
Framework for Formal Education and continued the study and drafting of the framework for recurrent
education. It worked on formulating basic proficiency requirements for some junior secondary
school subjects. Besides, to support the implementation of the basic proficiency requirements
in kindergarten education, in 2010 the DSEJ focused on completing work including drafting the
related curriculum instructions and promoting a pilot scheme.
Vocational and Technical Education
The DSEJ supports the development of vocational education by subsidising schools that offer
courses on vocational skills, and students who are enrolled in the related courses. It also encourages
diversification of curriculums, striving to cater to society’s development needs.
During the 2010/2011 school year, 10 schools in Macao held a total of 84 classes for 40 types
of vocational skills, including tourism and conventions, translation, business administration,
information technology, sports, electrical work and elevators, social service, image design and
stage design, art and design, and music.
Education for Pupils with Special Needs
To protect the right to education, the DSEJ has provided special needs pupils with assessment and
consultation services. It also makes suitable arrangements of school places for these pupils. This
is essential for helping them to develop their talents and integrate into society.
During the 2010/2011 school year, a total of 977 pupils in Macao received special needs
education; 426 of them studied in inclusive classes, and 551 were in small special education classes
and special needs classes.
As public schools have begun grouping students by ability, the DSEJ extended this streaming
system to private schools during the 2010/2011 school year. To more comprehensively observe
the operation of special education measures including streaming, inclusive education and gifted
education, the DSEJ commissioned a tertiary institution to conduct a special assessment on special
education in the 2010/2011 school year, as an important reference for formulating the policy for
developing special education.
Life-long Learning
In 2010, the DSEJ continued to run the Continuing Education Subsidy Scheme through the Education
Development Fund. It also cooperated with training institutes and provided school fee subsidies
to promote continuing education among residents. Also, the Life-long Learning Incentive Award
Scheme has recruited 90 organisations, which provided 3,500 learning opportunities in 2010.
During the Life-long Learning Week 2010, which was joined by 30 organisations and groups,
more than 70 events were held, and 22 adult education institutes and 13 bookstores were invited
to provide discounts.
The DSEJ continued to optimise the resources and services of the libraries of its education centres
and youth centres. It fosters reading habits among citizens, by providing services including searching
for books and information, and reserving and renewing library materials in these centres, via the
333

Macao Yearbook 2011
Internet. Additionally, these centres provide inter-centre services for users checking information
and returning library materials.
The Education Development Fund also subsidises schools, so they can systematically improve
and increase their reading resources and related human resources. Also, through online reading
schemes with Chinese, Portuguese, and English materials, the DSEJ encourages students to develop
multilingual reading interests.
To provide learning opportunities to people who have passed the school age, the Government
proactively promotes recurrent education. Apart from subsidising students who receive recurrent
education in private schools, the Government also provides junior and senior secondary recurrent
education courses, both during daytime and in the evenings, to enable shift-workers to return to
school.
In 2007, the DSEJ launched the Dynamic Education and Youth television programme. Through
television and the website of Dynamic Education and Youth, students, parents, teacher and society
as a whole can acquire more information about education, fostering the aim of continuing education.
Open Campus Campaign
To promote the integration of schools and the community, and enhance the quality of the community
and demonstrate the idea of life-long learning, the Education Development Fund continues to support
and encourage schools to open their facilities for public use through the Open Campus Campaign,
so that students and citizens can share more learning resources. Some schools that join the campaign
not only open facilities for use by district residents, but also run community education activities
for residents. At present, the facilities the schools open are mainly libraries, study rooms, computer
rooms, playgrounds, sports grounds, halls, swimming pools and gymnasiums. In the 2009/2010
school year, there were 21 participating schools.
Professional Development of Teaching Staff
In 2010, the DSEJ continued to promote the building of a professional system for teachers. It
completed and promulgated the by-law Framework for Public School Teaching Staff. The legislative
procedures for the bill on the Framework for the Private School Teaching Staff System have
commenced, and work has been carried out on the supplementary regulations and projects, in order
to ensure the successful implementation of the by-law.
The Government has long been committed to promoting the professional development of teaching
staff. The Education Development Fund launched the Subvention Scheme for School-based Training,
the Subvention Scheme for Study Leaves and the Subvention Scheme for Off-the-Job Training,
to encourage schools to design and run school-based training programmes in accordance with the
development potential and characteristics of individual staff members; and create opportunities for
teachers to concentrate on professional development and academic research.
The DSEJ continued cooperating with the Ministry of Education to implement the Backbone
Teacher Training Programme and Continuing Training, and commission training institutes to
conduct professional development programmes, in order to enhance the effectiveness of teaching,
and promote sustained professional development of school teachers. Moreover, it continued a
programme inviting outstanding teachers from mainland China to Macao, to demonstrate their
334

Education
teaching skills and conduct school-based teaching research, in a bid to enhance teaching quality.
Support Services for Teachers
The DSEJ Centre of Educational Resources is open to all Macao schoolteachers and staff. It supports
teaching staff by providing them with advanced facilities and rich teaching resources. The centre
also introduces and promotes the latest teaching equipment and technologies to teaching staff, and
organises professional training and incentive programmes for professional training and curricular
design. These aim to motivate teachers to increase their professionalism and explore new methods.
To relieve teachers of the burden of administrative work, in the 2010/2011 school year the
Education Development Fund continued to support schools to recruit additional staff to promote
reading culture, school medical staff, information technology education officers, personnel to
help in extra-curricular activities and laboratory clerks. The subsidy for each full-time staffer is
set at 230,000 patacas for one school year. The subsidy for each part-time staffer is set at 115,000
patacas for one school year.
During 2010, the DSEJ published four issues of Teacher Magazine and four issues of Teacher’s
Digest in Chinese, Portuguese and English, which allowed the teaching staff to share more teaching
experience and information. To strengthen communications with teaching staff, the DSEJ established
a website – Teachers’ Corner, providing services especially for teaching staff such as personal email
accounts, forums, calendars, enquiries regarding courses and activities, and online registration.
School Inspectors
The DSEJ inspects and evaluates the teaching quality of the non-tertiary educational system, and
supervises its administration and finances to promote healthy development of schools through
school inspectors.
The Integrated Evaluation of Schools adopts a multi-pronged approach to gathering information
and opinions in order to evaluate school performances. The scheme’s evaluation cycle is seven years.
Since the pioneer scheme started in 2003 and the formal implementation of the scheme in 2006, it
had evaluated 54 schools by the end of 2010, which is 67.5 percent of all schools in Macao. Also,
in 2010, it announced two reports on the special assessments of important issues concerning Macao
schools: Natural Science Education in Macao Primary and Secondary Schools, and Visual Arts
Education in Macao. Moreover, it finished the special assessment report on Portuguese Recurrent
Education in Chinese and Portuguese Primary and Secondary Schools, and initiated special
assessments of school reading promotion and special education.
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), drawn up by the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), assesses the performance of 15-year-old school
pupils of participating countries or regions in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy once
every three years. Macao participated in the assessments in 2003, 2006 and 2009.
According to the PISA 2009 results announced in 2010, Macao provides the community with
the fairest education opportunities among all participating countries/economies.
335

Macao Yearbook 2011
Patriotic Education
The DSEJ actively promotes patriotic education – allocating resources, encouraging schools to
integrate patriotic education into lessons and school life, such as extra-curricular activities, school
culture and environment. Especially with the help of the moral and civic education curriculum, it aims
to systematically increase student’s understanding of the motherland and foster students’ patriotism.
The DSEJ continued to hold activities such as travel-study programme – Know the Motherland,
Love China; the National Defence Education Camp; National Education Course; and the Military
Summer Camp for Youngsters and Students. It also sponsored the Macau Flying Eagles Association
to hold Small Eagles Patriotic Education Camp for Form One pupils of junior secondary schools.
It aims to increase students’ knowledge of national defence and help them develop determination
and discipline.
In 2010, as the World Expo was held by Shanghai, the Education Development Fund encouraged
students to participate in the Expo through the Student Experience Activities assistance scheme. It
aimed to let students experience the success of the motherland and the cultures of various countries,
thus broadening their horizons. The financial aid totalled 7.16 million patacas, supporting 2,176
teachers and students.
In 2010, the DSEJ held various teaching staff training courses and student-teacher exchange
camps, including through organising the Patriotic Education Teacher Training Course and coorganising
the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Exchange Summer Camp – 2010 Youth Hong Kong-
Macao Tour. The DSEJ also held the 1st Macao Youth Diplomatic Knowledge Competition, to
enhance Macao students’ interest in and understanding of diplomatic knowledge. The teams winning
first place, first runner-up and second-runner up were given the chance to visit the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and talk with the ministry’s spokespersons.
Family-School Cooperation
The theme of the 2009-2011 Family-School Cooperation Scheme is ethics education and establishing
a harmonious campus. The scheme encourages families and schools to pay more attention to ethics
education, and fosters the healthy growth of the next generation.
To promote family-school cooperation, the DSEJ has systematically launched parent education
through the publication and promotion of the Parenting Education Pack. In 2010, the DSEJ
cooperated with four schools and 10 organisations offering parent education or services, organising
156 seminars, workshops and parent meetings that covered child sexual harassment prevention, sex
education at home, moral education and peer influences among adolescents. It also organised 65
teaching activities regarding the application of the Parenting Education Pack.
School Environments and Equipment
Through various subsidies, the Education Development Fund continued to motivate schools to put
emphasis on strengthening the application of information technology in schools’ teaching, perfecting
schools’ information facilities and information systems, and enhancing teachers’ and students’
competence to use information technology. The Education Development Fund also continued to
subsidise school purchases of notebook computers and application software for teachers in need,
helping them in their teaching activities.
336

Education
In the 2010/2011 school year, the Education Development Fund subsidised 58 schools to develop
information technology and 75 schools to replace students’ old computers. The subsidies totalled
over 65 million patacas.
Healthy Campus
School Health Promotion is a strategy proposed by the World Health Organization. School members
cooperate with each other to create a healthy environment favourable to living, learning and working.
To encourage schools to create eating environments and cultures that help students to grow
healthily, in 2010, the DSEJ continued the Healthy Tuck Shop Scheme, and the tuck shops of 24
schools were rated as Healthy Tuck Shops. The DSEJ joined hands with the Health Bureau in 2010 to
organise a Fruits Sharing Day, in which more than 60,000 students in 92 Macao secondary schools,
primary schools and kindergartens participated. Tips on Fruits Online Quiz was also launched.
To promote students’ health, and help them to develop a habit of regular exercise, in the 2008/2009
school year, the DSEJ invited 10 schools to implement the three-year health-related fitness scheme.
The scheme targets are from Primary One to Primary Three pupils. In the 2010/2011 school year,
about 2,800 pupils participated in the scheme.
Pupil Counselling Services
In the 2010/2011 school year, the DSEJ subsidised seven community agencies to hire counsellors to
provide students with school-based counselling services, while counsellors who provided dropout
student support services continued to follow up on school dropouts, through non-school-based
methods and making home visits.
During the 2010/2011 school year, a total of 127 school-based counsellors and six non schoolbased
counsellors offered services to students. Also, the DSEJ officially implemented the “peer
counsellors” scheme, in which counsellors received the aid of peer counsellors in organising
counselling activities, so students’ needs could be better met.
The DSEJ also continued to support the operation of the Campus Crisis Support Team, and
strived to reduce negative impact a crisis may cause. The DSEJ also supported the improvement of
the online counselling service platform, “Stand By Me”.
To help students to develop proper view of life and value judgment and help parents improve
their parenting skills and understand children’s needs, the DSEJ launched the kindergarten student
counselling support service pilot scheme in five kindergartens, starting from the 2010/2011 school
year.
Arts Education
In 2010, the DSEJ continued to organise various arts education scheme and activities including the
Secondary Students Popular Arts Education Scheme; Arts Education Snowball Programme; Campus
Music Festival; and Inter-schools Arts and Cultural Entertainment Competitions, which allow
youngsters to have more opportunities to appreciate and participate in art. Through the activities,
they can nurture their interest in arts, express their creativity and demonstrate their potential.
337

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Young Persons’ Arts Exhibition and Performance Hall of the DSEJ is an exhibition and
performance venue. It held 60 exhibitions and 87 performances in 2010; the DSEJ Centre of
Educational Resources also has an exhibition hall that held 10 exhibitions in 2010. It also provides
an online exhibition hall that allows students, teachers and educational organisations to display
their artworks.
Ethics Education
The DSEJ organised various ethics education activities and projects through its centres, community
organisations and other organisations, and continued the Caring for Growth of Youngsters subsidy
scheme, to encourage the development of activities that cultivate ethics for youngsters. Moreover, by
organising training and sharing sessions that focused on ethics education, the DSEJ was committed
to supporting teachers, counsellors, parents and other people involved with cultivating young people.
In addition, the DSEJ increased its support to the work of the Ethics Education Working Group.
Regarding the development of teaching materials: the DSEJ commissioned the People’s Education
Press in mainland China to produce Ethics and Citizens, a textbook on moral and civic education
for secondary and primary schools in Macao. The materials for primary, junior secondary schools
and some of the materials for senior secondary schools have already been published.
The DSEJ also provide ethics education activities with different themes to students, children
and adolescents. These include activities that support children and adolescents in understanding
the appropriate development of interactions between both sexes, sharing sessions that enhance the
ability of adolescents to counter adversity, and different competitions to cultivate students’ awareness
of and responsibility for community service.
Student Welfare
The Student Welfare Fund provides various subsidies to ensure that all Macao residents, especially
school-aged children, have equal opportunities to be enrolled in schools. At present, student welfare
mainly covers free healthcare and insurance. If necessary, students can also apply for tuition fee
subsidies, allowances for textbooks and stationery, and meal allowances.
In addition, to encourage students to continue to pursue tertiary education, the DSEJ supports
students in need through the Tertiary Scholarship Scheme and the Interest Subsidies for Student
Loans Scheme co-organised with banking corporations. Special scholarships are also available, to
provide subsidies to students who are admitted to world-famous institutions or specific departments
of relevant institutions.
Youth Affairs
Youth Affairs Council
The Youth Affairs Council is a consultative body that is responsible for providing professional advice
and opinions on formulating relevant policies, and evaluating the results of their implementation.
The DSEJ supports the council by providing technical, administrative and financial expertise.
In 2010, the council held three plenary meetings, one joint seminar with the Non-tertiary
Education Council and six task force meetings. The two task forces under the council, on the
338

Education
Consultation on the Holistic Development Strategies for Young People in Macao and the Studies of
Young People of Macao, implemented the recommendations in the Holistic Development Strategies
for Young People in Macao, and actively followed up on work on establishing a mechanism for
research on young people and collecting Macao Youth Indicators.
In 2010, the Youth Affairs Council launched the Youth Affairs Council Information Website, to
allow members of society to voice and learn views and information on youth affairs.
Holistic Development Strategies for Young People
To more effectively establish a social environment that allows better development opportunities for
young people through cooperation between the Government and community groups, the Holistic
Development Strategies for Young People in Macao were formulated in 2007. They include 15 work
areas and 189 directions for taking measures. Under the Youth Affairs Council, the task force on
the Consultation on the Holistic Development Strategies for Young People continued to implement
the above-mentioned policies and completed the Blueprint of Services for Anti-Social Youth. To
further plan the holistic strategies for developing young people, in 2010 the task force completed
the draft framework on Macao Youth Policy, and initiated research on the gaming sector.
In 2010, the Group on Youth Gambling Prevention continued to implement the 20 programmes
outlined in the Blueprint for Youth Services in the Gaming Sector which was completed in 2008,
organising different courses, seminars, and training sessions for adolescents, with content such as
prevention of gambling and financial management. Around 10,000 people took part in these activities.
Youth Studies
To promote the development of research on youth and follow up the work on building a mechanism
for research on youth in Macao, in 2010 the DSEJ launched the Macao Youth Research Website
and completed a study on Macao youth research mechanisms and another study on the past and
future of Macao youth research. The DSEJ also continued collecting data for the Youth Indicators
in 2010, and the work on the Social Survey of Macao Youth Indicators 2010.
Through the Subsidy Programme for Social Research on Macao Youth, the DSEJ continued to
promote the special investigations by social organisations and groups related to young people. In
2010, the DSEJ subsidised 13 organisations to conduct 14 investigations and research projects on
gaming-related problems and services among young people.
Youth Activities and Sponsorships
Apart from subsidising registered youth organisations or associations to hold activities during the
year, the DSEJ continued to run the Caring for Growth of Youngsters subsidy scheme in 2010.
Through this, 36 groups were subsidised to hold a total of 49 programmes with the theme “Positive
Life”, to prevent anti-social behaviour by youngsters. It also continued to support the groups to
organise projects on ethics education. Altogether, the groups received subsidies of about 3.8 million
patacas. In addition, in 2010 the DESJ organised a subsidy scheme, “I’ve Got Talent” , to support
youngsters or groups of youngsters, who are between the ages of 18 and 29 and do not belong to
any corporations or organisations, to organise activities.
339

Macao Yearbook 2011
The DSEJ subsidised schools to organise extra-curricular activities covering sports, arts and life
skills through the School Development Scheme. Through subsidies, it also encouraged schools to
recruit staff for leisure activities, to support the schools with helping their students to initiate and
organise leisure activities, while easing the workloads of teaching staff.
In 2010, the DSEJ held the 12th International Youth Dance Festival and continued to organise
exchange activities including the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchanges for Students and Youths
and the Macao-Beijing Student Internet Exchange Scheme. To help young people enrich their
summer vacations, the DSEJ conducted 220 cultural and recreational activities, providing some
25,000 places for participants in 2010.
School Sports, Cultural, Recreational and Popular Science Activities
The DSEJ arranges various sports, cultural, recreational and popular science activities and
competitions every year. It also sends school delegations to national and international competitions.
In 2010, the DSEJ organised the Schools Interport (Macau & HK) Sports Competition (primary
school table tennis, primary school football, and secondary school hockey). The delegation won
1st runner-up in all three competitions. The DSEJ also organised the Asian Schools Handball
(Boys) Championship 2010.
In addition, the sports delegation team took part in seven external inter-school sports competition,
winning the Schools Interport (Macau & HK) Sports Competition – Secondary School Team
Basketball, together with three gold medals in the Schools Interport (Macau & HK) Sports
Competition – Track games, and four gold medals in the Schools Interport (Macau & HK) Sports
Competition – Swimming.
Regarding activities to promote popular science, Macao delegations joined various international
or national competitions and won many prizes, including the second prize in the 10th Awarding
Program for Future Scientists.
Youth Facilities and Services
Under DSEJ’s administration, there are Cheok Van Youth Hostel, Hac Sa Youth Hostel and four
other youth centres. The Areia Preta Youth Centre, Experiential Centre for Young People, Outer
Harbour Youth Centre and Bairro do Hipodromo Youth Centre continued providing youth counselling
services and training for volunteer workers. They also organised a wide variety of activities that
help young people to grow and develop, including leisure education, art education, recreational and
sports development, promotion of the law, voluntary work, and career planning.
Through the Youth Pavilion on Expositions and Special Arts under its supervision, the DSEJ
created a platform for young people to exhibit and perform, fostering mutual learning and exchanges
between young people in arts creation. Also, the Bairro do Hipodromo Youth Centre provided night
services, to cater to the different needs of young people using the facilities.
Tertiary Education
Building on the foundation of basic education, tertiary education fosters high quality talents in
different areas for society. Its mission is also to pass on culture and knowledge, promote academic
340

Education
exchanges, develop scientific research, and serve society.
Macao only started to develop modern tertiary education some 20 years ago. Since there were
only a few tertiary education institutions in the early days, the range of programmes and disciplines
offered by these institutions were relatively limited. However, as the number of institutions increased,
and society demanded different types of expertise, the types of programmes have diversified.
Macao has 10 tertiary educational institutions. Four of them are public and six are private. During
the 2009/2010 academic year, there were 2,052 teaching staff and more than 32,000 registered
students in these institutions, which offered 300 programmes including doctorate, master’s and
bachelor’s degree programmes, higher diplomas, postgraduate certificates and diploma programmes.
In addition, overseas institutions were granted approval in 2010 to offer 31 tertiary educational
programmes.
In 2010, the Government continued the policy of improving Macao through education and
promoted the stable development of tertiary education, followed up the work on amending regulations
concerning tertiary education, and starting drafting relevant by-laws. The various institutions
made curriculum reforms, enhanced programmes and strengthened liberal studies according to
the needs of society and their own situations, striving to cultivate fully-rounded professionals for
Macao. The Government gradually improved the tertiary education database, in order to provide
more comprehensive tertiary education information for citizens. Through the close cooperation
between Guangdong and Macao, construction of the new campus of the University of Macau in
Hengqin commenced. The institutions also increased resources and launched developmental plans to
expand campus space, improve teaching facilities, enhance teaching staff quality and create a sound
environment for scientific research, thus providing better conditions for learning. Some institutions
established state key laboratories; such establishments can enhance the level of research in Macao.
The institutions further fostered the opportunities for academic and programme exchanges with
foreign institutions. Last year, the Government strengthened the links between Macao and Taiwan,
and explored the possibility of allowing Macao tertiary institutions (besides the University of
Macau) to acquire recognition of their academic qualifications in Taiwan.
The Tertiary Education Services Office
The Tertiary Education Services Office was established in 1992 under the supervision of the
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. It coordinates, monitors and develops tertiary education.
Its responsibilities are: designing tertiary education development strategies and providing relevant
proposals; assisting with the evaluation of the performance of tertiary educational institutions in
Macao; processing applications by Macao and overseas tertiary educational institutions to launch
or revise any of their programmes; promoting external exchanges and cooperation in tertiary
education; providing information and consulting services about further education; promoting student
activities between tertiary educational institutions; receiving enrolments and conducting admission
examinations for the undergraduate programmes and postgraduate research programmes of mainland
tertiary education institutions; coordinating tertiary institutions in Macao to accept enrolments from
mainland China; processing applications for postgraduate scholarships; and collecting, compiling
and publishing information about tertiary education in Macao.
Processing Applications to Launch and Revise Programmes
In 2010, the Tertiary Education Services Office processed 58 applications by Macao tertiary
341

Macao Yearbook 2011
educational institutions wishing to launch new programmes or revise old ones. It approved 35 of these
applications: five was withdrawn by the institution concerned, and 18 applications were pending at
the year-end. The office also handled 48 applications from overseas tertiary educational institutions
seeking to establish, revise or continue running programmes. A total of 31 such applications were
approved in 2010; one was rejected, three were withdrawn by the institutions concerned, and 13
were still pending by the year-end.
Promoting Exchanges and Cooperation in Tertiary Education
During 2010, the Tertiary Education Services Office continued to promote exchanges and
cooperation in tertiary education with overseas institutions. In January, it invited 41 representatives
from tertiary institutions in mainland China to Macao, to attend the Joint Exhibition of Mainland
Tertiary Education; in April, it invited Zhejiang University, Lanzhou University, Nantong University,
as well as National Chengchi University and Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan to organise student
cultural exchange tours to visit Macao and perform. In July, it organised a study tour to Shanghai
and Jiangsu Province for the faculties and students of tertiary institutions. In August, it supported
the Shanghai Municipal Government to coordinate Macao tertiary institution students to attend the
Hong Kong-Macao Shanghai World Expo Tour, and arranged for Macao students to take part in the
National Education Course in Xian. In September, it co-organised the International Conference on
Classical Poetry Studies and the Philosophy of Humanity with the Faculty of Social Sciences
and Humanities of the University of Macau. In October, teachers and students from the Jiangsu
Yangzhou University and Huaiyin Teachers’ College visited Macao by invitation.
Coordination of Student Enrolments in Programmes of Macao Tertiary
Educational Institutions Conducted on the Mainland
During 2010, with approval from the Ministry of Education, the University of Macau, Macao
Polytechnic Institute, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macau University of Science and Technology,
Asia International Open University (Macau) (now known as the City University of Macau) and Kiang
Wu Nursing College of Macau continued to recruit students from 25 provinces and municipalities
in mainland China: Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei,
Hunan, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, Shandong, Shaanxi, Henan, Yunnan,
Guizhou, Jiangxi, Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui, Jilin and Heilongjiang.
During the 2010/2011 academic year, 10,611 mainland China students applied to the above six
tertiary educational institutions in Macao. Of the 2,284 registered students, 138 students enrolled
in doctorate degree courses, 643 for master’s degree courses, 1,275 for bachelor’s degree courses
and 228 for post-secondary courses and university foundation courses.
Tertiary Education Information and Consulting Services
The office has a reference room that provides information about tertiary education around the world.
It also offers individual or group counselling services for the public, as well as telephone enquiry
and online counselling services to answer queries on further education. During 2010, it handled
550 requests for counselling and enquiries on tertiary education.
Furthermore, representatives were sent to secondary schools, where they gave 47 introductory
342

Education
talks on tertiary education to fresh graduates. It also organised the Tertiary Education Programme
Selection Workshop, and Education and Careers Seminar. To provide the public with information
about tertiary education and employment, the office staged the Mainland Tertiary Education Joint
Exhibition and the Macao Tertiary Education Institutions’ Joint Exhibition.
Student Activities at Tertiary Educational Institutions
To help tertiary students enrich their lives outside the classroom, fully realise their potential, and
develop their humanistic qualities, in 2010, the Tertiary Education Services Office organised the
Macao Tertiary Institutions Photo Competition – Love the Country, Love Macao; the 6th Writing
Competition for Students of Tertiary Education Institutions in Macao; the National Affairs Seminar;
the Macau InnoICT Business Plan Competition 2010; the visit to the camp of the People’s Liberation
Army Macau Garrison; the 8th Macao Inter-University Debating Competition – Cantonese,
Putonghua and English. It also continued to promote activities under the Student Volunteer
Programme of Macao Tertiary Institutions.
The office organised the Pan-Pearl River Delta Inter-varsity Games 2010; the Macao, Hong Kong,
and Mainland University Students Arts and Culture Exchange Show; the Inter-varsity Putonghua
Debate Contest for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao 2010; and the 1st East Asia Intervarsity
Invitational English Debate Competition, to enhance cultural exchanges between university
students in different regions. It also organised a study tour to Shanghai and Jiangsu Province for
the faculties and students of Macao’s tertiary institutions, the 2010 Guangdong-HK-Macao Youth
Cultural Exchange Tour, and the 2010 Youth Summit of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region,
held in Hong Kong.
The office subsidised the student unions of the tertiary education institutions in Macao to hold
a series of activities.
Coordinating the Admission of Macao Students to Mainland Tertiary
Institutions
The Tertiary Education Services Office is one of the bodies that process the admission of Hong
Kong, Macao and Taiwan undergraduates and postgraduates to mainland China tertiary educational
institutions. In 2010, 843 students sat the Joint Examination for Admission to Mainland Universities
during the 2010/2011 academic year. In addition, 319 students sat examinations for admission to
the 2010/2011 academic year postgraduate programmes in general tertiary educational institutions
on the mainland.
Postgraduate Scholarships
To encourage residents to further their studies, the Government opens postgraduate scholarships
to local students. The Postgraduate Scholarships Grants Committee is responsible for providing
scholarships to Macao residents, while the Tertiary Education Services Office handles the application
and disbursement procedures.
In 2010, the Postgraduate Student Scholarship Award Scheme was amended, adjusting the
number of awardees. The number of doctorate scholarships was increased to 15, and the number
of master’s degree scholarships to 45. The scholarship amount was 5,500 patacas and 4,000 patacas
343

Macao Yearbook 2011
per month, respectively. In the 2010/2011 school year, a total of 302 persons applied to the scheme.
Publications
In 2010, the Tertiary Education Services Office has published several booklets and guides. They
included Higher Education Bursaries 2010; 2011-2012 Guide to Higher Education in Macao; A
Collection of Award-wining Works in the 6th Writing Competition for Students of Higher Educational
Institutions in Macao; the 2010 Edition of Q&A on Studying in a Higher Educational Institution
in Macao; and Data About Higher Education in Macao: Numbers of Staff and Students During
the 2009/2010 Academic Year.
Tertiary Educational Institutions
University of Macau
The University of Macau is a public integrated university. Formerly a private institution named
the University of East Asia, which was established in 1981, the university was purchased by the
local government in 1988 to form the basis of a public institution. It was renamed the University of
Macau in 1991, and became Macao’s only public university. Today, the university’s faculties are as
follows: Business Administration; Education; Social Sciences and Humanities; Law; Science and
Technology; Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences; and Honours College. It has also established
two centres: the Centre for Continuing Education, and the English Language Centre.
During the 2010/2011 academic year, the University of Macau offered 36 bachelor’s degree
programmes, 45 master’s degree programmes, 29 doctorate programmes and six postgraduate
diploma programmes. It had 7,451 registered students, of whom 5,437 were taking bachelor’s
degree programmes; 1,614 were taking master’s degree programmes, 209 were taking doctorate
programmes, and 191 were taking postgraduate diploma programmes and other programmes.
A total of 397 outstanding students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree programmes by principals’
recommendations through the direct admission scheme, without sitting examinations. Of these,
204 students were awarded scholarship. Of these, 80 students were awarded the scholarship for
the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme and 124 were awarded the first-year scholarship of the
Principal’s Recommendation Scheme. The number of awardees was the highest in any school year.
The University of Macau received 4,072 applications for its bachelor’s degree programmes and
accepted 1,266 local undergraduate students, an increase of 10 percent from the previous year. The
offer acceptance rate was the highest in the last 10 years.
The University of Macau also recruits mainland China students from the 25 provinces,
municipalities and autonomous regions approved by the Ministry of Education. During the 2010/2011
academic year, it received 3,132 applications, an increase of 19 percent compared to last year, with
some 2,074 candidates (66 percent) achieving scores at or above the cut-off line for first-round
admission in the National Joint College Entrance Examination Scheme (NJCEES) - the baseline
score for enrolling in top ranking mainland China universities. Eventually, 327 talented mainland
China students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programmes. The average NJCEES score of the newly
admitted students was seven percent above the baseline score for admission to the top ranking
mainland China universities. The rate of offer acceptance was the highest in the last 10 years.
In the 2010/2011 school year, the University of Macau had a total of 431 full-time teaching
344

Education
staff: six chair professors, two adjunct professors, 39 professors, 84 associate professors and 204
assistant professors, as well as 98 lecturers and other teaching staff.
The University of Macau has achieved many commendable results in research: with the support
of the Government and the Science and Technology Development Fund, the university successfully
passed two evaluations by the Ministry of Science and Technology in November 2010, and was
authorised to establish two State Key Laboratories – the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in
Chinese Medicine, and the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI. Led by Rector
Wei Zhao and numerous other professors, the cutting-edge research project – the Basic Theory
and Design Methodology for the Internet of Things was included as a project in the National Basic
Research Program, an important step on the research and improvement of the Internet of Things
project for the university; a thesis on chip design made a new record in the world-class seminar,
International Solid-State Circuits Conference, also known as the chip Olympics. The thesis was
also awarded the Silk Road Prize, ranking the University of Macau among the top 15 research
institutions in the field.
Academically, the University of Macao has made numerous distinguished achievements, which
include formulating a new direction for the development of colleges to create a number of special
subjects of advanced quality. The university has developed Macao Studies into an important
humanities subject, so that it can become an academic feature of the university; the Vice Rector
of the University of Macau Professor Rui Martins, a specialist in microelectronics, was selected
as a fellow of the Portuguese Academy of Sciences; Assistant Professor U Seng Pan of the Faculty
of Science and Technology won the Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress of Ho Leung
Ho Lee Foundation; the head of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor C. L. Phillip
Chen, was the first serving scholar from the Greater China Region to be elected the president of
the Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMC); Professor Iu Vai Pan of the Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering became the first fellow of the American Society of Civil
Engineers in Macao.
The ceremony for commencing the main construction of the University of Macau’s new campus
was held in November 2011. It marked a new stage of the university’s new campus project. In future,
the new campus will provide the university with an enhanced space to implement its educational
goals. In terms of software coordination, the University of Macau devised enhanced education
policies including the establishment of the Honours College; the establishment of the Centre for
Further Studies and Career Counselling; the introduction of the residential college system; the
formulation of a new education mode combining four areas – professional knowledge, liberal
studies, academic studies, and social education – in order to put all-round education into practice.
The university has been piloting the residential college system and part of the liberal studies course
in the 2010/2011 school year. In the 2011/2012 school year, the university will fully implement the
residential college system and comprehensively introduce new liberal studies courses.
Macao Polytechnic Institute
Founded in September 1991, the Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) is a public and multidisciplinary
tertiary educational institution offering practically-oriented programmes. It has numerous teaching,
training and scientific research departments, including schools of Languages and Translation;
Business; Public Administration; Physical Education and Sports; Health Sciences; and Arts; it also
has the Seniors Academy; Centre of Continuing Education and Special Projects; the MPI-Bell Centre
345

Macao Yearbook 2011
of English (which includes the only IELTS International English Training and Testing Centre and
Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) in Macao); Centre of Sino-Western Cultural Studies;
Social, Economic and Public Policy Research Centre; Gaming Teaching and Research Centre; One
Country Two Systems Research Centre; the MPI-QMUL Information Systems Research Centre; and
the MPI-Melco Gaming and Entertainment Information Technology Research and Development
Centre, and the MPI-BMM Testing Center for Gaming Devices. In addition, it jointly established
the Language and Culture Research Centre of Macao with Beijing Language and Culture University
(BLCU) and the Institute of Applied Linguistics (IAL) of the Ministry of Education.
The MPI is a member of the Coordinating Council for Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP), Association
of Portuguese-speaking Universities (AULP), Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific
(AUAP), and Consortium of Continuing Education Institutions (whose leading member is the Hong
Kong Polytechnic University). It has signed several dozen agreements on collaboration projects and
transferable credits with numerous renowned universities in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong,
the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Portugal. They have also jointly conducted
seven master’s degree programmes.
The institute attaches great importance to degree education and vocational training. There were
570 full-time teaching staff, of whom 230 were academic staff, with 53 percent holding a doctorate
degree. About 3,000 students were enrolled in the school-based degree programmes, and about
20,000 students enrolled in non-degree training courses.
Institute for Tourism Studies
Officially established in August 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is a public tertiary
education institution. It has two schools: the Tourism College, and the Professional and Continuing
Education School.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, the institute offered 10 bachelor’s degree programmes.
In addition, it provided other professional diploma, certificate courses and training programmes. It
had 95 teaching staff and 1,253 registered students for its tertiary educational curricula.
Academy of Macao Public Security Forces
Established in July l988, the Academy of Macao Public Security Forces is a public tertiary education
institution under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for Security. It is responsible for training police
officers and fire service officers.
In the 2009/2010 academic year, the academy offered five bachelor’s degree programmes and a
series of vocational training courses. The school had 45 teaching staff, plus 74 registered students
for its tertiary educational curricula.
The City University of Macau
The City University of Macau was formerly known the Asia International Open University, which
was established in September 1992. Its name was changed to the City University of Macau on
1 February 2011 after a transfer of ownership in September 2010. It is a private open university
providing tertiary education. The university operates the School of Graduate Studies, School of
346

Education
Undergraduate Studies, the Open College, Portuguese School, and School of Professional Studies.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, the university offered 20 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s
degree programmes, as well as postgraduate certificate programmes. It had 237 teaching staff
(excluding the teaching staff of programmes jointly organised with other organisations), and 9,723
registered students.
University of Saint Joseph
The predecessor of the University of Saint Joseph, the Macau Inter-University Institute (IIUM), was
established in 1996 and renamed University of Saint Joseph in December 2009. It has established the
School of Arts, Letters and Sciences; the School of Intelligent Systems and Technology; the School
of Management, Leadership and Government; the School of Christian Studies and the Graduate
School. It also operates the Center for African Studies and Development, Center for Creativity
and Innovation, Center for History and Heritage Studies (CHERISH), Center for Research in the
Environmental Sciences, Saint Joseph Center for Christian Studies, and numerous other research
units.
In the 2009/2010 academic year, the institute offered 49 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degree
programmes, as well as postgraduate certificate programmes. It had 127 teaching staff and 1,319
registered students.
Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau
The Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau was formerly the Kiang Wu Nursing and Midwifery
School, and it was established in 1923. It became a private tertiary college in November 1999. The
college provides specialist training in nursing.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, the college offered three bachelor’s degree, associate’s
degree, and specialised advanced programmes in total. It had 38 teaching staff and 239 registered
students.
Macau University of Science and Technology
The Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) is a private university established in
March 2000. It was the first non-profit integrated university for training of gifted students in applied
technology established since the founding of the MSAR. The university consists of the Faculty of
Information Technology, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Management and
Administration, Faculty of International Tourism, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, and Faculty of
Health Sciences. It also includes the School of Graduate Studies, Department of General Education,
School of Continuing Studies, the Institute for Sustainable Development, Macao Institute for Applied
Research in Medicine and Health, Institute for Social and Cultural Research, and the Space Science
Institute. The University Hospital, a subsidiary of the Macau University of Science and Technology
Foundation, provides facilities for clinical teaching, scientific research and clinical practice by the
Faculty of Chinese Medicine.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, the university offered 71 doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s
degree programmes. It had 601 teaching staff and 9,364 registered students.
347

Macao Yearbook 2011
Macau Institute of Management
The Macau Institute of Management is a private tertiary education institution founded in July 2000;
its chief responsibility is to train management professionals.
The institute offered six bachelor’s degree and higher diploma programmes during the 2009/2010
academic year. It had 37 teaching staff and 496 registered students.
Macau Millennium College
The Macau Millennium College is a private tertiary education institution established in August 2001.
During the 2009/2010 academic year, the college offered two bachelor’s degree and associate
degree programmes. It had 55 teaching staff and 65 registered students.
Note: 1. The above statistics for teaching and administrative staff, students and curricula of Macao tertiary
educational institutions during the 2009/2010 academic year (excluding the University of Macau and
Macao Polytechnic Institute) were provided by the Tertiary Education Services Office. Statistics were
collected in November 2010.
2. The numbers of programmes were calculated based on the number of programmes approved by
the Government, using data from the institutions’ reports on the 2009/2010 school year.
348

Education
Chief Executive Chui Sai On presides at the 2009/2010 Graduation
Ceremony of the University of Macau, on 9 October.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the 2009/2010 Graduation Ceremony
of Macao Polytechnic Institute, on 18 September.
349

Education
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends a naming activity of a celestial body to celebrate
the 10th anniversary of Macau University of Science and Technology cum Ceremony
for the Conferment of Degrees of Doctor Honoris Causa, on 27 March.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the closing ceremony of the Sixth
Military Summer Camp for Youngsters and Students, on 17 July.
350

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends a seminar on social responsibility
among young people, on 22 October.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On visits a day care centre at the Holy House of
Mercy, on 20 May.
351

Education
Acting Chief Executive Florinda Chan and the Secretary for Social Affairs and
Culture, Cheong U, attend the Graduation Ceremony of Kiang Wu Nursing
College of Macau, on 25 September.
On 13 August, students participating in the Hong Kong and Macao student tour of
the Shanghai Expo bid farewell to the Acting Chief Executive, Florinda Chan.
352

The 20th Annual Conference of the Association of Universities
of Portuguese Language (AULP) is held in Macao.
Students from local universities and high schools visit the Taipa military
camp of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Macao Garrison on 5 July.
353

Eastern and western cultures
have co-existed in Macao
for over 400 years. A wide
variety of cultural traditions,
languages, values, religious
beliefs, and customs have
all existed side by side and
influenced one another.
Out of this melting pot, a
regional culture unique
to Macao has gradually
developed into its present
richness. Macao’s culture
is thus a diverse mixture,
with traditional Chinese
culture as its heart, and it
has assimilated Western,
particularly Portuguese,
cultural influences in perfect
harmony.

CHAPTER 9
CULTURE
AND SPORT

Dance (Photo: Fok Su Kan)

Part 2 Chapter 9
Culture and Sport
Culture and Sport
Eastern and western cultures have co-existed in Macao for over 400 years. A wide variety of
cultural traditions, languages, values, religious beliefs, and customs have all existed side by side and
influenced one another. Out of this melting pot, a regional culture unique to Macao has gradually
developed into its present richness. Macao’s culture is thus a diverse mixture, with traditional Chinese
culture as its heart, and it has assimilated Western, particularly Portuguese, cultural influences in
perfect harmony.
Following its policy of promoting Chinese culture while preserving the unique pluralistic
cultural heritage of Macao, the Government has hosted various cultural and artistic activities
invited art troupes from the mainland and overseas, as well as Macao, to perform. These have
created opportunities for audiences to learn more about the history, society, and culture of different
regions, as well as enhancing cultural exchange and the quality of cultural life of Macao’s residents.
Cultural Affairs Bureau
The Cultural Affairs Bureau was established in September 1982. It aims to maintain, preserve
and restore the cultural, historical and architectural heritage of Macao, and to develop regulations
to ensure that it remains available for the public to enjoy. The promotion of research to help the
community understand Macao’s culture and heritage better is another of its goals. In addition, the
Cultural Affairs Bureau supports the publication and distribution of local literature, the circulation
of publications, and the establishment and maintenance of libraries and archives to promote reading
and research. It encourages and subsidises cultural and artistic events, such as arts festivals, seminars
and conferences. It also promotes the teaching of music, dance and drama; and ensures the smooth
running of the Museum of Macau and publicises its collections.
The bureau is also responsible for organising cultural entertainment programmes, such as
concerts, exhibitions, seminars, music classes, dance and drama courses, the Macao Youth Music
Competition, Macao International Music Festival, Macao Arts Festival and the Macao Annual
Visual Arts Exhibition. It also provides subsidies and research bursaries to support the publication
of research and advanced studies about the arts.
Cultural and Creative Industries
In 2010, the bureau established the Department for the Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries,
to proactively promote cultural and creative industries and so boost their development – including
through promoting and exhibiting cultural and creative products; conducting studies on the cultural
and creative industries; formulating a policy framework and measures for development of cultural
and creative industries; and collecting information on local cultural and creative industries. Below
is information on exhibitions and promotions organised for the cultural and creative industries,
together with an overview of data collection for the Database on Cultural and Creative industries.
In August 2010, the bureau began collecting data from professional institutions and companies
in visual arts, design, performing arts, fashion design, pop music, publishing, film and video,
comics and animation and other related industries. By 28 February 2011, the bureau had collected
110 items of information regarding local cultural and creative organisations and their products and
357

Macao Yearbook 2011
services. At present, information in the database is used in business matching, and selecting cultural
and creative institutions and companies for participation in local and overseas activities and fairs,
to foster Macao’s culture and creativity.
The 21st Macao Arts Festival
The 21st Macao Arts Festival was held during 1-29 May. A total of 25 programmes gathered talented
performers from 20 countries and places, who gave over 70 performances.
In 2009, Cantonese opera was inscribed onto UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity. With the aim promoting and disseminating the art and culture
of Cantonese opera, this edition of the Macao Arts Festival opened with the Cantonese opera The
Red Silk Romance by the Macao General Association of Chinese Opera and Music. The Macao
Kaifong Chinese Opera Children’s Troupe also emphasised inheritance and promotion of Cantonese
opera, through its performance of the Double-Spear of Luk Man Long. Local art performance
groups including Doci Papiacam di Macau Drama Group, Hiu Kok Drama Association and the
Macao Conservatory Youth Repertory Theatre Group also created great productions receiving
wide acclaim.
International arts groups also provided splendid programmes. The uplifting, professional and
interesting Pagagnini, Heard It on the Wireless and Classic Ennio Morricone Music received high
praise. Modern dance group Abram Khan Company from the United Kingdom, a splendid street
dance by Geometronomics and dazzling dance by Ballet Rakatan from Cuba amazed dance fans.
Also notable were Concert for Babies targeting infant audiences, Visual Poems, as well as the
Black Box theatre at the Lou Kau Mansion. The creative and surprising programmes broadened
the artistic horizons of audiences of various ages.
Around 320 people participated in the six workshops and seminars. The three performances of
Outdoor Performing Arts Showcase attracted around 5,000 participants.
358
Reflecting the popularity of the festival, 82 percent of tickets were sold.
24th Macao International Music Festival
The 24th Macao International Music Festival was held between 3 October and 7 November, with
22 programmes featuring 29 performances by about a dozen of top orchestras and musicians from
around the world. Performances included Verdi’s classical opera, the exceptional Mongolia chorus,
Chinese traditional opera, Chinese pop classics, and a wide range of ensembles, chorus, electronic
pop, outdoor jazz and chamber music.
The festival’s opening performance was a concert by the Gürzenich-Orchestra Cologne,
which has a history of over 150 years. This was followed by performances of a wide range of
well-known classical music, including by Munich Chamber Orchestra (Germany), Henschel
Quartet (Germany), Slovak National Theatre Chorus (Slovakia), Ying Quartet (USA), as well as
famous artists such as pianist Yundi Li and violinist Jian Wang. They all performed brilliantly on
the star-studded stage.
As a representative of musical theatre in southern China, Cantonese opera made its debut at
the Macao International Music Festival in 2010 with The Purple Hairpin and The Moon Pavilion.
Opera was another highlight of the festival. Il Trovatore, an opera in four acts by Guiseppe

Culture and Sport
Verdi, and the Baroque opera in three acts Dido and Aeneas, specially staged in the Dom Pedro
V Theatre, provided a feast for the eyes and ears of music lovers.
During the festival, there were eight arts education activities such as pre-concert talks,
master classes and backstage visits to foster music appreciation among the general public.
The 24th Macao International Music Festival was a success, with 92 percent of tickets sold.
Macao Orchestra
The Macao Orchestra systematically promoted masterpieces from the past and present, through series
of six programmes spanning the whole concert season. During the year, the orchestra performed
in 73 concerts in front of 41,316 people.
The Macao Orchestra has been strengthening music education for young people. In 2010,
educational activities included campus concerts, and the Journey into the World of Music concert.
Also, the Chinese Lunar New Year concert for the elderly was held and cooperation with local
groups was enhanced through organising the 21st Macao Children’s Painting Competition, and
other concerts. The year’s newly introduced concert series, including “Family Concert” and “Music
in Kaleidoscope”, helped shape an integrated system for promoting classical music to different
sectors of the community.
In 2010, the Macao Orchestra toured Qingdao, Jinan, Hefei, Zhengzhou and Wuhan, and
held five successful concerts, taking the number of provinces (including municipalities and
autonomous regions) and cities it had toured to 24 and 30, respectively. The orchestra was also
invited by the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee to perform in a concert on the
closing day of the Asian Games, and was applauded by nearly 1,200 audience members. The
Macao Orchestra once again became a cultural icon of the Macao Government.
Macao Chinese Orchestra
The Macao Chinese Orchestra is a professional Chinese Orchestra under the Cultural Affairs Bureau.
Its current Musical Director and Principal Conductor, Peng Jiapeng, is a State Grade One conductor.
Currently, there are 40 musicians in the orchestra. After several years of cooperation, the standard of
their performances is rising steadily, gaining recognition and praise from the Chinese music sector.
During 2010, the orchestra gave 51 concerts and performances, attracting a total audience of
33,000 people. Besides participating in important celebration activities including the Macao Arts
Festival, Macao International Music Festival, and Celebration of the 11th Anniversary of Macao’s
Return to the Motherland, the orchestra performed to wide acclaim in the 9th China Arts
Festival, as well as the Mid-Autumn stage show and Macao Week during the Shanghai Expo.
Besides raising the standard of performance of traditional repertoires, the orchestra explores
performances of modern works by commissioning works featuring local characteristics from
outstanding composers. The works not only reflect Macao’s cultural characteristics, but also enrich
the wealth of Chinese musical works, which is an important contribution to promoting Macao’s
image and expanding Macao’s influence.
Macao Youth Music Competition
The annual Macao Youth Music Competition, which is organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, aims
359

Macao Yearbook 2011
to promote the development of culture and art in Macao, and to enhance the musical accomplishments
and performing abilities of young local musicians. In addition to the first three prizes, certificates
of merit and certificates of competence for each category, the bureau also presents the Cultural
Affairs Bureau Prize, the Talent Prize and the Best Ensemble Performance Prize. Prominent prize
winners are invited to perform in the Awards Ceremony and Winners’ Gala Concert, as a reward
for their efforts and talents. This lays a good foundation to nurture outstanding future musicians.
The 28th Macao Youth Music Competition was held from 20 June to 12 July. A total of 57
competitions were held, encompassing Chinese, Western and vocal music. A total of 989 people
took part in the competitions. In all, there were 3,500 audience members.
Visual Arts Exhibition
Macao’s base for visual arts exhibitions and education, Tap Seac Gallery, held the following
exhibitions and activities in 2010: Ancient Silk Road – Miao Chongan’s Landscape Paintings;
Playful Clay - Ceramics Exhibition of Zheng Yukui and Song Xiaoling; 2010 Macao Annual
Art Exhibition; Five Artists’ Exhibition of Chinese Characters (Macao); and Mi-lou (a-Maze)
– interactive new media by Wu Darkuen. The gallery also coordinated local artists’ participation
in the 2010 Hong Kong and Macao Visual Arts Exhibition, which was organised by the Beijing
World Art Museum in June 2010. To promote arts development and arts education in Macao,
the Tap Seac Gallery held arts workshops in tandem with the exhibitions in Macao, for public
participation and education.
Cultural Information Platform
The website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (www.icm.gov.mo) aims to provide cultural services
information regarding cultural activities, performances, exhibitions, heritage protection, promotion
of arts education, and academic research. There are affiliated websites for cultural facilities including
the Macao Central Library, Macao Historical Archives, Macao Conservatory, Museum of Macau,
and the Tap Seac Gallery. It also provides detailed information on cultural events including the
Macao Arts Festival and the Macao International Music Festival. In 2010, the website received
2,834,949 visits.
Macao Heritage Net (www.macauheritage.net) and Macao Art Net (www.macauart.net) are
two of Macao’s most important cultural information platforms. Macao Heritage Net reports on
the latest progress in cultural heritage conservation, and provides an easy way to search for and
download information about local and world heritage. The website serves both promotional and
educational purposes. Besides, to help visitors and citizens to understand World Heritage sites in
Macao, the website includes Macao World Heritage (www.wh.mo) as an affiliated website and
the Exploring the Historic Centre of Macao route guide for PDA, as well as a virtual webpage that
displays information on and images of the sites of the Historic Centre of Macao. The site received
633,543 visits in 2010.
Macao Art Net gathers information about art and literature in Macao and nearby regions. It also
offers a Chinese-language web-hosting service to local art organisations and the community, thereby
expanding Macao’s arts online database. It has also become Macao’s partner websites for the cultural
cooperation project between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, PRD Cultural Information Net
(www.prdculture.org). In 2007, it launched a column titled “Artist of the Month”. Every month,
an interview with a local veteran artist and his or her works are featured on the website. This will
360

Culture and Sport
bring artists closer to the people, and offer a public channel for learning more about local artists.
The site received 829,579 visits in 2010.
Macao Conservatory
A subsidiary of the Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Macao Conservatory comprises a
School of Dance, School of Music, and School of Drama. It is a local education institute that trains
competent professionals in the performing arts, and strives to discover and nurture local performing
arts talents. Additionally, the conservatory offers the public a range of training courses in various
performing arts disciplines. It regularly organises various kinds of dance performances, concerts
and drama performances, to offer its students opportunities to display their skills and gain stage
experience. It currently has over 2,000 students and over 120 teachers.
The School of Dance is a formal arts school that offers career-oriented education. It co-launched
the full-time course in classical dance techniques in collaboration with the Shanghai Dance School, to
foster knowledge and creativity in local dance talent. It offers students comprehensive and systematic
professional dance training, as well as cultural courses equivalent to junior secondary and senior
secondary education. Additionally, the school provides general training courses in Chinese dance
and ballet to primary and secondary students, and a two-year introductory dance course to preschool
children. To offer students diverse training in dance, the school has broadened its curricula
by adding Chinese Dance Course for Youth, Modern Dance Course for Youth and Adults, Latin
Dance Course for Children and Youth, and Jazz Dance Course for Youth and Adults.
The School of Music is a formal arts school that offers career-oriented education. It is Macao’s
largest music education institute in terms of disciplines and numbers of professional teachers and
students. It co-launched the course in music techniques in collaboration with music schools such
as the Middle School of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, offering systematic and
professional music education to those who wish to enter the music profession. The school also
provides students with a systematic and comprehensive basic education and popular education
in music. Students can choose from courses in Chinese or western music, with major and minor
studies. The school has also formed a concerto group, an ensemble group, a choir and a student
chamber orchestra to enhance students’ abilities to play in ensembles and nurture their teamwork.
The School of Drama is the only formal school in Macao offering basic training in stage
performing arts. Through systematic, standardised and extended training, the School of Drama
offers various drama courses to discover and nurture local performing talents, and to promote
artistic appreciation among the public. Its programmes for the academic year encompass Theatre
for Children, Theatre for the Young, Presentation, Playwriting and Directing, and Introduction to
Drama, providing its students with a comprehensive arts education in drama. Every year, the school
stages several performances at schools, for practice, and large open activities, in a bid to facilitate
students’ learning in situ. To provide a more professional drama education, the school established
the Macao Conservatory Youth Repertory Theatre Group in 2009. This integrates teaching, learning
and acting to provide continuous and regular training throughout the year. It also produces a variety
of performances, to comprehensively assess students’ performing abilities.
Throughout the year, the Macao Conservatory invites leading experts and scholars from around
the world to conduct thematic lectures, workshops, short courses and master classes to broaden the
insights and vision of its students, whilst providing artists and art lovers with opportunities to have
close contact with the experts and enhance self-learning and improvements.
361

Macao Yearbook 2011
Protection of Architecture, Scenic Spots and Cultural Heritage
To safeguard Macao’s heritage and enable it to shine in all its unique glory, Decree-Laws Nos.
56/84/M and 83/92/M, were passed and gazetted in 1984 and 1992, respectively. These specify
that all buildings of historical significance or artistic value must be renovated in accordance with
officially approved plans. Macao currently has 128 such heritage sites, which are classified into
five categories: Monuments, Buildings of Architectural Interest, Classified Complexes, Classified
Sites and Protected Areas. They are distributed across the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane.
Various conservation measures have been formulated for each category. The Government sets great
store by the significance of Macao’s architectural heritage. It has established clear policies on the
protection, renovation, restoration, and compilation of a list of heritage sites in Macao, all of which
are characterised by unique multicultural diversity and harmony.
Protecting cultural heritage has always been one of the priorities of the Government. In 2005,
the Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed on the World Heritage List, further advancing heritage
protection work in Macao. In 2006, through Executive Order No. 202/2006, the area of heritage
protection was further expanded.
Intangible cultural heritage
In recent years, the conservation of intangible cultural heritage has been a subject of worldwide
concern. The Convention on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage came into effect in
Macao in September 2006. During the same year, Cantonese Opera and Chinese herbal tea have
already been added to the state intangible cultural heritage inventory, through a joint application
by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. In 2008, thanks to a joint application by the Museum of
Macau under the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the local religious figure carving industry, on 14 June
Wood carving - Macao’s religious figure carving was successfully added to the second inventory
of the state intangible cultural heritage, marking the first successful independent application by
Macao regarding the listing of state-class heritage. In 2009, the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the
Museum of Macau made further applications to put Naamyam (Cantonese narrative songs), Taoist
ritual music in Macao, and Feast of the Drunken Dragon on the list of state intangible cultural
heritage. On 30 September 2009, Cantonese Opera was officially inscribed onto the UNESCO
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a result of a joint application
by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
Research Bursaries
To promote academic research, the Cultural Affairs Bureau released the revised Academic Research
Grant Regulations in 2006. Based on the experiences gained through 13 previous Academic
Research Scholarship Schemes, this revision was a further step in enhancing the incentive system
to encourage Macao studies.
Academic Research Grant Regulations aim to encourage forward-looking and innovative research
projects conducive to the understanding of Macao, and of the relationship between Macao and
other regions in the humanities field. The bursary for each project has been increased, varying from
110,000 patacas to 180,000 patacas. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year.
From 2006 till the end of 2010, 28 people received the bursaries.
362

Culture and Sport
Macao Central Library
Founded in 1895, the Macao Central Library is under the Cultural Affairs Bureau. It comprises
the Macao Central Library (main branch), Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, Library of the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau Building, Ilha Verde Library, Mong Ha Library, Coloane Library and
mobile libraries. Currently the largest public library network in Macao, it houses a collection of
740,000 books and 35,000 multimedia items.
The mission of the Macao Central Library is to preserve historic legacy, disseminate culture,
advocate lifelong learning and reading among the public, pass down knowledge and promote
quality life. It is responsible for encouraging reading, making knowledge accessible, promoting the
development of information technology and assisting readers in applying it, managing and allocating
Macao’s ISBN, enforcing the decree-law of legal deposit, collecting and organising Macao’s legal
deposit, and preserving Macao’s historical records.
Its main services include: lending book materials, providing current and back issues of newspapers
and periodicals, advising readers on Macao information, access to broadband Internet, making
microfilms, on-line newspaper clippings, and e-resources database, and photocopying of materials.
Publishers can apply for an ISBN, ISSN or International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) through
the ISBN Centre in the library.
To highlight the many facets of Macao’s libraries and promote the use of their resources for
educational purposes, every year the central library hosts a range of activities that encourage reading
and on how to use library services. It also receives group visits.
Regarding interlibrary cooperation: the Macao Central Library held academic meetings and
exchange visits relating to book information, library management, regulations and construction
with its mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas counterparts.
Macao Central Library (Main Branch)
Located on Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida Avenue, the main branch of the Macao Central Library
is housed in a 1,371-square-metre residential-type building in the neoclassical style of the early
20th century. It has a seating capacity of 256, stocks about 253,439 books (including 33,000 books
on Macao), and provides 77 newspaper titles and 651 periodical titles. In 2010, the library received
494,341 visits, and lent a total of 271,116 items on 109,659 occasions. In July 2010, its opening
hours were formally extended to 10.00am to 8.00pm.
Sir Robert Ho Tung Library
Steeped in history and culture, the three-storey complex of Sir Robert Ho Tung Library is an
important example of the blend of Chinese and Western architecture. After Sir Robert’s death in
1955 in Hong Kong, his family, in accordance with his will, presented the mansion at St Augustine
Square (Largo de Santo Agostinho) to the former Portuguese administration, together with a donation
of HK$25,000 for the purchase of books to establish this Chinese public library.
The library was officially opened in 1958. A collection of 5,000 ancient Chinese books is kept
in Sir Robert Ho Tung’s Study on the second floor. It includes literary and historical classics from
the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, and 16 precious books of the Jiayetang Library collected
363

Macao Yearbook 2011
by the famous present-day bibliophile, Liu Chenggan.
To enlarge the space for collection and reading, the Cultural Affairs Bureau launched an expansion
project by the backyard of Sir Robert Ho Tung Library. It opened to the public in 2006. Covering a
total area of 2,323 square metres, the four-storey new building has a children’s room, a multimedia
room, indoor and outdoor reading zones, and stacks.
The library covers an area of 3,195 square metres, with a seating capacity of 554. It has a
collection of approximately 103,442 books, 4,799 items of multimedia audiovisual materials, 54
newspaper titles and 531 periodical titles. During 2010, the library received 325,922 visits, lent a
total of 116,607 items on 46,728 occasions, and recorded 30,756 uses of wireless internet broadband
service. In July 2010, its opening hours were formally extended to 10.00am to 7.00pm from Monday
to Saturday, and 11.00am to 7.00pm on Sunday.
Library of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Building
The Library of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Building is housed in the same building as
the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; and it is richly decorated in a style similar to the Library
of Mafra Convent in Portugal (Biblioteca do Convento de Mafra). Situated on Almeida Ribeiro
Avenue, the library is profusely adorned and furnished in a classical fashion. Opened in 1929, it
was originally called the Central Library of Macao. It is also home to the most valuable collection
of books and documents among local libraries. This mainly comprises foreign-language books
published between the 17th century and the 1950s, some of them being precious items. Covering
an area of 454.9 square metres, it has a seating capacity of 12, a collection of about 20,000 books,
43 titles of bound back-issue Portuguese newspapers, and 26 current newspaper titles. In 2010,
the library received 36,061 visits and recorded 1,967 uses of wireless internet broadband services.
Ilha Verde Library
Ilha Verde Library is located on the fourth floor of May Fair Garden, Ilha Verde. Since its opening
in 1995, it has become a cultural, educational, information and leisure hub for residents of the
district. It accommodates a Children’s Reading Area, General Reading Area, Multimedia Room
and a seating capacity of 82. Covering an area of 482 square metres, the library has approximately
64,770 books, 4,434 items of multimedia audiovisual materials, 57 newspaper titles and 354
periodical titles. During 2010, it received 167,133 visits, lent a total of 79,138 items on 31,825
occasions, and recorded 16,948 uses of wireless internet broadband services. In July 2010, the
library’s opening hours were formally extended to 10.00am to 8.00pm from Monday to Saturday,
and 12.00 noon to 8.00pm on Sunday.
Mong Ha Library
Opened in 1988, the three-storey Mong Ha Library is situated in Mong Ha Estate. The Children’s
Reading Room is on the ground floor, and the Newspapers and Periodicals Section is on the second;
while the third floor is the General Reading Room and Multimedia Section. Covering an area of
306 square metres, it has a seating capacity of 106, and a collection of about 20,814 books, 48
newspaper titles and 165 periodical titles. During 2010, the library received 107,872 visits, lent a
total of 38,320 items on 13,895 occasions, and recorded 8,141 uses of wireless internet broadband
services.
364

Culture and Sport
Coloane Library
Built in 1911, Coloane Library is housed in a simple yet elegant Portuguese-style building on
5 de Outubro Avenue, Coloane. Formerly a public primary school, it was converted into a library
in 1983. Covering an area of 170 square metres, it has a seating capacity of 21, and a collection of
about 7,650 books, 17 newspaper titles and 52 periodical titles. During 2010, the library received
22,296 visits, lent a total of 2,455 items on 898 occasions, and recorded 750 uses of wireless
internet broadband services.
Mobile Libraries
The mobile library service was introduced in 1986. The library vans have a collection of 2,997
books. From Monday to Saturday, they stop at service points in different districts, and chiefly offer
a lending service and process reader card applications. During 2010, they received 8,370 visits,
and lent a total of 22,295 items on 8,517 occasions.
Libraries Managed by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau manages a number of libraries, including Wong Ieng Kuan
Public Libraries located in Dr Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park, Luis de Camoes Garden, Areia Preta
Urban Park and in Taipa, as well as Ho Yin Park Library and Ha Van Library.
These libraries purchase books and periodicals according to the needs of the people living in
their districts. They also regularly host storytelling, thematic lectures, film sessions, and reading
camps, transforming them into bustling hubs of community activities.
In 2010, the libraries managed by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau organised 611 activities
to promote reading, attracting 20,857 participants. During the year, the six community libraries
under the bureau received 858,722 visits.
The Wong Ieng Kuan Public Library in Dr Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park is located in Dr Sun Yat
Sen Municipal Park (the Canal dos Patos Park). It was built with a donation by Wong Ieng Kuan, a
Peruvian Chinese. Opened on 26 April 1996, the floor area of the two-storey library is 212 square
metres. The upper floor is a reading room and the lower floor is a children’s room. The library
provides 80 seats and 5,400 books.
The Wong Ieng Kuan Public Library in Luis de Camoes Garden was also built with a donation
by Wong Ieng Kuan. It was opened in November 1999 in Luis de Camoes Garden. The floor area
of the two-storey library is 675 square metres. The lower floor is a book, newspaper and periodicals
reading area which provides 80 seats, 18,000 books mainly related to literature and art, and over
100 periodicals. The upper floor is the children’s room.
The Wong Ieng Kuan Public Library in Areia Preta Urban Park is located in Areia Preta Urban
Park. It is the third library that was built with a donation from the Wong Ieng Kuan Foundation.
Opened on 15 November 2004, the library has a total floor area of 220 square metres, comprising a
reading room and a children’s room with 80 seats, with an inventory of 10,000 books. The children’s
library is well developed, with an inventory of about 2,000 children’s books.
The Ho Yin Park Library is located in Ho Yin Park in the Outer Harbour. To coordinate with
the reclamation project at the Outer Harbour area in 2005, it had to be rebuilt and was closed until
365

Macao Yearbook 2011
10 February 2009. The two-storey library has a total floor area of 368 square metres. The first floor
comprises the newspaper reading area and the multimedia area, and the second floor is a general
reading room. It has 10,000 books and 80 seats for readers.
The Wong Ieng Kuan Public Library in Taipa is situated on the second and third floor of Hei
Loi Tang Plaza in Taipa. Opened on 31 January 2005, it is the fourth library to be built with a
donation from the Wong Ieng Kuan Foundation. The second floor is an activity centre of 660 square
metres for different purposes, including reading newspapers, periodicals and self-study. Movable
partitions can be used to divide the centre into several rooms for talks, film appreciation, courses
and recreational classes. On the second floor, there is also a children’s reading room with a capacity
of 60 people providing more than 3,000 books for children under 12 years old, and parents who
read with their children. With a floor area of 420 square metres, the third floor comprises a small
exhibition area, multimedia room with a capacity of 18 people, 60 seats in the book reading area
and an inventory of 16,000 books.
The S. Lourenco Library is a community library built in response to the S. Lourenco Market
Reconstruction Plan. It aims to provide the area’s citizens with a site for leisure and life-long
learning. With a total area of 1,245 square metres, the library is on the third floor of the S. Lourenco
Market. It is the largest community library under the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. The
library comprises a multimedia room, a children’s reading room, an activity room and a newspaper
reading room. With a collection of 16,000 books, the library provides 120 seats for readers. The
activity room can accommodate 50 people.
Macao has many other smaller libraries, including the octagonal Chinese Library. In addition,
various Government departments and tertiary educational institutions have their own libraries.
Each of them contributes to the ever-expanding supply of books available to the people of Macao.
Macao Historical Archives
The General Archives of Macao was established in 1952 and renamed as Macao Historical Archives
in 1979. It is responsible for collecting, organising and preserving archival materials of making
them accessible. To fulfil these responsibilities, its internal management is divided into document
management, document restoration, microfilming, and reader services. According to the Archives
Law of the MSAR, Macao Historical Archives is responsible for collecting the documents of public
institutions. To protect Macao’s cultural heritage, it makes every effort to work with public bodies to
relocate their historical documents to the archives for permanent preservation. A microfilm format
has been adopted for its extensive collection of Macao-related historic documents from archives
and libraries worldwide.
Local or overseas readers are welcome to consult the historic documents by using the library’s
catalogues and lists of the archives in the reading rooms. Except for those subject to restrictions due
to the need for preservation, and materials under a statutory embargo, all the items in the archives
are accessible to the public. The archives now provide online search and reader registration services.
Tap Seac Gallery
The Tap Seac Gallery is the base of visual arts exhibition and arts education in Macao. Located
at No. 95, Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida Avenue, the gallery was opened on 5 December 2003.
Built in the 1920s and divided into two blocks, this two-storey building was originally a typical
366

Culture and Sport
residence of one of Macao’s elite families. The two blocks join into one after reconstruction. The
ground floor has been converted into a 400-square-metre exhibition venue. The front part forms
the main exhibition area, while the rear is ideal for holding exhibitions, seminars and lectures.
The gallery and its peripheral buildings were all constructed during the same period. Together,
they form a unique cluster of historic monuments in the Tap Seac area, one of Macao’s designated
heritage sites. The Cultural Affairs Bureau uses the gallery as a venue for visual arts exhibitions
and other cultural activities. During the year, the gallery received 37,014 visits.
Handover Gifts Museum of Macau
The Handover Gifts Museum of Macau is situated next to the Macao Museum of Art, which is
an integral part of the Macao Cultural Centre on Xian Xing Hai Avenue in the Outer Harbour
Reclamation Area (NAPE). This was the site of the temporary venue where the Macao Handover
Ceremony was conducted by the Chinese and Portuguese governments on 20 December 1999.
The structure was dismantled afterwards, and its location became the construction site of the
Handover Gifts Museum of Macau, to commemorate the momentous occasion of Macao’s return
to the motherland.
The Handover Gifts Museum is a three-storey building. Its entrance lobby and administrative
offices are located on floor zero. The first floor houses the Handover gifts exhibition gallery and a
thematic exhibition gallery, while the second contains an auditorium.
The Handover gifts exhibition gallery mainly showcases gifts presented by the State Council,
as well as provinces, municipalities directly under the central government, autonomous regions
and the Hong Kong SAR. The thematic exhibition gallery is the venue for displays about Macao’s
social and cultural history, which showcases a myriad of Macao’s cultural features.
The gallery also organises quality exhibitions to enhance citizens’ cultural life and promote
cultural development.
Museums
Centuries of East-West cultural interaction have endowed Macao with many unique museums. They
range from the Museum of Macau, Museum of Sacred Art and Maritime Museum, to the Grand
Prix Museum, Wine Museum and Fire Service Museum.
Museum of Macau
The Museum of Macau is situated on the heritage site of Mount Fortress, which is a part of the
Historic Centre of Macao, while to its immediate west is the Ruins of St Paul’s.
The Museum of Macau houses a rich display of Macao’s history and diverse culture. With a
collection of deep historical and cultural value, the museum highlights the changes to Macao over
several hundred years, and tells the story of people from different countries and cultural backgrounds
settling in Macao and living in harmony. The Museum of Macau was opened on 18 April 1998. Its
exhibition area occupies a total of 2,100 square metres over three levels. The first floor explains the
development of Chinese and western cultures before the Portuguese arrived in Macao during the 16th
century, as well as the early history of Macao, the interactions between Chinese and Portuguese in
367

Macao Yearbook 2011
trade, religion and culture, and tells how Macao’s unique culture has developed during the several
hundred years since then. The second floor displays Macao’s traditional culture and folk art from
different angles, bringing to life the ways Macao people lived in the past, especially their leisure,
religious rituals, and social customs and celebrations. The third floor displays the urban city and
urban lifestyles of Macao today, whilst introducing works of literature and art themed on Macao.
In 2010, the Museum of Macau continued to present exhibitions and seminars to broaden the
cultural vision of the local community. During the year, it received 197,196 visits, and provided
over 1,038 guided tours to 14,655 people. It also held 71 scheduled summer activities, which
attracted 2,964 participants.
Monte Fort Corridor
Located at the foot of Mount Fortress’s east, Monte Fort Corridor is a passageway linking the
S. Lazaro Area pedestrian zone to Mount Fortress. Thus, it facilitates the robust development of the
city’s entire historical centre. A public space not to be ignored, the corridor has often been chosen
as the venue for various arts exhibitions.
Maritime Museum
One of the oldest museums in Macao, the Maritime Museum was founded in 1987. The museum
reflects the vital role of the sea in Macao’s history, as well as vividly portraying the remarkable
achievements of China and Portugal in maritime history. Visitors to the Maritime Museum can gain
a deeper appreciation of the relationship between cultural exchange and the sea.
The museum’s three floors focus on themes that echo the seafaring history of China, Portugal
and Macao. The ground-floor exhibition hall describes the lives of the Macao fishing community.
Chinese and Portuguese maritime history is depicted on the first floor. The second floor features
items relating to maritime technology and the evolution of navigation. Explaining complex issues in
plain terms and supported by multimedia systems, the museum showcases customs and traditions of
the local fishing community, the development of navigational technology, the evolution of maritime
traffic, marine biology and other related areas of knowledge. In addition, many precious models,
pictures and replicas of ships are displayed. The museum also has an aquarium and an esplanade.
Wine Museum
The Wine Museum was opened in 1995. It introduces the history of wine production from its
origin in the Caucasus around 10,000 BC up to the present day, with a special focus on Portuguese
winemaking. The exhibition covers a wide range of old vintage wine vessels and accessories. There
are 200-year-old wine presses, traditional mule-drawn carts used to carry wine casks, and sheepskin
wine containers. Other exhibits include brass vessels used for distillation, and casks of all sizes.
Visitors could understand the various aspects of traditional winemaking methods.
The museum boasts 1,000 wine labels; 800 of them are for commercial wines and the others
are for collectors’ wines. The oldest wine in the museum is from Porto and dates back to 1815. The
exhibition also introduces the Xinjiang wine region in China.
A selection of Portuguese wines is provided in the museum. Visitors can purchase wine-tasting
368

Culture and Sport
coupons, as well as vintages in the museum liquor store. In 2010, admission to the Wine Museum
was still free.
Grand Prix Museum
The Grand Prix Museum was inaugurated on 18 November 1993. Various Government departments
and private institutions have donated exhibits, such as racing cars driven on the Guia Circuit over
the years, including by the late celebrated Ayrton Senna and motor racing champion Michael
Schumacher. Valuable pictures and trophies are also exhibited.
Macao Museum of Art
The Macao Museum of Art is the only museum in Macao with arts and cultural heritage as its main
theme. Covering a total area of 10,000 square metres, this five-storey museum has seven exhibition
halls boasting 4,000 square metres of display space. It is the largest museum in Macao that’s
devoted to the visual arts. Many precious works of art and antiquities, such as Chinese paintings
and calligraphy, seals, ceramics, Western-style paintings, contemporary arts and photographs are
displayed. Exhibits include Shiwan ceramic figurines created by Huang Bing, Pan Yushu, and Chen
Weiyan, masters of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republican era. There are also works by
the famous 19th Century British painter George Chinnery, and Chinese trader and painter Guan
Qiaochang, commonly known as Lam Qua; and watercolours painted by Russian artist George
Smirnoff when he stayed in Macao from 1944 to 1945. Besides showcasing its collections, the
museum holds exhibitions in collaboration with other prestigious museums, cultural agencies,
consulates-general in Hong Kong, famous artists and collectors. Macao connects to the broader
artistic world by staging high-calibre exhibitions including the annual thematic exhibition on cultural
relics in collaboration with Beijing’s Palace Museum.
The museum founded the Friends of Macao Museum of Art. By encouraging interested parties to
join its occasional art-related activities, the museum aims to enhance communications and maintain
a dialogue with the community.
The Macao Museum of Art houses the Museum Shop and the Palace Museum Shop. The
Museum Shop sells museum publications, souvenirs, and cultural and creative products, while the
Palace Museum Shop sells souvenirs featuring arts and history of the Imperial Palace. Both aim
to increase cultural benefits.
In 2010, the Macao Museum of Art held more than 20 exhibitions and conducted a range of
activities including lectures, seminars, art workshops, and activities of friends of the museum.
Library of the Macao Museum of Art and the Art Square
The Library of the Macao Museum of Art is a reference library specialising in arts materials. It has
a collection of over 20,000 books, primarily about visual arts, covering subjects ranging from arts
history, calligraphy and painting, cultural heritage and archaeology, ceramics, Western fine arts,
architecture, design, films, photography, to illustrated children’s books. Nearly 50 arts periodical
titles, as well as Chinese, Portuguese and English newspapers are also available.
The library houses computers for citizens to browse artistic websites. Visitors may also choose
369

Macao Yearbook 2011
from the collection of nearly 500 titles of classic movies and animations, and enjoy their selections
in the two audiovisual rooms.
The Art Square studio of the Macao Museum of Art has an area of 700 square metres. It comprises
a printmaking room, a painting room, a multifunction room and an audio-visual room, which are
primarily used for teaching visual art creation and theory.
Pawnshop Museum
In partnership with a non-governmental organisation, the Government has established the first
museum dedicated to the pawnshop industry. The opening of the Pawnshop Museum in March
2003 marked the success of a new mode of heritage protection.
Built in 1917 as the Tak Seng On Pawnshop, the museum building consists of a three-storey
pawnshop and an eight-storey storage tower. The pawnshop boasts eclectic architectural features,
while the storage tower is similar to watchtowers that can be found around Taishan and Kaiping
in Guangdong Province. The building’s interior decoration and design are typical of a Chinese
pawnshop. Besides artefacts from some other pawnshops, signboards, account books, pawn tickets,
a privacy-protection board, and a safe from the original Tak Seng On Pawnshop are all on display.
These enable visitors to get a clearer picture of the pawnshop’s layout and operation in its heyday.
In September 2004, the Tak Seng On restoration project was awarded an Honourable Mention
in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. The project was
awarded the title of Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) of World Expo Shanghai 2010, demonstrating
to the world Macao’s fruitful efforts in conserving and recycling historic buildings. The museum
received 15,559 visits during 2010.
Treasure of Sacred Art of St Joseph’s Seminary
St Joseph’s Seminary was established by the Jesuits in 1728. For more than two centuries, it has made
a significant contribution to training Catholic clergymen engaged in missionary careers in Macao,
the mainland and Southeast Asia. For this reason, it was awarded the title of “Royal Seminary”.
The seminary houses a number of religious canvases, sacred statues and religious objects. To
give public access to these historic treasures, the Government, with the seminary’s consent and
support, began preparatory work to establish the Treasury of Sacred Art of St Joseph’s Seminary. The
two-storey exhibition gallery covers an area of 470 square metres, and displays over 100 religious
canvases, holy statues and religious artefacts from 18th to early 20th centuries.
Crypt and Museum of Sacred Art
Between 1990 and 1995, the former Portuguese administration conducted archaeological excavation
and repaired the Ruins of St Paul’s (the Church of Mother of God or Mater Dei), and built the
Museum of Sacred Art and Crypt on the site of the grave of Father Alexandre Valignano, the founder
of St Paul’s College, according to the research findings.
The museum houses religious paintings, carvings and liturgical objects carefully selected
from the collections of the churches and abbeys in Macao. Religious paintings are of particular
370

Culture and Sport
significance, and include St Michael the Archangel, Martyrs of Nagasaki, as well as four paintings
on the life of St Francis. At the crypt beside the museum, visitors can observe relics of Japanese
and Vietnamese martyrs.
Dr Sun Yat Sen Memorial House
Originally built by Dr Sun Yat Sen as a home for his family in the years after 1918, this Islamic
style residence was opened as Dr Sun Yat Sen Memorial House in 1958.
It contains furniture and other items used by Dr Sun when he practised medicine in Macao, and
when he was the Great Commander in Guangzhou. Among its collections are calligraphy by Dr
Sun and photos he took with his martyr-comrades of the 1911 Revolution. There is also a bronze
statue of Dr Sun in the garden, where visitors can pay their respects.
Lin Zexu Museum
The Lin Zexu Museum in Lin Fong Temple was completed in November 1997, in memory of Imperial
Commissioner Lin Zexu, who defied the powerful and the mighty to institute a ban on opium and
the opium trade. On 3 September 1839, Lin Zexu, who was then in charge in Guangdong, and Deng
Tingzheng, the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, met the Consul of the former Portuguese
administration to proclaim the prohibition of opium and China’s sovereignty over Macao.
The museum displays pictures showing opium being destroyed in Humen, and the old days in
Macao. It also houses documents on Lin Zexu’s communications with the imperial government, as
well as models of Chinese Qing Dynasty warships and Portuguese vessels, and the types of boats
used to carry opium. Life-sized tableaux show Lin’s meeting with foreign officials. There are
instruments used by opium addicts too: a reminder to visitors not to forget the evils of drug addiction.
Fire Service Museum
Founded in December 1999, the Fire Service Museum is located inside the central operational fire
station on Repouso Road. It is open to the public, and received 30,531 visitors in 2010.
The museum has two exhibition halls designed in different styles, which occupy a total area of 350
square metres. The main hall’s display – of vintage manual water pumps made in China and Britain,
two old-style British fire engines, various historical artefacts and pictures, and fire service flags,
emblems, decorations and badges – is designed to help visitors understand the bureau’s development
over the years. The inner exhibition hall contains a model of the Fire Service’s central station, an
electronic board showing the distribution of operational fire stations, firemen’s helmets and boots,
water nozzles, various fire appliances, protective equipment, pictures of disasters that have happened
in Macao, and a model simulating the scene of a fire in a squatter hut area. The museum aims to
increase the knowledge of visitors about fire appliances, and enhance their understanding of the
damage that fires can cause, thereby raising their awareness about the importance of fire prevention.
Museum of Nature and Agriculture
The first museum to be built on Coloane island, the Museum of Nature and Agriculture, under
371

Macao Yearbook 2011
the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, is within the Seac Pai Van Country Park. Built by the
then Municipal Council of the Islands, the museum was opened on 21 March 1997. It is a cultural
amenity with an educational purpose.
The museum’s five thematic exhibitions are devoted to the Geography of Macao, Farming
Tools of the Islands in Olden Days, the Specimens of Animals, the Specimens of Plants, and the
Simulated Mangrove Swamp.
The museum also houses a number of traditional Macao agricultural implements, which have
gradually been vanishing since the 1970s, such as a grain barrel for threshing wheat, bellows
for separating grains and waterwheels for irrigation, so that visitors can gain a full picture of
Macao’s agricultural past. Also, over a hundred kinds of fossils of prehistoric animals and plants,
as well as specimens of animals, plants, insects, and skeletons of the endangered animals Chinese
White Dolphins are exhibited, so visitors can understand Macao’s ecological situation and nature
conservation.
Taipa Houses-Museum
The Taipa Houses-Museum is a collection of residential buildings that form one of Macao’s eight
most-famous landmarks. Constructed in 1921, these five European-style buildings were the official
residences of the island’s officers and the homes of Macanese families. The former Portuguese
administration’s Tourist Department bought and redecorated them in the 1980s. In 1992, they
were collectively classified as an architecturally important monument. The government thoroughly
refurbished them and converted three of them into a museum. From east to west, they are known
as the Macanese House, the House of the Islands and the House of Portuguese Regions. The other
two buildings are the exhibition gallery and reception hall. The museum opened in December 1999,
and it officially adopted the name Taipa Houses-Museum in 2002.
The Macanese House is an especially unique museum in Macao. Many of its exhibits come
from long-established Macanese families. Its furniture, ornamentation and decorations reveal a
seamless blend of east and west, while the old black-and-white photographs hanging throughout the
house provide glimpses into the daily lives of the Macanese, who combined elements of Chinese
and Portuguese culture to create a unique and picturesque way of life. The photographs and the
Macanese House as a whole vividly portray turn-of-the-century Macao.
Two exhibitions were hosted by the House of the Islands in 2010: “In Love with the Macanese -
A Photographic Exhibition” and “Reminiscence of Time – Photography Exhibition of Resplendent
Taipa”. The former featured old documents, photos, clothing and furniture from day-to-day lives of
Macanese in the past. The latter featured exhibits related to the history of Taipa, including photos
and items that were mainly from the 1920s-1970s, which enriched the exhibition of Taipa’s history,
encouraging visitors to learn more about life in Taipa in the past from different perspectives.
The House of Portuguese Regions is the third of the Praia Avenue residences. The museum
primarily displays photos, costumes and handicrafts related to different cultural traditions in various
regions of Portugal. Here, visitors can learn about the lifestyles and traditions of these people who
– though far away – contributed to Macao’s culture.
The exhibition gallery houses various types of exhibitions staged by the museum throughout the
year. In 2010, the Taipa Houses-Museum received 109,410 visitors. They included 3,325 visitors
on 107 guided tours for overseas visitors, local students and community groups.
372

Culture and Sport
The museum also participated in various major celebratory events organised by the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau and other Government departments.
Communications Museum of Macao
Inaugurated on 1 March 2006, the Communications Museum of Macao aims to promote stamp
collecting and the stamps of Macao to citizens and tourists. In 2010, it received a total of 27,268
visits, 62.15 percent of which were made by local teachers and students.
The museum’s post/philately area focuses on communications infrastructure, history and services
of Macao Post, stamps and philately, and is supplemented by general knowledge, culture and
geography, to encourage students of all ages to participate in hands-on workshops.
In the telecommunications area, apart from regular exhibitions and science demonstrations, the
popular electronic circuit course was improved, to add a workshop for lower elementary students.
This can nurture their passion and talent for science.
Macao Tea Culture House
The Macao Tea Culture House, which is managed by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, is
the first exhibition gallery in Macao devoted to displaying tea-related artefacts. It was opened to the
public on 1 June 2005, with a total floor area of 1,076 square metres. Its huge collection includes
19th-century tea paintings, Canton enamel export teapots, as well as items used in old tea houses
and tea shops. Through short-term and long-term exhibitions of various formats, as well as various
tea culture activities, it is dedicated to demonstrating Macao’s tea culture and everything about tea
in China and the West. It also hopes to promote worldwide tea culture, knowledge and studies. In
2010, the Tea Culture House organised two exhibitions and 22 tea gatherings that attracted a total
of 29,406 visitors.
Museum of Taipa and Coloane History
Opened on 7 May 2006, the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History consists of nine exhibition
rooms and a souvenir shop. Built in 1920, the 638-square-metre, two-storey museum building was
formerly the building of the former Island Municipal Council of Taipa.
On the first floor are relics unearthed in Coloane, stone architectural remains of the basement,
religious and cultural documents and relics from the transformations of the villages on the two
islands. These items provide visitors with an overview of the early history and culture of Coloane
and Taipa.
The exhibition rooms on the second floor have different themes, including the history of the
former Municipal Council of the Islands, a look back at agriculture and handicrafts in the old days,
the architectural features of buildings on Coloane and Taipa and the recent development of the
two islands. It provides visitors with a better understanding of the modern political and economic
development of Coloane and Taipa.
The Museum of Taipa and Coloane History attracted a total of 52,575 visitors and organised
several workshops in 2010.
373

Macao Yearbook 2011
Lou Kau Mansion
Completed in 1889, Lou Kau Mansion used to be the residence of the prominent merchant Lou Kau
and his family. It retains a large number of exquisite carvings made of wood, stone and brick; plaster
mouldings; pottery decorations; murals; and garden designs, which are typical of the architectural
style of traditional Lingnan dwellings.
With a view to promoting Chinese traditional culture by introducing outstanding Chinese folk
crafts and conducting arts activities, Lou Kau Mansion constantly conducts live demonstrations by
famous Chinese folk craft masters. Due to its popularity, different themes were introduced every
four weeks since August 2009, compared to every two weeks previously, to give citizens more time
to exchange ideas and learn from the craft masters. In 2010, 24 mainland China folk craft and folk
art masters from Jiangsu Province and two well-known craftsmen from Shangdong Province were
invited to Macao.
In 2010, Lou Kau Mansion attracted 196,784 visitors, plus 218 weekend workshop participants
who had the chance to experience the fun of making folk crafts.
Mandarin’s House
The Mandarin’s House is the family residence of the modern Chinese master Zheng Guanying.
Zheng’s world-famous book Shengshi Weiyan (Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity) was
completed here. The building of the Mandarin’s House was initiated by Zheng Wenrui, the father of
Zheng Guanying, and the Zheng brothers expanded it. The house was probably built before 1869.
Covering an area of 4,000 square metres, the Mandarin’s House is the largest private mansion in
Macao. The Mandarin’s House has the characteristics of traditional Guangdong homes. Yet, it also
features a fusion of architectural influences from western cultures, making it a unique product of
Chinese and western cultural interchanges.
During the mid-20th century, as Zheng’s descendants lived in different places, many rooms of
the house were rented. At one time, the house was crowded with many tenants, and multiple parts
of the building had been reconstructed and new parts were added. Together with a lack of long-term
protection and maintenance, the house was damaged by fire several times and part of the structure
was destroyed. When the Government acquired the property rights to the house, 80 percent of the
building had suffered damage of different extents. Thanks to assistance from building restoration
experts and past tenants, under the principles of authenticity and integrity, the Government took
eight years to repair and refurnish the building. The original characteristics have been basically
restored. In February 2010, the Mandarin’s House was opened to the public. During the year, it
attracted 104,440 visitors.
Kun Iam Statue
The Kun Iam Statue is a 32-metre-tall structure on an artificial island in NAPE, which is connected
to the land by a 60-metre bridge.
The Kun Iam Statue comprises the statue and lotus flower base. The bronze statue stands 20
metres tall and weighs 50 tonnes. The 16-petal lotus flower base is seven metres high and 19 metres
in diameter.
The Kun Iam Statue was built in March 1999. It has two storeys: the upper storey is an observation
374

Culture and Sport
room with an information desk and a shop selling books and souvenirs; the lower storey consists of
a small library with religious books and a multi-purpose room. The capacity of the multi-purpose
room is 50. Small-scale activities like talks, exhibitions and concerts can be held there. During
2010, the statue received 104,542 visits.
Macao Cultural Centre
The Macao Cultural Centre is situated on Xian Xing Hai Avenue in NAPE. Completed and opened
in March 1999, it covers an area of 45,000 square metres. The complex comprises the Auditoria
Building, the Macao Museum of Art Building, Macao Cultural Centre Square and the Handover
Gifts Museum of Macao.
The Auditoria Building contains two performance venues. One is a 1,114-seat multipurpose
complex theatre with an orchestra pit that is suitable for different types of stage performances,
such as concerts, dances, operas and dramas. The other is a 393-seat mini-theatre that can be used
for movies, conferences, mini-drama performances and concerts.
In 2010, the Macao Cultural Centre organised a series of spectacular performances, covering
dance, music, drama and multi-media; it held 37 programmes with a total of 542 performances or
activities. The centre also continued to offer cultural facilities and professional services to various
local groups and organisations. During the year, 196 programmes and 706 performances were
organised by the centre and its tenants, receiving 163,286 visits.
The Cultural Centre also continued to promote exchanges and cooperation among local and
overseas artists, to promote performing arts to the public. It organised the Artist-in-Residence
Project and the Art-in-Residence Project to enhance exchanges between local and overseas artists.
Likewise, it continued to work as a bridge for cultural exchanges between Macao, China and
overseas countries and places.
Cultural and Recreational Activities Organised by the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau
Every year, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau organises regular major events including Lunar
New Year celebrations, Evening Musicale, Lusofonia Carnival 2010 - Chinese and Portuguese
Cultural Week, Cantonese Opera Performance 2010, the 10th Macao City Fringe as well as the
Tap Seac Art Fair. It also holds public celebratory activities for various annual festivals, including
the National Day Gala, and the annual New Year’s Eve countdown concert at Macau Tower and
Taipa. In 2010, the bureau staged 59 different leisure activities on 176 occasions; they attracted a
total of 285,680 participants.
In 2010, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau held 22 outdoor recreational events, with 42
scheduled activities, including the New Year Fitness Programme, the First Macao Recreational
Festival, International Children’s Festival, and Chong Yang Festival Sports Day, which collectively
attracted 15,230 participants. It also organised various sports and recreational courses catering to
the needs of different age groups, with 3,232 people participating in 108 classes.
Cultural and Recreational Activities
The Government is committed to promoting sports for all, encouraging citizens to participate in all
375

Macao Yearbook 2011
kinds of sports and recreational activities as a way to promote one’s health. Upholding the values of
sports-for-all and life-long fitness spelled out in public slogans, the Government has led the citizens
towards building healthy lives by enjoying everyday sports. At the same time, the Government
emphasises enhancing the standards of sports at the local level, and fully supports and encourages
local sports institutions with organising and participating in tournaments in Macao and overseas.
The coordinated development of popular sports and athletics can only be realised through the
provision of comprehensive modern sports facilities and sports medicine, thereby allowing citizens
to exercise conveniently and scientifically, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
Macao Sports Development Board
As the agency responsible for developing sports, the Macao Sports Development Board works to
promote interest in sports among the public, internationalise Macao’s sports and sporting events,
improve training for athletes, and strengthen communications between the Government and local
sports associations and their affiliated members. Its predecessor, the Sports Institute, was founded
in 1987.
In accordance with By-law No. 1/2006, during 2006 the Macao Sports Development Board
underwent internal restructuring, and adopted a new organisational framework. Its functions now
include: execute sports policies formulated by the Government; provide technical and logistical
support to the development of competitive sports and recreational activities; devise construction and
renovation plans for sports infrastructure; organise and assist in holding large-scale sports events;
encourage the launches of sports training courses and further studies; take forward the development
of sports medicine at all levels; and promote sports exchanges between local bodies and between
Macao and the international community.
Sport for All
During 2010, the board continued to promote sports in Macao and publicise the benefits of physical
exercise.
In 2010, a total of 369,879 people took part in the 20 activities organised by the board, of whom
48,602 people participated in the 1,821 Sport for All Fitness and Recreational Classes. A total
of 46,449 people joined the annual summer activities, with 21,098 people participating in sport
activities. In all, 92 activities and 647 classes were organised.
Competitive Sport
The Macao Sports Development Board supported the Macao Sports Association to organise and
participate in 182 competitions, 110 training sessions and 44 international conferences through
special funding.
During 2010, 115 athletes and coaches of 11 sports were awarded cash prizes in 12 events for
their excellent performances, while 268 athletes and coaches of 22 sports were awarded certificates
of merit.
During 12 to 27 November 2010, 254 representatives from Macao participated in 19 sport events
in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou. Wushu athlete Jia Rui won Macao’s first Asian Games gold
376

Culture and Sport
medal, by scoring 19.61 points in the broadsword and staff competition. The Macao delegation won
one gold, one silver and four bronze medals, in wushu, karate and diving in the 2010 Asian Games.
Besides, the board was commissioned by the Asian Games Organising Committee Volunteer
Department to recruit volunteers in Macao. After training and assessment, 21 Macao volunteers
worked for the Asian Games, and four Macao volunteers worked for the Asian Para Games in
Guangzhou.
Sports Medicine
With technological support from the China Institute of Sport Science, under the General
Administration of Sport of China, the Macao Sports Development Board conducted the second
phase of monitoring residents’ physical fitness (the first phase was conducted in 2005), with the
Health Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau, the Tertiary
Education Services Office and the Macao Polytechnic Institute, during January to April 2010. The
monitoring covered four age groups: children of 3-6 years old studying in kindergartens, youngsters
of 6-22 years old studying in primary, secondary schools or universities, working adults of 20-59
years old, and elderly persons aged 60-69 years. After three months of assessments, the board
collected valid data from 10,326 participants, for publishing the 2010 Macao Residents Physical
Fitness Monitor Report in 2011.
From June to October 2010, the Macao Sports Development Board again conducted the Physical
Fitness Test for Sport for All Participants. The event provided health tests for 922 students according
to the Macao residents’ physical fitness standards. Of these students, 92.2 percent attained an
overall fitness level of satisfactory or above, with 8.9 percent achieving “excellent” and 30.8
percent achieving “merit” level. The past two years’ results showed improvements in students’
physical fitness.
In 2009, the Macao Sports Development Board launched the Sports Health Information
programme, which promotes correct ways of doing physical exercises in popular sports facilities.
A total of 12,752 people participated in the programme during 2010.
In 2010, the Sports Medicine Centre received 11,441 visits, offering services encompassing
medical, nutritional, mental, physical, and rehabilitation, medical monitoring for athletes and
provision of sports nutrition complements, rehabilitation classes and physical fitness tests. The
centre published five pamphlets about sports science or medicine. It also participated in paramedics
work for major outdoor sports events on 48 occasions, delivering on-scene medical services to over
560 injured persons.
4th East Asian Games
The 4th East Asian Games, from 29 October to 6 November 2005, was the first major comprehensive
games organised by the Macao Government. Athletes from China; Macao, China; DPR Korea;
Mongolia; Hong Kong, China; Chinese Taipei; Japan; Guam; and South Korea competed in 17
sports events.
First Lusofonia Games
The First Lusofonia Games was held between 7 and 15 October 2006 in Macao. The 11 participating
377

Macao Yearbook 2011
countries and regions were Angola; Brazil; Cape Verde; Guinea-Bissau; Macao, China; Mozambique;
Portugal; Sao Tome and Principe; Timor-Leste; and two non-official members India (Goa) and Sri
Lanka. Over 1,000 athletes competed in eight events.
2nd Asian Indoor Games
The 2nd Asian Indoor Games was held from 26 October to 3 November 2007, and was the third
comprehensive athletic meet organised by Macao. It also marked the first time that Macao held a
comprehensive athletic meet at the Asian regional level. All 45 member countries and regions of
the Olympic Council of Asia sent their athletes to participate in the games. Over 3,000 athletes
competed in 17 official events and two demonstration contests.
Sports and Recreation Venues
Most sports and cultural activity venues in Macao are managed by the Macao Sports Development
Board or the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau.
In response to the ever-changing demands of users and to meet the needs of different sports,
the board constantly improves and diversifies the venues under its jurisdiction. These facilities are
conveniently located for Macao residents, and the Sports Development Board intends to eventually
establish a sports complex in every district. They are:
Venue Area Main Facilities Sports/Purpose
Victory Sports Centre
Two gymnastics
rooms, two squash
halls
Indoor sports
Artur Tamagnini
Barbosa Sports Centre
1,085 square
metres
One indoor heated
swimming pool, one
multipurpose sports
field
Swimming,
football,
basketball, table
tennis and air
hockey
Macao
Peninsula
Bosco Sports Complex
2,265 square
metres
One indoor heated
swimming pool, one
artificial pitch, two
gymnastics rooms
Swimming, sevena-side
soccer and
various kinds of
indoor sports
Tap Seac Multisport
Pavilion
5,539 square
metres
Two indoor sports
halls, table tennis
room
Volleyball,
basketball, wushu,
taekwondo,
karatedo, handball,
badminton, table
tennis, futsal
Mong Ha Pavilion
Two indoor stadiums,
physical fitness zone
Table tennis,
badminton,
basketball
378

Culture and Sport
(Cont.)
Venue Area Main Facilities Sports/Purpose
Macao
Peninsula
Lin Fong Sports Centre
Natural grass football
filed, running track,
indoor heated
swimming pool,
indoor stadium
Football, track and
field, swimming,
table tennis, kendo,
taijiquan, aerobics,
rouli ball, karatedo,
judo. One of the
swimming pools
is reserved for
the disabled and
those required
rehabilitation
training.
Nam Van Lake Nautical
Centre (managed by the
Civic and Municipal
Affairs Bureau)
151,000
square
metres
Six 500-metre-long,
13.5-metre-wide, 3.5
metre-deep lanes; boat
storage; land platform
Morning exercise,
Aquatic activities
Taipa
Macao Olympic
Complex
Carmo Swimming Pool
76,877
square
metres (not
including
Olympic
Aquatic
Centre and
Multipurpose
Zone)
1. Stadium
2. Hockey Field
3. Multipurpose Zone
4. Aquatic Centre
5. Multi-storey car
park
6. 3 on 3 Basketball
Field
7. Badminton Zone
One indoor heated
swimming pool, one
outdoor swimming
pool, and two
gymnastic rooms
Morning exercise,
track and field,
various types
of football,
basketball,
volleyball,
badminton, table
tennis, handball,
wushu, karatedo,
hockey, tennis,
gateball, rugby, as
well as swimming,
water polo,
synchronised
swimming and
diving
Swimming and
indoor sports
Football Pitch/ Athletics
Ground of the Macau
University of Science
and Technology (MUST)
(managed by MUST)
44,800
square
metres
Grass football pitch;
10-lane tartan running
track
Combining the
functions of
instruction and
sports
Sports Training Centre
Covering
a building
area of
2,460 square
metres
Two multipurpose
rooms, gymnastics
room, multifunction
room, conference
room
Karate-do, chess,
physical training
and sports classes
379

Macao Yearbook 2011
(Cont.)
Venue Area Main Facilities Sports/Purpose
Macao East Asian
Games Dome
Approximately
140,000 square
metres
1. Indoor Arena
2. Theatre
3. Exhibition Centre
4. Macao International
Convention Centre
Badminton,
gymnastics,
volleyball,
basketball, wushu,
taekwondo,
karatedo,
badminton, futsal,
dancesport,
indoor athletics,
large-scale
exhibition, trade
fair, conference,
reception
Macao International
Shooting Range
52,355
square
metres
1. Management
Centre
2. 10 Metre Shooting
Range
3. 25 Metre Shooting
Range
4. 50 Metre Shooting
Range
5. Finals Shooting
Range
Shooting
COTAI
Bowling Centre
5,830 square
metres
24 bowling lanes, three
international standard
squash courts, one table
tennis zone and one
sports experience zone
Bowling, squash,
table tennis, air
hockey and other
sports experiences
Tennis Academy 15,304
square
metres
Eight tennis courts,
one centre court
Tennis
Cheoc Van Nautical
Club
4,547 square
metres
Aquatic activity
facilities and storage
service
Centre for sailing,
windsurfing and
sea canoeing and
training
Nautical Sports Youth
Centre
4,749 square
metres
220 indoor, semiindoor
and open-air
berths
An integrated
sports centre for
launching and
berthing nonmotorised
boats
Coloane Go-Kart
Racing Course
Approximately
43,000 square
metres
1.2 km-long, 10-metrewide
track comprising
straight and winding
sections
A small but
well-equipped
kart-racing circuit
complying with
international
standard
380

Culture and Sport
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is also responsible for the sports and recreation venues
at Dr Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park, Mong Ha Municipal Park, Guia Hill Municipal Park, Ho Yin
Park, the Municipal Swimming Pool, Cheoc Van Swimming Pool, Hac Sa Park and Swimming
Pool, Water Activities Centre at Hac Sa Reservoir, Hac Sa Summer Camp Area, Ponte Negra
Municipal Recreation Centre (fitness centre), Carmo Sports and Recreation Ground, Ilha Verde
Sports Ground, Avenida do Comendador Ho Yin Sports Ground, Avenida do Conselheiro Borja
Sports Ground, Weng Neng Sports Ground, Rua Central da Areia Preta Sports Ground, Almirante
Magalhaes Correia Sports Ground , Doca Lam Mau Sports Ground, Coloane Sports Ground, Hac
Sa Beach Sports Ground, and two sports grounds built in 2009, in Canal dos Patos and Barra.
There are also many other sports venues owned by associations, institutions and individuals,
such as the Workers’ Soccer Pitch and a golf course.
Macao Forum
The Macao Forum is one of the most popular venues in Macao for entertainment and sporting events.
Opened on 27 May 1985, Macao Forum is divided into two sections. Forum I has a seating capacity
of 4,062 and an area of 7,280 square metres. The sports floor was built to international standards.
It measures 45 metres by 25 metres and has a ceiling height of 15 metres, and can accommodate
professional sports events, such as handball, rolling field hockey, tennis, volleyball, indoor soccer,
badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, fencing and wrestling. It is also an ideal venue for concerts,
dance shows, acrobatics, music concerts, conferences and meetings. Forum I houses a lobby and
an exhibition gallery, which can accommodate exhibitions.
The activities held in Macao Forum during 2010 attracted 53,602 visitors.
Public Swimming Pools and Beaches
Swimming is one of the most popular recreational activities among Macao residents. The swimming
pools managed by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau include the Municipal Swimming Pool,
and the swimming pools at Dr Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park, Cheoc Van and Hac Sa Park. In 2010,
the four swimming pools received a total of 266,259 visits. The Macao Sport Development Board
also manages a number of swimming pools, including those at the Macao Sports Complex, Bosco
Sports Complex, Artur Tamagnini Barbosa Sports Centre and Carmo.
In Macao, only two beaches – Hac Sa Beach and Cheoc Van Beach, both managed by the
Maritime Administration – are available for public use.
Trails
Topographically, Macao has a lower elevation in the north and a higher elevation in the south.
Thirteen trails covering a total length of 33 kilometres are located on Taipa and Coloane islands.
These provide access to replanted forest areas where saplings still require care, and serve as
firebreaks and access routes for fire fighters. For the vast majority of Macao’s residents and visitors,
however, the primary function of the trails is to facilitate exploration and enjoyment of the natural
attractions of the islands.
381

Macao Yearbook 2011
Basic Information about the 13 Trails
Name Location Length Characteristics
Walking
Time
Ka Ho
Reservoir
Trail
On reserved
land inside
the Ka Ho
Reservoir
Country Park,
Coloane
1,550
metres
The route goes uphill from the starting
point, but the remaining sections are
flat and wide. Hikers can appreciate
the wildlife. Coloane Northeast Trail is
accessible from here via a branch trail.
About
30
minutes
Coloane
Fitness
Trail
The entrance
is at the
intersection of
Alto Street in
Coloane and
Militar Street.
It encircles the
Coloane High
Hill at midway.
1,225
metres
Coloane’s first fitness trail. Along it are
nine fitness areas with free facilities.
There are two intersections with the
Coloane Trail.
About
25
minutes
Taipa
Grande
Trail
Inside Taipa
Grande Nature
Park
4,000
metres
The first section is a 600-metre eco-trail,
which is wide and with very little incline.
Family members young and old can enjoy
this easy hike. There is also a garden
with different varieties of camellias and
osmanthus. Visitors can appreciate the
beauty and fragrance of the flowers. The
middle stretch — the pedal fitness trail
— is more challenging. Following the
stone steps, hikers reach Taipa’s highest
point, which is 158.2 metres above sea
level. Alternatively, they can choose to
head southeast along the 1,200- metre
bird-watching trail, which affords
opportunities to see egrets in flight and an
excellent vista of Taipa.
About
90
sminutes
Taipa
Pequena
Trail
Taipa Pequena
Hill
2,300
metres
2.5 metres wide, the trail encircles Taipa
Pequena Hill. En route are five outdoor
fitness areas, a children’s playground
and some leisure areas. Along this route,
visitors get excellent views of the Macau
peninsula, Taipa and Hengqin Island in
Zhuhai.
Coloane
Trail
The trail
begins and
ends near
Alto Street in
Coloane.
8,100
metres
The trail encircles the central area
of Coloane island at an average of
100 metres above sea level. En route,
visitors can see areas of Coloane that are
inhabited by a rich variety of plants and
birds. It is the longest trail in Macao, and
was the first to be built on Coloane.
About
150
minutes
382

Culture and Sport
Basic Information about the 13 Trails
(Cont.)
Name Location Length Characteristics
Walking
Time
Coloane
Northeast
Trail
On the hills
east of Seac
Pai Van
4,290
metres
The trail has an average altitude of 55
metres above sea level. It has 10 sections,
the first of which is a nature trail with
very little incline. Two minor trails
branch off the main one. One is called
the “Yearning Trail” after the Acacia
Confusa trees (“Taiwan Lovesickness” in
Chinese) that line the way. The other is
the Golf Trail, from which the entire area
of the golf course, Ka Ho Village and Ka
Ho Reservoir are visible. A 500-metre
tree walk connects this trail with the
rural area opposite the Ka Ho Height
Barbecue Park, thereby completing the
trail network on Coloane.
About
90
minutes
Hac Sa
Reservoir
Circuit
Inside Hac
Sa Reservoir
Country Park
2,650
metres
Located halfway up and around the hill.
Besides views of the reservoir, visitors
can also enjoy the attractive scenery
of Hac Sa Beach. The trail links to the
Coloane Trail.
About
55
minutes
Hac Sa
Reservoir
Fitness
Circuit
Inside Hac
Sa Reservoir
Country Park
1,505
metres
Hikers may use nine fitness stations along
the flat route to jog and do callisthenics
while enjoying the views of Hac Sa
Reservoir.
About
30
minutes
Hac Sa
Long
Chao Kok
Circuit
Hac Sa Long
Chao Kok
(Dragon Paw
Corner),
southwest of
Coloane
2,150
metres
A circuit divided into the Rockview Path,
Seaview Path and Red Leaves Path, this
is the only trail from which one may
simultaneously enjoy views of mountains
and the sea in close proximity.
About
45
minutes
Ka Ho
Height
Circuit
Entrance
inside the Ka
Ho Height
Barbecue Park
1,490
metres
The circuit begins with a climb up a
280-metre-long, 50-metre-high stone
staircase. After reaching an altitude of
100 metres above sea level, it encircles
the central hill. It offers visitors attractive
views of Hac Sa Reservoir and the lush
greenery of a golf course. The Coloane
Trail and the Hac Sa Reservoir Country
Park are both accessible from here via a
branch trail.
About
30
minutes
Seac Pai
Van Park
Trail
Inside Seac Pai
Van Country
Park
1,680
metres
The trail has a number of branches. A
935-metre section is a nature education
trail equipped with 24 explanatory
signposts.
About
40
minutes
383

Macao Yearbook 2011
(Cont.)
Basic Information about the 13 Trails
Name Location Length Characteristics
Walking
Time
Coloane
Stone
Washbasin
Ancient
Route
Entrance at
Hac Sa Village,
Coloane
Around
1,500
metres
Coloane’s most historic and ancient trail.
Twisting and turning, it spans both the
east and west valleys.
About
35
minutes
Long
Chao Kok
Coastal
Trail in
Hac Sa
Entrance next
to the Hac Sa
Beach villas
Around
1,120
metres
Located at the southernmost tip of
Macao, the trail runs from the Hac Sa
Beach villas, extending westward to the
Cheoc Van Beach villas. It passes coastal
features and lavish vegetation, which
includes Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.)
R. Brown, Nepenthes mirabilis (Lour.)
Druce and Bryophyllum pinnatum (Airplant).
About
25
minutes
Gardens and Parks
Though small in area, Macao is renowned for its many gardens in a variety of scenery and styles,
offering a host of attractions. These form one of Macao’s unique features as a tourist destination.
The gardens are not only tourist attractions, but are also popular spots where local residents relax
and exercise.
Guia Hill Municipal Park
Guia Hill Municipal Park is one of Macao’s major sources of fresh air. This tourist attraction boasts
extensive natural resources. Of all the parks in Macao, it ranks first as a site for Chinese red pines,
both in terms of their quantity and age.
Built in 1622, an ancient fortress occupies approximately 800 square metres at the top of Guia
Hill. Inside the fortress is the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia on Guia Hill, built and dedicated to Nossa
Senhora da Guia (Our Lady of Guia). This is the origin of the fortress’s name – Fortress of Our Lady
of Guia. A historic lighthouse on the southern coast of China, the Guia Lighthouse, stands within
the fortress. The lighthouse still serves as a navigation guide for ships sailing in the area. Whenever
typhoons approach, the lighthouse hoists coded signals to notify residents of their intensity.
A health trail and a series of fitness facilities have been installed on Guia Hill, making it an
ideal destination for residents seeking to exercise or simply take a stroll during their leisure hours.
Luis de Camoes Garden
Luis de Camoes Garden is one of the oldest gardens in Macao. It has a total area of 19,200 square
metres. It was the residence of a rich Portuguese merchant named Lourenco Marques. He loved to
384

Culture and Sport
feed the pigeons and hundreds of birds nested around his home, creating a spectacular view. From
a distance, the garden looked like one giant bird’s nest, and the name has been used ever since.
The hill on which the garden is located was also known as Phoenix Hill, as many phoenix
trees have stood there since the Qing Dynasty. Famous writers Qiu Fengjia and Li Xialing of the
Qing Dynasty, and Wang Zhaoyong of our own time, have written poems in appreciation of this
beautiful view.
Also to be found in the garden is “The Cave of Luis de Camoes”. Legend has it that more than
400 years ago, after offending the powers-that-be in his native Portugal, Luis de Camoes was exiled
to Macao. There, he took up residence in this very cave and wrote his famous poem, The Lusiadas.
The statue of Camoes that still stands in the garden was erected in 1866.
A sculpture named “Embrace”, symbolising the friendship between Portugal and China, stands
within the garden.
Ho Yin Park
Ho Yin Park is situated on reclaimed land next to the Amizade Avenue. It was built to commemorate
the late Chinese community leader, Ho Yin, and was opened to the public in 1993. In line with urban
development, an underground car park was built there in 2005. The redesigned park is separated into
south and north sections, and interconnected with a pedestrian subway. The Reunification Pavilion
and open-air theatre have been retained at the original site. It was reopened to the public in 2007.
Carlos d’Assumpcao Park
Carlos d’Assumpcao Park is built on reclaimed land next to the Amizade Avenue, and facing Ho
Yin Park. It commemorates the Macanese community leader and former president of the Legislative
Assembly, Carlos d’Assumpcao, and it was opened to the public in 1996. It has an area of 23,200
square metres and includes a playground, a pergola and resting areas. A musical fountain is located
in the outer area of the park, near the seashore. In front of the park and close to the seashore stands
the statue of the goddess Kum Iam.
Flora Garden
Flora Garden is located at the foot of Guia hill. At the end of the 19th century, it was bought by
the former Portuguese administration to serve as the Governor’s summer residence. Sir Robert Ho
Tung, a philanthropist, later bought it, but afterwards returned it as a gift to the former Portuguese
administration. For this reason, the garden is still called “Ho Tung Garden” in Chinese. It is also
known as “I Long Hau Fa Yun”, as it is at close proximity to a spring.
This is the only botanical garden in the Macao peninsula; it contains a great variety of plants,
flowers, and birds. There is a small zoo with various species of birds, mammals and reptiles. An
artificial waterfall, stream and aquarium have been built at its centre.
A cable car was completed and went into service in 1997. It runs from the garden entrance to
the top of Guia Hill Reservoir, conveniently linking the two locations.
385

Macao Yearbook 2011
Lou Lim Ieoc Garden
Lou Lim Ieoc Garden is the only garden in Hong Kong and Macao with the classic ambiance of
those found in Suzhou. It features pavilions, terraces, lakes, zigzag bridges, rocks and cascades,
all of which reflect the beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan area on the southern, lower reaches of
the Changjiang River.
The pavilion is the garden’s main building. Visitors may stroll beside the pool in front of it,
past zigzag bridges, stone hills, tranquil bamboo groves, a waterfall and passageway, all of which
make a deep impression.
The garden’s attractive stone hills with their variously shaped rocks are reminiscent of Lion
Grove Garden in Suzhou. The stone hill next to Nine Curves Bridge has zigzagging corridors and
walkways; and water trickles from a waterfall, combining to create an unforgettable scene. The
refreshing pool and the enchanting lotus flowers on it produce a stunning effect as willow trees
wave in the breeze at the water’s edge.
Steles engraved with couplets have been erected in the pavilions, especially the newly renovated
Green Fragrant Pavilion, Jade Pavilion, and Longevity Pavilion, and these are much admired by
passing visitors.
Dr Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park
Located on a former landfill at Ilha Verde in northern Macao and close to the Border Gate, Dr Sun
Yat Sen Municipal Park covers a total area of 52,700 square metres.
The park’s scenic spots fall into two categories. The northeastern part is Chinese in style, with
an artificial lake, zigzag bridge and pavilions, while the southwestern section is in the Western
tradition. The pavilion in the northeastern area stands on an artificial hill, and gives a sweeping view
of Zhuhai’s Gongbei area. This small red and green building creates a very peaceful atmosphere.
The zigzag bridges and corridors are interestingly laid out.
A 500-metre-long cloister, the longest in Macao’s gardens and parks, links most of the scenic
spots in the park. An open-air theatre, a sport court, other sports facilities and a swimming pool
are situated in the park. The park also has a community library, completed in 1996. “Permanent
Handshake”, a sculpture representing the friendship between Portugal and China, is another of its
features.
There are many other gardens and parks in Macao, including Mong Ha Hill Municipal Park,
Russa Hill Park, St Francis Garden, Victory Garden, Vasco da Gama Garden and Areia Preta Seaside
Park, Iao Hon Market Garden, Art Garden, and Areia Preta Urban Park on the Macao peninsula;
Lakeside Garden, Flower City Garden, Monument Garden, Laurinda Marques Esparteiro Garden
and Pier Garden on Taipa island; and Hac Sa Sports and Recreation Park, Hac Sa Arboretum and
Coloane Height Park on Coloane island.
386

Culture and Sport
Chief Executive Chui Sai On presides over the prize-giving and closing
ceremony of FIVB World Grand Prix 2010 (Macao), on 16 August.
387

Culture and Sport
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the 2009 Awards Ceremony of Prizes
and Certificates of Merit in Sports to Outstanding Athletes and Coaches, on
5 February.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of the
Food and Culture Festival of Chao Shan, on 25 November.
388

Chief Executive Chui Sai On watches a race in the open category
of Macau International Dragon Boat Races, on 13 June.
The lighting ceremony for the Chinese Lunar New Year, on 5 February.
389

Culture and Sport
International Challenge Day 2010, on 26 May.
The Director of Government Information Bureau, Victor Chan Chi Ping, with the event
ambassadors of the Decade of Achievements Exhibition for the 10th Anniversary of the
Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), in Beijing, on 13 January.
390

New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2010.
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, attends the events of the Feast of the
Drunken Dragon organised by the Macao Fresh Fish Merchant Association, on 21 May.
391

Culture and Sport
The 21st Macao Arts Festival: the special concert, Macao’s Poems, created by
the Macao Chinese Orchestra, on 8 May.
The 21st Macao Arts Festival: Macao Kaifong Chinese Opera Children’s
Troupe performing The Double-Spear of Luk Man Long on 16 May.
392

The 21st Macao Arts Festival: the Kransky Sisters’s Heard It on the Wireless
(from Australia), on 14 May.
The 21st Macao Arts Festival: Akram Khan Company’s bahok
(from United Kingdom), on 5 May.
The 23rd Macao International Music Festival - Prague Chamber Choir.
393

Culture and Sport
The 57th Macau Grand Prix takes place from 18 to 21 November.
The Macao delegation for the cultural variety show at Shanghai Expo
departs on 9 June.
394

The Cultural Affairs Bureau lays the tablet for the Historic Centre of Macao
inscribed on the World Heritage List, in the Cathedral at the end of June.
395

The Government aims
to enhance the quality of
medical services, and improve
medical and health care
facilities, thus safeguarding
and improving public health.
Facing the rapid development
of the economy and society,
the Government has drawn
up a plan to establish a
sound medical system by
introducing international
standards to benchmark
the level of medical services,
expanding the application
of clinical information
technology, strengthening
the control of public hygiene,
raising inspection standards
and increasing health care
resources at the community
level.

CHAPTER 10
Health and
Social Welfare

Family Fun (Photo: Tang Chan Seng)

Part 2 Chapter 10
Health and Social Welfare
Health and Social Welfare
The Government aims to enhance the quality of medical services, and improve medical and health
care facilities, thus safeguarding and improving public health. Facing the rapid development of the
economy and society, the Government has drawn up a plan to establish a sound medical system
by introducing international standards to benchmark the level of medical services, expanding the
application of clinical information technology, strengthening the control of public hygiene, raising
inspection standards and increasing health care resources at the community level.
In the scope of social service, it is the policy of the Government to strengthen the provision
of community services, focus on securing and improving people’s standard of living, helping the
underprivileged in the community, and ensuring family harmony and social inclusiveness. The
Government is committed to helping individuals, families and members of vulnerable groups in
distress, enabling them to reassume their social functions, enhance their living skills and acquire
a better quality of life.
Public Health
Macao’s standard of public health care is comparable to that of developed countries and regions.
According to Health Bureau statistics for 2010, the ratio of doctors to residents was 1:415, that of
nurses to residents was 1:360, and that of hospital beds (excluding outpatient beds) to residents
was 1:471. The general mortality rate was 3.3 per thousand inhabitants, while the mortality rate for
infants under one year old was 2.9 per thousand live births. The average life expectancy in Macao
was 82.5 years (2007-2010).
According to the ICD-10-CM classification system (International Classification of Disease,
Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification), malignant tumours were the biggest cause of death in Macao,
while circulatory diseases and respiratory diseases ranked second and third, respectively. In 2010,
these three categories accounted for 33 percent, 25.8 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively, of all
deaths during the year.
Health Bureau
The Health Bureau is supervised by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, and its functions are:
• To plan and implement measures to protect public health and prevent disease;
• To provide primary and specialist health care services, and take preventive measures in the
event of any incidents that endanger public health;
• To cooperate with other authorised agencies and assist in rehabilitating the sick;
• To conduct research into health sciences;
• To train or facilitate the training of health care professionals;
• To supervise and support all entities working in the health sector;
• To offer technical support to health units throughout Macao; and
• To provide forensic services.
399

Macao Yearbook 2011
Medical and Health Resources
The Government devotes considerable resources to medical and health care. In 2010, total
expenditure on medical and health services was about 2.97 billion patacas, an increase of 8.8
percent over the figure of 2.73 billion patacas for 2009.
Medical and health services providers in Macao are classified as either governmental or
nongovernmental. The former mainly include Government Health Centres that provide primary
health care, as well as Conde S. Januario Hospital, which provides specialist medical services. The
latter include medical entities subsidised by the Government and other institutions, such as Kiang
Wu Hospital, the Workers’ Clinic and Tung Sin Tong Clinic, as well as various private clinics and
laboratories. The medical services provided by Government Health Centres and Tung Sin Tong
Clinic are basically free of charge.
Conde S. Januario Hospital
Conde S. Januario Hospital has an area of 31,614 square metres, and a total floor area of 62,604
square metres. It consists of four interconnected buildings and a helicopter pad.
Conde S. Januario Hospital is a modern medical institution with advanced and comprehensive
facilities. Its departments include Inpatient, Outpatient, Emergency, Surgery, Intensive Care,
Coronary Intensive Care, Burns Service, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Medicine, Haemodialysis
and Peritoneal Dialysis, Medical Imaging, Laboratory and Haematological Oncology. The 78 types
of services offered by the Outpatient Department include Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Surgery,
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dermatology, Stomatology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics,
Haematological Oncology, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Internal Medicine, General Medicine,
Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics, Chest
Clinic, Psychiatry and Urology.
According to the Health Bureau’s statistics for 2010, the Inpatient Department of Conde S.
Januario Hospital had 549 beds, in 14 specialist wards. Its bed occupancy rate was 89.35 percent,
and patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 9.34 days. The hospital’s emergency services
covered three areas: General Emergency, Paediatric Emergency, and Gynaecological and Obstetric
Emergency. The General Emergency service accounted for around 63 percent of patient visits, the
highest of the three.
As at 31 December 2010, Conde S. Januario Hospital had 407 doctors, 846 nurses and 661 beds
(549 inpatient beds and 112 outpatient beds). It received 320,633 outpatients, and the daytime
hospital treated 20,308 patients. There were 191,192 emergency cases and 17,228 inpatient cases;
surgical operations were performed on 7,234 occasions, and 2,670 women gave birth in the hospital.
A total of 3,899,669 diagnoses and examinations in support of treatments were conducted in the
auxiliary department.
Located on Taipa island, the Psychiatric Centre of Conde S. Januario Hospital has five floors
and a total floor area of over 7,494.9 square metres. It provides medical, rehabilitation and judicial
psychiatric services as well as teaching facilities, all under one roof. It has 126 beds, 81 of which
are for inpatients and 45 for outpatients. During 2010, it accepted 1,119 new adult psychiatric
outpatient cases.
Conde S. Januario Hospital provides free medical services for the following categories of Macao
400

Health and Social Welfare
residents: pregnant women, new mothers, children aged 10 or below, primary and secondary school
students of formal education, teaching staff, patients suffering from infectious diseases, drug addicts,
people with malignant tumours, the mentally ill, prisoners, people aged 65 or above, who hold
proof of their personal financial standing (Card for Recipient of Financial Subsidy) issued by the
Social Welfare Bureau. However, if a patient’s medical expenses are covered by a third party, or if
the need for medical care is caused by an accident or assault by a third party who can be identified,
the cost of medical care will be borne by the responsible third party.
Health Centres
To realise the objective of “Health for All” advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO),
the Health Bureau has established Health Centres throughout the territory. The completion of a
primary health care network with Health Centres as its operational units offers all Macao residents
easy access to primary health care services in their own neighbourhoods.
There are six Health Centres and two Health Stations distributed throughout the various districts
of Macao. Of these, the Fai Chi Kei Health Centre and Areia Preta Health Centre also had traditional
Chinese medicine clinics. In the year ending 31 December 2010, 108 doctors (including general
practitioners, practitioners of Chinese medicine and dentists) and 146 nurses provided primary
health care services to 525,619 outpatients. Most outpatients attended the adult health care, child
health care and family planning clinics, which accounted for 62.50 percent, 11.28 percent and 7.88
percent, respectively, of total outpatient visits.
Health Centres provide the following services:
Prenatal Care, which ensures the health of both mothers and their babies during pregnancy
through regular check ups. This service was used on 27,775 occasions in 2010.
Family Planning, which offers married couples the choice of planned parenthood. It reduces the
occurrence of diseases among pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, lowers mortality
rates, and raises the health and living standards of women and their families. In 2010, this service
was used on 41,428 occasions.
Children’s Health Care, which serves children aged between birth and 13, providing them with
regular medical check ups and consultations, physical examinations, vaccinations and fluoride
supplements. It also teaches skills and knowledge about feeding and caring for babies and infants.
This service was used on 59,321 occasions in 2010.
Adult Health Care, which provides health examinations, diagnosis, treatment and control
of various common illnesses, especially chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It also offers basic medication, laboratory tests and other
supplementary check ups. In all, this service was used on 328,524 occasions in 2010.
Oral Health Care, which provides dental check ups, fissure-sealing, restoration and filling and
root-canal treatments, scaling and polishing and extractions. This service was used on 24,552
occasions in 2010.
Student Health Care, which provides physical check ups, vaccinations and health education to
Primary One to Six students. In all, this service was used on 4,157 occasions in 2010.
Health Education, which enhances health knowledge among residents, promotes the concept of
401

Macao Yearbook 2011
“Prevention is Better than Cure” and encourages the practice of a healthy lifestyle.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Services, which have been available in the Fai Chi Kei Health
Centre since 1999, and in Areia Preta Health Centre since July 2006. In 2010, these services were
used on 33,947 occasions.
The free health care services provided by Health Centres also include family visits, referral,
vaccination and other nursing services.
Expenses for Medical Services
All legal residents of Macao, regardless of their age or occupation, are entitled to free services at
Health Centres and supplementary check ups at Conde S. Januario Hospital by referral from Health
Centres. Non-residents pay for such services according to rates established by the Health Bureau.
Patients other than those specified above must pay for services provided by Conde S. Januario
Hospital. Fees are higher for non-residents.
Macao Public Health Laboratory
The Macao Public Health Laboratory is a department under the Health Bureau, and is responsible for
providing general health care support. It had 71 members of staff at the end of 2010. It obtained ISO/
IEC 17025:2005 certification in 2006. In 2009 it was recognised by the World Health Organization
Regional Office for the Western Pacific as a regional measles laboratory.
The laboratory provides laboratory support to agencies under the Health Bureau and other
departments in Macao, and conducts research on public health (including monitoring environmental
hygiene and infectious diseases) either on its own or in collaboration with other countries and
nearby regions.
The laboratory provides testing services for food safety and water quality, and medicine quality
is tested through chemical and microorganism tests. For the prevention, monitoring and control,
and investigation against outbreak of infectious disease, the laboratory provides diagnostic and
support services for tuberculosis, parasites, HIV/AIDS, Norovirus, hepatitis viruses, TORCH
infection, syphilis, chlamydia trachomatis, EB virus, gastrointestinal viruses, respiratory viruses,
dengue fever, influenza and SARS corona virus. In 2010, the laboratory tested 73,194 specimens,
and performed a total of 239,149 laboratory tests.
Prevention and Treatment of HIV Disease
The number of HIV carriers worldwide has increased enormously in the past 20 years, which has
become an alarming public health issue.
The Commission on AIDS Prevention and Treatment was established by an order of the Chief
Executive issued in November 2005. Its term was extended for another three years by an executive
order issued in December 2008. Chaired by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the
commission comprises members from both the Government and community groups, including the
Health Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Unitary
Police Service, Macao Prison, Kiang Wu Hospital, the School of Health Sciences of Macao
402

Health and Social Welfare
Polytechnic Institute, Kiang Wu Nursing College, Chinese Medical Association, the Macao
Association of Medical Practitioners, Macau Red Cross, Caritas de Macau, the Macao Federation of
Trade Unions, the Macao General Neighbourhood Associations Union, and Tung Sin Tong Charitable
Society. There are six dedicated taskforces under the commission. The commission designs and
promotes measures to prevent and control AIDS transmission in Macao, through cooperation among
public departments and community groups and organisations.
A department of the Macao Public Health Laboratory, the HIV/AIDS Inquiry and Counselling
Unit provides counselling on the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases. Its main
duties include educating and counselling HIV carriers and those in need of information on the
subject; providing enquiry services about confidentiality and medical referral services; arranging
for employees of entertainment venues to have blood tests on a regular basis, and providing them
with counselling, prevention education and information to raise their awareness of the potential
dangers of contracting such diseases; and conducting educational sessions for students and certain
groups of high-risk people.
Blood Transfusion Centre
The Blood Transfusion Centre (BTC), a department under the Health Bureau, is the only institution
in Macao that provides blood, blood components, and a blood donation service. The centre adopts
a policy of voluntary, unpaid and anonymous blood donation. Its primary responsibilities include
providing local patients with adequate and safe blood and blood components. The centre had 42
staff members in 2010.
The centre passed the ISO 9001:2000 certification test in 2003, and strictly follows standards
set by the Council of Europe for conducting quality control of blood and blood products. The
immunohematology, microbiology and molecular microbial laboratories under the centre each
joined the National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS) – either in the UK or Australia,
in a further step to ensure their chemical examination standards. The centre also assists hospitals
in Macao in developing correct applications for clinical blood transfusions; and in training relevant
medical and technical professionals.
The rapidly developing economy, the influx of immigrants and the growing and ageing population
have all contributed to ever-rising demand for blood. The Blood Transfusion Centre must collect
blood from at least 45 donors a day to meet the current demand of Macao’s hospitals.
In 2010, a total of 16,106 residents registered as blood donors with the Blood Transfusion
Centre. The centre collected 13,577 units of blood during the year; and prepared 34,285 units of
blood components for 2,351 patients of various hospitals. Its statistics show that about 2.7 percent
of residents meeting age criteria donated blood, over 62 percent of whom were repeat donors.
Students (including secondary school and university students) accounted for 30.9 percent of the
total donors, while persons from commercial and service industries accounted for 19.8 percent.
Women accounted for 50.4 percent of the total donors; the main age bracket for blood donors was
between 20 and 29, accounting for 41.8 percent.
Department of Pharmaceutical Affairs
The Department of Pharmaceutical Affairs is an administrative and monitoring unit supervised by
403

Macao Yearbook 2011
the Health Bureau. The department, with 48 employees in 2010, is composed of the Division of
Monitoring and Management, and the Inspection and Licensing Division.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Affairs is responsible for implementing regulations and
supervising all kinds of pharmaceutical activities related to western, Chinese and traditional
medicines, to ensure residents receive safe, effective medications that meet quality standards. Specific
duties include pre-market assessments of pharmaceutical quality, safety and efficacy; registering
pharmaceuticals that meet required standards; granting import licences to health products including
pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical materials, diagnostic and laboratory reagents, and baby milk
powder; monitoring the quality and safety of drugs available in the local market, providing health
care professionals with summaries of information after conducting scientific analyses and research,
and implementing appropriate measures; assessing, approving and issuing pharmacy business licence
applications, including those for pharmaceutical manufacturing licences, import and export licences,
wholesale licences and operating licences of pharmacies and Chinese herbal stores; reviewing and
granting applications for licences of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians; monitoring activities
of pharmacies as well as pharmaceutical practitioners and punishing irregularities; regulating
promotional activities related to pharmaceuticals and health products; and implementing the UN
conventions regarding the trade and lawful use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and
monitoring the manufacturing, supply, sale and use of such substances; coordinating the central
disposal or destruction of medicines; and helping to formulate pharmaceutical policies and laws;
and providing pharmacological support to other parties.
By the end of 2010, a total of 23,468 kinds of western medicine had been approved by the
Health Bureau for launch in the local market; of these, 7,416 were over-the-counter medicines,
14,787 were prescription medicines and 1,265 could only be used by hospitals. A total of 5,705
kinds of Chinese and traditional medicine were licensed for sale in the local market. There were
276 pharmacists and 162 pharmacy technicians registered with the Health Bureau. There were 110
licensed wholesale stores with Health Bureau authorisation for conducting pharmaceutical import
and export business. There were 121 licensed pharmaceutical stores, 128 Chinese herbal stores,
22 pharmaceutical dealers and 18 pharmaceutical factories.
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was established in October 2001 with the approval
of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. It reports to the Director of the Health Bureau. The
centre plays a key role in implementing public health policies and disease-prevention and control
measures. It is a technical unit responsible for the overall planning of public disease-prevention work.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has departments for the prevention, monitoring and
control of infectious diseases; the prevention and control of chronic diseases and the improvement
of health; the environment and food hygiene; occupational health; and health planning. It also
has a Tuberculosis Control Centre, a Vector Control Working Group, and six community-health
working groups attached to various district health centres. The centre had 138 staff members at
the end of 2010.
The main aims of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in 2010 included: pressing
ahead with capacity building; effective prevention and control of serious communicable diseases;
intensifying the Healthy City Project; promoting food safety; launching and developing new public
health initiatives; and ensuring the effective implementation of public health measures.
404

Health and Social Welfare
Kiang Wu Hospital
Kiang Wu Hospital is a non-governmental medical and health institution administered by the Kiang
Wu Hospital Charitable Association of Macao. Established in 1871, it has a 138-year history as a
charitable hospital founded and operated by Chinese people. Its mission is to serve the community
and to offer patient-oriented medical services with diligence, love and courtesy. It has worked for
the health of the common people of Macao and brought comfort to them for more than 100 years.
Kiang Wu Hospital has developed into a modern general hospital that integrates treatment,
prevention, teaching and research; and it is currently implementing a modern information
management system in phases. In 2010, the hospital had 1,674 staff: 314 doctors, 499 nurses, 281
technical professionals and 580 other employees.
Kiang Wu Hospital has the following departments: Emergency, Outpatient, Inpatient, Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) and Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) as well as a number of medical centres in addition
to the Taipa Medical Centre, specialising in: cardiovascular, dialysis, hospice and palliative care,
radiotherapy, endoscopy, diabetes, breast disease, anti-aging, laser vision correction, plastic and
reconstructive surgery, health check, high-pressure oxygen treatment services. The hospital’s
clinical services also cover internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology,
Chinese medicine, oncology, stomatology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation, dermatology and
otorhinolaryngology. In addition, the hospital has eight supporting departments dedicated to medical
imaging, pharmacy, pathology, general examination, cardiac catheterisation, cardiac function
examination, information technology and central sterilised supplies. In August 2009, Dr Henry Y.
T. Fok Specialist Medical Centre was completed and came into operation. It offers several specialty
outpatient departments.
Kiang Wu Hospital has an emergency department and three outpatient departments. During 2010,
its emergency and outpatient departments treated over 1.07 million patients, an average of 3,257
per day. Its emergency department is open around the clock, and during 2010 treated over 160,000
patients, an average of around 449 per day. A total of 24,000 patients were discharged from the
hospital during the year. In 2010, the Taipa Medical Centre received patients seeking emergency
and outpatient services on 126,000 occasions, an average of 383 patients per day.
University Hospital
The University Hospital, an institution under the Macau University of Science and Technology
(MUST) Foundation, is an integrated, modern hospital. It also serves as the clinical and teaching
base for the Faculty of Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences of the MUST. The hospital
has a team of local professional medial staff and medical consultants from overseas, mainland
China and Hong Kong.
The hospital provides both western and Chinese medicines. Its internal medicine and surgery
services cover a wide range of specialties, including cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology
and hepatology, psychiatry, clinical psychology, rheumatology, geriatrics and gerontology,
blood transfusions, dietetics, urology, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology,
otolaryngology, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics, chiropractic, physical therapy, bonesetting,
colo-proctology, acupuncture and Chinese manual therapy (Tuina therapy).
In addition, it has established the following state-of the-art facilities: the International Health
405

Macao Yearbook 2011
Management Centre, Medical Imaging Diagnostic Centre, Preventive Care Centre, Integrated
Oncology Centre, Sleep Therapy Centre, Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Centre, Pathology Unit,
Endoscopy Centre and Operating Theatre. The Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Centre, which
has joined the CAP Quality Assurance Programme, has gained accreditation from the National
Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), an international laboratory accreditation authority
recognised by the Australian government and internationally.
The Inpatient Department has 60 beds; double rooms, single rooms and luxury rooms are
available.
Environmental Hygiene
One of the major tasks of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is to improve and protect the
urban environment, as well as to maintain a clean and tidy city. The bureau handles complaints
about environmental hygiene, inspects urban hygiene, monitors the waste-disposal franchise
company, manages landfills, improves the facilities and distribution of refuse stations, organises
city cleaning campaigns to promote awareness of environmental hygiene, maintains and manages
public conveniences and prevents rat problems. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau handled
7,917 complaints in 2010, mainly concerning refuse at vacant construction sites and buildings,
water dripping from air conditioners, refuse stations, rat problems, occupation of public space,
smoke and exhaust fumes, overflowing sewage and noise pollution. In recent years, the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau has begun constructing closed refuse tips, which will eventually replace
street litterbins. These efforts are expected to greatly improve the hygiene conditions of refuse
collection facilities.
Cemeteries
Macao has six public cemeteries and 11 private cemeteries. The public cemeteries include the
Macao St Michael’s Cemetery, Macao Our Lady of Piety Cemetery, Sa Kong Cemetery and Carmo
Cemetery on Taipa, Municipal Cemetery and Va Ian (Chinese) Cemetery on Coloane.
The private cemeteries include the Parsee Cemetery; the Old Protestant Cemetery; Mong Ha
New Cemetery; Muslim Cemetery; Kai Fong (Neighbourhood) Cemetery, Pao Choc (Firecrackers)
Cemetery, and Hao Si Cemetery on Taipa; and Kok Ip Cemetery, Ha Sac Cemetery, Ka Ho Cemetery
and Son I Cemetery on Coloane.
Public cemeteries are managed directly by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. They include
13,315 grave plots, 5,626 of which are available for lease, as well as 19,193 ossuaries and cremation
urns. The bureau is also authorised to supervise the operations of private cemeteries.
Public Toilets
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau has implemented various measures to optimise the
distribution and services of Macao’s public toilets. At present, the Civic and Municipal Affairs
Bureau manages 62 fixed public toilets and five portable public toilets, distributed across various
districts and open to citizens and tourists free of charge.
406

Health and Social Welfare
Environmental Protection and Clean City Education
Environment Information and Education Centres
Macao currently has two environment information and education centres. These are the Mong
Ha Environment Information Centre and the Flora Garden Environment Information Centre. The
environment information centres provide space for interactive exchanges and learning among the
general public, fostering public concern regarding and encouraging joint efforts to raising the quality
of Macao’s urban environment, through education and promotions.
Mong Ha Environment Information Centre
Mong Ha Environment Information Centre, the first such centre in Macao, was opened on 14 March
1999. A new wing was completed in 2009 and opened to the public on 5 June 2010. The two-storey
centre has an area of 540 square metres available for public use and visits. In the 8.9-metre high
building, there are a large exhibition hall, a multi-functional room, an interactive games room, a
library, a computer room and an audiovisual room. The centre also features interactive models and
equipment for demonstrations.
The centre has an archive of 3,191 volumes of Chinese and foreign-language educational
materials, and 69 films on environmental protection. It holds regular activities, including practical
demonstrations of recycling waste paper, making handicrafts from waste materials, film screenings,
tours of public parks, seminars and experimental farming. In 2010, the number of visits reached
10,644.
Flora Garden Environment Information Centre
Flora Garden Environment Information Centre was opened on 6 January 2001. It is equipped with
broadband Internet access, reading rooms, video viewing rooms, exhibition halls, a mini-laboratory
and multi-purpose rooms. The centre also houses 3,222 reference works about environmental
protection in Chinese and foreign languages, 72 informational films, and models of wetlands and
renewable power generation systems. It regularly holds fun activities to promote environmental
protection. The centre received 21,778 visits during 2010.
Green Roof
To promote education about environmental hygiene and the reduction of resource wastage, and to
spread the message of ecological care, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau set up the Green Roof,
which was opened on 24 April 2010 for the public to visit by appointment. It features ecological and
environmental protection facilities such as a food waste elimination machine, green roof facilities,
a climbing plant zone, solar energy water heating systems, an aquatic ecological pond, a compost
area, an ecological house, an earthworm culture zone and a micro-wind power generation system.
Through the facilities, the bureau aims to promote the message of waste reduction, saving energy
resources and efficient use of resources.
Oscar’s Farm
Oscar’s Farm, on Cheoc Van Road in Coloane, opened during the Green Week in 2005. It is the only
407

Macao Yearbook 2011
organic farm in Macao, with an area of around 7,000 square metres. It provides accommodation
in the form of villas and camp sites, as well as large huts for holding group activities, parties and
handicraft workshops, as well as facilities including the chess game zone, teahouse, performance
stage, Tyrolean traverse platform, BBQ zone, fitness zone and the children’s playground. It also has
an organic farm and an orchard. The farm combines natural environment and farming education,
and is a healthy place for residents.
Green Week
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Environmental Protection Bureau hosted the 29th
Green Week in Macao, with assistance from the Macao Federation of Trade Unions, the Macao
General Neighbourhood Associations Union and other associations. The event was held over nine
days, from 20 to 28 March 2010, with the slogan “Protect the environment for a better future”.
The 29th Green Week in Macao featured over 40 promotional and educational activities. The
event was attended by 79,000 people, 1,500 trees were planted and 7,600 potted plants were given
out during the event.
Youth Environmental Protection Ambassadors
The Macao Youth Environmental Protection Ambassadors programme, organised by the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau, aims to educate young students about environmental protection during
their spare time, and encourages them to disseminate relevant information to their schoolmates,
thereby contributing to the promotion of environmental protection.
Elderly Ambassadors of Urban Cleaning
Launched by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Elderly Ambassadors of Urban Cleaning
programme is designed to promote urban cleaning. The ambassadors’ activities include visits to
environmental protection facilities, training sessions, urban cleaning promotions and relevant
cultural, recreational and sports activities.
Food Hygiene
In accordance with relevant regulations, most imported foods (primarily animal and plant products)
are subject to compulsory quarantine and inspection before being placed on the market.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau’s quarantine personnel conduct hygiene inspections
of imported foodstuffs, such as livestock, meat, vegetables and fishery products, food products
originating from animals, and fresh but perishable products. These inspections are conducted at
the Border Gate quarantine station, fish quarantine stations, wholesale markets, Slaughter House,
piers, Ka Ho Harbour, the airport, the COTAI quarantine station and other quarantine points.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau has strengthened its product quality inspection and
control measures. It has also made sample inspection procedures for imported livestock and
foodstuffs more stringent, in order to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases. All imported
foodstuffs – including vegetables, live poultry, fish, fresh and frozen meat, eggs, fruits and canned
goods – must now be inspected, quarantined and tested for residual pesticides, while poultry must
408

Health and Social Welfare
be tested for avian flu. In addition, the bureau is responsible for food hygiene inspection of shops
selling meat, vegetables and fish, and issuing licences to them. It carries out regular hygiene blitzes,
and it has introduced a grading system to monitor the hygiene and safety of fresh live food.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau effectively carries out its food inspection and quarantine
responsibilities through cooperation and the exchange of information with the Macao Customs
Service, the Health Bureau, the Economic Services Bureau and counterparts of these organisations
in neighbouring regions.
Veterinary Health
Monitoring animal hygiene is an important integral part of preventing animal epidemics and
securing public health. The Inspection and Veterinary Control Division, under the supervision of
the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, is mainly responsible for supervising and managing animal
hygiene in Macao. Its duties include prevention and control of epidemic animal diseases (especially
rabies and avian flu), quarantine of imported and exported animals, animal management, issuing
and managing licences for poultry retailing and pet shops, education and publicity about animal
hygiene and welfare, and animal licensing.
To prevent avian flu, in 2010 the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau collected a total of 226
wild bird carcasses, 240 samples of the droppings of migratory birds, 788 environmental samples
from live poultry retail stalls, 1163 samples of poultry droppings, 120 samples of bird’s blood
from bird parks, and 200 samples of bird droppings. No avian flu virus was found through tests of
all samples collected. Moreover, policies prohibiting the sale of live poultry at any retail sites and
stipulating the compulsory slaughter of all live poultry before 7.00pm were strictly implemented.
In addition, the bureau has made efforts to move poultry retail stalls from the streets into the public
markets. There are only five poultry retail stalls outside the public markets.
There are two dog pounds under the supervision of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau,
which are responsible for issuing pet dog licences, providing rabies vaccinations for pet dogs and
cats, providing diagnoses and treatment for pets, sheltering abandoned and stray animals, providing
animal quarantine, handling matters concerning pet adoptions, issuing animal health certificates
and providing corpse handling and cremation services.
To prevent rabies, in 2010 the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau gave rabies vaccines of threeyear
efficacy to 9,764 pet dogs and cats. The bureau issued 9,425 pet dog licences, and pounded 811
stray dogs and 365 stray cats, of which 279 stray cats were neutered, implanted with a microchip,
marked on the ear, vaccinated against rabies and then sent home or moved to appropriate places.
From 2007, the bureau introduced a “pound, neuter, and return” approach, which reduces the
number of stray cats by controlling the reproduction rate. By the end of 2010, a total of 629 stray
cats had been treated under this humane approach.
Wet Markets
There are nine wet markets in Macao: seven on the Macao peninsula and one each on the islands
of Taipa and Coloane. These house a total of 1,163 market stalls.
In 2010, some 860 market stalls were rented, involving a total of 2,083 operators. Among them
were 928 stall tenants and temporary mobile stall licensees, 512 stall assistants and 711 employees.
409

Macao Yearbook 2011
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is responsible for wet market management and tenant
management.
Hawkers
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau licenses, manages and monitors hawkers. In addition, it
manages various large temporary sales activities, such as sales of firecrackers and the Lunar New
Year’s Eve Market, during major Chinese traditional festivals, as well as special markets like the
Taipa Flea Market.
During 2010, the bureau issued 1,228 hawkers’ licences, including 228 cooked food stall licences
and 80 special permits to flower hawkers from the Wanzai District of Zhuhai Municipality, 60 fewer
licences or 5.1 percent less than the number in 2009.
Slaughterhouse
In accordance with relevant regulations, livestock, such as pigs, cattle and sheep, must be slaughtered
at the Slaughter House. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau stations veterinarians and quarantine
personnel in the slaughterhouse to supervise its operations and hygiene. All slaughtered products
must be checked before and after killing, and certified fit for human consumption before they can
be sold. The bureau is also responsible for protecting animal rights, preventing abuse, supervising
the transportation of livestock and destroying sub-standard meat.
410
In 2010, the slaughterhouse butchered 87,746 head of cattle and pigs.
Social Welfare
The Government designs its social welfare policies in conjunction with non-governmental agencies;
so that governmental and non-governmental organisations both deliver practical social services that
meet residents’ needs and help distressed individuals and families and disadvantaged communities
to resume normal social functioning and improve their living standards. The Social Welfare Bureau
spent over 971 million patacas on social welfare services in 2010, an increase of 16.03 percent.
In 2005, the Government started to offer the Old-age Allowance to elderly Macao permanent
residents aged 65 or above. The allowance was delivered to the eligible elderly in a lump sum in
October every year. In 2010, the Old-age Allowance was 5,000 patacas a year. A total of 43,741
applications were approved and, in all, 218 million patacas were paid to the elderly.
Social Welfare Bureau
The Social Welfare Bureau (formerly the Commission for Assistance and Beneficence) was founded
in 1938. In 1999, it was reorganised in accordance with its new organic law. The bureau’s original
structure was also changed to emphasise family services and community assistance. Its scope of
services was widened to include issues such as the prevention of drug dependence. These changes
have made it more efficient and effective in solving personal, family and community problems,
and supporting Macao’s residents in achieving the goal of “Helping Those in Need and Creating
a New Life Together”.

Health and Social Welfare
The Social Welfare Bureau provides services for individuals and families, children and youth,
the disabled and the elderly. It also offers anti-drug-dependence services, as well as treatment and
social rehabilitation for drug dependents. Its social service facilities include recreational and multi
service centres for the elderly, a casualty centre for victims of disasters, the Chi Ai Hin – a counselling
centre for problem gamblers, Assessment Centre for Rehabilitation, Healthy Life Education Centre,
the Anti-drug Education Resource Centre and the Treatment and Social Rehabilitation Service for
Drug Dependence.
Family Services
The Social Welfare Bureau has established five social services centres in Macao, providing
individuals and families in need with general services, including personal and family counselling,
financial aid, round-the-clock support, disaster relief and referral services.
In addition, the bureau provides crisis coordination and counselling services for families with
special problems. Individuals and families suffering from domestic violence, such as spouse
abuse, child abuse or elderly abuse, and those suffering from serious emotional problems, such as
suicidal tendencies, are provided with cross-disciplinary professional treatment services that include
personalised treatment, round-the-clock crisis intervention, group therapy and legal consultations.
A 24-hour counselling service hotline provides ad-hoc telephone counselling and follow-up
face-to-face counselling services for people in need. In 2010, the hotline handled 434 cases.
Chi Ai Hin, which is under the supervision of the Social Welfare Bureau’s Department of Family
and Community Service, is a counselling centre for problem gamblers and their family members. It
provides telephone counselling, personal and family counselling and organises community activities.
In 2010, Chi Ai Hin provided face-to-face counselling services for 96 cases and answered 376
hotline calls. It held 14 lectures and workshops concerning gambling prevention in the community,
which were attended by 1,051 people. It hosted and participated in three large community events
concerning the prevention of problem gambling.
At the end of 2010, Macao had one public casualty centre, 11 not-for-profit family service centres
(all 11 were subsidised), and one not-for-profit counselling agency, as well as four not-for-profit
temporary shelters (three of which were subsidised), to improve the quality of domestic life and
prevent domestic problems. During 2010, a total of 18 people were admitted to the Ilha Verde Centre
for Victims of Disasters, and 40 people used the cold/wind shelter service a total of 214 times. And
126,655 persons used the services provided by the 11 subsidised family service centres. The three
subsidised not-for-profit temporary shelters housed 340 people; while one subsidised counselling
agency provided services to 10,512 people.
Community Services
Fourteen not-for-profit community centres provide services to the public in Macao. Of these,
13 are subsidised by the Social Welfare Bureau. They offer facilities such as study rooms, areas
for ball games and children’s reading rooms. Activities such as lectures, exhibitions, major evening
entertainments, dances and other events of interest are also held on a regular basis.
During 2010, 9,707 people received various types of assistance and services from the Social
Welfare Bureau’s Department of Family and Community Service on 25,117 occasions. The assistance
411

Macao Yearbook 2011
and services included financial aid; individual or family counselling; day-care, child-care and
hostel services; and referrals for domestic help services. Moreover, the five social services centres
conducted 14,619 face-to-face counselling sessions for 7,977 residents and 5,163 home visits for
3,615 residents to cater for the various needs of individual cases. The bureau disbursed over 298
million patacas in the form of regular financial assistance to 11,855 people in 6,193 families.
In order to enhance welfare recipients’ incentives to work and encourage them to re-enter the
labour market, the Social Welfare Bureau and four non-governmental organisations cooperated in
implementing the Community Employment Assistance Scheme. By the end of 2010, the scheme
had 86 participants. Additionally, by the end of 2010, the Positive Life Programme, which was
launched to encourage employment, maintained 288 individual accounts for unemployed people,
84 of whom had already received employment counselling and accepted job referrals.
Children’s and Youth Services
Macao currently has 32 child-care centres; of which 30 are not-for-profit (26 of these are subsidised
by the Social Welfare Bureau) and two are profit making. They are dedicated to sharing parents’
responsibilities for taking care of children, providing favourable conditions for children’s mental
and physical development. In 2010, the child-care centres took in 3,805 young children.
The nine not-for-profit homes for children and adolescents subsidised by the Social Welfare
Bureau provide a healthy living environment and short or long-term care and counselling for
orphans, as well as children and adolescents who have been abandoned, who lack family care, or
who are on the verge of a crisis as a result of family or social conflicts. In 2010, the nine homes
housed 277 children and youngsters.
Macao has two not-for-profit community youth service teams. The team members, who are
professional social workers, visit video game arcades, playgrounds and fast-food outlets, in order
to become acquainted with vulnerable young people and help them to confront and solve personal,
family and peer-relationship problems. The social workers also strive to strengthen ties between
adolescents, their families, schools and communities, and to raise public awareness of the problems
and needs of adolescents. Apart from outreach services, they also provide counselling services
related to youth career development, family support for problem youngsters, community support
and prevention of drug abuse. In 2010, a total of 9,286 people participated in the activities and
groups organised by the outreach teams.
The Social Welfare Bureau is the only authorised organisation in Macao that deals with adoption
services. It handled 85 such cases in 2010. In addition, the bureau is responsible for providing
assistance to minors who become involved in judicial actions, in accordance with the social
protection system. During 2010, the bureau processed 197 such cases and handled six cases under
the community support programme.
Services for the Elderly
In 2010, the Government continued to improve the living conditions of Macao’s elderly, by
financing and offering technical assistance to non-governmental organisations, to establish various
service facilities and promote community support services. The service quality was thus enhanced,
providing the elderly with a caring and respectful environment, so they can spend their latter years
in comfort and dignity.
412

Health and Social Welfare
Macao has 19 homes for the elderly; 10 of them are not-for-profit (nine are subsidised by the
Social Welfare Bureau) and nine are for-profit. These provide residential services for individuals
who cannot live in their own homes for various reasons. In 2010, a total of 734 senior citizens were
housed in homes for the elderly.
Macao also has one public and four not-for-profit day centres for the elderly, and three notfor-profit
multi-service centres, all of which are subsidised by the Social Welfare Bureau. These
provide day care, nursing and rehabilitation for elderly people in failing health. There are also one
Government-run and 23 not-for-profit social centres for the elderly, providing services to 5,583
senior citizens. These are subsidised by the Social Welfare Bureau.
There are four Home Help and Community Support Teams in Macao, which are attached to three
day centres and a day care centre for the elderly. The teams provide homecare and rehabilitation
services to the elderly in need, as well as better support for physically frail senior citizens living in
the community. Their services are divided into two categories: basic services and support services.
Basic services include homecare services, such as meal deliveries, home cleaning, bathing, personal
care, laundry, escorting the elderly and accompanying them when they receive medical services,
grocery shopping, and helping with personal business outside their homes; as well as psychological
and social support services including individual counselling, home visits, support via the phone,
and communal mutual-aid network activities. Support services include nursing and rehabilitation
services. In 2010, the teams provided such services to 697 senior citizens, 412 of whom were living
alone, and 285 were not.
The Caring Service Network for the Aged is another programme in which volunteers regularly
visit and show their concern for elderly single people, giving them the warm feeling of being cared
for by society. In 2010, the network provided services to 1,549 senior citizens who lived alone.
The home emergency alert service is a round-the-clock support through communication between
home telephones and the service centre. Also, the service includes a hotline for the elderly, which
offers emotional support, regular greetings, useful community information, referral service and
regular home visits. In 2010, a total of 1,230 citizens in need benefited from the service.
Senior Citizen’s Card
Citizens holding Macao Resident Identity Cards aged 65 or above are eligible to apply for the Senior
Citizen’s Card. Senior Citizen’s Card holders are entitled to the welfare and benefits offered by
the public organisations and enterprises that have signed cooperation agreements with the Social
Welfare Bureau. By the end of 2010, the Social Welfare Bureau had issued a cumulative total of
33,694 Senior Citizen’s Cards.
Rehabilitation Services
Macao has five not-for-profit rehabilitation homes, all of which are subsidised by the Social Welfare
Bureau. Four of these provide residential care, vocational training and social and recreational
services for mentally disabled adults, the chronically mentally ill, and children under 15 who are
either mentally or physically disabled. The other is a halfway house for patients who are recovering
from psychiatric illness. Eight not-for-profit day care centres subsidised by the Government provide
services such as training for independent living, group learning, physiotherapy, social activities and
personal assistance to the deaf, the mentally disabled, people recovering from mental illness and the
413

Macao Yearbook 2011
visually impaired. During 2010, the five homes provided residential services to 347 people, while
the eight day-care centres provided rehabilitation services to 986 people.
At present, six subsidised sheltered workshops, vocational training centres and supported
employment centres assist the disabled. They help to make the disabled aware of their own potential
and employment capabilities, and encourage them to become “self-confident, self-reliant and self
empowering”. In 2010, they provided services to 352 people.
Two not-for-profit pre-school education centres and education centres subsidised by the Social
Welfare Bureau provide early special education and training for children with developmental or
behavioural problems under the age of six, and for deaf children aged from one to 18; thus facilitating
the development of their intelligence, linguistic and social skills, and mobility. The two pre-school
education centres and education centres provided services to 280 people during 2010.
The rehabilitation bus service in Macao is provided by two not-for-profit agencies. The
Government subsidises the cost of purchasing and operating rehabilitation buses. The service
enables people with impaired mobility, the physically disabled and patients requiring renal dialysis
to commute between their homes and hospitals or Health Centres. Rehabilitation buses provided
transport services to 28,732 people during 2010. The non-emergency ambulance transport service
conveys patients with physical disabilities in an ambulance between their homes and hospitals. In
2010, this service was used over 4,886 times.
A Government-funded comprehensive rehabilitation service centre designed for people with
intellectual disabilities opened for service in January 2006. It provided small dormitories for 16
to 55-year-old males and females with moderate mental retardation, and during 2010, 15 people
received training in independent living skills. It also provided employment assistance to males and
females who were from 16 to 50 years old, and who had mild to moderate mental retardation, and
during the year 17 people received training in professional skills. It also provided parental support
services to those with intellectual disabilities and their family members; these services were used
6,869 times in 2010.
Funded by the Government, the community psychiatric rehabilitation support services unit
provides outreach community support services to mental patients, helping them to integrate with
the community. The target service users are current and rehabilitating mental patients who are over
16 years old. In 2010, it provided services to 92 people.
The Assessment Centre for Rehabilitation under the supervision of the Social Welfare Bureau
provides professional assessment services and seeks suitable placements for people with disabilities,
who receive subsidies from the bureau. During 2010, the centre handled 84 cases.
Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence
The prevention of drug abuse is one of the prime tasks of the Social Welfare Bureau. The Department
for the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependence plans, organises and promotes drug abuse
prevention and education programmes, and provides treatment and rehabilitation services. It collects
and analyses data and information about drug dependence, formulates policies on preventing it,
and participates in both regional and international cooperative projects.
As part of its work to combat drug abuse, the department conducts a series of anti-drug education
programmes for schools, families and the community, spreading the anti-drug message through
lectures, training courses, publicity posters and leaflets, media advertisements, exhibitions, booth
414

Health and Social Welfare
games, websites, enquiry hotlines, talks and various recreational and entertainment activities. It
also provides financial aid and technical support to encourage community groups to launch various
anti-drug campaigns. The Social Welfare Bureau runs the Anti-drug Education Resource Centre and
the Healthy Life Education Centre to popularise anti-drug education and strengthen the prevention
of drug abuse in childhood.
During 2010, the Social Welfare Bureau held anti-drug training courses and lectures for 7,135
people from schools, the community at large and various professions. Its “Education for a Healthy
Life” educational course about drugs and medicine, which has been specially designed for students
aged between five and 12, was attended by a total of 19,701 pupils from 64 primary schools. “Be
Wise and Cool”, another course on the same subjects for junior secondary school students was
attended by 5,375 Form One to Form Three students from 15 secondary schools.
With regard to treatment and rehabilitation, the Social Welfare Bureau has established a
Comprehensive Drug Treatment Services Centre, which provides complete and diversified voluntary
treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-dependent people. They include outpatient and
residential drug addiction treatment, and health workshops to facilitate learning and recreation.
During 2010, a total of 447 drug addicts received outpatient drug addiction treatment services. Of
these, 80 were seeking help for the first time.
The Social Welfare Bureau also provides financial aid and technical support to non-governmental
drug-treatment organisations. They include five not-for-profit organisations and volunteer community
groups, four rehabilitation shelters, an outreach treatment service for addicts, an outreach treatment
service for drug-dependent youths, and a self-help rehabilitation service for addicts. Most of these
receive subsidies from the Social Welfare Bureau. In 2010, these non-governmental drug-treatment
organisations offered services to 75 people; outreach drug addiction treatment services were used
over 22,000 times; and outreach services designed for drug-dependent youngsters and problem
juveniles were used 4,940 times. The self-help addiction treatment service helped 8,972 former
addicts reintegrate into the community.
To promote the diversification of drug addiction treatment services, the Social Welfare Bureau
also offers financial and technical support to private organisations. It has helped an organisation
to launch a free outpatient service to help people quit smoking, which helped 300 people on 517
occasions in 2010.
Social Security Fund
Macao’s social security contribution system to protect employees was established in 1989. The
Social Security Fund Authority was established on 23 March 1990 to implement the social security
system. The authority is a financially and administratively independent entity, which is responsible
to the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture with effect from 1 January 2011, and was previously
overseen by the Secretary for Economy and Finance. Its funds are derived from the contributions
of both employers and employees, an appropriation from the gaming industry’s revenue, the
Government’s allocation of one percent of total budget revenue, and interest payments received
from Social Security Fund investments.
Following the coming into force of Law No. 4/2010, Social Security System, and By-law
No.31/2009, General Regulations of the Opening and Management of Individual Accounts under
the Central Provident Fund, Macao has officially adopted the “two-tier” social security system.
415

Macao Yearbook 2011
Social Security System
Law No. 4/2010, Social Security System, was promulgated on 23 August 2010 and came into force
on 1 January 2011. The social security system aims to provide residents of the Macao Special
Administrative Region with basic social security, especially security for the elderly, in order to
improve the quality of life. In the future, the system will be divided into a mandatory contribution
system and a voluntary system, in which residents who are entitled by law to enter and contribute
to the security system will be the beneficiaries.
Contributing beneficiaries of the Social Security Fund in 2010 included: 247,244 employees
(including casual workers and public servants), 17,590 voluntary contributors, and 11,514 selfemployed
people.
According to the current social security system, eligible beneficiaries are legally entitled to
pensions, disability allowance, unemployment allowance, sickness allowance, birth allowance,
marriage allowance, funeral allowance, allowance for costs arising from work-related debts and
respiratory diseases. As at 31 December 2010, some 39,000 beneficiaries were receiving pensions or
disability allowance, and about 15,800 applications for other allowances had been received. In
2010, the total amount of social security payments was 747 million patacas.
Central Provident Fund
The Central Provident Fund aims to provide improved protection for retired residents of the Macao
Special Administrative Region, and to establish a non-mandatory central provident fund system
for employers and employees.
Permanent residents who have reached 22 years of age automatically become participants
with an individual account in the Central Provident Fund. In 2010, there were a total of
364,900 participants. Approximately 296,300 accounts are eligible for distributed payments. The
Government also injected into each account start-up capital of 10,000 patacas.
Generally, participants who have reached 65 years of age are eligible to apply to withdraw all or
part of the funds in their individual accounts once a year. Among participants under 65 years of age,
those who meet certain criteria are eligible to apply to withdraw funds early. As at 31 December,
2010, there were 39,600 approved applications for early withdrawal, leading to the disbursement
of 396 million patacas.
416

Chief Executive Chui Sai On inspects the site of the new island hospital, on 25 February.
Health and Social Welfare
417

Health and Social Welfare
Chief Executive Chui Sai On visits the Asilo de Betania elderly home,
of Caritas Macau, on 27 May.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On visits the Macau Association of
Support for the Disabled on 8 January.
418

Chief Executive Chui Sai On visits the Family Support Centre of Taipa,
operated by the social services division of the Methodist Church Macau,
on 5 October.
The Acting Chief Executive, Florinda Chan, attends the opening ceremony
of the 41st Macao Caritas Bazaar, on 6 November.
419

Health and Social Welfare
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, officiates at the launch
ceremony for the 2010 Evaluation on Physical Fitness of Macao People and a
sport nutrition website, on 20 January.
The opening ceremony of Guangdong, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Macao Health,
Animal and Plant Quarantine and Food Safety Control Meeting 2010 is held on 21
December.
420

The Social Security Fund holds a briefing session on the procedures for
withdrawing money from the Central Provident Fund, in early July.
421

Macao enjoys freedom of
the press, freedom of speech
and freedom of publishing.
Despite its relatively small
size, it has a sophisticated
and well-developed media
industry.

CHAPTER 11
Media,
Communications
and Information
Technology

Learning More about Robots (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 11
Media, Communications and Information Technology
Media, Communications and Information Technology
Macao enjoys freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of publishing. Despite its
relatively small size, it has a sophisticated and well-developed media industry.
The Government strives to enhance the transparency of its administration and facilitate
communication and dialogue with the media. This enables Government messages to be delivered
to the public promptly and accurately, and provides a wide range of information via the media.
Furthermore, the Government expects the media to act as a watchdog, continually prompting every
Government department to improve its work and provide better-quality services to the community.
Macao’s laws protect the rights of journalists to gather and receive news and information, and
to report it. This ensures their journalistic independence.
Mass Media
Electronic Media
Macao has one free-to-air TV station, two radio stations and one cable TV station, as well as four
locally based satellite TV stations.
Teledifusao de Macau (Macau Broadcasting Company, TDM) began providing a public
broadcasting service in February 1988. Digital broadcasting commenced in 2008. Currently, both
analogue broadcasting and digital broadcasting are available. On top of the two round-the-clock
Chinese and Portuguese channels, there are digital channels such as sports, lifestyle, high definition
(HD) and CCTV news.
Radio Macau, a subsidiary of TDM, and the privately owned Radio Vila-Verde (Green Village)
are Macao’s two radio stations. Both broadcast 24 hours a day.
Macau Cable TV has been broadcasting since July 2000, and offers 89 channels (15 of which
are test channels) on a 24-hour basis.
MSTV Satellite TV Company Limited – originally known as the Cosmos Satellite Television
Company, which was the first operator to be granted a licence to provide satellite television services
in Macao – now offers three channels: MSTV’s News Channel, Newsky Satellite TV, both with
daily airtime of 24 hours, and Kung-fu TV Channel, which airs 16 hours a day. It officially began
broadcasting in February 2009.
China Satellite TV (Group) Company was licensed in 2000 to provide satellite television
broadcasting services. China Satellite TV officially began its broadcasting services on 28 March
2008, via the CSTV-1 24-hour channel on health and lifestyle.
The Chinese channel of the MASTV Company began operations in June 2001. It broadcasts
24 hours a day.
On 2 December 2008, Macau Lotus Satellite TV Media Limited was granted a 15-year licence
to provide satellite television services in Macao. It started its broadcasting service on 1 January
2009, on its Macao Lotus TV 24-hour channel.
425

Macao Yearbook 2011
Print Media
The history of Macao’s newspaper industry can be traced back over 100 years. From 1839 to 1840,
while enforcing the opium ban in Guangdong, Lin Zexu commissioned a selective translation of
the English Macao Monthly and, for administrative purposes, published Journal News of Macao
in Guangzhou. On 18 July 1893, Dr Sun Yat Sen and a Macanese named Francisco H. Fernandes
worked together and founded Echo Macanese, which was published in Chinese and Portuguese. On
22 February 1897, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao founded The Reformer China. After the 1911
Revolution in China, Macao’s Chinese newspapers began to flourish. Several newspapers, such as
Ao Men Shi Bao (Macao Times), Hao Jing Wan Bao (Oyster Mirror Evening Post), Ao Men Tong
Bao (Macao Bulletin), and Hao Jing Ri Bao (Oyster Mirror Daily), were founded at this time.
Macao’s nine Chinese daily newspapers currently print a total of 100,000 copies a day. They are
Ou Mun Iat Pou (Macao Daily News), Jornal Va Kio (Overseas Chinese Journal), Tai Chung Pou
(The Public), Si Man Pou (The Citizen), Jornal Seng Pou (Star Journal), Cheng Pou (Righteousness),
Today Macau Jornal, Jornal San Wa Ou (New Chinese Macau Journal) and Hou Kong Daily.
The main Chinese weeklies published in Macao include: Jornal Informacao (Information
Journal), Pulso de Macau (Macau Pulse), Semanario Recreativo de Macau (Macau Entertainment
Weekly), Jornal Si Si (Current Affairs Journal), Semanario de Desportivo de Macau (Macau Sports
Weekly), Observatorio de Macau (Macau Observer) and Agora Macau (Now Macau).
Portuguese daily newspapers have an even longer history than the Chinese dailies. In 1822,
Abelha da China, the first-ever daily in China, was founded and published in Portuguese. Other
early-founded Portuguese papers founded in Macao include Gazeta de Macau (Macau Gazette),
Imparcial (The Impartial), and Correio de Macau (Macau Post). Macao currently has three
Portuguese dailies primarily intended for a local Portuguese readership. These are Ponto Final
(Full Stop), Jornal Tribuna de Macau (Macau Tribune Journal) and Hoje Macau (Today Macau).
O Clarim (The Bugle) is a Portuguese weekly.
426
The English daily newspapers in Macao were the Macau Post Daily and the Macao Daily Times.
Every day, dozens of Hong Kong newspapers and magazines are transported to Macao. Some
daily newspapers published on the mainland are also available on local newsstands. In addition,
Macao residents enjoy access to radio and TV programmes made in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Media Stationed in Macao
Macao does not have its own news agency. However, both Xinhua News Agency and Lusa-Portuguese
News Agency have branches or representative offices in Macao. Other media organisations with
accredited correspondents in the territory include China News Service (CNS); China Central
Television (CCTV); China National Radio (CNR); China Radio International (CRI); the State
Administration of Radio, Film and Television; People’s Daily; Wen Hui Bao (Shanghai); Asia
Television (ATV); Hong Kong Cable Television (HKCTV); Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK); Ta
Kung Pao; Wen Wei Po; Hong Kong Daily News; China Economic Weekly; Hong Kong Commercial
Daily; Oriental Press Group; EyePress News; and China Trade News.
Press Associations
The press associations in Macao include the Macao Chinese Media Workers Association, the Macao

Media, Communications and Information Technology
Journalists Club, the Macao Journalists Association, the Macao Media Club, the Macau Sports
Press Association, the Macau Press Photographers Association, and the Portuguese and English
Speaking Media Association and the Macao Media Workers Welfare Association.
The Press Law
The Press Law (Law No. 7/90/M), promulgated in August 1990, guarantees the freedom of the press
and its right of access to information; and governs activities regarding newspapers and magazines,
publishers and news agencies.
Macao’s Press Law consists of six chapters and 61 articles. This law protects the rights of
journalists, including those to gather, receive and report information. By law, journalists have the
right to access information from Government authorities, public administrations, public corporations
and joint ventures formed by the Government; private organisations of which the Government or
its subsidiaries are major shareholders; corporations that operate public assets; and contractors that
provide public works or services. This freedom of access is not applicable to information regarding
judicial confidentiality and state secrets, or facts and documentation protected by law as private
and confidential information.
Journalists have the right to protect their sources of information and they will not be penalised
directly or indirectly while exercising that right. Likewise, there is no obligation for media owners
and publishers, individual publications or news agencies to reveal their sources of information. In
this way, the law protects journalistic independence. However, in the event of sufficient evidence
of criminal involvement, the media’s right to protect its sources of information can be terminated
by a court order.
The Press Law allows freedom of discussion and criticism of politics, society, religious views
and laws, as well as the acts of the Government itself and its departments and personnel.
Publishers of regular newspapers and magazines, entities publishing periodicals, and
correspondents of non-local media organisations based in Macao are legally required to register
with the Government Information Bureau. Registration of a periodical requires the owner’s details
and the publication’s name. Newspaper and magazine companies, publishers and news agencies
must provide their commercial registration documents, company name, permanent address, and
details of their corporate structure and share capital distribution. Correspondents or representatives
of media organisations outside Macao must give their details and the names of their organisations
when applying for accreditation.
The Press Law stipulates that criminal liability for any printed matter falls under both the Press
Law and criminal law. Any related civil claim should be made under the Press Law, supplemented
by other civil laws where necessary, without prejudice to criminal liabilities.
In 2010, the Government proposed to re-examine and revise the 20-year old Press Law, thereby
providing local media with a legal environment that is both supportive and conducive to its healthy
development. In March 2010, the Government Information Bureau announced that the process
will be in three phases: research, consultation, and drafting. In June, the bureau invited local
academic institutions to conduct a study on the direction for amendments to the Press Law and the
Broadcasting Law of Macao. The tender for gathering public opinions on the revision was launched
in the first quarter of 2011.
427

Macao Yearbook 2011
Government Information Bureau
The Government Information Bureau (GCS) is a bureau-level administrative entity under the
supervision of the Chief Executive. It assists Government departments and the media by coordinating
and conducting research regarding public communication, disseminating Government information
and arranging media interviews.
Disseminating Government Information
The Information Department of the GCS is responsible for coordinating and disseminating press
releases from Government departments and the agendas of official events, and for maintaining close
working relationships with the local media and accredited correspondents in Macao.
The GCS has also established the Information Broadcast System (IBS) for local media and
accredited correspondents. The IBS facilitates media access to official information and photographs
by distributing them via the Internet. This enables the media to access official information at any
time and from anywhere.
During 2010, the Information Department wrote and distributed more than 10,407 press
releases, interview notices, important notices, and speeches in Chinese, Portuguese and English;
and distributed 1,353 photographs on behalf of the MSAR Government and its departments.
Registration of Periodical Publications
The Administration and Accounting Section of the GCS is responsible for registering newspapers,
publishers and periodicals.
Under the Media Registration Regulations, if a daily publication is registered but has not been
published for 180 days, or if other registered periodicals have not been published for a period of
one year or have been suspended for a period of one year, their registration will be cancelled.
Registration of publications is free of charge.
Eleven new publications were registered with the GCS in 2010, including daily, weekly, biweekly,
monthly, bimonthly and quarterly publications. Six new publishers were also registered.
The GCS regularly publishes Macao magazine, the Macao Information booklet and the Macao
Yearbook in Chinese, Portuguese and English.
The Government Portal
The Government portal (www.gov.mo) was officially launched in December 2004. It offers a
comprehensive platform for information and e-services provided by all Government departments.
The portal gives the public access to information from various public administrative departments,
the Legislative Assembly, courts, the Public Prosecutions Office and tertiary education institutions.
Available in both traditional and simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English versions, the
Government portal provides general information and updates about Macao to local residents, tourists
and the business community. The portal covers Government information and announcements, fact
sheets about Macao, city information, cultural and recreational activities, e-services, legal advice,
and comments and complaints from the public.
428

Media, Communications and Information Technology
The portal’s objectives are to announce Government policies in a timely manner, enhance
communication between the Government and the public, maintain administrative transparency,
and collect public opinion.
Government Printing Bureau
The Government Printing Bureau implements the Government’s publishing policy. It is responsible
for the publication of the Macao Special Administrative Region Gazette (the Macao SAR Gazette)
and its supplements; the laws and regulations of Macao (in both separate and omnibus formats);
the general budget of Macao and related budgets of Government departments and public bodies;
Macao’s accounting records; Government policy addresses; legally defined official forms; and any
official printed matter that uses the emblem of Macao. It also undertakes the layout, proofreading
and printing of printed matter that requires special security measures or close supervision.
The Macao SAR Gazette
Sections One and Two of the Macao SAR Gazette are published at 9.00am every Monday and
Wednesday, respectively; unless either of these days is a public holiday, in which case the pertinent
section is published on the next working day. Announcements of urgent or ad-hoc matters that occur
outside this schedule may be issued in a supplement or special section.
Publication of all the following items in Section One of the Macao SAR Gazette is mandated by
law, and they only come into legal effect thereby: laws, by-laws, Legislative Assembly resolutions,
administrative orders and orders approved by the Chief Executive, orders approved by principal
officials of the Government, international treaties signed in the name of “Macao, China”, Legislative
Assembly election results, the appointment of members of the Legislative Assembly, the appointment
and termination of members of the Executive Council, the appointment and termination of presidents
and judges at all levels of the courts and of public prosecutors, as well as other announcements of
appointments and terminations under the law and documents whose announcement is required by law.
The following announcements must also be made in Section One of the Macao SAR Gazette:
1. Amendments to the Basic Law of the MSAR, proposals to amend the Basic Law, and
interpretations of the Basic Law by the authorised entity;
2. National laws that apply to the MSAR, and interpretations of those laws by the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC);
3. Documents adopted by the NPC and its Standing Committee regarding the MSAR;
4. Regulatory documents adopted by the NPC’s Preparatory Committee for the Macao Special
Administrative Region, regarding the establishment and operation of the MSAR;
5. Documents authorised by the NPC and its Standing Committee and the central government;
and orders, instructions and documents issued by the central government in accordance with
the Basic Law of the MSAR;
6. Documents regarding the appointment and termination of the Chief Executive, principal
Government officials and the Public Prosecutor-General by the central government; and
7. The Chief Executive’s annual policy address.
429

Macao Yearbook 2011
The following announcements must be made in Section Two of the Macao SAR Gazette:
1. International treaties applicable to the MSAR;
2. Agreements on judicial mutual assistance, and mutual exemption of visa requirements by
the MSAR and other countries or regions with the assistance and authorisation of the central
government;
430
3. Judicial mutual assistance agreements signed with judicial authorities in other areas or
regions on the mainland;
4. Statements and announcements made by the Legislative Assembly;
5. Statements and announcements made by the Government; and
6. Other documents that are to be announced in this section by law.
Since 2000, the Government Printing Bureau has posted the complete contents of Sections
One and Two of the Macao SAR Gazette on its website (www.io.gov.mo) for public access and
information. By the end of 2010, the Government Printing Bureau had established an online database
containing the full text of 17,300 laws and regulations. It includes all the laws and regulations
published since the establishment of the MSAR, as well as laws, decree-laws and other regulations
gazetted between 1976 and 19 December 1999 that remain in effect. In 2010, the bureau’s official
website recorded an average of over 208,000 hits per month.
Laws of the Macao Special Administrative Region
Prior to the establishment of the MSAR, the Government Printing Bureau published Macau Laws.
Since the establishment of the MSAR, it has published The Macao Special Administrative Region
Laws, a semi-annual reference document that provides easy access to major laws, by-laws, resolutions
of the Legislative Assembly and administrative orders published in the Macao SAR Gazette. The
bureau has also published a CD ROM, The Macao Special Administrative Region Laws, in Chinese
and Portuguese, which consolidates all the laws announced between 20 December 1999 and 31
December 2009.
Serving the Community
The Government Printing Bureau provides a number of services to the community, including
subscriptions to the Macao SAR Gazette and sales of official publications and printed materials.
In addition, the bureau sells publications published and printed by the bureau, publications from
other Government departments, and law-related CD ROMs. The bureau is responsible for posting
private notices and announcements in the Macao SAR Gazette, and providing printing services to
private organisations and individuals.
Information Technology
Science and Technology Committee
The Science and Technology Committee is a consultative body that advises the Government on the
formulation of policies to promote technological development and modernisation. The council may
express views and make recommendations on policies relating to technological development and

Media, Communications and Information Technology
modernisation, and establish ad-hoc committees that meet the Science and Technology Committee’s
overall mission.
Chaired by the Chief Executive, the Science and Technology Committee was formed with
committee members including the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, the Secretary for
Economy and Finance, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the Rector of the University
of Macau, the Rector of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, the Rector of the Macau University of
Science and Technology, the President of the Macao Foundation, the President of the Board of
Directors of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM), the Director of
the United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology, and the President
of INESC Macau (Macau Institute of System and Computer Engineering), plus 20 other members
who have excelled in the fields of science, technology and innovation, and who are appointed by
the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive has also appointed nine overseas scholars who are renowned in their areas
of expertise as advisors to the council. They include Tsung Dao Lee, Lu Yongxiang, Zhu Lilan, Lu
Zhonghe, Hui Yongzheng, Zhu Gaofeng, Charles K. Kao, Li Lianhe and Song Yonghua.
In light of the general public’s growing interest in health information, the Science and Technology
Committee organised the Science and Technology Week 2010 & Exhibition of Science Popularisation
Achievements with the theme Life, Health and Science and Technology, from 3 to 6 July, 2010.
Together with the Science and Technology Development Fund, the Committee sent two science
popularisation teams, with a total of 74 participating teachers, to Xian and Yunnan for observation
and study.
In addition to the above events, in July 2010 the Science and Technology Committee sent a
delegation of 13 local teachers and students to the 2010 (Third) Shanghai International Youth Science
and Technology Expo, co-hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission
and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.
Science and Technology Development Fund
The Science and Technology Development Fund was established under By-law No. 14/2004 of the
Macao SAR and is supervised by the Chief Executive. In line with Macao’s policies on science and
technology, the fund subsidises the development of educational programmes, research and other
related projects. It especially focuses on the following:
- Projects that help to promote and enhance knowledge about science and technology;
- Projects that improve productivity and competitiveness;
- Innovative projects that facilitate the development of the science and technology industry;
- Cultural and environmental projects that benefit scientific and technological innovation and
development;
- High-priority technology-transfer projects that enhance socio-economic development; and
- Patent applications.
The rules for subsidy applications are specified in Executive Order No. 273/2004 – Regulations
on Subsidies Allocation. According to Article 5 of the regulations, applications for subsidies not
exceeding 500,000 patacas may be submitted at any time. Applications for subsidies that exceed
431

Macao Yearbook 2011
500,000 patacas may only be submitted during three open application periods per year.
Groups eligible to receive subsidies include local universities and academies and their affiliated
research and development centres; local non-profit private organisations, laboratories and entities;
registered entrepreneurs and enterprises; and individuals involved in research and development
projects in Macao.
Article 11 of the regulations specifies two types of subsidies: non-repayable subsidies and
repayable subsidies. The term of each subsidy may be not longer than three years.
In 2010, the Science and Technology Development Fund spent a total of 35,867,363 patacas
to subsidise 62 science research projects, of which 28 were concluded, yielding a total of 197
theses. The projects also trained 55 master’s degree holders and 13 doctorate holders. In terms of
science popularising projects, in 2010 the Science and Technology Development Fund received
129 applications for funding that amounted to 12,883,098 patacas; 125 of the applications were
approved, with grants totalling 7,824,830.60 patacas – representing 72.6 percent of the total applied
for. The projects involved 6,262 students.
Macau New Technologies Incubator Centre
Co-founded by the Government and the private sector, the Macau New Technologies Incubator
Centre (Manetic) was established in 2001, marking Macao’s first step towards the development of
innovative hi-tech industries.
Manetic is an incubator centre for new technology. Its major objective is to help turn business
or product ideas into commercial ventures as quickly as possible. Manetic’s targets include: to
build up the technological development sector in Macao and create better career prospects for the
next generation; to effectively utilise Macao’s professional resources through cooperation with
multinational companies; and to tap international resources through developing Macao as the
technological development centre in the Greater China region.
Since commencing operations in early 2002, Manetic has received over 166 applications from
incubation projects, over 93 of which were approved and have developed into Manetic incubation
ventures.
Macao Science Center
After construction and preparation lasting over seven years, the Macao Science Center was
inaugurated on 19 December 2009, and opened to the public on 25 January 2010. Designed by Ieoh
Ming Pei, the Macao Science Center is a public cultural facility with an educational mission and
comprises an exhibition centre and a planetarium. Its exhibits focus on public participation and fun.
Telecommunications Services
The objective of Macao’s telecommunications policy is to liberalise the regulation of the public
telecommunications infrastructure and service provision gradually, in order to maximise public
benefits, create investment opportunities and enhance the competitiveness and long-term
development of the economy and the community. This policy strives to ensure that quality and
efficient telecommunications services are always available to the entire community and businesses
432

Media, Communications and Information Technology
at reasonable cost and in a non-discriminatory manner. A further goal is network interconnection
and number portability.
The Telecommunications Law
The Telecommunications Law (Law No. 14/2001) was gazetted on 20 August 2001. It consists of
three chapters and 20 articles outlining Macao’s policy framework with regard to the construction,
management and operation of telecommunications networks, as well as mandatory service-provision
practices.
The construction, management and operation of a telecommunications network, and its service
provision, are legally deemed to be matters of public interest, and they can only be undertaken by a
public entity or by a private organisation that complies with applicable regulations and demonstrates
its business capability.
Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation
Under the supervision of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, the Bureau of
Telecommunications Regulation oversees telecommunications and information technology in Macao.
It assists the Government in exercising its supervisory role; the formulation and implementation of
related policies; promoting the establishment and operation of telecommunications and information
services that meet market needs; steering the development of Macao’s telecommunications
infrastructure; granting licences to operators of telecommunications and information services;
supervising the quality and pricing of services provided by public telecommunications and
information services operators; and regulating operators’ compliance with laws and regulations.
Fixed-network and External Telecommunications Services
Macao’s fixed-network and external telecommunications services are currently operated by
Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau (CTM) under a franchise contract. In November
2009, the Government and CTM signed a revised franchise contract on public telecommunications
services, regarding the early opening-up of local and international network rental services, and
transit services. Other franchise services will be completely liberalised in 2012. As of the end of
2010, there were 167,545 fixed-network lines in Macao.
At the end of 2010, Macao had 829 public pay phones offering local call services and IDD access
in public places throughout the Macao peninsula and the two islands.
Callers in Macao can currently make IDD calls to 251 countries and regions.
Public Mobile and Wireless Communications Services
The wireless telecommunications market was officially opened up in 2000, advancing the Macao
telecommunications and information industry into a new era. Hutchison Telephone (Macau)
Company and SmarTone Mobile Communications (Macau) began operating mobile phone services
in July and August 2001, respectively. In July 2002, Hutchison Telephone (Macau), SmarTone
Mobile Communications (Macau) and Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de Macau (CTM) were
awarded eight-year licences to offer public mobile phone services. In October of the same year,
433

Macao Yearbook 2011
Kong Seng Paging Ltd. was granted a virtual mobile operator licence to provide public mobile
telecommunication services, despite not having its own public telecommunication network and
frequency.
The Regulation on the Interconnection of Public Telecommunication Networks (By-law No.
41/2004) was gazetted in December 2004. It stipulates the establishment of a level playing field for
the interconnection of public telecommunications networks, in order to ensure the implementation
of interconnection at an opportune time and at a reasonable cost.
In accordance with regulations, the Government issued a licence to China Unicom (Macau) 1
in June 2005, allowing them to establish a CDMA2000 1X network and provide roaming mobile
telecommunications services. After one year of operation, the company applied to the Government
for a licence to provide local services. The application was approved in August 2006, and a licence
was issued.
In October 2006, the Government announced the three companies that were granted the licences
to provide public networks for terrestrial third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications and
roaming 3G mobile telecommunications services. They are China Unicom (Macau), Hutchison
Telephone (Macau) and Comphania de Telecomunicacoes de Macau (CTM). Citizens could enjoy
3G communication services from autumn 2007. In accordance with regulations, the Government
issued the fourth 3G licence to SmarTone Mobile Communications (Macau) in September 2009.
Apart from China Unicom (Macau), whose 2G licence was revoked at its own request in April
2010, the other three companies have both 2G and 3G licences. Their 2G licences were renewed
to 8 July 2012. As of year-end 2010, the five mobile telecommunication providers had 1,122,261
customers, and the per capita cell phone ownership rate was 204 percent.
Mobile Communication Service Information
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
No. of radio paging
users
3,453 2,728 2,513 1,891 2,782 2,780 3097 3,204
No. of mobile phone
users
198,696 228,296 259,336 301,512 356,117 395,943 420,098 459,330
No. of rechargeable
mobile phone cards
165,335 204,154 273,422 334,835 438,206 536,653 617,282 662,931
Internet and Broadband Services
Macao’s internet-enabled population has been increasing at a stable pace. At the end of 2010, there
were 132,757 internet subscribers, which is around 74 percent of the total population. In accordance
with the regulations of By-law No. 24/2002, in November 2002 internet service providers (ISPs)
were formally included in the licensing mechanism. Currently, 22 companies have been granted
ISP licences.
434

Media, Communications and Information Technology
CTM started offering internet broadband services in July 2000. There were 131,229 registered
broadband subscribers by the end of 2010, an increase of 5,235 or 4.15 percent over the figure of
125,994 one year earlier. The Macao peninsula has 100 percent broadband coverage, while coverage
for Taipa and Coloane islands was 99.9 and 99 percent, respectively.
Moreover, to promote telecommunication and information technology development, the wireless
broadband network project, financed by the Government, commenced in 2009, and began providing
services to residents and tourists in September 2010.
Registration and Management of Internet Domain Names
Order No. 31/2006 of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works renewed the University of
Macau’s appointment in managing and registering the top-level domain “.mo” for the Macao SAR.
Its appointment will last for five years. To push forward the stable development of related services
through changes to management modes and adjustments to the administration of domain names,
in 2011 the Government will launch a Macao Network Information Centre, providing citizens with
a wide range of domain registration services.
Development of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting
Following the global trend of terrestrial digital broadcasting, the number of terrestrial digital
broadcasting channels provided by Teledifusao de Macau (Macau Broadcasting Company, TDM)
increased to nine. To ensure the availability of quality products that are suitable for citizens’ needs,
and enable citizens to enjoy the programmes aired on Macao’s terrestrial digital broadcasting
channels, the Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation built the Digital Terrestrial Television
Research and Testing Centre, which commenced operation on 20 September 2010, in partnership
with Macao Polytechnic Institute. Professionals are in charge of the installation and maintenance
of testing equipment in the centre, providing an environment conducive to research into terrestrial
digital broadcasting technology, and testing of related equipment. Besides meeting the Government’s
expectations, the centre fosters synergy with research and development of digital broadcasting
technology in Macao’s tertiary institutions.
Radio Frequency Allocation and Coordination with Neighbouring
Regions
Following the signing of the Mainland China and Macao Frequency Coordination Agreement
for Terrestrial, Mobile/Fixed Broadcasting (Audio and Television) in 2002, the two parties have
maintained business connections in the development of the wireless industry.
In July 2010, the Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT) and a delegation on radio
frequency coordination from mainland China’s wireless industry held a ministerial level meeting
in Chengdu, on the coordination of radio frequencies. In the meeting, besides summarising the
two parties’ previous coordination work, important topics covered include: coverage of mobile
phone networks; mobile phone coverage over the Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone,
the new Hengqin campus of the University of Macau, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge;
coordination of 3G frequencies; a few cases of frequency interference; and coordination of the
broadcasting industry. These topics were discussed in depth.
435

Macao Yearbook 2011
Authentication of Electronic Documents and Digital Signatures
Law No. 5/2005, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in August 2005, forms the key
legal basis for regulating and authenticating electronic documents and digital signatures. This
law is essential for the long-term development of e-government and e-commerce. In addition,
Executive Order No. 376/2005 designated the Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT)
as the authority responsible for authenticating electronic documents and signatures. The DSRT
is responsible for recognising and supervising authentication entities, and is obliged to take the
advice of the Technical Accreditation Commission when considering and making decisions about
applications and cancellations of authentications.
Wireless Broadband System
To advance the development of Macao’s information and communication technology, the
Government funded the installation of the wireless broadband system, “WiFi Go”, which began
operations in September 2010, to provide citizens and tourists with free wireless internet access.
By the first quarter of 2011, there were 60 access points including museums, libraries, parks, public
squares, ports, activity centres, stadiums, and some government facilities. By the end of 2010,
there were 160,000 recorded uses of the “WiFi Go” system. The Bureau of Telecommunications
Regulation will continue to increase the number of access points and improve the operation of the
system. It will also strengthen the application services on the “WiFi Go” forum, to meet the needs
of citizens and visitors.
International Activities
The DSRT is an associate member of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Every year, it participates in relevant international
and regional conferences and seminars, so that it can promptly formulate the policies and
technological standards needed to keep pace with the industry’s development.
In October 2010, DSRT delegates attended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Plenipotentiary Conference 2010, in Guadalajara, Mexico. In December 2010, it sent a delegation to
participate in the International Training Program, held in Sydney by the Australian Communications
and Media Authority (ACMA).
After its first successful experience in hosting a similar meeting in 2003, the DSRT hosted
the 34th Session of the Management Committee of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity at the end of
November 2010, in Macao. Over 100 executives from communication and information technology
industries, from all over the Asia-Pacific region, participated.
Postal Services
The Development of Macao’s Postal Services over Three Centuries
Maritime postal services first began operating in Macao in 1800. In 1878, Macao became a member
of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), and from 1884, it implemented a series of postal regulations
contained in international treaties. In 1891, the Macao Post Office started offering postal remittance
services.
436

Media, Communications and Information Technology
The post office (PO) box service has been serving the community since 1905. The first mailbox
was erected in 1910. On 1 July 1927, the Telephone General Office was merged with the Postal
and Telecommunication Technology Office. On 8 December 1929, the first phase in implementing
an automatic telephone system (SXS) got underway. The Post Office Building was constructed in
the same year. Sea mail and airmail parcel services became available in Macao from April 1958.
On 1 October 1981, a historic milestone was reached when Macao’s telephone and telegraph
services were separated from the Post Office and became part of the CTM franchise. Since then,
Macao’s telecommunications services have developed rapidly. As the operator of postal services,
the supervisory authority for telecommunications and a credit institution, the Post Office focused
on providing postal services, issuing postage stamps, regulating telecommunications services,
supervising radio communications and operating the Postal Savings Office.
In June 2001, the Post Office’s role as the regulatory and supervisory body for telecommunications
services was transferred to the DSRT. At present, the Post Office is responsible for postal services,
the Postal Savings Office and management of the Communications Museum of Macao.
The Post Office
Postal Services
In 2010, the volume of local mail was three percent higher than in 2009. The increase can be
attributed to information the Government posted to the public on issues related to the Wealth
Partaking Scheme and the Social Security Fund.
The volumes of outbound surface mail and air mail dropped by eight and four percent,
respectively, as mail was partly supplanted by e-mails; there was an increase of six percent and a
decrease of two percent, respectively, in the volumes of inbound surface mail and air mail. The main
sources and destinations of mails were mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia,
Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Regarding registered mail, in 2010, the volume of outbound international surface mail was seven
percent higher than in 2009, while the volume of outbound international air mail decreased by one
percent. There was a one percent increase in inbound international surface mail, and a decrease of
10 percent in inbound international air mail.
Regarding Express Mail Service (EMS), in comparison with 2009, Macao Post recorded a one
percent decrease in the number of outbound EMS items and a three percent increase for inbound
EMS items. The chief sources and destinations of EMS items were mainland China, Hong Kong,
the United States, Taiwan, Japan and Portugal.
Macao Post and Hong Kong Post jointly provide a “Postage Paid by Addressee” service, which
offers the convenience of billing the addressee for postage on items sent to Hong Kong with EMS.
In 2010, the coverage of EMS service was expanded to include 195 countries and regions.
Aiming to strengthen young people’s writing skills, cultivate their interest in writing, and to
promote the postal mail market, Macao Post cooperated with the Universal Postal Union to organise
an international letter writing competition in Macao and overseas every March. In October, Macao
Post held a Christmas letter-writing contest titled “A Letter to Santa Claus”.
437

Macao Yearbook 2011
Electronic Postal Certification Mark
Because of the increasing popularity of e-mail, Macao Post has developed a new postal service –
Electronic Postal Certification Mark (EPCM). This not only delivers convenience and security to
e-mail users, but also serves as one of the solutions to cope with the decline in mail volume and
revenues.
The Electronic Postal Certification Mark is a service that applies an authentic time stamp,
issued by Macao Post, to an electronic document. Electronic documents and files marked with
EPCM guarantee the integrity of the data and the authenticity of the date and time of postmarking.
The validity of such documents is guaranteed on technical and legal aspects, as any subsequent
tampering will be detected. Also, all information relevant to the time stamps is recorded, to serve
as evidence in possible future legal litigations or disputes.
EPCM can provide an accurate delivery date and time to the receiver. Macao Post can also send
electronic documents marked with EPCM, according to ways and conditions required by senders,
to guarantee the integrity of the electronic data and the validity of time of posting to the third party.
Documents marked with EPCM can be useful to many businesses in many ways: backup of
electronic documents, submission to electronic tendering systems, notifications from government
departments to citizens, litigation documents from lawyers to courts, and electronic billing from
different companies.
Philately
Macao Post issued 12 philatelic collections in 2010: Lunar Year of the Tiger; I Ching, Pa Kau VII;
Centenary of International Women’s Day; Expo 2010 Shanghai China; 60th Anniversary of Bank of
China Macau Branch; World Heritage – St. Augustine’s Square; Church Windows; Woodcarving –
Macao Religious Figure Carving; Antique Telephones in Macao; 10th Anniversary of Macau Food
Festival; Traditional Folk Costumes; and Giant Pandas.
The 2010 Chinese Zodiac series, Lunar Year of the Tiger, continues to base the conceptual design
on the combination of the different forms of Tiger and the distinguishing elements of “Metal,
Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth”. According to Chinese Zodiac calculations, the “Five Elements”
nature of the 2010 tiger is “Metal”. The fierce image of the main character of the stamps, “Gold
Tiger”, is therefore highlighted by using the imprint method, while the stamp’s border, face value
and characters are embossed with gold holographic foil.
To celebrate the World Exposition 2010 in Shanghai, China: on the inauguration day, 1 May
2010, the collection Expo 2010 Shanghai China was issued. In addition to a set of stamps and a
souvenir sheet, the collection features Macao’s first issue of a block of four souvenir sheets. The
stamp design was selected from the winning entry of the Stamp Design Contest, with Expo as the
theme, jointly organised by Macao Post and the Office for Preparation of Macao’s Participation in
the Shanghai World Expo.
As 2010 was the fifth anniversary of the Historic Centre of Macao being inscribed on UNESCO’s
World Cultural Heritage List, Macao Post issued a set of stamps, themed “World Heritage – St
Augustine’s Square”, on 15 July 2010. The issue features buildings that have significant architectural
or artistic value in the vicinity of St Augustine’s Square.
To celebrate the joyous event of the central government offering two giant pandas to Macao,
438

Media, Communications and Information Technology
the “Giant Pandas” stamp issue, featuring the charm of the two pandas, Kai Kai and Xin Xin, was
issued on 18 December 2010.
Besides the above mentioned issues, Macao Post released joint issues with postal administrations
of other countries, to strengthen the relationships between them. On 30 August 2010, the first joint
issue between Macao Post and Aland Post, of Finland, was launched. With the theme “Church
Windows”, this promoted cultural exchanges and consolidated ties between Finland and Macao.
A prepaid-postage postcard featuring the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, jointly issued by
Macao Post, China Post and Hong Kong Post, was released on 24 March 2010 to commemorate
the 100th day since the commencement of bridge construction work. The postcard was issued not
only to commemorate a date, but also to mark the new milestone in the Pearl River Delta region’s
socioeconomic development.
Macao Post participated in four stamp exhibitions in 2010: the London 2010 International
Stamp Exhibition (May), the 25th Asian International Stamp Exhibition in Bangkok (August), the
World Philatelic Exhibition in Portugal (October), and the Beijing International Stamp and Coin
Expo 2010 (November).
Macao Post provides different channels for overseas collectors to purchase philatelic products.
Collectors around the world can enter Macao Post’s website (www.macaupost.gov.mo) to obtain
the most recent philatelic information and enrol in the Collector’s Plan Subscription. They can also
purchase philatelic products directly from local postal organisations or through authorised dealers
in Macao philatelic products.
Caixa Economica Postal
Caixa Economica Postal (Postal Savings Office or CEP) is a credit institution operated by the
Macao Post Office that serves as the post office’s cashier. It also provides a wide range of bank
related services, such as credit facilities, remittance services for the public and electronic payments.
In terms of credit facilities, CEP chiefly provides civil servants and employees of public services
and private companies who sign an employee credit service agreement with guaranteed short-term
credit. In 2010, CEP approved nearly 168 million patacas in loans.
CEP and Western Union also jointly provide an express money transfer service. Using its advanced
IT, global computerised money transfer system and counter network, customers can transfer money
safely to over 200 countries and regions within a few minutes. There were over 26,000 transactions
in 2010. There are currently eight outlets for this service, at CEP, Central Post Office, Airport Post
Branch, Ferry Terminal Post Branch, eSignTrust Registration Authority, the Communications
Museum Shop, the Ocean Garden Post Branch, and the Coloane Post Office.
Furthermore, CEP also established an electronic payment platform in 2006. The public can also
apply for or settle payments of various Government services online in real time. At the end of 2010,
over 90,000 people settled payments via the platform.
eSignTrust
eSignTrust started issuing electronic certificates in 2006. As an authentication entity approved by
the Government, eSignTrust provides citizens, corporations and government departments with
439

Macao Yearbook 2011
legally enforceable electronic certification and online identity confirmation services.
In 2010, the number of electronic certificate holders gradually increased, especially through
applications for certified individual and corporate users. Heeding customer requests, eSignTrust
continues to develop VeriSign SSL services, create practical solutions that can satisfy customers’
needs, enhance its capabilities, and shorten the time for enciphering electronic signatures and
information.
In terms of electronic business, as bank users gradually increased their understanding of and
confidence in electronic certificates, the range of online services to which electronic certification
is applicable has gradually expanded. The expansion was evident in the increase in applications
by users.
In addition, in 2010, after receiving approval from the Public Services Commission, eSignTrust
was included among the performance pledges of Macao Post.
1
In line with the restructuring of mainland China’s telecommunications industry, China Telecom has officially acquired
the CDMA mobile telephone network and business of China Unicom. China Unicom (Macao) Limited was officially
renamed China Telecom (Macau) Co Ltd on 27 November 2008, when the legal procedures involved in the changes
were completed.
440

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the opening ceremony of
IT Week 2010 on 26 November.
Media, Communications and Information Technology
441

Media, Communications and Information Technology
The Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation holds a press conference on the
public tender for the Operation of the Wireless Broadband System on 15 April.
The launch ceremony and promotion activity of the “WIFI GO” wireless
broadband system is held on 18 September.
442

The Director of Government Information Bureau, Victor Chan Chi Ping,
with the officiating guests and winners of “Precious Moments in Macao”
Photo Competition 2010, on 26 November.
The Director of the Government Information Bureau, Victor Chan Chi Ping, poses
with Macao media representatives in front of the Macao Pavilion at the Shanghai
Expo, on 8 June.
443

To satisfy the needs arising
f r o m M a c a o ’s r a p i d
urban development, the
Government has drawn up
a long-term plan for major
infrastructure, traffic and
transportation and other
urban development projects.
This aims to upgrade such
facilities and improve
the quality of life of the
community.

CHAPTER 12
Land,
Infrastructure,
Housing and
Public Utilities

A Highrise under Construction (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 12
Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
Urban Planning
To satisfy the needs arising from Macao’s rapid urban development, the Government has drawn up
a long-term plan for major infrastructure, traffic and transportation and other urban development
projects. This aims to upgrade such facilities and improve the quality of life of the community.
Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau
The Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) is a public administration authority
that advises the Government on ways to enhance the use and management of land; and on urban
planning, infrastructure construction, and basic services. It also makes recommendations on Macao’s
infrastructure streamlining strategies, and participates in laying down guidelines and directions for
the city’s socio-economic development, facilitating activities favourable to the economy and society
as a whole. It is supervised by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works.
The DSSOPT’s portfolio includes policy research and facilitating construction. As regards
policy research, it promotes the formulation of land use rules, supports the formulation of
management policies regarding land and public facilities, and assists other public administration
bodies with analysing recommendations on public and private construction. As regards facilitating
construction, it is responsible for protecting, preserving and renovating coastal construction, building
infrastructure and environmental hygiene networks, promoting the construction of public buildings
and commemorative architecture, and granting permission for urban planning and power facilities.
The DSSOPT also provides public services to the construction industry and other sectors,
including: land lease, granting permission for construction plans, issuing construction permission,
examining dangerous buildings and dilapidated buildings, publishing street alignment charts, and
registering contractors and technicians.
In recent years, the DSSOPT actively participated in various regional cooperation issues; collected
and compiled the views of Macao residents on urban planning for the new city while commissioning
academic bodies to research long-term town planning, which facilitates the formulation of longterm,
macroscopic policies on Macao’s development.
Regarding the management of urbanisation: the DSSOPT created 289 street alignment charts,
of which 229 are for streets on the Macao Peninsula, 31 for streets on Taipa, and 29 for streets on
Coloane. In addition, it sent out 769 proposals regarding construction plans.
Construction Companies and Contractors
According to the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau’s statistics, construction contractors
and construction companies that have either registered or renewed their registrations by the end
of 2010 were as follows:
New registration Renewed registration Total
Construction Contractors 31 145 176
Construction Companies 175 527 702
Subtotal 206 672 878
447

Macao Yearbook 2011
Engineers and Architects
According to the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau’s statistics, the numbers of architects
and engineers that had registered or renewed their registrations by the end of 2010 were as follows:
Category
New registration
Renewed
registration
Total
Architect 64 144 211
Engineer (urban construction) 191 362 553
Engineer (gas) 12 14 26
Engineering Technician 4 18 22
Subtotal 274 538 812
Total 480 1,210 1,690
Infrastructure Development Office
The Infrastructure Development Office was established in 2000, with the aims of promoting and
coordinating the construction of major infrastructure construction projects in Macao, as well as its
modernisation and development; the office is responsible for research and coordination work related
to proposed infrastructure development plans: it supports construction projects that are in progress;
provides technical supervision, especially for construction related to public health, environmental
protection, public facilities, road systems, ports, and cooperation within the Pan-Pearl River Delta
Region; and assists in coordination of infrastructure related to Guangdong-Macao cooperation.
The office conducts research on the extensions of the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Expressway serving
Macao; provides technical and administrative support to the coordinating unit of the Hong Kong-
Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; coordinates and follows up on planning and constructing the new Hengqin
Campus of the University of Macau and its infrastructure; it coordinates the construction of public
housing projects; monitors and supervises the operations of franchised solid-waste incineration
facilities and sewage-treatment; and provides services for removing and treating solid waste.
Transportation Infrastructure Office
On 1 November 2007, the Government established the Transportation Infrastructure Office, aiming to
foster the modernisation and improvement of transportation infrastructure as well as the construction
of the Macao Light Rail Transit (LRT) System, to provide comfortable and highly efficient modern
transportation for citizens and tourists.
The LRT System is one of Macao’s largest transportation infrastructure projects. It has a mission
to promote “Priority for public transport”, aiming to provide transportation that is “Convenient,
environmentally-friendly, and unimpeded”. It is also an important transportation infrastructure
project that integrates Macao and the Pearl River Delta region under the national 12th Five-Year
Plan. After announcing the Construction Plan for Phase 1 of Macao Light Rapid Transit in the fourth
quarter of 2009, the Transportation Infrastructure Office immediately started the international open
448

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
tender for the supply of “Rolling Stock & Systems for the Phase 1 of Macao Light Rapid Transit”,
and the results were announced in the end of 2010. The successful bidder was Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Ltd, with a basic proposal amounting to 4.688 billion patacas. With the outsourcing
completed, full construction of the LRT system commenced.
Infrastructure Projects
Private Construction Projects
According to the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau’s statistics, 7,892 private flats with a
total floor area (according to the developers’ plans) of 950,548.13 square metres were completed
during 2010. During the same year, construction work began on 3,729 units with a total floor area
(according to the private developers’ plans) of 375,749.5 square metres.
Public Facilities
The Government invested around five billion patacas in public facility projects that were carried
out in 2010. The investment was mainly in residential developments, as well as buildings, roads
and bridges, transportation, machinery and other equipment.
Macao Civil Engineering Laboratory
The Macao Civil Engineering Laboratory was established in 1988, and is a non-profit public legal
body engaged in science and technology, which is autonomous in terms of technology, budget and
assets.
The responsibility of the Macao Civil Engineering Laboratory is to provide civil engineering
and related technical support to the Government, public and private civil engineering firms, and
any net value companies in related fields.
The laboratory has a Board of Directors, a General Assembly, and a Supervisory Board. Under
the Board of Directors are the Technical Council, the Centre for Training and Documentation, the
Informatics Centre, Administrative Centre, the Coordination and Technical Support Department,
the Structures and Buildings Department, the Geotechnical Department, the Construction Materials
Department and the Quality and Standardisation Department.
The chairpersons of the Board of the General Assembly and Board of Directors are both appointed
by the Government.
Housing
Housing Bureau
The Housing Bureau is supervised by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, but it enjoys a
legal personality with full administrative and financial autonomy. The bureau’s main functions are
to study and execute public housing policies for Macao; provide accommodation for low-income
residents; monitor, control and clear unauthorised wooden huts; ensure the effective utilisation of
public housing resources; and assist with and support the management of the common parts of
private buildings. The bureau encourages and subsidises housing construction mainly via public
449

Macao Yearbook 2011
housing, housing development contracts, and land-concession special contracts.
Home-Ownership Scheme Housing
Under Decree-Law No. 13/93/M of 12 April 1993, the Housing Bureau invites contractor
companies in Macao to build homes on land granted by the Government under Home-Ownership
Scheme Housing Development Contracts, the land-grant contracts between the companies and the
Government. When a development is completed, some units are reserved for the Government, to
repay the costs of concessions and subsidies of land grants. The rest are sold to families on the
Housing Bureau’s waiting list, in accordance with terms and prices stipulated in the land grant
contracts by the bureau.
Rationale of Home-Ownership Scheme Housing
Home-Ownership Scheme housing fulfils the following purposes: alleviating local housing shortages
by providing affordable homes to Macao people, especially low-income households; boosting
Macao’s construction sector and encouraging construction firms to improve their organisational
structure and building technology; and increasing the supply of homes to meet actual social needs
with the purchasing power of Macao residents.
Eligibility for Home-Ownership Scheme Housing
Residents wishing to purchase Home-Ownership Scheme housing should file applications with
the Housing Bureau.
Applicants should be aged at least 18 or have been released from parental authority, and must
have lived in Macao for at least five years. However, people relocated because of Government
demolition work and who have been resident in Macao for three years are also eligible. They should
have valid personal identity documents issued by the Government. Furthermore, representatives
and members of their households should not own any property or land in Macao, nor should they
be concessionaires of any private land.
Housing Allocation
By the end of 2010, the Housing Bureau had processed 486 applications, but none of the applicants
were allocated housing units. There are still 11,890 families on the waiting list.
During the year, 11 housing units that were given to the Government, towards repayment of costs
of concessions and subsidies of land grants, were sold to families who were evicted from squatter
huts that were demolished.
Housing Subsidies
Under Decree-Law No. 3/86/M issued on 4 January 1986, applicants for the purchase of Home-
Ownership Scheme housing may receive a subsidy if their total household income does not exceed
the stipulated levels (see Tables 1 and 2). Two levels of subsidies are available to prospective
homeowners: 10 percent and 6.25 percent of the housing cost.
450

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
More than 447,000 patacas in subsidies were distributed to 30 families during 2010.
Table 1: Maximum Income for Families Granted 10 percent Subsidy
No. of family members
Monthly household income (in Patacas)
1 3,400.00
2 4,400.00
3 5,700.00
4 6,600.00
5 7,400.00
6 8,000.00
7 8,600.00
8 9,200.00
9 9,800.00
10 10,400.00
Table 2: Maximum Income for Families Granted 6.25 percent Subsidy
No. of family members
Monthly household income (in Patacas)
Public Housing
1 3,900.00
2 5,000.00
3 6,300.00
4 7,200.00
5 7,900.00
6 8,600.00
7 9,300.00
8 10,000.00
9 10,700.00
10 11,400.00
Public housing refers to units built by the Government or by private developers on land granted to
them by the Government. Upon completion, a stipulated number of units are handed over to the
451

Macao Yearbook 2011
Government for leasing to low-income families and those in adverse circumstances. Methods for
the allocation and management of public housing are governed by By-law No. 25/2009.
Public housing is distributed to families with weak financial standing in the form of leasing.
Families with weak financial standing are defined as those whose household incomes fall beneath
the legally stipulated levels.
Requirements for Applications for Public Housing
Applications for public housing will open at a time deemed appropriate by the Housing Bureau.
Households applying to lease public housing should fulfil the following requirements: The applicant
should be aged at least 18, having resided in Macao for at least seven years, and be a holder of
the permanent resident identity card of Macao. The applicant and the members of the household
should not be the owner or the appointed buyer of any buildings or independent units during the
three years before the application, the owner or lessee of any private land, the member of another
household which have purchased Home-Ownership Scheme housing, the member of another family
that was granted housing through the regulations of the Home Acquisition or Renting Loan Subsidy
Scheme and the Home Purchase Loan Subsidy Scheme, or the member of a family that has been
punished for violating public housing regulations. In addition, the total monthly income and the
total net assets of the household should not exceed the limit stipulated by law.
The Upper Limit of Monthly Household Income and Total Net Assets
Under Executive Order No. 297/2009, the monthly household income and the total net assets of
households applying for renting public housing should not exceed the amounts in the following
table:
452
Table: Monthly Household Income and Total Net Assets
Household size
(No. of family members)
Monthly household income
(in Patacas)
Net assets (in Patacas)
1 6,000 129,600
2 9,100 196,560
3 11,300 244,080
4 12,800 276,480
5 14,300 308,880
6 16,400 354,240
7 17,500 378,000
Granting of Public Housing
Since 1996, public housing leases have been awarded through five rounds of open bidding. In
2010, 720 applications were processed, 335 of which were successful. There are currently 9,813
families on the waiting list.

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
In addition to open applications, people seeking public housing may also apply in writing. In
accordance with By-law No. 25/2009, families facing mental or physical danger in their present
residences are exempted from the application process and granted public housing directly. In 2010,
the bureau received 653 applications under this category. Of these, 3.2 percent were determined to
fall within its legal definition and were granted public housing.
Temporary Subsidies for Families on the Waiting List for Public Housing
In the wake of economic inflation, in September 2010 the Government renewed the Subsidy Scheme
for Families Awaiting Public Housing to relieve the housing burdens of families on the waiting list
for public housing. A family awaiting public housing with a total monthly income not more than
the statutory cap can receive either of the following subsidies: a monthly subsidy of 1,050 patacas
for a family of one to two people; or a monthly subsidy of 1,600 patacas for a family of two to
three people. In 2010, 3,934 applications were approved. Together with the 2,109 applications that
were approved in 2008 and 2009 that remained eligible for the subsidies, the housing subsidies
disbursed totalled over 45 million patacas.
Home Purchase Incentives
To help homebuyers with down payments and mortgage interests, the Government launched
the Home Purchase Loan Subsidy Scheme and the Home Purchase Loan Guarantee Scheme on
29 June 2009. Both schemes are effective for one year.
Under the Home Purchase Loan Subsidy Scheme, residents who have mortgage loans on their
self-use homes may receive a maximum interest subsidy of four percent. The eligible amount of
mortgage is capped at one million patacas, and the subsidy is payable for a maximum period of
10 years. On the other hand, under the Home Purchase Loan Guarantee Scheme, homebuyers may
receive a loan guarantee of 20 percent of a home’s bank appraised value. The loan guarantee cannot
under any circumstances exceed 400,000 patacas. Moreover, regardless of the repayment period,
the Government will only guarantee the loan for a limit of 15 years from the day of approval.
By 31 December 2010, subsidies totalling around 890 million patacas had been granted through
the 4,684 applications for the Home Purchase Loan Subsidy Scheme. A total of 2,467 applications
had been approved under the Home Purchase Loan Guarantee Scheme, resulting in a total of
700 million patacas in loan guarantees.
Building Management
According to the laws and regulations of both the bureau and the Home-Ownership Scheme,
the Housing Bureau is empowered to monitor and supervise the operation of Home-Ownership
Scheme housing, including building maintenance and property management. In accordance with
relevant laws, the bureau can also impose penalties on tenants or management entities that violate
its regulations.
The Housing Bureau also assists owners of Home-Ownership Scheme housing units with
setting up management committees, for better housing management through direct participation
by homeowners. At the end of 2010, there were 50 such management committees. The Housing
Bureau also assists owners of Home-Ownership Scheme housing units with resolving disputes about
453

Macao Yearbook 2011
building management – providing analyses and advice as a third party, in order to achieve settlement
of disputes through reasoning and negotiations. In 2010, it assisted management committees with
handling 199 disputes.
The Housing Bureau also keeps abreast of all necessary renovation and improvement works for
public housing. In addition to renovating, maintaining and modernising the interiors and exteriors
of housing estates, it strives to add value to indoor facilities, so as to improve the quality of life of
its tenants, particularly elderly single people.
During 2006, the Housing Bureau started to further strengthen the public-area management
function of private buildings. By the end of 2010, the bureau had followed up on 620 cases including:
providing help to homeowners in apartment blocks in establishing management units; offering
advice, information and reference materials on the operations of these units; providing hardware
such as facilities and supporting tools; and cooperating with the Legal Department to provide lists
of homeowners in apartment blocks for free.
Building Maintenance Fund Schemes
To encourage and help homeowners to perform their duties regarding maintenance of common
building parts, to improve the living environments and enhance the property values of old buildings,
in March 2007 the Housing Bureau established the Building Maintenance Fund for private building
maintenance and repair work, and hence safeguard safety and environmental hygiene. Schemes
under the funding programme include: Interest-free Loan Scheme for Building Maintenance;
Subsidy Scheme for Building Maintenance; Subsidy Scheme for Building Management; Provisional
Subsidy Scheme for Common Parts Maintenance of Low-rise Buildings; and Building Maintenance
Projects Support Scheme.
The Interest-free Loan Scheme for Building Maintenance came into effect in April 2007.
Homeowners in buildings that are over 10 years old may apply for interest-free loans from the
Government, to fund maintenance and repair of building common parts and facilities, slopes,
retaining walls, or the demolition of illegal structures. The loan for each apartment can be up to
50,000 patacas, and may be repaid over five years.
The Subsidy Scheme for Building Maintenance came into effect in August 2008. Under the
scheme, homeowners of buildings with management committees in place may apply for subsidies
to pay for the maintenance and repair of building common parts. Each subsidy can be up to 30
percent of the total project costs, or an average of 5,000 patacas per apartment, whichever is the
lower. Duplicate applications are not permitted.
The Subsidy Scheme for Building Management has been effective since September 2008.
There are two areas covered by the scheme: costs incurred by convening the first general meeting
of strata title holders in multi-storey buildings for electing a management body and setting up a
reserve fund in accordance with the law; and costs incurred by convening a meeting for setting
up a reserve fund for an elected management body of a strata title building. The upper limit of the
subsidy varies according to the number of individual apartments: 2,000 patacas for a building with
less than 50 apartments; 3,000 patacas for a building with 50 to 99 apartments; 4,000 patacas for
a building with 100 to 399 apartments; and 5,000 patacas for a building with over 400 apartments.
The Provisional Subsidy Scheme for Common Parts Maintenance of Low-rise Buildings came
into effect in February 2009. The scheme provides subsidies to strata title owners of low-rise strata
454

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
title buildings. To qualify for the subsidy, a building must be less than seven-storey high and over
30 years of age. The subsidy is granted mainly for the following purposes: repair or replace the
entrance gates of the building; repair or replace main electric supply facilities; repair or replace
main water supply facilities; and repair or replace drainage systems.
The Support Scheme for Building Maintenance was launched in November 2009, providing
support to strata title owners of strata title buildings, for which management bodies had been
established. The purpose of the scheme is to assist the owners in inspecting the conditions of the
common parts of the buildings and to draw up maintenance plans. Inspection of the following
items is supported by the scheme: the interior and exterior walls, roofs, and common facilities.
Maintenance support is provided on a five-year basis, but it is renewable at the end of the term.
There were 308 enquiries concerning the various schemes of the Building Maintenance Fund. The
Interest-free Loan Scheme for Building Maintenance received 66 applications, 64 of which
were approved. The Subsidy Scheme for Building Maintenance received 41 applications, with
27 approved. The Subsidy Scheme for Building Management received 35 applications, of
which 26 were approved. Of the 1,210 applications concerning the Provisional Subsidy Scheme for
Common Parts Maintenance of Low-rise Buildings that were processed, 908 were approved; nine of
the 10 applications concerning the Building Maintenance Policy Support Scheme were approved.
Centre for Building Leakage
Building leakage due to blocked drainage is one of the long-standing residential environment
problems bothering many residents. Through cross-departmental cooperation with the Lands, Public
Works and Transport Bureau, Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Health Bureau, Legal Affairs
Bureau and Housing Bureau, along with the technical evaluation carried out by the Civil Engineering
Laboratory, the Government established the Centre for Building Leakage on 1 February 2009. Led
by the Housing Bureau, the centre provides a one-stop platform for filing and handling residents’
complaints, to address and solve building leakage issues in a simple and efficient manner. By the
end of 2010, 1,935 cases had been filed for investigation. With the cooperation of the property
management companies, homeowners’ councils, and the owners of the leaky units, 11,154 cases
were successfully resolved.
Squatter Area Clearance
To comply with Macao’s urban planning policies and the reallocation of land use, the Housing
Bureau is committed to clearing squatter camps and relocating affected residents. In 2010,
167 squatters’ dwellings were demolished. By the year-end, 553 squatters dwellings remained,
of which 246 were on the Macao peninsula and 307 on the two islands.
Land Management
Lands Committee
The Lands Committee is a consultative body whose work is supervised by the Secretary for
Transport and Public Works. The committee is responsible for advising on land use by recipients
of land grants, in terms of legal and contractual obligations. It also advises on:
i) Fines or other penalties on land grant recipients who fail to comply with the laws and terms
455

Macao Yearbook 2011
of their contracts;
ii) Cases concerning the public use of granted land; and
iii) Granting, renewing, renouncing or cancelling temporary land-occupation licenses.
The Consultative Committee on the Renewal of Macao’s Old Districts
The Consultative Committee on the Renewal of Macao’s Old Districts was established under
Executive Order No. 354/2005. The committee is in charge of gauging public opinion at all levels
on various issues on redevelopment, as well as producing analyses and making recommendations
to the Government or relevant institutions.
Land Concessions
According to the DSSOPT’s statistics, a total of 150,175 square metres of land out of 371,054 square
metres of developed floor area were granted in 2010; the total premiums amounted to 2,494,855,238
patacas, an average of 16,613 patacas per square metre. In all, 27 land grant contracts were signed
in 2010, including leases and grants, amendments to leases and long-term leases, land exchanges,
contract cancellations, designation for public/private use, and unification of the legal system.
Most of this land was granted for residential, commercial, offices, hotels, car parks and facilities;
land was also granted for other uses. Income from land premiums in 2010 totalled 1,725,990,904
patacas, including 78,128,520 patacas in overdue payments.
Water Disposal System
Macao’s water disposal system includes the independent networks of the Macao peninsula and
Taipa and Coloane islands. Specific data are as follows:
Water Drainage Systems in 2010
Area
Type
Sewage
piping
Public sewer system (metres)
Rainwater
piping
Combined
piping
Flow
interceptors
(rainwater
and sewage)
Rainwater
drains
(units)
Public
sewage
inspection
pit
(manhole)
system
(units)
Public
rainwater
pipe
outlets
(units)
Outlets
valves
(units)
Pumping
stations
(units)
Macao 81,560.33 89,328.55 64,351.11 6,514.23 13,325 9,606 183 42 27
Taipa 24,669.31 59,354.87 432.11 10,739.23 4,061 2,945 66 18 28
Coloane 8,235.68 16,139.85 0.00 9,704.68 2,243 1,092 21 7 9
Total 114,465.32 164,823.27 64,783.22 26,958.14 19,629 13,643 270 67 63
456

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
The Drainage Division of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau is responsible for cleaning
and dredging the drainage systems of Macao, inspecting and monitoring their operations, making
improvements, and registering relevant information.
Representatives from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau also participate in the Fire Service’s
“Rainstorm Action Team”. Whenever a black rainstorm signal is issued, the team immediately
dispatches staff to inundated areas to help drain floodwater. The bureau also cooperated with the
Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, the Maritime Administration and the Lands, Public Works
and Transport Bureau to establish the flood alert coordination centre, which swiftly addresses
flooding related issues, to reduce the threats.
During 2010, the Drainage Division received 26 complaints regarding street flooding caused by
rainstorms. Flooding “black spots” were mostly located around San Kio District. There were 122
complaints about silting of main drains.
To ensure the normal functioning of public drains and to avoid negative impacts on environmental
hygiene caused by blocked drainage, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau ensures good
maintenance of sewers, and also requires highly polluting industries to install appropriate equipment
such as oil filter drains and filter drains, to prevent environmental pollution or damage to drains
by chemical pollutants. Through increased inspections and replacement of drains that are at risk
of being damaged, there has been a significant improvement in the problem of blockages of public
drains. In 2010, there were eight prosecutions concerning violation of the General Regulations
Governing Public Places, and 229 subpoenas were issued to illegal polluters.
Slopes
According to the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, at the end of 2010, Macao had 188
slopes rated from low to high risk according to their potential for landslides. Of these, 11 were
considered high, 65 medium and 112 low risk.
Number of slopes / risk High Medium Low Total
Macao peninsula 4 23 50 77
Taipa island 2 19 30 51
Coloane island 5 23 32 60
Total 11 65 112 188
The Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau are
responsible for maintaining roadside slopes and slopes in public parks, respectively. In 2010, the
Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau reinforced and stabilised seven slopes; the Civic and
Municipal Affairs Bureau engaged in one slope-upgrade project.
457

Macao Yearbook 2011
Surveying and Mapping
Cartography and Cadastre Bureau
The Cartography and Cadastre Bureau is supervised by the Secretary for Transport and Public
Works. It specialises in setting up and maintaining the Government’s Geodetic Control Network
and Geometric Levelling Network. In addition, the bureau supports land-management activities,
drafts maps of various types and scales, and maintains the cadastre management.
Cadastre Management
The cadastral system in Macao covers the establishment, maintenance, updating and development
of management systems and databases, most of which is undertaken by the Cadastre Division of
the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau. To establish a cadastral database, the Cadastre Division
began combining its own on-the-spot survey data with data from relevant Government institutions
in 1983. The bureau also started to produce cadastral maps in accordance with the provisions of the
Cadastre Law (Decree-Law No. 3/94/M issued on 17 January 1994). To ensure that its data remains
accurate and up to date, the division continuously updates and organises related information and
strives to improve its management. For example, it now provides cadastral analysis and reports
to other Government institutions to facilitate land management, urban construction and planning,
urban environment management and land-related lawsuits. People from all walks of life can apply
for cadastral maps, which include a comprehensive range of basic information, such as the position,
area and registration of properties, as well as the record codes assigned to them by the Finance
Services Bureau. On the other hand, the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau launched the Cadastral
Information Net in 2008, thereby greatly promoting transparency in geographic information and
administrative procedures, and further enhancing the efficiency of land management.
The Cadastre Division also provides survey information from its database to land owners who
need to re-measure land boundaries for valuation, transaction or development purposes.
Land Surveying and Cartography
The Cartography and Cadastre Bureau provides a wide range of land survey and cartography
services, including topographic and cadastral surveys, cadastral maps designated under the General
Regulations on Urban Construction, and cadastral maps specifically compiled for registration and
legal purposes. In addition, the bureau supplies topographical maps at various scales, including
1:1,000, 1:2,000, 1:5,000, 1:10,000 and 1:20,000, with Chinese and Portuguese footnotes. Digital
cartography of Macao; the map of the Macao SAR and its peripheral regions; thematic maps;
posters; and printed aerial survey photos taken in 1941, 1980, 1988, 1993 and 1998 can also be
purchased from the bureau.
GPS Reference Station
The establishment and maintenance of the Geodetic Control Network and Geometric Levelling
Network aim to provide data on plane coordinates and elevations of important reference points
for various types of land and surveying projects. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Real-Time
Kinematics (RTK) technology are also used to support traditional surveying methods and to regularly
encrypt and examine network-controlled points, thus ensuring the accuracy of the networks.
458

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
The Cartography and Cadastre Bureau opened three GPS reference stations, in Mount Fortress,
Alto de Coloane and Taipa Grande on Taipa island in 2002, 2005 and 2008, respectively. The
reference stations use a dual-satellite system that can receive GPS signals as well as data from the
Russian GLONASS system (Global Navigation Satellite System). Through integrating these three
stations, it is possible to effectively cover the whole area of Macao, further enhancing Macao’s
land, cadastral and engineering surveys, as well as data collection for the Geographic Information
System (GIS).
In 2009, the Macao Satellite Positioning Reference Station Service (www.dscc.gov.mo/mosref)
was launched, officially opening satellite reference data for public use. Registered users can download
the raw data from the three satellite navigation reference stations through the Internet, and use the
data for different positioning applications and surveys. Users can also obtain three-dimensional
coordinates of any spatial location with the automatic coordinate computation services provided by
the site. In addition, the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau provides Real Time Kinematic (RTK)
services to professional users, so they can deploy real time GPS applications accurate to within a
centimetre.
Geographic Information System
In response to society’s needs, the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau introduced different kinds of
geographic information systems, including:
The Cadastre Information Web is a comprehensive land information platform that combines
various departments’ information on land and buildings. Users can inquire about buildings, locations,
drawing easement, street alignment, district planning, property registration and other relevant
regulations and orders. In addition, the website contains statistical data, executive procedures and
laws related to land. At the end of 2010, the website had a visitor count of 130,000 since its launch
in 2008.
The Macao Online Map provides geographical information that suits citizens’ everyday needs.
Users can search for all buildings, streets, and various categories of locations including government
departments, tourist spots and banks in Macao. Since its launch in 2001, it has accumulated a visitor
count of more than one million.
Based on the data of the Macao Online Map, the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau launched
the Macao Online Map – Windows Mobile version, a map browsing system for use in handheld
computers with the Windows Mobile platform. It has comprehensive geographical information and
provides convenient browsing and search functions. The system also features a satellite navigation
system for cars. When used with the GPS reception device, the system becomes a convenient
navigation tool for drivers. The system also provides bus information, route mapping and transport
transfer suggestions, so that citizens and tourists can more efficiently utilise the existing public
transportation system.
In addition, the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau launched the Macao Map – Personal Computer
Version. In addition to the basic map browsing and location finder functions, it combines the traffic
road network and relevant electronic road maps. It can search for the shortest route and indicate
driving directions on the map. The geographical information in the Macao Map is updated every
half-year, and is free for citizens and tourists to download.
The Traffic and Geographic Information Web (traffic.gis.gov.mo) is a cooperative project between
459

Macao Yearbook 2011
the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau and the Transport Bureau. The site displays in graphics and text
the different locations of road works and related traffic diversions in Macao. Using it, members of
the public may plan their driving routes, to reduce the impacts of road construction on their journeys.
The Environmental Geographic Information System (www2.dscc.gov.mo/website/gis) website
was created through the joint efforts of the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau and the Environmental
Protection Bureau. The other two participating organisations are the Meteorological and Geophysical
Bureau and the Macao Water Supply Company. The system uploads environmental data and related
processed information through the Internet.
Office for the Development of the Energy Sector
The Office for the Development of the Energy Sector (GDSE) was established on 1 January 2005
under Executive Order No. 11/2005, and it comes under the supervision of the Secretary for
Transport and Public Works; its purpose is to promote and coordinate all activities related to the
energy sector, and thus help to implement the Government’s energy policy.
The office’s duties include:
• Assisting the Government in executing its supervisory functions and formulating policies
for the sector;
• Formulating development plans for the sector and following up on their execution, taking
into account Macao’s future socio-economic and environmental development; initiating and
participating in the formulation of laws and regulations relating to the sector’s activities and
monitoring their implementation;
• Initiating and participating in the formulation of laws and regulations relating to the sector’s
activities and monitoring their implementation; and
• Promoting the rational use of energy products in order to achieve economic goals through
reliable and quality energy supplies and minimising adverse effects on the environment.
Electrical Power
As the power franchise contract would end in late November 2010, on 3 November the Government
and the Companhia de Electricidade de Macau S.A (CEM) signed the concession contract on
extending the public service to supply power in the Macao SAR. This extended CEM’s franchise
to transmit and distribute power downstream and sell electricity for 15 years. The new contract
became effective on 1 December 2010, and the return on investment was lowered to 9.5 percent.
In addition, to improve the power infrastructure equipment and strengthen the regional electricity
network, at the end of the year the office commenced work on constructing the second 220 kv
transmission channel connecting Zhuhai and Macao, as well as the 220 kv transmission main channel
connecting the Border Gate in the south and Taipa in the north. It is expected that the transmission
channel can become operational in 2011.
Natural Gas
The natural gas supply increased in 2010. As a result, power generation from natural gas was
63 percent higher than in 2009. To coordinate the general planning of Taipa and the development
460

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
of the Light Rail Transit system, the office conducted studies on moving part of the natural gas pipe
network. At the same time, to coordinate the University of Macau Hengqin campus construction
project, the office conducted studies on the networks that supply natural gas within the region.
In addition, the office started work on consultations regarding, analysis of and amendments to
the technical regulations concerning the natural gas pipeline network and the filling stations. These
regulations include: Technical Regulations on the Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines, Technical
Regulations on the Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines and the Distribution of Pressure Reduction
Stations, and Technical Regulations for the Natural Gas Distribution Network.
Drinking Water
Macao Water Supply Company (Macao Water)
The Macao Water Supply Company (Macao Water) was established in 1932, and is privately owned.
Sino-French Holdings (Hong Kong) acquired 85 percent of the company’s shares in 1985 and signed
a 25-year water supply concession contract with the former Portuguese administration. Today,
Sino-French Holdings (Hong Kong) is a joint venture between the French-based Suez Lyonnaise
des Eaux Group (a new company formed after the merger of the French Lyonnaise des Eaux Group
and Suez Group in 1997) and NWS Holdings (a subsidiary of New World Development).
Raw Water Supply
Most of Macao’s raw water comes from the Modaomen estuary of the Xijiang (West River) in
adjacent Zhuhai. During the summer and autumn rainy seasons, water from Modaomen is channelled
to Hongwan Pumping Station in Zhuhai through the sluice gate at Guadingjiao. It is then transported
to the Zhuxiandong Reservoir through a network of water pipes, aqueducts and tunnels. In recent
years, to mitigate the effects of salinity, the raw water intake for Zhuhai and Macao has been moved
20 kilometres upstream, to Zhuhai’s Pinggang Pumping Station. As a result, raw water is being
channelled from the Pinggang Pumping Station to Guangchang Pumping Station during the dry
season in winter and spring. The water is then channelled to Nanping and Zhuxiandong Reservoir.
The Pinggang station’s fresh water pumping capacity is one million cubic metres per day, ensuring
sufficient water supplies when Zhuhai and Macao are hit by salinity. Furthermore, raw water,
including rainwater, can also be stored in the Nanping, Shedikeng and Yinkeng reservoirs to meet
demand arising from water shortages, and for seasons when the salinity level of river water may
become high. Construction of the Zhuyin Reservoir, with a capacity of 40 million cubic metres,
commenced in December 2008; it is forecast to be operational in mid 2011. The project will greatly
raise the water storage capacity of Zhuhai and Macao, thereky ensuring the water supply of the
two regions.
Owing to its high altitude, water in the Zhuxiandong Reservoir is transported by gravity flow to
the Ilha Verde Treatment Plant and the Reservoir Treatment Plant located near the Outer Harbour,
via two one-metre pipelines with a capacity of 180,000 cubic metres of water per day. Water can
also be stored in the Outer Harbour Reservoir. Also, three raw water pipes with a diameter of
1.6 metres were inaugurated in December 2008, boosting the raw water supply capacity to 500,000
cubic metres.
Zhuhai currently supplies about 205,000 cubic metres of water to Macao each day. In 2010,
it supplied a total of 77.71 million cubic metres of raw water. Other than during occasional salt
461

Macao Yearbook 2011
tides in winter (resulting in a higher degree of salinity), the water quality was certified as Grade II,
according to the mainland’s Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002).
Water Treatment, Storage and Transportation
Macao’s water treatment capacity increased from 85,000 cubic metres per day in 1985 to 330,000
cubic metres in 2010. The combined storage capacity of Macao’s reservoirs rose from 17,000 cubic
metres in 1985 to 68,000 cubic metres in 2010. A total of 95 percent of all the water pipes laid prior
to 1982 have since been replaced. The total length of pipelines (pipes with a diameter of 100 mm
or above) increased from 127 kilometres in 1985 to nearly 507 kilometres in 2010.
At the end of 2010, the total volume of water stored in Macao’s reservoirs (including the Main
Storage Reservoir (the Outer Harbour Reservoir), the Seac Pai Van Reservoir, the Ka-Ho Reservoir
and the Hac Sa Reservoir) was 3.08 million cubic metres, including 1.9 million cubic metres in the
reservoir near the Outer Harbour.
Macao has maintained a continuous 24-hour water supply since 1982. A total of 76.76 million
cubic metres of water were supplied in 2010, some 1.69 percent less than in 2009. The daily average
volume supplied in 2010 was around 210,000 cubic metres, with a maximum of 244,000 cubic
metres recorded on 13 April. The increase was primarily due to the trial operation of the Sai Van
Pumping Station. In 2010, the total capacity of water sales was 67.15 million cubic metres, with a
daily average of 184,000 cubic metres.
Testing Water Potability
The Laboratory and Research Centre of Macao Water is responsible for water quality testing
and analysis, and ensuring the quality of water supply. It comprises the Analysis Division and
the Research Division. The Analysis Division tests and analyses the quality of raw water, treated
water and pipeline water, and provides information to the production and quality supervision
departments. The Research Division is mainly engaged in research and development work related
to water treatment technology, water resources management, and technology for analysing water
quality, in order to support the production department.
On each working day, staff from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Laboratory and Macao
Water take samples from randomly chosen water supply outlets, in order to analyse and monitor
water quality. Laboratory staff from Macao Water are responsible for sampling water to monitor
quality during weekends and public holidays.
Since 1985, the quality of Macao’s tap water has reached the drinking water standards of
European countries.
In 1997, the Laboratory and Research Centre of Macao Water participated in a quality-control
test administered by laboratories of Lyonnaise des Eaux Group. The Laboratory and Research
Centre achieved outstanding results and was again awarded reference laboratory status. In 2000, the
centre was awarded a Certificate of Laboratory Accreditation by the China National Accreditation
Committee for Laboratories (CNAL), which is equivalent to ISO 17025. It was only the fourth
laboratory in China’s water supply industry to be awarded such accreditation.
462

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
Customer Services
Macao Water established a consolidated customer information system in 1999, to handle customer
enquiries promptly and properly and provide customer services. To make its services to the public
even more convenient, the company set up the Customer Liaison Group in 2000 and implemented
a bimonthly billing system in 2001. Macao Water also offers water bill subsidies to the elderly
and needy. Senior citizens aged 55 or above as well as individuals who receive the Social Welfare
Bureau’s single-parent or medical subsidies or subsidies for the disabled can enjoy a waiver of fees
for the first five cubic metres of water used. The company also inaugurated water-tank-cleaning
and water-quality-testing services for buildings in 2003. A 24-hour customer enquiry hotline was
launched in 2004, and an SMS Reminder Notice came into service in 2005. In 2006, it launched
the 24-hour water bill payment service in cooperation with 7-Eleven convenience stores. In 2007,
it launched the building water supply pipe maintenance service, to reduce the leakage of drinking
water. Macao Water also works towards increasing public awareness regarding water conservation.
By the end of 2010, Macao Water had 204,826 customers, including 179,450 households,
23,621 companies and 1,755 Government institutions.
Macao Water was awarded an ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Accreditation
Certificate in 2003, and OHSAS 18001:1999 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
certification in 2005. In 2008, it was awarded the ISO 14000 certificate.
Power Supply
Companhia de Electricidade de Macau
Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM) is a public utility company with a sole concession
to generate, transmit, distribute, sell, import and export electricity in Macao.
From 1906 to 1972, the electricity supply service was managed by the Macau Electric Lighting
Company, which had its headquarters in Hong Kong. In 1972, due to non-fulfilment of its franchise
contract with the former Portuguese administration, the company was replaced by CEM.
CEM was restructured with the former Portuguese administration’s support in 1982. It has since
scored achievements in the areas of cost-effectiveness and technology.
In 1984, CEM was linked to the primary networks of Macao and Guangdong Province through
two 110kV overhead lines. In 2006, a second network that also comprises two 110kV overhead lines
commenced operations, increasing Macao’s standby electricity supply and directly improving the
reliability and flexibility of electricity supply services. In June 2008, the revamped Macao-Zhuhai
power grid came into service. Upgraded from the third power grid, this features mainland China’s
first electricity transmission cables with a power capacity of 220kV, and is capable of transmitting
1050 MVA of electricity.
In November 2010, the Government and the CEM signed a contract stipulating a 15-year
extension to power supply services. The new contract terms came into effect on 1 December 2010.
Since 1987, the Government, which was previously the largest shareholder in CEM, has
reduced its holding to just eight percent. Currently, 84 percent of CEM’s shares are owned by two
major shareholders: the Sino-French Group formed by Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux Group and NWS
Holdings, and the Sino-Portuguese Group with EDP Asia as its major shareholder; each holds 42
463

Macao Yearbook 2011
percent. China Power International Holding holds six percent of the shares, and local shareholders
own the remaining two percent.
Electricity consumption in Macao increased rapidly during the 1990s. In 1998, CEM decided
to invest in developing Coloane B Power Station, which uses multi-cycle gas turbine technology.
In 2010, CEM’s capacity peaked at 691MW on 8 July, 3.7 percent more than the peak capacity
in 2009.
The Macao electricity transmission network comprises 19 primary substations and 231 kilometres
of 66kV high-voltage cables and 110kV cables. Two 110kV substations connect Zhuhai and Nanping,
and one 220kV substation connects Gongbei and Zhuhai.
The 11kV medium-voltage electricity transmission network comprises 35 user substations
and 1,200 user transformer rooms (11kV/400V) connected by cables with a total length of 582
kilometres. The low-voltage transmission network is made up of 762 kilometres of cables, while
the street lighting networks comprises 529 kilometres of cables and 15,953 streetlights. Almost all
CEM’s power network is conducted by underground cables.
Electricity Output and Consumption
CEM generated 928 GWh of electricity during 2010, a decrease of 31 percent over 2009. The
amount of electricity imported from mainland China was 2,786 GWh, an increase of 25 percent over
2009, accounting for 73 percent of total electricity consumption; and electricity purchased from the
Macao Central Incineration Centre totalled 94 GWh. CEM’s sales for 2010 totalled 3,610 GWh.
Customer Services
CEM established the CEM Customer Liaison Committee in 2000. With its 19 members coming
from 17 different community organisations, the committee serves to reflect the public’s opinions
on CEM’s customer service, and suggestions for improvements. At the end of 2010, CEM was
providing services to 220,151 households. The Macao peninsula accounted for 68.49 percent of the
total customer base, Taipa island 29.6 percent, Coloane island 1.88 percent, and COTAI 0.03 percent.
464

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the siganing ceremony of a contract to extend
electricity supplies from Companhia de Electricidade de Macau, on 3 November.
Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
465

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lau Si Io, holds a press conference to
announce the first phase consultation on the new reclamation project, on 18 June.
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lao Si Io, introduces Macao’s urban planning
and development to the Governor of Guangdong Province, Huang Huahua, on 31 May.
466

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lau Si Io, presides over the third
ordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee on the Renewal of Macao’s Old
Districts in 2010, on 17 December.
467

Land, Infrastructure, Housing and Public Utilities
The inauguration ceremony of a site formation project for public housing
in Seac Pai Van, Coloane, is held on 3 August.
Representatives of the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau hold a
seminar with residents on a temporary fuel depot in Ilha Verde, on 30 August.
468

The Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau retrieves a plot at Luis de
Camoes Avenue on Coloane, on 14 May.
Government officials from the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau and the Transport
Bureau inspect progress and traffic arrangements on the first day of the Horta e Costa
Avenue sewer redevelopment work, on 8 December.
469

Macao has 311 kilometres
of roads and highways,
including 179.9 kilometres
on the Macao peninsula, 80.2
kilometres on Taipa island
and its reclaimed areas, and
41 kilometres on Coloane
island.

CHAPTER 13
Transport

Coastal Highways (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 13
Transport
Transport
Roads and Bridges
Macao has 311 kilometres of roads and highways, including 179.9 kilometres on the Macao
peninsula, 80.2 kilometres on Taipa island and its reclaimed areas, and 41 kilometres on Coloane
island.
Three bridges and a strip of reclaimed land link the Macao peninsula with Taipa and Coloane.
Opened to traffic in October 1974, the Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (also known as the Macao-Taipa
Bridge) was originally 2.6 kilometres long, but was shortened to 2.5 kilometres in 2006 due to
the Ferreira do Amaral Roundabout redevelopment project. The 4.4-kilometre Friendship Bridge
was completed in April 1994. The 2.1-kilometre Sai Van (West Bay) Bridge, the third to link the
Macao peninsula and Taipa island, was completed in December 2004 and opened to traffic in
January 2005. The road between Taipa and Coloane was expanded into a six-lane highway at the
end of 1998. In addition, the 900-metre Lotus Flower Bridge, built with joint investment from the
Macao and Zhuhai governments, was completed in December 1999 and opened to traffic in March
2000. Linking the reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane with Zhuhai City’s Hengqin island
and connected to the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Expressway, this bridge is the second land route between
Macao and its neighbouring cities.
Macao has 413.4 kilometres of roads for motor vehicles. This figure includes 198.8 kilometres
on the Macao peninsula, 132.2 kilometres on Taipa island and its reclaimed areas, 61.2 kilometres
on Coloane island, 5 kilometres on Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, 10.2 kilometres on the Friendship
Bridge, 4.2 kilometres on the Sai Van Bridge and 1.8 kilometres on the Lotus Flower Bridge.
Public Transport
Macao has a well-established public transport network connecting the Macao peninsula and the two
islands. A variety of vehicles, including buses and taxis, are available for local residents and tourists.
Public Bus Service
Two public franchise bus companies currently operate routes on the Macao peninsula and the two
islands.
Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau
Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos de Macau (TCM) (previously known as Companhia de
Transporte de Passageiros entre Macau e as Ilhas) originally provided maritime passenger
transportation services between Macao and the two islands. During the 1950s, it acquired several
bus companies that served residents of Taipa and Coloane, and began to operate public buses.
The first bridge linking the Macao peninsula and Taipa island opened to traffic in 1974,
inaugurating a new era in Macao’s transport development. The company acquired a fleet of new
buses to provide transport services linking the Macao peninsula, Taipa and Coloane islands.
In 1986, Companhia de Transporte de Passageiros entre Macau e as Ilhas was restructured as
473

Macao Yearbook 2011
TCM. In response to the former Portuguese administration’s traffic and transportation policy, the
company purchased a number of famous-brand air-conditioned buses and put them into operation
as public buses serving Macao and its islands.
TCM now operates more than 190 air-conditioned buses on 27 routes on the Macao peninsula,
as well as services linking the Macao peninsula and the two islands. Fares range from 3.2 patacas
to 6.4 patacas. During 2010, the company carried over 39.9 million passengers and covered about
12.83 million kilometres.
Transportes Urbanos de Macau (Transmac)
Transportes Urbanos de Macau (Transmac) was previously known as Companhia de Autocarros
Fok Lei. Founded in 1952, it was restructured and changed its name to Transportes Urbanos de
Macau in July 1988. It is the largest bus company in Macao. The company started implementing
the ISO Quality Management System in 2004, making it the first franchised bus company in Macao
to extensively implement the ISO Quality Management System.
As of December 2010, Transmac owned 363 air-conditioned buses and operated 34 routes between
Macao peninsula and the two islands, with fares ranging from 3.2 patacas to 6.4 patacas. During
2010, it carried over 86 million passengers and covered about 16 million kilometres.
To further improve the safety of its fleet, in June 2010 Transmac became Macao’s first authorised
repair agent for Cummins engines, after professional training and certification. This enhanced its
automotive repair technologies.
In recent years, besides constantly seeking improvements and enhancing its service qualities,
Transmac has also been committed to environmental protection. It has adopted large automatic car
wash machines with wastewater recycling and reuse functions, environmental-friendly automatic
transmission and lubricants, durable bus seats, and high-quality rubber flooring. Transmac has a
mission of fostering green public transport, to provide the general public with even higher-quality,
more convenient and more reliable bus services.
Taxis
At the end of 2010, Macao had 880 licensed black taxis with cream roofs, plus 100 radio-dispatched
yellow taxis. There were 9,715 licensed taxi drivers.
Traffic Management
Transport Bureau
The Transport Bureau was established in May 2008. It is responsible for: studying, planning,
promoting and implementing road transport policies of the Government; pursuing road
improvements; regulation of vehicles; as well as installing, maintaining and improving transportation
and pedestrian infrastructure.
The major duties of the Transport Bureau include:
1) Taking part in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of road transport policies;
2) Planning, promoting and evaluating the development of the road transport system on
474

Transport
an ongoing basis, and ensuring good coordination and connections with other modes of
transport;
3) Planning, making recommendations for and fostering coordination in the building and
enhancement of pedestrian and transportation infrastructure such as road networks, public
parking facilities, flyovers and tunnels;
4) Promoting research and implementing new road transport solutions, especially intelligent
transport systems;
5) Conducting studies, following up on and coordinating cross-border transport arrangements;
6) Planning and managing border transportation infrastructure;
7) Monitoring the operations of public car parks and metered parking spaces on public roads,
and supervising the related business activities;
8) Inspecting automobiles;
9) Issuing licences for driving schools, their school principals and instructors; monitoring their
business activities and updating the relevant official records;
10) Issuing student driving licences, driver’s licences, special driver’s licences and special driving
permits; updating the relevant official records and drivers’ logs;
11) Issuing international driver’s licences;
12) Issuing taxi driver’s licences and monitoring the relevant business activities; and
13) Coordinating traffic arrangements during major activities.
Vehicle Statistics
At the end of 2010, there were 196,634 vehicles on Macao’s roads, including 106,420 motorcycles,
and 90,214 light vehicles. During the year, 15,915 new vehicles were registered, a slight increase
of 0.68 percent over the 2009 figure. Of these, 9,228 were motorcycles and 6,492 were cars.
Traffic Monitoring
Traffic management and monitoring are essential for ensuring the safe and orderly operation of
the transport system. The Government has installed closed circuit TV (CCTV) and radar speed
monitoring systems to monitor traffic conditions on the Macao-Taipa Bridge and main roads. They
include 30 video cameras and six two-way speed monitoring spots on the Friendship Bridge, and 52
video cameras and two one-way speed monitoring spots on the Sai Van Bridge. Sixty-eight video
cameras, 22 speed monitoring radar units, and 22 sets of electronic red-light-jumping monitoring
systems with a total of 73 cameras have been installed in various downtown locations. During 2010,
the monitoring systems identified 7,112 cases of speeding.
Parking
As of 31 December 2010, Macao had 24 public car parks, which together provide 8,182 parking
spaces for light vehicles, 954 spaces for heavy vehicles, and 3,707 spaces for motorcycles.
475

Macao Yearbook 2011
Public Car Parks in Macao
Name of car park
Pak Lane Car Park
Pak Tou Car Park
Pak Lai Car Park
Pak Lik Car Park
Pak Lok Car Park
Pak Vai Car Park
Pak Kai Car Park
Pak Wai Car Park
Pak Keng Car Park
Pak Ying Car Park
Pak Wu Car Park
Pak Kong Car Park
Sewage Treatment Plant Car Park
Vasco da Gama Garden Car Park
Iao Hon Park Multi-Storey Car Park
Art Garden Car Park
Ferreira do Amaral Roundabout Car Park
Ho Yin Park Car Park
Malaca Street Car Park
Taipa Temporary Heavy Vehicle Parking Area
Flor de Lotus Road Heavy Vehicle Car Park
Available parking spaces
519 light vehicles
211 light vehicles
355 light vehicles
417 light vehicles
471 light vehicles, 300 motorcycles
502 light vehicles
208 light vehicles
1,019 light vehicles
171 light vehicles
722 light vehicles
682 light vehicles, 196 motorcycles
287 light vehicles, 31 heavy vehicles
276 light vehicles, 459 heavy vehicles
171 light vehicles, 113 motorcycles
406 light vehicles, 404 motorcycles
351 light vehicles, 446 motorcycles
247 light vehicles, 632 motorcycles
415 light vehicles, 542 motorcycles
215 light vehicles, 563 motorcycles
224 heavy vehicles
240 heavy vehicles
S. Lourenco Market Car Park 60 light vehicles, 74 motorcycles
Macao Science Center Car Park
Lido Car Park
415 light vehicles, 413 motorcycles
62 light vehicles, 24 motorcycles
476

Transport
As at 31 December 2010, there were 10,259 parking meters – 4,878 for two-hour parking and
5,381 for five-hour parking, while non-metered parking spaces totalled 4,106. There were also
40,176 motorcycle parking spaces.
Road Safety
The Road Traffic Law promotional campaign was held in 2010, and was jointly organised by the
Public Security Police, the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the
Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, and several non-governmental organisations. It aimed
to publicise the importance of obeying traffic regulations, and to strengthen the understanding of
laws and a sense of road safety among local residents, thus reducing the number of traffic accidents.
The Traffic Department of the Public Security Police also teamed up with schools, transportation
companies and non-governmental organisations to stage games and lectures related to road safety.
Their objective was to reinforce residents’ understanding of road safety by means of long-term
educational efforts. During 2010, a total of 3,842 people from 53 schools and one other organisation
participated in the Traffic Department’s road safety promotional activities.
Cross-border Traffic
Cross-border Land Routes
Two land routes link Macao and mainland China: the Border Gate and Lotus Flower Bridge
Checkpoint (COTAI Checkpoint). The volume of cross-border traffic has grown rapidly, in line
with increasing exchanges between Macao and the mainland.
The Border Gate Checkpoint is open to passengers from 7.00am to midnight daily, and for cargo
from 7.00am to 9.00pm (except for authorised vehicles). The Lotus Flower Bridge Checkpoint is
open to passengers from 9.00am to 8.00pm, and for cargo from 8.00am to 8.00pm. The Zhuhai-
Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone Border Checkpoint is open 24 hours per day.
The Zhuhai-Macao Crossborder Industrial Zone Border Checkpoint officially commenced
operations on 18 October 2006. During 2010, 111,430 Macao residents crossed the border through
the checkpoint.
Some 3,812,243 vehicles entered or left Macao by land during 2010. The Border Gate remained
the main route for cross-border vehicle movements, accounting for 82.5 percent of the total.
Regarding container cargo transportation: 5,383 containers entered or left Macao (including
re-exports).
During 2010, 13,087,263 visitors arrived in Macao by land, an increase of 14.3 percent over the
previous year’s figure. Of these, 12,024,062 entered via the Border Gate; tourists from mainland
China and Hong Kong represented 78.9 percent and 14 percent of the total, respectively. The number
of visitors who arrived via the Lotus Flower Bridge Checkpoint was 1,040,317. During the year,
arrivals of Macao residents via the Border Gate totalled 23,656,561, with 345,422 via the Lotus
Flower Bridge Checkpoint.
477

Macao Yearbook 2011
Cross-Border Marine Transportation Services
The Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Taipa Ferry Terminal, and Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal provide
cross-border transportation services for passengers travelling between Macao and Hong Kong and
the mainland. Scheduled passenger ferries to Hong Kong and the mainland are operated by the Shun
Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited; Far East Hydrofoil Company; Hong Kong-Macau
Hydrofoil Company; First Ferry (Macau); Yuet Tung Shipping Company; Cotai Waterjets (Macau)
Limited; and Macao Dragon Company Limited.
Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal
The Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal commenced operations in 1993. Its two vertical piers provide
14 berths for a total of 14 passenger vessels at one time. The main building has a floor area of over
6,000 square metres, with a helicopter pad on its rooftop.
The Government commenced the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal expansion project in late 2006,
with an aim of increasing the usable area inside the terminal, easing pressure arising from the
sharp increase in visitors. The Government also streamlined immigration procedures by installing
a self-service clearance system in 2009, and improved some of the facilities inside the terminal,
so providing a more comfortable environment and improving the public image of the terminal.
Taipa Ferry Terminal
To tie in with the development of the gaming industry and the islands, ease congestion at the Outer
Harbour Ferry Terminal – which is operating at maximum capacity, divert visitors, and develop
maritime networks between Macao and nearby cities in the mainland, the Government decided to
build a new ferry terminal with a total area of 17,000 square metres, next to the airport in Pac On,
Taipa.
The temporary Taipa Ferry Terminal commenced operations in October 2007, and is an interim
facility providing two regular berths and one large berth. When the permanent ferry terminal
opens, it will provide berths for 16 400-passenger ferries and three 1,200-passenger ships, with a
helicopter pad on its rooftop.
Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal
The Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal was officially put into service in February 2008, with a building
area of over 1,200 square metres. The ferry terminal used to operate three routes to Wanzai District,
Shekou and Jiangmen, with service hours from 8.00am to 4.30pm. To further improve navigation
safety of the Inner Harbour’s approach channel and anchorage area, the passenger route from the
Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal to Shekou in Shenzhen was moved to the Taipa Ferry Terminal from
24 September 2009.
There were 122,886 scheduled ferry sailings between Macao and Hong Kong during 2010, an
11.75 percent increase on the previous year’s figure. There were also 26,054 scheduled ferry sailings
between Macao and mainland China, an 18.68 percent increase on the 2009 figure.
During 2010, passengers arriving at Macao by sea numbered 10,243,725, an increase of
478

Transport
17.96 percent over the 2009 figure. Of these, 6,461,888 entered Macao via the Outer Harbour Ferry
Terminal. In all, 350,414 visitors entered Macao via the Inner Harbour, and 3,431,423 entered via
the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal.
In 2010, 65,272 containers or 91,318 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were shipped in and
out of Macao by sea, representing decreases of 2.57 percent and 3.13 percent, respectively, on the
2009 figures.
Cross-Border Helicopter Services
Helicopter is the most convenient way to travel between Macao and Hong Kong. A helicopter
passenger transportation service was inaugurated in November 1990. Jointly operated by Helicopters
Hong Kong (Heli HongKong) and East Asia Airlines, the service has reduced the travelling time
between Hong Kong and Macao to only 16 minutes. It operates from 9.00am to 11.00pm, with
scheduled flights in each direction every 30 minutes. In addition, East Asia Airlines began operating
daily passenger helicopter flights between Macao and Shenzhen in April 2002. In 2010, there were
15,302 helicopter flights to and from Hong Kong via the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, and there
were 3,452 flights between mainland China and Macao.
Ports
Outer Harbour
Located on the east coast of the Macao peninsula, the Outer Harbour is designated for scheduled
ferries between Macao and Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Its watercourse is 120 metres wide and
4.4 metres deep.
Inner Harbour
Located on the west coast of the Macao peninsula, the Inner Harbour has many piers for loading
and discharging cargo, plus Pier 14, which is for passengers using ferries licensed by the Maritime
Administration. The South Sampan Pier between Piers 8 and 9 is used by crewmembers of ships
berthed in the Inner Harbour who hold Macao ID Cards, or who are authorised to land and depart
by the relevant Government authority, with prior notice to the Macao Customs Service. The Inner
Harbour’s approach channel is 45 metres wide, and its fairway is 55 metres wide and 3.5 metres deep.
Taipa
The Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal is situated on the north-eastern tip of Taipa island, and is
exclusive for scheduled high-speed ferries shuttling between Macao and Hong Kong, and between
Macao and the Pearl River Delta area. Its fairway is 120 metres wide and 4.4 metres deep.
Ka Ho Harbour
Located on the northeast shore of Coloane island, Ka Ho Harbour consists of the Fuel Oil Terminal,
Cement Terminal, Ka Ho Container Port, and Power Plant Terminal. Its approach channel is
75 metres wide and 4.4 metres deep.
479

Macao Yearbook 2011
Ka Ho Container Wharf and Fuel Oil Terminal
Phase One of Ka Ho Container Wharf commenced operations in December 1991. With a total
construction area of 42,000 square metres (now 49,524 square metres), it includes a container wharf,
container yard and warehouses. At present, it has two berths, of 135 metres and 171.4 metres in
length; a 10,428-square-metre cargo working area; a 23,828-square-metre container yard; and 2,850
square metres of cargo warehousing space. The terminal’s annual handling capacity is 100,000 TEUs.
In 2010, Ka Ho Harbour handled 3,862 inbound TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and 5,981
outbound TEUs; both figures include re-exports.
The Fuel Oil Terminal commenced operation in June 1995. It can store a wide variety of fuel
oil imported into Macao, and can simultaneously load and unload two fuel-carrying vessels. It has
14 storage tanks with a combined capacity of 86,000 cubic metres.
Maritime Administration
The Maritime Administration is a bureau under the supervision of the Secretary for Transport
and Public Works. Its administrative organisation has been established in accordance with the
Organisational Law of the Maritime Administration, which took effect on 1 July 2005. The authority
now consists of four departments and three department-level functional units (namely the Maritime
Training School, Macau Maritime Museum and Shipyard).
The Maritime Administration is a department with authorities and duties relating to maritime
affairs. Its jurisdiction covers maritime activities in all Macao’s ports. Its responsibilities include
overall harbour management, ship registration, crew management, certification, implementation
of port state control, approval of maritime engineering projects, and wharf operations. It also
supervises: operational safety and pollution-prevention at piers, docks, shipyards and other related
facilities; shipbuilding and maintenance; and the operations of the fishery industry. The Maritime
Administration organises various maritime training courses and promotes nautical education in
Macao.
To promote and assist the economic development of the fishery sector, provisions concerned
with promoting the development of fishery-related activities were added to the by-law on the
organisation and operations of the Maritime Administration, which officially came into
effect on 1 July 2005. Also, in 2007 the Government promulgated By-law No. 3/2007 to establish
the Fisheries Development and Support Fund.
The Maritime Administration started to receive applications for the Fisheries Development and
Support Fund on 30 April 2007. The loans approved amounted to 21,072,545.70 patacas.
To streamline the sea passageway to the east of Friendship Bridge, the Maritime Administration
restructured a fairway off the eastern Friendship Bridge leading to the Inner Harbour, making the
fairway straight and setting up simultaneous flashing beacons. The project was conducted in two
phases. The first phase was to straighten the fairway off the eastern Friendship Bridge leading to
the Inner Harbour. In the second phase, a fairway off the eastern Taipa Ferry Terminal was to be
widened, and would be exclusively used by the high-speed ferries of Taipa Ferry Terminal.
The two-phase project was completed, and the fairways off eastern Friendship Bridge and off the
eastern Taipa Ferry Terminal came into service on 8 July 2009 and 13 January 2010, respectively.
480

Transport
Port Management and Services
Vessel Inspections
To ensure navigational safety and effectively manage marine transportation, local vessels navigating
in Macao’s waters are required to undergo annual maintenance and special inspections. In addition,
they must have navigation licences issued by the relevant authorities in Macao. The Maritime
Administration conducts regular, random inspections of foreign vessels berthing in Macao’s ports
and conducting activities in Macao’s traditional waters, according to the nature of their activities,
to ensure they comply with international treaties regarding marine safety and the prevention of
pollution.
Pilot Services
The Maritime Administration provides pilot services for vessels entering and leaving Macao via the
inner and outer channels, within berthing areas, and in all waters under the Government’s jurisdiction.
Ships navigating the Ka Ho Harbour, Outer Harbour and Inner Harbour are required to use
pilot services. However, scheduled high-speed passenger ferries, ships controlled by captains
holding pilot exemption licences, vessels navigating within the harbour, local auxiliary boats,
Macao and neighbouring coastal fishing boats and pleasure craft are eligible for exemption from
this requirement.
Macao Vessel Traffic Control Centre
The Macao Vessel Traffic Control Centres (Macao VTS) in the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and
the temporary Taipa Ferry Terminal are mainly responsible for carrying out mandatory monitoring
of vessels within Macao’s traditional waters, especially high-speed passenger vessels navigating
to or from the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal. It also has the role of
providing safety-related information to vessels via radio, in order to ensure that they navigate in
a safe environment.
The Macao VTS conducts round-the-clock monitoring of VHF channel 16 and VHF DSC channel
70 of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), and provides prompt maritime rescue
and emergency assistance if a distress signal is received.
Search and Rescue Operations
Maritime search and rescue are crucial tasks for the port service. The most common types of
incidents of this nature are stranding, collisions, fires, fuel leakages and pollution. The Maritime
Administration and the Macao Customs Service bear the main responsibility for salvage work. In
addition, the Maritime Administration has reached agreements with relevant authorities in Hong
Kong and Zhuhai, under which the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre can request their support
to bolster its salvage efforts.
Hydrographic Survey
The Maritime Administration’s Hydrography Centre is responsible for conducting hydrographic
481

Macao Yearbook 2011
surveys. Any eligible entity or institute may apply for its services. Survey fees are stipulated in its
relevant regulations.
Dredging
The Maritime Administration’s Centre for Dredging Works is responsible for monitoring dredging
work in Macao waters. The centre operates two non-motor-driven dredging boats, a barge for silt
transportation and an auxiliary boat to perform dredging work (except those areas for which the
Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) is responsible, as stipulated in casino gaming contracts).
Port Cleaning
The Maritime Administration is responsible for clearing up waste and pollutants in the sea. A major
focus is to prevent marine pollution caused by solid waste. The solid waste it collects includes loose
wooden frames and boards, waste and refuse from boats, and hydrophytes such as water lettuce.
Exchange and Cooperation with Overseas Organisations
Macao joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an associate member in 1990. Since
then, the Maritime Administration has dispatched officials to represent Macao at IMO conferences
and annual meetings. International treaties on maritime safety and the prevention of pollution have
been extended to include Macao, and they were enacted by the MSAR in 1999. The Government
has designated the Maritime Administration as the competent authority for internal and external
activities relating to international maritime treaties, including flag state implementation.
Ships
Maritime Registration
By law, all vessels engaged in economic activities – including freighters, passenger vessels, fishing
boats and auxiliary boats – must be registered with the Maritime Administration and the Commercial
and Movable Goods Registry. The registration procedures are designed to verify its conformity
with official requirements concerning technology, safety and environmental protection. Maritime
registration is a prerequisite for vessels requiring commercial registration. There were 298 registered
vessels at the end of 2010, including eight that were newly registered during the year.
In addition, maritime and commercial registration is required for vessels over 2.5 metres in
length that are used for non-profit-making purposes, such as water sports, fishing or recreational
activities. These include ocean-going, coastal, inshore, channel and river pleasure boats. There were
99 registered vessels in this category at the end of 2010, including 11 new registrations.
Seafarer Registration
According to the law, Macao residents aged 18 or above may apply for seafarer registration with
the Maritime Administration. All Macao residents who wish to conduct professional maritime
activities on commercial vessels, auxiliary boats or fishing boats are required to register with the
Maritime Administration beforehand. Till the end of 2010, 251 people held seafarer’s books issued
by the Maritime Administration.
482

Transport
Maritime Training School
The Maritime Training School is Macao’s only nautical education institution. Its principal objectives
are to provide theoretical and practical training in maritime subjects and harbour management, as
well as related scientific knowledge.
The school’s main responsibility is to train nautical and port management staff, as well as seamen
and water-sports athletes of all levels. It also trains customs officers, and issues certificates regarding
maritime and port activities to qualified trainees. In addition, it conducts a number of professional
qualification examinations for seamen and water-sports athletes, and it undertakes studies and
promotional activities concerning maritime knowledge and skills.
Most of the school’s students are staff members of the Maritime Administration and Macao
Customs Service, as well as sailors, fishermen and nautical athletes in Macao. It also provides
after-school and summer vacation activities for youngsters.
The Shipyard
The Shipyard is a department under the Maritime Administration. Apart from shipbuilding and ship
repairs, it is responsible for maintaining and repairing Government vehicles, verifying their status
and inspecting them, as well as making and installing the vehicle identification plates for various
Government departments. At present, most of the vessels built and repaired at the Shipyard belong
to the Maritime Administration and Macao Customs Service. In 2010, the Shipyard carried out
253 vessel maintenance projects for various organisations, including the Maritime Administration,
Macao Customs Service, and Macau International Airport Company. It also provided quality control
in the construction of a new, 38-metre fireboat for the Maritime Administration; it carried out 1,952
projects related to the examination, maintenance and repair of 2,325 vehicles.
Civil Aviation
Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority was founded on 4 February 1991, in accordance with Decree-Law
No. 10/91/M dated 4 February 1991. It is constituted as a public institution under the Secretariat
for Transport and Public Works, and it enjoys autonomy over administration, finances and property.
It is responsible for directing, controlling and monitoring all civil aviation activities in Macao, and
the operations of all aircraft registered in Macao.
Aviation Service
To implement its “Open Skies” policy, the Government has adopted a series of measures to enhance
Macao’s civil aviation infrastructure network. Every effort has been made to attract additional
investment from domestic and foreign airlines, to promote the use of Macau International Airport,
and to enhance the development of passenger and cargo transportation.
To increase cooperation with the international aviation community, the Government will
continue to forge new air services agreements with countries around the world. By 31 December
2010, Macao had initialled air services agreements with 46 nations and regions; 40 of these were
officially signed.
483

Macao Yearbook 2011
Signatories of Air Services Agreements with Macao
Nation
Signing date
Brazil 15/07/1994
Finland 09/09/1994
Austria 04/11/1994
Belgium 16/11/1994
The Netherlands 16/11/1994
Luxembourg 14/12/1994
New Zealand 09/03/1995
Portugal 31/08/1995
Switzerland 05/09/1995
Singapore 27/10/1995
Malaysia 31/10/1995
Thailand 01/11/1995
United States 03/07/1996
Vietnam 07/08/1996
Germany 05/09/1996
DPR Korea 08/12/1996
Denmark 11/12/1996
Sweden 11/12/1996
Norway 11/12/1996
South Korea 03/04/1997
The Philippines 18/07/1997
India 11/02/1998
Nepal 19/02/1998
484

Transport
(Cont.)
Signatories of Air Services Agreements with Macao
Nation
Signing date
South Africa 04/04/1998
Brunei 24/05/1998
United Arab Emirates 06/12/1998
Russia 21/01/1999
Myanmar 12/03/1999
Australia 24/08/1999
Poland 22/10/1999
Pakistan 15/11/2000
Czech Republic 25/09/2001
Cambodia 12/12/2001
United Kingdom 19/01/2004
Iceland 13/07/2004
Maldives 16/01/2006
France 23/05/2006
Sri Lanka 08/06/2006
Mongolia 27/06/2006
Japan 10/02/2010
Laos
Oman
Indonesia
Israel
Greece
Slovakia
Initialled
Initialled
Initialled
Initialled
Initialled
Initialled
485

Macao Yearbook 2011
As at 31 December 2010, four airlines were registered in Macao and providing flight services:
Air Macau, East Asia Airlines, JetAsia and Macau Jet International.
Below are details of the fleets and routes that they operated:
Airline Fleet Destinations
Air Macau 5 x Airbus A319,
2 x Airbus A320,
7 x Airbus A321,
2 x Airbus A300B4-622R
Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou,
Nanjing, Shanghai (Pudong,
Hongqiao), Hefei, Ningbo,
Xiamen, Nanning, Taipei,
Kaohsiung, Bangkok,
Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo,
Osaka
East Asia Airlines
(Helicopter service)
JetAsia
(Commercial charter flight
services)
3 x Sikorsky S-76C+,
4 x Agusta AW139
2 x Challenger CL600-2B16,
2 x Hawker 900XP, 4 x
Hawker 750
Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Global destinations
Macau Jet International
(Commercial Charter
Services)
1 x Falcon 2000 Global destinations
The numbers of pilots licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority, as at 31 December 2010, were:
Airline
Number of licensed pilots
Air Macau 157
East Asia Airlines 27
JetAsia 10
Macau Jet International (Commercial
Charter Services)
5
Total 199
Macau International Airport is located at the eastern end of Taipa island and neighbouring
waters. The terminal building was constructed on a rock-cut platform at Ponta da Cabrita, while
the apron was built on reclaimed land. East of the apron, the air-traffic control building, control
tower and ancillary fire station are on Kia Kiong Islet. The runway is on an artificial island linked
to the apron by two taxiway bridges.
The main fire station is on the runway island, next to the oblique taxiway. The airport is within
easy reach of the Macao peninsula, the Outer Harbour and Zhuhai via motorway, the Friendship
486

Transport
Bridge and the Lotus Flower Bridge. Commuting times from all these points are less than 20 minutes.
Macau International Airport handled 4,078,839 passengers during 2010, a decrease of 4.03
percent on the 2009 figure. Its cargo volume totalled 52,165 tonnes, a decrease of 0.57 percent. A
total of 37,148 flights took off and landed, a decrease of 8.5 percent.
Private and commercial air charters saw an increase in the number of flights, from 808 flights
in 2009 to 954 flights in 2010.
Air Traffic Control
Since it opened in 1995, the airport’s air traffic control system has maintained excellent standards
of service efficiency and flight safety. Air traffic control facilities include secondary surveillance
radar and the Automatic Terminal System. Telecommunications facilities include AFTN/AMHS and
satellite ground stations, while air-ground communications facilities include a UHF radio station.
Macao’s air traffic zone is classified as Category-C under International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) standards. The keyhole-shaped air traffic zone is centred on Macau International Airport.
It extends up to an altitude of 3,000 feet and a radius of five nautical miles. The western boundary
is a straight line parallel to and three nautical miles from the runway. To the south, the zone forms
a rectangle five nautical miles wide and extending southwards for 10 nautical miles.
Macao’s air traffic zone lies between the Hong Kong and Guangzhou flight information zones.
All aircraft, including helicopters entering Macao airspace, are supervised by the airport control
tower. Arriving and departing aircraft can land or take off from both the southern and northern
approaches. The mainland authorities control air traffic to the north of Macao’s air zone, while
traffic to the south is controlled by the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong. Since traffic in
the Pearl River Delta airspace is busy and complex, the air-traffic control authorities of Macao,
the mainland and Hong Kong must work closely together to ensure the safety and efficiency of air
traffic in Macao and the neighbouring air zone.
Aircraft Noise
Macau International Airport was constructed offshore and far from residential communities,
avoiding the need to install soundproofing. However, to protect Zhuhai from noise pollution caused
by northbound flights taking off from the runway, aircraft are not allowed to pass the 230-degree
radial line of Zhuhai’s Jiuzhou omni-directional beacon station.
Security at Macau International Airport
Under Decree-Law No. 36/94/M issued on 18 July 1994 and ICAO regulations, the security systems
at Macau International Airport are intended to ensure the safety, normal operations and efficiency of
international civil aviation activities at the airport. Security measures and procedures are essential to
protect passengers, crew, airport staff and the public, as well as ensuring the normal, uninterrupted
operations of aircraft, facilities and equipment.
Airport security falls under the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Unitary Police
Service, the Macao Customs Service, the Public Security Police, the Judiciary Police, the Fire
Service, the Maritime Administration, the airport itself, Companhia de Seguranca de Macau Lda
487

Macao Yearbook 2011
(SEMAC), and other airport departments.
SEMAC is responsible for enforcing the security measures and procedures stipulated by the
airport operator, under the supervision of the Public Security Police and the Civil Aviation Authority.
To ensure that security measures and procedures conform to ICAO requirements, the company
employs professional technicians and has installed advanced monitoring equipment to inspect
passengers, luggage and cargo.
Macau International Airport Company
Macau International Airport Company (CAM) has been appointed by the Government to operate
Macau International Airport. It was responsible for the airport’s construction, and it is now
responsible for its operation. The Government has approved the company’s application in 2001 to
extend the period of its franchise by a further 25 years to 2039.
The Management Company of Macau International Airport
Administration of Airports (ADA) is a Sino-Portuguese joint venture between China National
Aviation Corporation (Macau) Company and Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA), and is responsible
for the management and operation of Macau International Airport. Services provided by ADA
include airport and terminal building management, air traffic control, aeronautical information
and communication services, airport and air navigation system maintenance, security and safety
control, as well as the commercial and financial management of the airport.
ADA was awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification on 8 February 2001.
488

Transport
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lao Si Io, attends the
Second Cross Strait Railway Conference, hosted by the Macau Institute
of Engineers, on 15 January.
489

Transport
The Transport Bureau and the Public Security Police Force hold a joint press
conference on video surveillance of traffic, on 10 February.
490

Conducting a Transport Bureau survey of drivers, on 25 May.
The Transport Bureau examines the operation of the new measure of turning Almeida
Ribeiro Avenue into a designated road for public transport during weekends and
public holidays, on 16 May.
491

T h e M a c a o S p e c i a l
Administrative Region
(MSAR) is an integral part
of the People’s Republic
of China. Situated at the
mouth of the Pearl River
Delta (PRD) and bordering
on Guangdong Province,
Macao is 60 kilometres from
Hong Kong, and located
at latitude 22º12’40”N and
longitude 113º32’22”E.
Macao time is eight hours
ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time. The MSAR consists of
the Macao peninsula and two
islands: Taipa and Coloane.
Three bridges – Nobre de
Carvalho Bridge, Friendship
Bridge (Ponte da Amizade)
and Sai Van Bridge – link the
peninsula to Taipa; while the
COTAI Reclamation Area
links Taipa and Coloane
islands.

CHAPTER 14
Geography,
Environment and
Population

Morning Walkers (Photo: GCS)

Part 2 Chapter 14
Geography, Environment and Population
Geography, Environment and Population
Location
The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is an integral part of the People’s Republic of
China. Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and bordering on Guangdong Province,
Macao is 60 kilometres from Hong Kong, and located at latitude 22º12’40”N and longitude
113º32’22”E. Macao time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. The MSAR consists
of the Macao peninsula and two islands: Taipa and Coloane. Three bridges – Nobre de Carvalho
Bridge, Friendship Bridge (Ponte da Amizade) and Sai Van Bridge – link the peninsula to Taipa;
while the COTAI Reclamation Area links Taipa and Coloane islands.
Area
Due to reclamation along its coastline, Macao’s total land area has grown from 11.6 square
kilometres in 1912, when measurements were first taken, to 29.7 square kilometres in 2010. The
Macao peninsula accounts for 9.3 square kilometres (31.3 percent) of the current area, Taipa island
for 6.8 square kilometres (22.9 percent), Coloane island for 7.6 square kilometres (25.6 percent),
and the COTAI Reclamation Area for six square kilometres (20.2 percent).
Geology and Topography
Macao mainly comprises flat land, terraces and hills. The area of flat land (including reclaimed land)
is 20.6 square kilometres, accounting for 69.4 percent of the total; granite hills cover six square
kilometres, or 20.2 percent; and terraces cover 1.2 square kilometres, or four percent. The terraces
are historically areas of denudation, extending along St Augustine, Luis de Camoes Garden, the hill
behind Mong Ha Kun Iam Tong Temple, Russa Hill, and the southern part of Taipa island. Their
relatively small area, low elevation (20-25 metres) and gentle slopes mean that most of the terraces
are fully utilised. The remaining land – including reserves, monument sites and forests – occupies
approximately 1.9 square kilometres, accounting for 6.4 percent of the total land area.
The elevation of Macao increases from the north to the south. Guia Hill, in the north, is the
highest point on the Macao peninsula, with an altitude of 90 metres. To the south, Alto de Coloane
is the highest hill on Coloane island, as well as the highest point in Macao, with an altitude of 170.6
metres. Taipa Grande, the main peak of Taipa island, has an altitude of 158.2 metres.
Coastline
Macao is a typical coastal area, with 47.7 kilometres of coastline, of which 15 kilometres is around
the Macao peninsula and 32.7 kilometres is around the two islands.
Air
Population density, scarcity of land, narrow streets and busy traffic all affect Macao’s air quality.
However, this is offset to some extent by the low discharge of industrial pollutants. The air quality
is therefore generally quite good.
Every winter, a comparatively high level of airborne pollutants increases the air pollution index;
495

Macao Yearbook 2011
while in summer the air quality improves, with lower pollution index readings, as the convective
precipitation of the tropical climate dispels pollutants.
During 21-23 March, Macao was affected by a sandstorm which hit Mongolia and brought dust
to various cities in the north, east and south of China. There was a significant increase in respirable
suspended particulates. On 22-23 March, monitoring stations recorded a record high for the air
quality index (AQI) level since 1999, with the high-density residential area recording a dangerous
level of 329.
During 2010, roadside monitoring stations recorded “good” air quality on 79.2 percent of days,
“acceptable” air quality on 18.1 percent, “poor” air quality on 2.2 percent (eight days), and “bad”
air quality on 0.5 percent (two days). In the high-density residential area of the Macao peninsula,
the air quality was “good” on 75.3 percent of the days, “acceptable” on 22.3 percent, “poor” on
1.9 percent (seven days), and “bad” on 0.5 percent (two days). The air quality in the high-density
residential area of Taipa was “good” on 63 percent of days, “acceptable” on 33.4 percent, “poor”
on three percent (11 days), and “bad” on 0.5 percent (two days). Ambient monitoring stations on
Taipa recorded “good” air quality on 60.4 percent of days, “acceptable” air quality on 35.4 percent,
“poor” air quality on 3.6 percent (13 days), and “bad” air quality on 0.5 percent (two days). Ambient
monitoring stations on Coloane recorded “good” air quality on 88 percent of days, “acceptable” air
quality on 11.3 percent of days, and “poor” air quality on 0.7 percent (two days).
Other than for a decrease in the sulphur dioxide levels recorded at the ambient monitoring
stations in high-density residential areas of Macao peninsula and Coloane, and nitrogen dioxide in
the high-density residential area of Taipa, the levels of pollutant concentrations were equal to or
higher than those recorded in 2009. In 2010, monitoring stations recorded more days with “poor” air
quality than in 2009, the exceptions being in high-density residential area of Taipa, which recorded
fewer days with “poor” air quality than in 2009. Overall, Macao’s air quality remained good. The
annual average level of each pollutant monitored was normal, and met all the air quality standards.
Average Pollutant Concentrations in 2010
Monitoring Station
Respirable
suspended
particulates
(µg/ m 3 )
Sulphur
dioxide
(µg/ m 3 )
Nitrogen
dioxide
(µg/ m 3 )
Ozone
(µg/ m 3 )
Carbon
monoxide
(µg/ m 3 )
Roadside 62.0 --- 54.1 --- 1.02
High-density
residential area of
Macao peninsula
62.0 7.1 46.9 24.7 0.6
High-density
residential area
of Taipa island
48.7 --- 37.0 43.8 0.5
Taipa ambient 50.1 10.9 30.3 48.0 ---
Coloane ambient (i) 42.1 # 13.1 # 35.2 # --- ---
(i) Operations were suspended from 27 August to 29 October 2009 due to equipment breakdown in this station.
# Calculated with insufficient data
496

Geography, Environment and Population
Comparisons between Pollutant Concentrations and
the Daily Air Pollution Index
(Cont.)
Air quality
Index
Respirable
suspended
particulates
24-hour
average
(µg/ m 3 )
Sulphur
dioxide
24-hour
average
(µg/ m 3 )
Nitrogen
dioxide
24-hour
average
(µg/ m 3 )
Ozone
8-hour
average
(µg/ m 3 )
Carbon
monoxide
8-hour
average
(µg/ m 3 )
0 0 0 0 0 0
50 100 60 80 80 5
100 150 150 150 160 10
200 350 800 280 350 17
300 420 1,600 565 600 34
400 500 2,100 750 800 46
500 600 2,620 940 1,000 57
Air Pollution Index
Air quality
Index
Air quality
level (Macao
standards)
0 ~ 50 51 ~ 100 101 ~ 200 201 ~ 300 301 ~ 400 401 ~ 500
Good Acceptable Poor Bad Severe Harmful
Symbol
Noise
There are many reasons for noise pollution in Macao. Urban characteristics, such as population
density, busy traffic, narrow streets and the large number of high-rise buildings, create conditions
for noise transmission. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Public Security Police
received 4,758 complaints about ambient noise, an increase of 729 cases or 18.1 percent over the
2009 figure. The Environmental Protection Bureau received 435 of these complaints, an increase
497

Macao Yearbook 2011
of 249 cases or 133.87 percent; whereas the Public Security Police received the remaining 4,323
cases, a figure that was 480 cases or 12.5 percent higher than that of 2009.
Complaints received by the Public Security Police primarily related to people talking, shouting
and being otherwise boisterous (1,222 cases), indoor renovation projects (834 cases), music and
TV noise from domestic premises (627 cases), playing mahjong (323 cases), industrial or civil
construction projects (260 cases), hitting objects (187 cases), factory and machinery noise (179
cases), and commercial music and karaoke (171 cases). These accounted for 87.97 percent (3,803
cases) of total cases. The numbers of cases related to indoor renovation projects, people talking,
shouting and being otherwise boisterous, commercial music and karaoke, and moving objects were
223, 106, 49 and 41 cases, respectively, higher than in 2009. On the other hand, numbers of cases
related to industrial or civil construction projects, factory and machinery noise, outdoor music and
audible alarm were 60, 39, 11 and 11 cases, respectively, lower than in 2009.
Of the complaints received by the Public Security Police, complaints about disturbances during
the day-time (8.00am to 8.00pm) accounted for 24.68 percent of the total (1,067 cases), and mainly
resulted from indoor renovation projects, industrial or civil construction projects, music from
domestic premises and machinery noise. Complaints about night-time (8.00pm to 8.00am) noise
accounted for 75.32 percent (3,256 cases); and these primarily stemmed from people chatting and
shouting, music from domestic premises, mahjong-playing, indoor renovation projects, hitting
objects, commercial music, outdoor music, machinery noise, dogs and moving objects.
Environmental Noise Monitoring Network
Currently, Macao has four environmental noise monitoring stations – three on the Macao peninsula
and one on Taipa island. They conduct round-the-clock monitoring of ambient noise; road traffic
noise; and noise from the mixed industrial, commercial and residential zones, by means of an
automated network. Data on their readings are published monthly on the Environmental Protection
Bureau’s website.
Environmental Noise Survey
During 2010, the Environmental Protection Bureau continued to employ mobile noise monitoring
vehicles to record the noise levels in designated grids (250 metres x 250 metres) in the Macao
peninsula, Taipa and Coloane islands round the clock for several consecutive days, in order to
collect data as a reference for future environmental noise management policy formulation. By
the end of 2010, monitoring had been completed in 239 monitoring grids in the Macao peninsula,
Taipa and Coloane islands.
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment
Water Quality
Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River, Macao occupies a peninsula and nearby islands facing
Lingdingyang to the east and the South China Sea to the south; there is a wide expanse of water.
Water exchanges resulting from tidal flows dilute pollutants entering the area. The Inner Harbour
to the west of Macao is a favourite berthing place for Zhuhai and Macao fishing boats. The sluice
of the Zhuhai Qianshan River lies upstream of the Inner Harbour channel, and when this is closed
498

Geography, Environment and Population
the area is partially blocked off. The poor exchange of its waters with the sea results in conditions
in which pollutants can accumulate. When the sluice is open, Macao’s water quality is determined
by the quality of the water in the Qianshan River. Pollutants that have accumulated will then flow
to neighbouring waters.
Several large-scale infrastructure projects that began in Macao’s neighbouring waters in 2010
will directly or indirectly affect water quality of Macao’s inshore waters.
In 2010, several marine environmental disasters occurred in Macao waters. In June, a large
quantity of dead fish was found in the waters of Bacia Norte do Patane in northwestern Macao.
In December, different levels of red tides formed by Phaeocystis globosa occurred in five areas,
including Outer Harbour, the airport, Hac Sa, Tam Kung Temple and the landfill.
The Government has established 11 water quality monitoring stations and a reference station
in the waters surrounding Macao. Since 1988, the Macao Public Health Laboratory of the Health
Bureau has been testing the water quality of Macao inshore waters every year.
The water quality analyses adopted three types of indicators: physical/chemical, microbial and
plankton. Most analytical indicators and techniques were borrowed from the Standard Methods – 21st
Edition (2005) published by the American Public Health Association, while some were borrowed
from The Specification for Marine Monitoring – GB17378-2007, and methods suggested by the
World Health Organization. All analytical processes abide by an internal quality assurance system,
and most analyses are recognised by ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
According to the Water Quality Monitoring and Evaluation Report of Macao Waters 2010, the
overall pollution level of the individual indicators was about the same as the previous year; the
five key factors in pollution were pH, inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, mercury and zinc. Twelve
monitoring stations recorded serious signs of non-metal pollution, while metal pollution remained at
relatively low levels. Inner Harbour and Areia Preta were still the most polluted areas suffering from
faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. Macao’s inshore waters suffered from serious eutrophication,
especially in the Inner Harbour. An overview of the overall changes in pollution during the past
10 years reveals an ongoing rise in pollution of Macao’s inshore waters.
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Bureau’s two water quality monitoring stations located
at Ilha Verde Dockyard and the Cotai Nature Reserves conduct round-the-clock monitoring of water
quality by means of an automated network. The monitoring stations are undergoing further tests so
as to gather more information about Macao waters in future.
Monitoring Drinking Water Quality
According to By-law No. 32/2001 issued on 18 December 2001 and Executive Order No. 2/2002
issued on 14 January 2002, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Laboratory is responsible for
monitoring the quality of water processed by the Macao Water Supply Company, and other water
supply networks in the territory. The laboratory aims to test water quality to confirm whether it
complies with the requirements stipulated in the Rules and Regulations on Water Supply and
Drainage in Macao (Decree-Law No. 46/96/M), so as to ensure the quality of Macao’s drinking water.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau Laboratory has been participating in proficiency tests
held by renowned organisations in mainland China and in other countries including the United
States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and has fulfilled their international technical requirements.
499

Macao Yearbook 2011
Since being awarded the ISO/IEC 17025 Certificate of Laboratory Accreditation by the China
National Accreditation Committee for Laboratories (CNAL) (now China National Accreditation
Service for Conformity Assessment) in 2003, the laboratory has constantly enhanced its analytical
performance and improved its quality management system, maintaining its full accreditation. By
the end of 2010, it had 141 accreditation parameters.
Wastewater Management
The five sewage treatment facilities in Macao – the Macao Peninsula Sewage Treatment Plant,
Crossborder Industrial Zone Sewage Treatment Plant, Taipa Sewage Treatment Plant, Macau
International Airport Sewage Treatment Plant and Coloane Sewage Treatment Plant – can handle
356,000 cubic metres of sewage per day. The sewage treatment plant in the Crossborder Industrial
Zone at Ilha Verde was completed in 2008, boasting a sewage handling capacity of 12,000 cubic
metres per day, to accommodate the development needs of the zone’s Macao park and the surrounding
area of Ilha Verde.
In 2010, the Macao Peninsula Sewage Treatment Plant handled 57,888,319 cubic metres of
sewage; Taipa Sewage Treatment Plant handled 5,438,948 cubic metres; Coloane Sewage Treatment
Plant handled 5,053,516 cubic metres; the sewage treatment plant at Macau International Airport
processed 44,421 cubic metres; and Crossborder Industrial Zone Sewage Treatment Plant handled
154,841 cubic metres.
Reflecting its commitment to the policy of environmental protection, the Environmental
Protection Bureau continued to improve its sewage equipment, upgraded equipment in current
sewage treatment plants, gradually increased the capability to treat domestic sewage in Macao
and enhanced the quality of treated effluent, to prepare for widespread usage of reclaimed water
in future. In 2010, the work to upgrade the sewage treatment plant in Taipa was progressing well,
while an open tender was conducted for expanding and upgrading the sewage treatment plant on
the Macao Peninsula.
Waste Management
Social development and economic growth have led to an increase in waste. According to the Statistics
and Census Service, the total amount rose by about 39 percent between 2001 and 2009. Most of it
comes from households and commercial and industrial operations. At present, incineration is the
major mode of waste management in Macao, supplemented by landfill dumping.
Companhia de Sistemas de Residuos, Lda. (CSR) has been contracted to undertake Macao’s
waste collection, urban cleaning operations and the cleaning and maintenance of public waste
containers, under the Government’s supervision. According to CSR, it collected 254,217 tonnes of
waste in Macao during 2010, an average of 696 tonnes a day.
Landfill
Construction waste and incinerated residues are buried at a landfill site on Wai Long Avenue on
Taipa island. During 2010, 1,953,821 cubic metres of construction waste and incinerated residue
were buried in the landfill.
500

Geography, Environment and Population
Discarded Tyres
To tackle the environmental and health problems caused by dumping of discarded tyres – such as
taking up land, and accumulation of rainwater in which mosquitoes breed, the Civic and Municipal
Affairs Bureau set up a tyre shredding plant in 2004, to treat the waste tyres in landfills. By the end
of 2010, the tyre shredding plant had treated all tyres that were stored by the bureau throughout
the years. The plant treated 46,000 discarded tyres during the year, and over 0.4 million since
commencing operations.
Incineration Centre
Macao Incineration Centre is responsible for processing all Macao’s household waste. It comprises
two plants, with a total processing capacity of 1,728 tonnes of waste per day. During 2010, the centre
received 321,426 tonnes of waste, an average of 881 tonnes a day. Some solid waste in Macao is
collected from the sea by the Maritime Administration.
Gases emitted from the incineration plant, which was completed in 2008, have met the latest
European Union emission standard. The Environmental Protection Bureau plans to upgrade the
three tail-gas treatment systems of the three incinerators in the older plant in 2011, to ensure the
tail-gas quality can reach the European Union emission standard met by the new plant.
The waste heat produced by the round-the-clock incineration centre can be recovered and used for
power generation. The power generated by the centre can supply up to 21 MW per hour of electricity
at full load to the public grid – sufficient to meet the needs of over 33,000 households in Macao.
During 2010, the incineration centre supplied 93,887 MW per hour of electricity to the public grid.
To develop the incineration centre into an environmental education centre, the Environmental
Protection Bureau installed a wind energy power generator for demonstrations, and will introduce
more environmental protection displays in future.
Automatic Solid Waste Collection System
To enhance refuse collection, in June 2006 the Government launched the pilot scheme for automatic
solid waste collection in the Areia Preta New Reclamation Zone (NATAP). The scheme covered
19,000 residential units in the trial area.
The automatic solid waste collection system comprises a number of inlet valves connecting
with a network of underground tubes. The waste will be transported by means of air suction to a
transfer station between Ponte da Amizade Avenue and Macao Wastewater Treatment Plant, from
where it will be taken by trucks to the incineration centre. The underground tubes collected 7,828
tonnes of solid waste in 2010.
Special and Hazardous Waste Disposal
The Special and Hazardous Waste Disposal Station, adjacent to the Taipa Incineration Centre,
commenced operation in 2007. It handles special waste according to the latest European Union
incineration standard, including medical waste, slaughterhouse waste, carcasses of animals such as
horses and dogs, oil residues, and other solid and liquid special wastes. In 2010, the station’s total
501

Macao Yearbook 2011
treatment capacity (including medical waste) was 2,071 tonnes.
Waste Classification
To step up the programme for sorting and recycling waste in Macao, the number of public collection
points was increased to 221 in 2010; 289 bodies (including schools, Government departments,
associations and organisations) participated in the reusable waste sorting and recycling programme.
The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau cooperated with residential buildings to promote the
household waste sorting and recycling programme, and 295 buildings took part. During 2010,
279 tonnes of waste paper, 17 tonnes of metals and 47 tonnes of plastic were recycled under this
programme.
Legislation and Pollution Control
Environmental Law (Law No. 2/91/M) gazetted on 11 March 1991 sets guidelines and basic
principles for the protection of Macao’s environment. Subsequent subsidiary legislation covering
other environmental issues includes Rules and Regulations on Water Supply and Drainage in Macao
(Decree-Law No. 46/96/M, 19 August 1996), Prohibition Against Discharging Harmful Substances
in Marine Jurisdictions (Decree-Law No. 35/97/M, 25 August 1997), Provisions on the Import and
Registration of Vehicles Consuming Unleaded Petrol (Decree-Law No. 44/94/M, 22 August
1994), Measures to Control and Minimise the Use of Substances Destructive to the Ozone Layer
(Decree-Law No. 62/95/M, 4 December 1995), Prevention and Control of Environmental Noise
(Decree-Law No. 54/94/M, 14 November 1994), Provisions on the Sulphur Content of Vehicular
Light Diesel Fuel Sold in the Macao Special Administrative Region (Executive Order No. 4/2006),
and the Emission Limits of Exhaust Pollutants by Newly Imported Heavy and Light Motorcycles (Bylaw
No. 1/2008). These laws have been enacted to reduce and control pollution in waste treatment,
water, fuel, noise, the atmosphere and light, and to achieve the objective of environmental protection.
Several international agreements and treaties to address global environmental problems have
been made applicable to Macao. These include Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer; Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; Amendment to the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; Copenhagen Amendment to the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES); the Convention on Biological Diversity; Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and the amendment to the
Basel Convention adopted by Decision III/1 in the Third Conference of the Contracting Parties in
Geneva on 22 September 1995; the Plant Protection Agreement for the Asia and Pacific Region
(with amendments made in 1967, 1979 and 1983); the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs); Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; Convention on the Prohibition of
Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques; International Plant
Protection Convention; Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty; and the Kyoto
Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
International treaties on maritime safety related to marine environment protection applicable
to Macao include: the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and
502

Geography, Environment and Population
Co-operation 1990; International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as
modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL); Convention on the Prevention of
Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (1972) and its 1978 and 1980 amendments;
International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001; and Convention
on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
In line with the implementation of international environment agreements and conventions in
Macao, the Environmental Protection Bureau has completed and submitted to the Ministry of
Environmental Protection the second compliance report regarding the Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the annual report regarding Macao’s implementation of
the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal in 2010.
Environmental Protection Bureau
According to Law No. 6/2009 and Executive Order No. 14/2009, the Government formally
established the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) on 29 June 2009. The bureau is charged
with studying, planning, executing, coordinating and promoting environment policies, under the
supervision of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works. DSPA is responsible for assisting the
Government in environment policy formulation; stipulating, implementing and coordinating plans
and actions related to the system of prevention, control and treatment of environmental pollution;
formulating and safeguarding projects related to maintaining the environment, nature, and ecological
balance, and sustainable development of the environment; studying and recommending environmentrelated
legislation; ensuring compliance with environmental laws; issuing environmental licences and
conducting on-site supervision of the establishment of industrial, commercial or service premises
and any activities that may affect the environment; and suggesting, organising and implementing
promotions, training and information activities related to environmental education. DSPA is also
responsible for facilitating the development of environmental enterprises, and compiling and
publishing reports regarding Macao’s environment.
Advisory Council on the Environment
The Advisory Council on the Environment was established under By-law No. 14/2009 and Executive
Order No. 263/2009, and formed by the Government and the private sector. The Secretary for
Transport and Public Works is the chairperson and there is one deputy chairperson, with the
director of DSPA serving as general secretary. The council members include a maximum of seven
representatives from other entities or Government departments, and 20 other persons who are
recognised for their contributions to environmental protection. The deputy chairperson is elected
by the latter.
The major responsibility of the Advisory Council on the Environment is consulting opinions from
different social sectors regarding Macao’s environmental protection, and providing recommendations
on the study, formulation, implementation, coordination and promotion of environmental
policies; providing advice on the year plan and activity reports, legislation and stipulation of
rules and regulations regarding environmental protection, the implementation and development
of Environmental Law and environmental reports; and providing recommendations on measures
concerning the promotion of environmental protection, education and public participation.
503

Macao Yearbook 2011
Promotion of Environmental Protection Education
Focusing on “Building a Low Carbon Macao and Embracing a Green Life”, the Environmental
Protection Bureau continued to boost the public’s awareness of and sense of responsibility for the
environment, by organising various promotional and educational activities including environmental
protection talks, training programmes, activities for parents and children, and environmental
protection infrastructure visits, through different mediums such as schools, public departments,
community groups and enterprises.
A total of 105,928 people participated in the 112 events the bureau held and supported
during 2010, including a drawing campaign to promote nature tourism, a tree planting activity
commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity to promote greening and low-carbon
living environment, the World Environment Day Carnival 2011 in Macao, Hong Kong and five other
cities and the launch ceremony of the partner program of Green Schools and Green Enterprises,
Macao Green Hotel Award 2009, a series of activities for World Car Free Day 2010, a series of
talks for the Green Schools event, a cycling activity to promote low carbon living and celebrate
the reunification of Macao with the Motherland, and used clothes recycling in public departments
and green hotels.
Macao Environmental Planning Research
To safeguard sustainable development of the economy, society and environment in Macao, the
Environmental Protection Bureau plans to complete the first environmental planning of Macao
in three phases. During the first phase, the public consultation on the Conceptual Blueprint on
Environmental Protection in Macao (2010-2020) started in April 2010. Touring exhibitions and
briefing sessions were held at several places in Macao. Together with conferences with industry
representatives and organisations, views were widely collected from organisations and citizens
for analyses. After gathering public opinion and consensus, the Environmental Protection Bureau
collaborated with the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences and began research into
overall and special planning. Special planning projects included environmental protection of air,
water, natural environment, sound, light, solid waste and radiation, as well as environmental policy
and management skills. It is expected that the first environmental planning in Macao will set the
environmental protection strategies and planning objectives of environmental quality for realising
the vision of “Building a Low Carbon Macao and Embracing a Green Life.”
Environmental Data Inspection and Studies
To ensure the sulphur content of vehicular diesel fuel in Macao does not exceed 0.005 percent, as
stated in the Executive Order No. 4/2006, on three occasions – in September, October and December
2010, the Environmental Protection Bureau took samples for analyses and testing from fuel pumping
stations in Macao, Taipa and Coloane, and the Ka Ho Fuel Oil Terminal. The results indicated
that the sulphur content in all samples was below the maximum permitted level of 0.005 percent.
In 2010, the Environmental Protection Bureau teamed up with the University of Macau and the
Institute for the Development and Quality to commence the third phase of the study of air quality in
public indoor areas in Macao. The study was extended to cover cinemas, shopping malls, schools,
libraries, border checkpoints, markets, public venues of public departments and offices, to collect
sufficient data for providing a comprehensive database to formulate appropriate guidelines for air
504

Geography, Environment and Population
quality in public indoor areas in Macao in the future.
To conduct a comprehensive and scientific analysis of motor vehicle emissions for developing
an integrated vehicle emission control system, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the
Environmental Protection Bureau started a pilot project on integrated vehicle emission control in
Macao. In 2010, it began collecting basic information such as monitoring motor vehicle exhaust
pipe emissions.
To formulate appropriate e-waste management policies and technologies to control typical
e-waste in Macao, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Environmental Protection Bureau
cooperated on a pilot e-waste management and pollution control project in Macao. In 2010, they
began research on characteristics of e-waste formation in families and major industries in Macao.
Environmental Management
To foster continuous concern of public departments and various industries in Macao, and prevent
their operations unfavourably impacting the environment, the Environmental Protection Bureau
continued to promote environmental management during the year.
The Macao Green Hotel Award has been held four times since 2007. The hotels have introduced
various environmental protection measures to conserve energy and cut emissions, thereby reducing
costs enhancing customer satisfaction, strengthening competitiveness and ultimately benefitting
Macao’s overall environmental development. By 2010, 19 hotels had been granted the Green Hotel
Award.
The bureau held the launch ceremony of the partner program of Green Schools and Green
Enterprises on 5 June 2010. The program promotes a green school network to provide an open
platform to share and exchange knowledge, experience and resources. It also raises the sense of
mission and social responsibilities of the partner enterprises to persist in environmental protection
in their daily operations, to create a green business environment. This is to extend environmental
awareness to the whole society, so that all citizens will support environmental protection.
In 2010, the Bureau co-organised a green driving course, and a talk and training course on green
procurement for civil servants with the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, the Transport
Bureau and the Finance Services Bureau, so that all civil servants can deepen their understanding of
their responsibilities and missions of environmental protection, and hence implement environmental
protection measures in their daily operations.
Complaints and Technical Opinions
The Environmental Protection Bureau received 731 complaints during 2010. Of these, 336 concerned
noise; 261 concerned air pollution; 91 concerned combinations of noise and air pollution; eight
concerned combinations of noise and other pollution; five concerned combinations of air and other
pollution; 10 concerned environmental hygiene; and 20 were for miscellaneous reasons.
At the request of the Macao Government Tourist Office, during 2010 the Environmental Protection
Bureau conducted 46 inspections prior to granting or renewing industrial licences and assisted in
11 noise surveys. It provided technical advice in response to written queries concerning 125 licence
applications filed by karaoke parlours and bars. It also participated in 33 factory inspections and
505

Macao Yearbook 2011
assisted in one noise survey, providing five technical recommendations at the request of the Economic
Services Bureau. At the request of the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, it participated in
inspections of four places for evaluation of nuisances and assisted in one noise survey, providing
15 technical recommendations. At the request of the Public Security Police, it assisted in 11 noise
surveys. It also advised on 17 applications to import CFCs, which are controlled substances under
Decree-Law No. 62/95/M.
Climate
Macao is situated in a subtropical zone, with the Asian continent to the north and a wide tropical
sea to the south. In winter, Macao experiences a north wind, cold and dry weather and low rainfall,
due to a cold continental high-pressure system at medium and high latitudes. In summer, Macao is
mainly subject to southwesterly winds, hot and wet weather and heavy rainfall, due to the influence
of oceanic tropical weather systems. The reverse of wind directions in winter and summer, together
with minimal temperature variations during the day, give Macao a marine monsoon climate.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 30-year-average standard
calculation, the average annual precipitation in Macao between 1971 and 2000 was more than 2,000
millimetres, with most rainfall occurring between April and October. May had the most precipitation
– an average of 361.9 millimetres – while January had the least – an average of 32.4 millimetres.
Macao has an average annual temperature of 22.4ºC. The coolest month is January, when it
averages 14.8ºC. Most years, Macao has a short, cold weather period when temperatures fall below
5ºC. The average monthly temperature exceeds 22ºC during seven months of the year, indicating
that Macao has a short winter but a long summer.
Macao is frequently hit by typhoons. The typhoon season starts in May and ends in October,
with July and August as its peak period.
Weather Overview
General Situation
In 2010, Macao’s average annual temperature, relative humidity and total rainfall were close to
normal, while the total time with bright sunshine and total evaporation level were lower than normal.
Five tropical cyclones affected Macao in 2010. They were: Typhoon Conson from 14-16 July;
Typhoon Chanthu from 20-22 July; Severe Tropical Storm Lionrock from 29 August-2 September;
Severe Tropical Storm Fanapi from 20-21 September; and Typhoon Megi from 19-23 October.
Typhoon Signal No. 3 was hoisted twice in the year, as a result of Chanthu and Fanapi.
506
During 2010, 15 strong monsoon warnings (Black Ball) were issued, three less than in 2009.
Eight rainstorm warnings were issued during 2010, the same as in 2009.
Seventy-five thunderstorm warnings were issued during the course of the year. The first
thunderstorm warning was issued on 7 February, and the last on 15 October.
No storm surge warnings were issued during 2010.

Geography, Environment and Population
Summary of Severe Weather Warnings Issued in 2010
Warning / Signal Type
Frequency
No. of Warning
Reports Issued
No. 1 Alert Signal 5 51
No. 3 Strong Wind Signal 2 11
Tropical Cyclone
Warning
No. 8 Northeast Gale Signal 0 0
No. 8 Southeast Gale Signal 0 0
No. 8 Southwest Gale Signal 0 0
Temperatures
No. 8 Northwest Gale Signal 0 0
All Signals Lowered 5 5
Strong Monsoon Warning (Black Ball) 15 54
Rainstorm Warning 8 23
Thunderstorm Warning 75 190
Storm Surge Warning 0 0
Macao had an average annual temperature of 22.3ºC during 2010, which was close to normal. The
highest and the lowest average temperature was 28.5ºC in July and 15.4ºC in January, respectively.
The hottest day was 1 September, when the temperature rose to 35.8ºC; whereas the coldest day
was 17 December, when the temperature fell to just 4.0ºC.
Relative Humidity
The average relative humidity during 2010 was 80 percent, which was close to the climate normal.
April saw the highest average relative humidity, at 91 percent; whereas the lowest was 71 percent
in December.
Rainfall
Total rainfall during 2010 was 2,172.6 millimetres, which was close to normal. September was the
wettest month, with 543 millimetres of precipitation, 348.8 millimetres above normal. Also, total
rainfall in June was 517.6 millimetres, 177.9 millimetres above normal.
Evaporation
The total evaporation level in 2010 was 686.2 millimetres, 385.1 millimetres less than normal.
507

Macao Yearbook 2011
The lowest level of evaporation level was recorded in February, with just 19.3 millimetres, 41.3
millimetres lower than the climate normal.
Sunshine
During 2010, Macao had 1,557.4 hours of sunshine, 270.6 hours less than normal. The longest hours
of sunshine were recorded in July, totalling 262.4 hours, 36.2 hours above normal. The fewest hours
of sunshine were recorded in April, amounting to only 24.6 hours, which was 63.2 hours less than
normal. Moreover, there were only 25.6 hours and 74.4 hours of sunshine in February and June,
which were 56.2 hours and 93.8 hours less than normal, respectively.
Wind
During 2010, Macao was subject to predominantly north-northeasterly winds in January, and
October to December; southerly winds in February, and June to August; south-southeasterly winds
in March and April; southeasterly winds in May; and east-southeasterly winds in September. Wind
speeds averaged 12.2 kilometres per hour.
Weather Services
Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau
The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) is supervised by the Secretary for Transport
and Public Works. It provides weather reports, monitors air quality, and conducts research into
climate, climate change and earthquakes.
The SMG’s work has a direct influence on Macao’s everyday life. Apart from hourly real-time
weather information, the SMG issues various types of daily weather forecasts for the public,
Government departments and private institutions. These include five weather reports and forecasts
and two marine and weather forecasts for the South China coastal area, all of which are broadcast
daily. The SMG provided 1,825 weather reports and 730 marine and weather forecasts for the South
China coastal area during 2010.
The SMG releases four-day forecasts on a daily basis. Every day, its officers explain the
day’s weather conditions and the forecast for the following day in telephone reports broadcast
on the Macau Broadcasting Company’s (TDM) morning TV programme. These presentations
explain forthcoming weather change and teach viewers about meteorology. When Typhoon Signal
No. 3 or above is hoisted, the local broadcaster TDM will provide streaming updates on the latest
developments concerning the tropical cyclone. The SMG also cooperates with Sai Van Bridge
Management Company and the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau, to display real-time
weather information on electronic message boards at both ends of the bridge and some main street
junctions, updating drivers on weather conditions and changes. Severe weather warnings are also
displayed on the electronic boards at Sai Van Bridge.
The SMG also issues timely warnings of adverse weather conditions, including tropical cyclones,
strong monsoons (black ball), rainstorms, thunderstorms and storm surges. The bureau introduced
the Flooding Alert SMS Service and the Hot/Cold Weather Alert SMS Service during 2010, so that
shop owners can adopt contingency measures well before flooding caused by rainstorms and social
508

Geography, Environment and Population
welfare organisations can strengthen care for the elderly in the event of significant temperature
changes.
A round-the-clock, Automatic Air Quality Monitoring Network and Ultraviolet (UV) Monitoring
System enable the SMG to summarise daily air quality and UV indices, and report them to the public
together with an air quality forecast for the following day. Residents can access this information by
dialling 1311 – the “Hotline Weather Report” and 1313 – the “Weather Report Fax”, or by visiting
the SMG’s website at www.smg.gov.mo.
The SMG launched the Mobile WebWeather Service for mobile phone and personal data assistant
(PDA) users on 23 March 2005. It makes weather data about Macao and other places worldwide
more accessible to the public via the Internet through its website at mobile.smg.gov.mo. From
23 March 2008 onwards, people can register online for the daily e-mail delivery of weather reports
and coast surf reports issued by the SMG. The service was extended to include e-mail delivery of
all severe weather warnings. From 23 March 2009 onwards, the public can receive instant weather
and severe weather warning messages via RSS or InfoMet provided by the SMG. The SMG has
increased the access speed of its website to 1,000Mbps, to enable more traffic when tropical cyclone
warnings are issued. The Temperature Index was introduced on 23 March 2010 to inform citizens
of weather changes, to adopt appropriate measures to prevent heatstroke due to hot weather or
hypothermia due to cold weather. Starting from 1 October 2010, the SMG issued a maximum UV
index forecast for the next day at 5 pm every day, to enhance citizens’ awareness of using sunblock
and take precaution before going out.
Real-time weather conditions, weather forecasts, and extreme weather warning information are
available via SMS for registered customers of four mobile phone service providers. The SMG has
also teamed up with Companhia de Telecommunicacoes de Macau (CTM) for cellular broadcasting
of relevant information to its mobile phone subscribers three times a day.
The SMG Aeronautic Meteorological Center at Macau International Airport provides halfhourly
weather observations and special reports to aviation organisations and flight crews. The
centre issues 30-hour weather forecasts for Macau International Airport every six hours. It also
issues thunderstorm and typhoon warnings for the airport, and provides updated aeronautical
meteorological documents for departing flights. The latter include meteorological maps for every
route, as well as high-altitude air temperatures, wind maps, and weather forecasts. The centre issued
about 18,500 such documents during 2010.
The SMG has acquired a caesium beam atomic clock and time device to offer the public an
accurate and convenient time service. Residents may synchronise the clocks of their computers
with the time provided by the bureau via the Internet. In 2009, every electronic mail sent under the
e-ME services provided by the SMG also included an electronic time stamp issued by eSignTrust
of Macao Post, to ensure that users can identify the time of issue for weather reports they receive.
Monitoring Network
The SMG collects weather data 24 hours a day via its Automatic Weather Station Network of 12
weather-observation stations in key locations around Macao. Three of these automatically send
information every 15 minutes to destinations worldwide, using the international SYNOP code and
the Global Telecommunications System (GTS). This forms part of the Pearl River Delta Real-time
Automatic Weather Monitoring Network, which was jointly established to exchange meteorological
509

Macao Yearbook 2011
data by the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau, the Hong Kong Observatory and the
Macao SMG. In 2007, the SMG installed a set of new automatic weather stations, which can
automatically provide data in SYNOP format, to perform automatic weather observations. In 2009
and 2010, it added two automatic weather stations to provide real-time weather data, replacing
manual methods for regular weather observations.
The SMG also teamed up with the Hong Kong Observatory to establish a substation of the Pearl
River Delta Lightning Location Network in Macao. The system operates around the clock, and
provides real-time lightning information for the Pearl River Delta.
Regarding meteorological telemetry: the SMG boasts a MTSAT ground reception and processing
system, a Huayun geostationary meteorological satellite reception and processing system, a
FengYunCast geostationary meteorological satellite ground reception and processing system, a
low-level wind profiler, a cloud height meter and two transmissiometers. A new X-band Doppler
weather radar began trial operations in 2010.
In 2009, the SMG cooperated with several related departments to establish the Water Level and
Tide Monitoring Network, which includes nine land water level monitoring stations set up on the
streets of various flooding black spots, two tide monitoring stations set up along the coast, and one
wave monitoring station set up in the sea. The network operates 24 hours a day, to provide real
time data on flooding and tides.
The SMG established the Air Quality Monitoring Project in partnership with other Government
departments in 1987. The SMG now employs a fully automated air monitoring network to measure
major pollutants that jeopardise Macao’s air quality. Macao now has six automatic air quality
monitoring stations. The SMG introduced another new type of technology during 2005, when it
cooperated with the City University of Hong Kong in developing and installing a laser radar system
that detects respirable suspended particulates in the atmosphere. In 2008, a new vertical laser radar
system entered operational use. Moreover, a new Raman laser radar for the measurement of nighttime
water vapour was fully assembled, and underwent tests, in 2009.
The SMG has two seismological monitoring stations, one in Ka Ho Lighthouse on Coloane, and
the other in its Taipa Grande headquarters on Taipa. An analogue seismograph is installed inside
the Ka Ho Lighthouse, while a digital seismograph and a deep shaft (30 metres from ground level)
digital seismograph are installed in the Taipa Grande headquarters.
During 2010, the SMG recorded one felt earthquake in areas surrounding Macao.
The SMG’s headquarters is equipped with an environmental radiation monitoring station, mainly
for detecting harmful Gamma radiation in the atmosphere.
Regional and International Cooperation
The SMG is a member of the WMO. It actively participates in promoting technology, research,
training and applications relating to meteorology. Every year, it sends delegations to meetings,
seminars, workshops and training programmes arranged by the WMO, mainland and overseas
meteorological agencies and academic organisations.
The SMG is also a member of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. The secretariat of the
committee moved to Macao in November 2007.
The SMG also keenly takes part in meteorological science meetings and exchange activities
510

Geography, Environment and Population
conducted by its mainland and Hong Kong counterparts. Its staff visit their weather and environmental
departments, and receive their personnel when they visit Macao. The annual Guangdong-Hong
Kong-Macao Seminar on Meteorological Science and Technology and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-
Macao Meeting on Cooperation in Meteorological Operations are all held alternately in the three
regions. All these events are forums for exchanging opinions and exploring issues about research,
technical developments and the application of meteorological science. These two events were held
in Shenzhen in 2010.
To further enhance Macao’s meteorological cooperation and communication with Zhuhai, and
strengthen the forecasting and warning ability of both cities, the SMG intensified its cooperation
with the Zhuhai Meteorological Bureau by signing the Macao-Zhuhai Meteorological Resources
Sharing Program on 6 May 2009. This scheme includes sharing meteorological information, joint
defence against meteorological disasters, collaborative construction and utilisation of meteorological
exploration devices, and academic exchanges on meteorology.
On 22 December 2008, the SMG and the Center for Monsoon System Research, Institute of
Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, signed a cooperation agreement on a joint
research project commenced in early 2009 and made significant achievements in 2010. To enhance
exchanges and cooperation regarding earthquake science and technology between mainland China
and Macao and foster the development of earthquake science, the SMG and the China Earthquake
Administration signed the Cooperation Agreement on Earthquake Science and Technology between
the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau and the China Earthquake Administration on
2 July 2010.
The SMG also participates in the European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical
Research (COST), a cooperative research project on science and technology for member states of
the European Union.
Flora
Macao abounds in plant species. By 2004, researchers from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau
and the South China Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences had identified 1,508
species of flora in Macao. These are mainly found in woodlands, parks and leisure grounds. Most
of Macao’s vegetation belongs to the evergreen broad-leaf woodland, tree, shrub and coastal bush
groups, including such species as Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa), Blood-red Melastoma
(Melastoma sanguineum), Oblong leaved Litsea (Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia), Pop-gun
Seed (Bridelia tomentosa), Hong Kong Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) and Linear Forked Fern
(Dicranopteris pedata). The most common species of cultivated plants are the Chinese Hibiscus
(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana), Sunshine Tree (Cassia
surattensis) and False Groundnut (Desmodium heterocarpon). By March 2010, researchers from
the Shenzhen Fairylake Botanical Garden had identified 103 species of bryophytes which belong
to 34 genera and 63 families. Rare species include Kurzia sinensis, Phaeoceroa laevis, Notothylas
japonica horik, Micromitrium and Vesicularia.
A total of 4,045,300 square metres of forest areas were replanted on Taipa and Coloane islands
between 1982 and 1995. More than 55 tree species were introduced during the process. Of the 26
major tree species in Macao, Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa) accounts for the lion’s share, with
more than 60 percent. It is followed by Chinese Gugertree (Schima superba), Schima wallichii,
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar formosana), Big-leaved Acacia (Acacia mangium), Sunshine Tree, White
511

Macao Yearbook 2011
Bauhinia (Bauhinia variegata var. candida), Camel’s Foot Tree (Bauhinia variegata), Lebbeck Tree
(Albizia lebbeck) and Horsetail Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) are also major species.
From the end of 2000, forest areas on Taipa and Coloane have undergone a compositional
transformation. A firebreak was set up, and many indigenous tree species were introduced, including
Melia-leaved Evodia (Tetradium glabrifolium), Hong Kong Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris),
Acronychia (Acronychia pedunculata), Morris’s Persimmon (Diospyros morrisiana), India Carallia
(Carallia brachiata), Yanmin (Dracontomelon duperreanum), Persimmon-leaved Litsea (Litsea
monopetala) and Michelia chapensis Dandy. There are 474,692 trees in the outlying islands’
replanted woodlands.
Fauna
Macao is small. The development of land and expansion of urbanisation create detrimental effects on
the survival and scope of activities of wild animals. The numbers of species and populations of wild
animals in Macao are decreasing. Although there are not many species of wild animals in Macao,
over ten species of amphibians, 13 species of mammals, 30 species of reptiles, over 200 species
of fish, over 300 species of birds and over 500 species of insects in less than 30 square kilometres
of land make up a considerably high biological diversity. Wildlife and nature conservation is as
important as urban development.
Amphibians in Macao are declining in numbers. As most of the amphibians need natural waters
as their living and breeding space, the scarcity of unpolluted waters in Macao leads to the decrease in
the species and numbers of amphibians. The five commonest species are Asian Common Toad (Bufo
melanostictus), Gunther’s Frog (Rana guentheri), Brown Tree Frog (Rhacophorus megacephalus),
Paddy Frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) and Asian Painted Frog (Kaloula pulchra). In the hilly
forest area of Coloane, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau has constructed artificial freshwater
wetlands as a better shelter for amphibians.
The commonest wild mammals are bats, rats and red-bellied tree squirrels. Bats mainly inhabit
Coloane and Taipa. The Japanese House Bat (Pipistrellus abramus) and Short-nosed Indian Fruit
Bat (Cynopterus sphinx) can be found on the Macao peninsula. The former frequents gaps between
buildings and lives on mosquitoes and flies, helping to limit populations of harmful insects. The latter
eat fruits in parks or woods, and may help spread their seeds, contributing to the city environment
and natural environment of the woods. The Red-bellied Tree Squirrel is an exotic species, formerly
imported as a pet. It is now wild in Macao. Its lack of natural enemies poses a threat to other animal
species, especially birds, as the squirrels eat their eggs.
Reptiles, especially snakes, play an important ecological role in controlling the number of rats.
However, Macao’s dense population poses an enormous threat to their dwelling and foraging areas.
In addition, some people’s misunderstanding and fear about snakebites have caused the number
of snakes to decrease most significantly among all wild animals in Macao. In 2010, 13 species of
reptiles were recorded, yet their populations were small.
Study in the past recorded over 300 species of birds in Macao, over half of which were migratory
birds. The commonest birds in Macao are Chinese Bulbul and Little Egrets. Of these, Chinese
Bulbul is terrestrial, and Little Egret is a water bird. Other commonly found birds included Grey
Heron, Great Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Japanese White-eye, Spotted Dove, Oriental Magpie
Robin and Tree Sparrow.
512

Geography, Environment and Population
There are abundant stocks of fish in Macao, which can be categorised into saltwater fish,
brackish fish and freshwater fish. Saltwater fish and brackish water fish mainly refer to the fish off
the coast of Macao. There are approximately 200 species of these fish. Freshwater fish most need
protection in the natural environment. Although the habitats of freshwater fish and amphibians are
similar to each other, the former have a narrower sphere of activities. Whenever the environment
is destroyed or altered by human activities, they are often affected most directly. There are five
species of freshwater fish in Macao.
There are over 500 species of insects, which are widely distributed in Macao.
Laws Governing Nature Conservation
Macao began to enact laws and regulations on nature conservation – including the establishment of
nature reserves and the protection of flora and fauna of special interest – more than 20 years ago.
New by-laws were promulgated in 2004 to replace older ones. They are as follows:
1. Decree-Law No. 33/81/M, gazetted on 19 September 1981; Decree-Law No. 30/84/M,
amended on 28 April 1984; and Decree-Law No. 3/99/M, revised on 25 January 1999, which
designated a 196,225-square-metre area of Seac Pai Van Country Park as a conservation
area of outstanding educational, ecological, scenic and scientific value;
2. Decree-Law No. 56/84/M, gazetted on 30 June 1984, and Decree-Law No. 83/92/M, amended
on 31 December 1992, which designated the part of Coloane island with an altitude of over
80 metres as a conservation area;
3. The Environmental Law, approved by the Legislative Assembly on 6 November 1990 and
gazetted by Decree-Law No. 2/91/M on 11 March 1991, which set out general guidelines
and basic principles for the formulation of environmental policies;
4. General Regulations Governing Public Places (By-law No. 28/2004) enacted on 28 July
2004, which established general principles for behaviour to be observed when using and
enjoying public places; and
5. By-law No. 40/2004 on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Control enacted on 14 December 2004,
which defined the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau’s role in the sanitary and phytosanitary
control of merchandise.
In addition, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the International Plant Protection
Convention have been made applicable to Macao, thus ensuring that Macao’s nature conservation
policies conform to international practices.
Nature Reserve
The Taipa-Coloane Wetland Reserve managed by the Environmental Protection Bureau is situated
adjacent to the Lotus Flower Bridge in Taipa and Coloane. It has a total area of 55 hectares, including
a 40-hectare bird foraging area that is regarded as zone two of the reserve, on the west coast of
reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane. Next to this zone is a 15-hectare bird habitat, regarded
as zone one of the reserve, which provides different bird species with suitable habitats. Data in
the past years shows that there are 81 species of plants, 20 species of fish, 11 species of molluscs,
513

Macao Yearbook 2011
25 species of insects and 13 species of crustaceans in the nature reserve’s wetland. The wetland’s
biodiversity attracts different resident and migratory birds to forage and live there. There are more
than 120 species of birds in the reserve, including the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill, the
protected White Spoonbill, Black Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, and
Greater Coucal. During 2010, 53 of the rare Black-faced Spoonbill were spotted in the nature reserve.
Grey Bushchat and Manchurian Bush Warbler were also sighted for the first time in Macao.
To enhance the ecological functions of the nature reserve, the Environmental Protection Bureau
commenced improvement works during 2010. In zone one, it enlarged the pond and improved the
reef for birds to stay overwinter. Also, it cleared the Acanthus ilicifolius, which is of little ecological
value, on the beach of zone two to expand the feeding area of migratory birds. Other improvements
in zone two included an artificial tidal creek to add terrain textures and a bird reef.
Country Parks
There are four country parks in Macao: Seac Pai Van Country Park, Taipa Grande Nature Park,
Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park, and Ka Ho Reservoir Country Park.
Seac Pai Van Country Park
Adjacent to Seac Pai Van Road in western Alto de Coloane, Seac Pai Van Country Park covers an
area of about 198,000 square metres, and provides a wide range of facilities. Its animal facilities
comprise the Giant Panda Pavilion, a zoo, and an aviary. Its exhibitions facilities feature the Giant
Panda Information Centre and the Museum of Nature and Agriculture. Other leisure facilities
include a children’s playground, a large picnic area and a fountain.
Giant Panda Pavilion
Nestled against a hillside, the Giant Panda Pavilion covers an area of about 3,000 square metres,
with an appearance designed to resemble nature. The panda living quarters are under a hi-tech
translucent film roof that ensures adequate natural lighting. Both the indoor and outdoor enclosures
are modelled on the natural terrain of panda habitats, with streams and cascades, shrubs and trees,
a wooden resting platform and rocks for climbing. Everything is designed and fine-tuned to the
pandas’ needs and comfort.
Taipa Grande Nature Park
Taipa Grande Nature Park is on the east of Taipa island, and covers a wooded and hilly area of 13,000
square metres between Ponta da Cabrita Road, Governador Nobre de Carvalho Avenue and Padre
Estevao Eusebio Situ Road. The park houses a native fish breeding zone, environmental education
centre and grass skiing slope. It is a multifunctional park for relaxation, exercise, environmental
protection, education and retreat. It is also an ideal destination for Macao residents to enjoy forest
scenery to the full, embrace nature and enrich their leisure time.
Chinese Ethnics Sculpture Park
Located inside Taipa Grande Nature Park, the Chinese Ethnics Sculpture Park was inaugurated on
514

Geography, Environment and Population
18 December 2009. It is Macao’s first ethnic-themed sculpture park. It is divided into a sculpture
gallery and an exhibition hall. The former displays the works of 56 Chinese sculptors with professor
status commissioned by the Preparatory Committee for the Chinese Ethnics Sculpture Park and
the Chinese Sculptural Art Commission of the China Artists Association, showcasing the best of
contemporary Chinese sculptural art. The sculptures also reflect the aspiration of ethnic harmony
through the unique cultural elements of Macao as a meeting point of the East and West.
The exhibition hall displays a variety of ethnic costumes, festivals, folk handicrafts and musical
instruments, which illustrate the many different facets of the life of ethnic minorities in China
as well as their rich and colourful traditions. The park is an attraction to both local residents and
tourists. In 2010 it drew a total of 4,583 visitors.
Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park
Hac Sa Reservoir Country Park is situated in a hilly forest area on the southeastern slopes of the
central mountain of Coloane. The park occupies 371,000 square metres between the entrance of the
Westin Resort Macau on Hac Sa Road to the east, and Chu Ku Tong pond, in front of Man Hong
Un, to the south. The park’s tropical rainforest and aquatic plant zone, as well as Chu Ku Tong
pond, have all been designed for ecological protection and education.
Ka Ho Reservoir Country Park
Ka Ho Reservoir Country Park is situated on the northeast of Coloane island. The park faces Ka
Ho Village to the east, separated by Barragem de Ka Ho Road. Seac Pai Van Reservoir lies to its
west; and the golf course and Alto de Coloane Road lie to its south. It is bordered by a road that
leads to the youth challenge centre in the north; and it stretches all the way down to a wooded and
hilly area by the shoreline. Ka Ho Reservoir Country Park has an area of 81.8 hectares.
With Ka Ho Reservoir as its central point, the park boasts various facilities, including the Ka Ho
Reservoir Trail, Northeast Trail, Dam Mural, Lofty Stand, Waiting Square, and Little Spring; as well
as barbecue, camping and picnic areas; the Blossom Bridge; diversity games zone; Ka Ho Reservoir
Outdoor Experimental Camp; and the Freshwater-Wetland Ecological Zone. With its educational
and recreational features, Ka Ho Reservoir Country Park is an ideal place to spend leisure time.
Population
Macao’s resident population was estimated to be 552,300 as at 31 December 2010. This is 10,100
more than the 2009 figure, an increase of 1.9 percent.
On the same date, an estimated 48 percent of Macao’s population were males, and 52 percent
were females. Some 12.2 percent were aged 14 and under, 79.8 percent were between 15 and 64,
and 8 percent were over 65.
Natural factors form one reason for the increase in population. In 2010, there were 5,114 newborn
babies, 7.3 percent more than in 2009, and 1,774 deaths, an increase of 6.6 percent. The natural
population growth rate was therefore 0.6 percent.
Immigration was another factor. Regarding immigration, the number of immigrants was estimated
to be 7,800, including immigrants from mainland China, foreign nationals with legal residency and
515

Macao Yearbook 2011
non-resident workers, while there were an estimated 1,000 emigrants.
Most residents lived in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, composing 39.5 percent of the total population,
a decrease of 0.1 percentage points on the 2009 figure. The population in Taipa represented 13.9
percent of the total population, 0.2 percentage points more than in 2009.
Birth Rate
According to the revised population index from 2005 to 2010, the natural population growth rate
rose from 0.43 percent in 2005 to 0.61 percent in 2010; while the gross birth rate increased from
7.8 per 1,000 of the population in 2005 to 9.4 per 1,000 in 2010.
Population Ageing
Although the birth rate has been rising since 2005, Macao’s population is ageing because of the
declining birth rate and increasing life expectancy. At the end of 2010, 12.2 percent of the entire
population was aged between 0 and 14, compared to 12.7 percent in 2009 and 16.1 percent in 2005.
Senior citizens aged over 65 made up 8.0 percent of the population, compared with 7.7 percent in
2009 and 7.3 percent in 2005. Compared with the 2009 figures, the population of young children
dropped 0.5 percentage points, but the population of elderly residents increased by 0.3 percentage
points.
Identification Services Bureau
Under the Macao Basic Law, the MSAR Government is authorised by the central government to
issue MSAR Passports to Chinese citizens who hold MSAR Permanent Resident ID cards, and to
issue other types of MSAR travel permits to other legal residents of Macao. MSAR Passports and
travel permits are valid for worldwide travel, and entitle their holders to return to Macao.
Under the supervision of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, the Identification
Services Bureau is responsible for the overall planning and operation of activities relating to the
civil and criminal identification of Macao residents. It issues ID cards and certificates of criminal
record, MSAR Passports, and other travel permits to Macao residents. It also issues certificates to
substantiate the facts stated in official record, and arranges for the registration of non-profit juridical
persons in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Personal Identity Cards
Only Chinese citizens who are permanent residents in Macao with a Macao Resident ID card are
eligible to apply for an MSAR Passport. A Chinese citizen who is a Macao Resident ID cardholder,
but not a permanent resident of Macao and not eligible for other travel permits, may apply for an
MSAR travel permit.
By 31 December 2010, the Identification Services Bureau had issued 286,590 MSAR Passports
and 17,177 travel permits.
Under the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Interpretation by the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress on Several Questions Relating to the Application of
516

Geography, Environment and Population
the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region,
any permanent resident of Macao with Chinese nationality and a Portuguese travel document may
travel to other countries or regions with the Portuguese travel document as before. Therefore, such
people may hold both a Macao SAR Passport and a Portuguese travel document at the same time.
The Identification Services Bureau is responsible for issuing Visit Permits for Residents of the
Macao SAR to the Hong Kong SAR (also known as “Visit Permits to the HKSAR”). Residents of
the MSAR who are either Chinese or Portuguese citizens and who hold a Macao Resident ID card
or an MSAR Resident ID card may apply for Visit Permits to the HKSAR. The bureau had issued
368,127 of these up to 31 December 2010.
The Identification Services Bureau is also responsible for issuing Macao SAR Resident ID
cards. As at 31 December 2010, there were 599,168 Macao SAR Resident ID card cardholders.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2010, 25,091 residents received Macao SAR Resident ID
cards for the first time.
Nationality
Under Law No. 7/1999, the Identification Services Bureau is responsible for handling nationality
applications from MSAR residents, including applications by foreign nationals or stateless persons
for naturalisation; applications by Chinese citizens to renounce Chinese nationality; applications by
foreigners who previously had Chinese nationality to restore Chinese nationality; applications by
MSAR residents of both Chinese and Portuguese descent to choose either Chinese or Portuguese
nationality; and applications by original Macao residents who are Chinese citizens with other
nationalities to adopt Chinese nationality.
Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010, 689 applications for naturalisation were
approved; 472 people restored their Chinese nationality; 45 renounced their Chinese nationality;
631 successfully applied to adopt Chinese nationality; 39 opted for Portuguese nationality; and
there were three applications for change of nationality.
Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode
A certificate of entitlement to right of abode confirms the status of a permanent resident of the
MSAR. Any person who claims to have right of abode in the MSAR but does not hold a valid
Macao Resident ID card or MSAR Resident ID card and who does not live in any other region of
the People’s Republic of China (except the Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan) must apply for a certificate
of entitlement to right of abode.
Such people include Chinese citizens who have ordinarily resided in Macao for seven consecutive
years before or after the establishment of the Macao SAR; children of Chinese nationality born
outside Macao whose parents are Chinese nationals and permanent residents of Macao; people of
both Chinese and Portuguese descent who have ordinarily resided in Macao for seven consecutive
years before or after the establishment of the MSAR; and children of Chinese nationality or
children born outside Macao who have not selected a nationality but intend to reside in Macao
permanently and whose parents are permanent Macao residents of either Chinese citizenship or
Portuguese descent.
The certificate of entitlement to right of abode indicates its date of effectiveness, prior to which
517

Macao Yearbook 2011
holders of the certificate have no right to enter or reside in Macao.
Between 20 December 1999 and 31 December 2010, the Identification Services Bureau issued
49,309 certificates of entitlement to right of abode.
Certificate of Criminal Record
In August 1996, the Identification Services Bureau started to issue certificates of criminal record
and certificates of special record for minors. The former is the sole and sufficient document to
prove whether an applicant has any criminal record; while the latter is applicable to those under 16.
According to Decree-Law No. 27/96/M, and Decree-Law No. 87/99/M, applications for a
certificate of criminal record and certificate of special record for minors fall into two categories:
public applications made in person or by an authorised representative; and agency applications,
which are usually filed by a criminal investigation agency or the judiciary.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2010, the bureau issued a total of 98,985 certificates of
criminal record. Of these, 82,822 were public applications, and 16,163 were agency applications.
Among the 491 certificates of special record for minors that were issued, six were to individual
applicants, and 485 to public bodies.
Immigration Controls
According to the Basic Law, the Government may impose restrictions on people from other countries
or regions entering, staying in, and leaving Macao. The Immigration Department of the Public
Security Police is responsible for entry and exit in Macao.
At present, citizens of 66 countries and regions enjoy visa-free access to Macao. Tourists with a
valid passport or travel document may normally stay in Macao for a maximum of 30 days. However,
people holding a passport issued by any member country of the European Union and citizens of
countries having an agreement with Macao may stay for a maximum of 90 days. In addition, British
nationals are allowed to stay in Macao for a maximum of six months. Holders of a Hong Kong
permanent resident ID card or a return permit to Hong Kong may stay for a maximum of one year.
Holders of a PRC passport may enjoy “transit without visa” when entering Macao and may stay
for a maximum of seven days.
Legal Immigration
Statistics provided by the Public Security Police show that 9,056 legal immigrants arrived from the
mainland during 2010, of whom 968 were aged between 0 and 18; 6,097 between 19 and 37; 1,980
between 38 and 75; and 11 over 75. Of these, 5,343 were females, representing 59 percent of the
total. Some 67.07 percent and 23.53 percent of the immigrants came from Guangdong Province
and Fujian Province, respectively.
Overstaying and Illegal Entry
According to statistics provided by the Public Security Police, 29,440 overstayers were repatriated
in 2010. They included 4,286 mainland Chinese, 69 Taiwan residents, 109 residents of the Hong
518

Geography, Environment and Population
Kong SAR, 3,464 foreign nationals, and 21,512 voluntarily repatriated mainlanders.
A total of 1,302 illegal immigrants were repatriated during 2010, 635 of whom were males and
667 females. A total of 174 people were referred to the Public Prosecutions Office, and 142 of
these were repeat offenders, and 32 had made false declarations. Some 77 people claimed to have
lost their travel documents.
Civil Registration
The Civil Registry is responsible for implementing regulations relating to the civil registration of
births, parentage, adoption and child custody, marriage agreements, deaths, legal certification of
the deaths of missing persons, and issuing relevant certified documents.
Birth Registration
The Birth Registry is responsible for the registration of births in Macao, as well as the re-registration
of births of people aged 14 or over.
The Civil Registry should be verbally notified of any birth in Macao by the parents or guardians
within 30 days. The registry registered 5,129 births during 2010.
Marriage Registration
The Civil Registry is responsible for handling applications for marriages, approving marriage
registrations, hosting ceremonies for the signing of marriage certificates and registering marriages.
One or both parties of an intended marriage, or their authorised representative, should enquire
about the documents required for marriage registration at the Civil Registry, providing copies of
the ID certificates of the couple that are to be married. Since the birthplaces and personal histories
of intended marriage partners vary, the types of documents required may be different. Once all
the required documents are available, the applicants may make an appointment with the Civil
Registry to register their marriage. They may choose any day for the procedure (except weekends
and public holidays) within 90 days of approval being granted by the registry’s Registrar. Under
normal circumstances, the approval process can be completed within five days of receiving the
application. A total of 3,103 marriages were registered during 2010.
Death Registration
Family dependents or other relatives of a deceased person may register his or her death with the
Civil Registry or its staff assigned to the registry’s branches at Conde S. Januario Hospital and
Kiang Wu Hospital. There were 1,874 death registrations during 2010.
Divorce by Mutual Consent
Applicants for divorce by mutual consent must have been married for over one year, have no
children aged under 18, and have reached agreement on maintenance payments and ownership of
their present residences. Applications should be submitted to the Civil Registry. There were 397
divorce applications during 2010.
519

Macao Yearbook 2010
Macao Yearbook 2011
520

Chief Executive Chui Sai On attends the ceremony of World Tree Planting
Day on 21 March.
Geography, Environment and Population
521

Geography, Environment and Population
The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lao Si Io, attends the festival of World
Environment Day 2010 for two regions and five cities, and the opening ceremony of
the Green School and the Green Enterprise Project, on 5 June.
522

The launch ceremony of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Water
Conservation Incentives Scheme is held on 12 January.
The Working Group on the Development of a Water Conservation Society holds a briefing
session on the Consultation Document on the Water Pricing Mechanism on 2 July.
523

Geography, Environment and Population
The representative of the Working Group on the Development of a Water Conservation
Society, Wong Man Tou, introduces the reservoir project in Ka-Ho outlined in the
consultation paper on the Water Conservation Plan, on 27 January.
The Environmental Protection Bureau holds a launch ceremony and
promotion activity of World Carfree Day, on 22 September.
524

During the 2010 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition
(MIECF), attendees can take test rides in an electric car, on 9 April.
525

Article 34 of the Basic Law
of the Macao SAR states:
“Macao residents shall have
freedom of religious belief,
and freedom to preach and
to conduct and participate
in religious activities in
public.” Furthermore,
Article 128 stipulates that:
“The Government of the
Macao SAR, consistent with
the principle of religious
freedom, shall not interfere
in the internal affairs of
religious organisations or
in the efforts of religious
organisations and their
believers in Macao to
maintain and develop
r e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e i r
counterparts outside Macao,
or restrict religious activities
which do not contravene the
laws of the SAR.”

CHAPTER 15
Religion
and Customs

Xmas Lighting (Photo: Ng Wa Chang)

Part 2 Chapter 15
Religion and Customs
Religion and Customs
Article 34 of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR states: “Macao residents shall have freedom of
religious belief, and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in
public.” Furthermore, Article 128 stipulates that: “The Government of the Macao SAR, consistent
with the principle of religious freedom, shall not interfere in the internal affairs of religious
organisations or in the efforts of religious organisations and their believers in Macao to maintain
and develop relations with their counterparts outside Macao, or restrict religious activities which
do not contravene the laws of the SAR.”
The Macao SAR protects the freedom of religion, worship and belief in general denominations
through the Freedom of Religion and Worship Law (Law No. 5/98/M). This law stipulates that:
“Freedom of religion and worship are recognised and protected. Denominations and other religious
entities are protected by law; freedom of religion is not to be violated; no one will be the object of
infringement or persecution, or deprived of his or her rights or be exempt from his or her obligations
and civic duties (except for conscientious objectors, as defined by law) for not professing a religious
faith or due to his or her beliefs or religious practices.”
The same law clearly states that the Macao SAR does not recognise a state religion. Its
relationships with all denominations are founded on the principles of separation and neutrality.
All denominations are free to organise, perform their functions and worship. The Macao SAR
does not interfere in these organisations, the performance of their functions and the worship of
denominations. Nor does it make proclamations on religious issues. The law further stipulates that
all religious denominations are equal before the law.
Coexistence of Different Religions
Macao’s status as a cultural melting pot where China meets the West is reflected in the diversity of
religions to be found here. In addition to Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism – the main religions
of the local community – later arrivals such as Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam coexist in
Macao. For centuries, people of different nationalities, races and religious beliefs have lived and
grown together in harmony.
Adherents of various religions participate in religious anniversaries and celebrate their traditional
festivals in their own distinctive ways.
For instance, the Macao Catholic Diocese conducts many traditional religious processions
associated with the Catholic calendar. The most spectacular of these are the processions of Our Lady
of Fatima, Our Lord of Passion, and Corpus Christi, when throngs of chanting believers follow the
clergy and the Madonna’s likeness along the processional routes. The traffic police are on hand to
ensure the processions are solemn and magnificent spectacles.
During Buddhist festivals, crowds of followers worship and burn incense sticks, and recite sutras
for the enlightenment of all beings. In addition, during traditional Chinese religious festivals, such
as the birthday celebrations for Tin Hau (the Heavenly Queen and Protector of Seafarers), the God
of the Land, the Taoist god Tam Kung and Na Tcha, temples are crowded with faithful devotees
worshipping the gods and offering sacrifices as a sign of respect. Theatrical troupes also stage
performances at temples to amuse the gods and provide entertainment for onlookers.
529

Macao Yearbook 2011
Buddhism
Buddhism plays a significant role in Chinese community life. But it is acknowledged that Buddhism
is a very general concept in the minds of many Macao residents. It may be mixed with some other
traditional beliefs and customs, such as Confucianism and Taoism. The ongoing construction
of new temples and renovation of existing ones over the years – such as the A-Ma Temple, Pou
Chai Buddhist Monastery and Temple, and Lin Fong Temple – as well as the constant crowds of
worshippers, all bear testimony to the faith’s importance.
Most Macao residents are ethnic Chinese who are profoundly influenced by their own tradition
and culture, of which Buddhism forms an integral part. Its roots extend deeply and widely into
their daily lives and customs. There are many Buddhists and Buddhist communities in Macao. The
most important of these is the Buddhist Association of Macau, which was established in June 1997.
There are more than 40 Buddhist temples in Macao, as well as scores of village temples and houses
dedicated to Buddhist deities. The majority of the temples, both large and small, are dedicated to Kun
Iam (the Goddess of Mercy), Tin Hau or Kwan Tai (the God of War and source of righteousness).
Following the establishment of the Macao SAR Government, Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on
the eighth day of the Fourth Moon, was declared a public holiday.
Catholicism
The Macao Catholic Diocese was founded by the decree of Pope Gregory XIII on 23 January 1576.
As the first Catholic missionary centre in the Far East, it was originally responsible for many regions,
including China, Japan, Vietnam and the Southeast Asian coastal islands.
The first bishop appointed to the Macao Catholic Diocese was the Jesuit Melchior Carneiro
S. J. He founded the Holy House of Mercy, the St Raphael Hospital, and a home for lepers (now
S. Lazaro). Members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) had established a mission and a college in
Macao by 1565. In the late 16th century, the standards of the latter’s tertiary education were high
enough to be recognised by European universities. Church of the Mother of God (commonly known
as St Paul’s Church), the Church of the Society of Jesus, was thrice destroyed by fire; the Ruins of
St Paul’s are the remnants of the blaze that occurred in 1835.
Apart from the Jesuits, Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, and Sisters of St Clare (who
vowed to lead a hermetic life) all established missions in Macao during the 16th and 17th centuries.
As its apostolic work developed over the following 400 years, many regions originally under the
jurisdiction of the Macao Catholic Diocese were transformed into independent dioceses. Nowadays,
the Macao Catholic Diocese is limited to the SAR itself. It has six parishes, three quasi-parishes
and three cathedrals. There are also 18 freestanding churches of various sizes and 56 chapels within
diocesan buildings.
According to figures supplied by the Macao Catholic Diocese, Macao had 13,505 Catholic
residents at the end of 2010. In addition, around 15,672 temporary residents of Macao were
adherents, including Portuguese-speaking expatriates and their families, English-speaking people
and their families from all over the world, Filipino domestic helpers and their families, and non
resident workers from the mainland and other Asian countries. Altogether, there are around 29,177
Catholics in Macao.
530

Religion and Customs
The clerics registered in the Macao Catholic Diocese include one diocesan bishop, 18 priests
and three contributing priests. In addition, five priests from the Macao Catholic Diocese currently
work in other dioceses.
There are also 51 priests and 25 brothers in male religious congregations that serve the community
in Macao. In addition, there are 194 sisters and 125 dedicated voluntary workers.
To meet the various needs of society, the Macao Catholic Diocese has for the past five decades
been committed to the development of social welfare services. It has collected considerable funds
from the Government, from philanthropists in Hong Kong and Macao, and from Catholics around
the world to subsidise the establishment of schools, child care centres, clinics, homes for the elderly,
rehabilitation homes and vocational training centres.
Macao Catholic Diocesan statistics show that, in the 2009/2010 school year, it managed and
maintained 31 educational institutions with 30,900 students, 2,028 of whom were in tertiary
education, 13,762 in secondary schools, 10,453 in primary schools and 4,657 in kindergartens.
The Catholic Church also operates 23 social service agencies, including seven child-care centres,
six convalescent homes for the elderly and sick, four rehabilitation homes for the physically and
mentally handicapped and disabled, and six residential homes for students from single-parent
families and/or who are experiencing problems. During the year, 1,662 people – 1,034 residents
and 628 non-residents – benefited from their wide range of services.
The Catholic Church is also engaged in other activities. It operates a bookshop, libraries, cultural
and media affairs centres, a conference centre, social service centres, social welfare organisations,
summer camps and retreats. It also publishes a few religious periodicals.
Protestantism
Macao is the place of origin of Protestantism in China. The religion was introduced to China by
Robert Morrison, a missionary from the London Missionary Society.
Robert Morrison arrived in Macao in 1807, and baptised Choi Kou in 1814. He led worship
services in Macao, translated the Bible into Chinese, and commissioned Leung Fat as Macao’s
first priest. Robert Morrison also published journals and compiled a Chinese-English dictionary,
promoting Chinese culture to the west. Encouraged by his success, Protestant missionaries from
different countries flocked to China, and became a driving force of printing, publication, education
and healthcare development in modern China. The Morrison School of Macao, the first westernstyle
school in China, was established in memory of Robert Morrison. Some of the most influential
figures behind China’s modernisation, such as Rong Hong, were educated there. In consideration
of Robert Morrison’s significant contribution in cultural exchange, the Old Protestant Cemetery,
where he was buried, is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
After Robert Morrison passed away, Protestant missionaries from Europe and America remained
in Macao and Malacca, continuing to preach in the Chinese community until 1840. After the Opium
War, the missionary base in Macao was moved to Hong Kong and other trading ports.
The earliest Chinese church in Macao can be traced back to 1903, when missionaries were sent
here to set up the Shun Fook Church, which became today’s Macau Baptist Church. Together with
the voluntary organisations formed by local Chinese followers, the Chi Tou Hui Church (today’s
Chi Tou Church under the Church of Christ in China) was built in 1906. Protestant churches in
531

Macao Yearbook 2011
Macao gradually developed and built schools for the local people, resuming their active role in
missionary work within Macao and the Pearl-River-Delta area.
During the Sino-Japanese war, while Macao’s political situation was relatively stable, many
mainland China Christian schools and disciples came to settle in Macao. They were the Sheng
Kung Hui (the Anglican Church), the American Pentecostal Church of God (which had come to
Macao before), and the Union Theological Seminary (which had relocated to Macao), all worked
hard to take care of refugees and preached in Macao. Protestantism developed rapidly in Macao,
and saw the establishment of the Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church, Evangelical Church and
Assemblies of God Church.
During the 1980s, in tandem with the social and economic development of Macao, Protestant
churches in Hong Kong began to establish branches and social service centres in Macao. In the early
1950s, there were only nine Protestant churches. By the 1990s, the number of Protestant churches
had increased to over 50 throughout Macao.
Today, there are 76 Protestant churches, with about 180 preachers serving in the churches and
more than 5,000 followers. Some 4,000 followers currently attend Sunday worship each week using
Chinese language for services, mainly at the Evangelical Church, followed by the Baptist Church.
About 500 Protestants in Macao attend English-speaking or Portuguese-speaking congregations.
Protestant churches are independent of one another. Some religious orders have their own unions
or district centres. Most of these churches are closely related to overseas churches, and still rely
on financial and manpower support from overseas churches, especially those in Hong Kong. The
Union of Christian Evangelical Churches in Macao was established in 1990, and is engaged in
coordinating orders and joint preaching.
Of the schools established by the Protestants, four are secondary schools with primary and
kindergarten sections, two are primary schools with kindergarten sections, and there are one special
education school and one adult education school.
Around 20 Protestant organisations are involved in social services, including community services,
family centres, hospital chaplaincies, youth centres, psychological counselling, hostels, back-toschool
schemes, Christian drug rehabilitation, gambling rehabilitation and counselling services.
The people they serve include members of underprivileged groups, school dropouts, prisoners’
family members, female workers at entertainment establishments, as well as cancer patients and
their families.
Islam
The Islamic Association of Macau was established in 1935. It has long planned to build a mosque
and Islamic centre; and a blueprint for the Islamic centre was approved by the former Portuguese
administration. According to the plan, the mosque will have a total area of 1,250 square metres and
will be able to accommodate a congregation of 600.
Baha’i
The Baha’i Faith was introduced to Macao in 1953. Its administrative body – the Local Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha’is of Macao – was established in April 1958.
532

Religion and Customs
By the late 1980s, the number of followers had risen from several hundred to 2,500. Two local
spiritual assemblies were established on the Macao peninsula and Taipa island. The Local Spiritual
Assembly of Coloane island was also formed in 1988. An administrative body covering the entire
territory – the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Macao – was established in April
1989, and purchased a property for its permanent headquarters.
In 1988, the Baha’i organisation established an institution that encompasses a kindergarten,
primary school and secondary school.
Traditional Festivals
The coexistence of Chinese and Western cultures in Macao has made it possible for Chinese and
Western customs to develop in tandem. Chinese, Portuguese, Macanese (locally born residents of
mixed Portuguese and Asian descent) and other races have each followed their own customs for
hundreds of years, whilst influencing one another. Local Chinese, Portuguese and Macanese residents
respect and usually celebrate each other’s festivals. Examples of traditional Chinese celebrations are
the Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival), Qing Ming Festival,
Buddha’s Birthday, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solstice; while Easter, the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception and Christmas are important local festivals derived from Western traditions.
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people. It is celebrated around the
world, wherever Chinese people live.
Macao residents usually perform religious ceremonies at home or in temples on the first couple
of days of the Lunar New Year. They visit friends and relatives, let off firecrackers and take part
in various celebrations. Civil servants, who are normally forbidden to enter casinos, are granted
special permission to try their luck during the first three days of the New Year. The incessant, earsplitting
noise of firecrackers and the red shreds of their wrappers last a whole week, creating a
vibrant, joyful scene. These are the sights and sounds of Macao during Lunar New Year. In recent
years, it has become increasingly popular for Macao residents to take family vacations during the
Lunar New Year public holidays.
Qing Ming and Chong Yang Festivals
The Qing Ming and Chong Yang (Double Nine) festivals are times when people commemorate
their ancestors and visit their graves. They pay homage to the deceased, enhance their links with
their relatives and perform filial duties.
All Souls’ Day, the traditional festival to remember the deceased in the West, is also a public
holiday in Macao.
Buddha’s Birthday
Buddha’s Birthday is a special local festival in Macao. Falling on the eighth day of the Fourth
Moon of the Lunar Calendar, it celebrates the birth of the Buddha Shakyamuni. During the festival,
Buddhist organisations in Macao usually organise many celebrations, including sutra recitations
533

Macao Yearbook 2011
and “Bathing the Buddha” ceremonies to celebrate the birth of the Buddha.
Some non-religious organisations, such as fishmongers’ associations, also celebrate the festival.
Drunken Dragon Dance performances and the distribution of “Dragon Boat Rice” are among the
traditional activities staged at this time.
The Drunken Dragon Dance is an ancient custom that originated in neighbouring Zhongshan
Municipality, Guangdong Province, and has become a tradition among Macao’s fishmongers.
Through the dance, they show their team spirit and commitment to society. After years of changes,
the Drunken Dragon Dance, as it is performed nowadays, features only the head and tail of the
Dragon. The performers are expected to drink as they dance; and people believe they can only
perform well if they are drunk. The organisers distribute free Dragon Boat Rice to residents on
the day of the festival.
Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the Fifth Moon. It is a time for eating special
dumplings and Dragon Boat Racing. Macao’s Dragon Boat Races have a unique local flavour, and
have developed into an international competition. Many Westerners also participate in them, to
show off their skills.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Appreciating the moon’s beauty while enjoying delicious mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn
Festival is another Chinese tradition. Even before the day arrives, a joyous atmosphere builds up
everywhere. Shops selling traditional mooncakes are packed with customers, as demand for them
runs high. Family members gather to appreciate the moon and enjoy reunions.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Macao is the only place in Asia where the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday.
Pope Pius IX proclaimed it as a festival on 8 December 1854. It marks the belief among Catholics
that the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, was conceived by divine means. Catholics in Macao usually
hold celebrations on this day, hoping that all their sins will be forgiven, and that their hearts will
be cleansed.
Christmas
Christmas is the time when Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Macao is filled
with a strong festive atmosphere at Christmas. Its unique, European-style streets are festooned with
colourful lights and decorations, and Christmas carols wafting out from its churches make many
people feel as if they are celebrating the holiday in Europe.
534

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lau Si Io, attends the 15th Macau
Myanmar Overseas Chinese Water Festival, on 25 April.
Religion and Customs
The Acting Chief Executive, Florinda Chan, attends the 8th Macau A-Ma Cultural
and Tourism Festival, on 16 October.
535

Historical records show that
Macao has been Chinese
territory since long ago.
When Qinshihuang (the
first emperor of the Qin
Dynasty) unified China in
221BC, Macao came under
the jurisdiction of Panyu
County, Nanhai Prefecture.
Administratively, it was part
of Dongguan Prefecture in
the Jin Dynasty (AD265-420),
then Nanhai County during
the Sui Dynasty (AD581-
618), and Dongguan County
in the Tang Dynasty (AD618-
907). In 1152, during the
Southern Song Dynasty, the
Guangdong administration
joined the coastal areas
of Nanhai, Panyu, Xinhui
and Dongguan Counties to
establish Xiangshan County,
thus bringing Macao under
its jurisdiction.

CHAPTER 16
History

The Central Post Office (Photo: GCS )

Part 2 Chapter 16
History
History
Macao Has Been Part of China Since Ancient Times
Historical records show that Macao has been Chinese territory since long ago. When Qinshihuang
(the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty) unified China in 221BC, Macao came under the jurisdiction
of Panyu County, Nanhai Prefecture. Administratively, it was part of Dongguan Prefecture in
the Jin Dynasty (AD265-420), then Nanhai County during the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618), and
Dongguan County in the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907). In 1152, during the Southern Song Dynasty,
the Guangdong administration joined the coastal areas of Nanhai, Panyu, Xinhui and Dongguan
Counties to establish Xiangshan County, thus bringing Macao under its jurisdiction.
Macao has been given a variety of names. Besides Macao (“Aomen” in Chinese), it has also been
called Haojing (Oyster Mirror), Jinghai (Mirror Sea), Haojiang, Haijing, Jinghu (Mirror Lake),
Haojingao and Majiao. Haojing is the earliest name recorded in written documents.
The name “Aomen” first appeared in 1564, in the following passage in Pang Shangpeng’s
Memorandum to the Throne Concerning Long-Term Coastal Security, which was presented to the
Ming Emperor: “Xiangshan County in the south of Guangdong Province is a coastal area. It takes
one day to travel from Yongmai to Haojingao. In Haojingao there are Nantai (South Tower) and
Beitai (North Tower), two hills facing each other like two towers of a city gate. People call the place
where the two hills stand Aomen (Gate to Ao). Aomen is surrounded by sea, and is only connected
to the mainland at Zangge. It is a trading port where foreign ships and merchants anchor.”
Aomen Jilue (Chronicles of Macao) by Yin Guangren and Zhang Rulin – the first and second
Qing officials appointed to the place – which was published during the reign of Emperor Qianlong,
records: “The name ‘Haojingao’ can be found in the documents of the Ming Dynasty. To the south
of Haojingao lies Shizimen (Cross-Gate), where the sea runs both north-south and east-west
between four island hills. Combining ‘ao’ from Haojingao and ‘men’ from Shizimen, people call
the place ‘Aomen’.”
The earliest written record of the name “Macau” in a foreign language discovered so far is in a
letter dated 20 November 1555.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese began expanding their trade to the Far East, and they conquered
several places in Africa and Asia. In 1553, claiming that they needed some land to air their soaked
goods, the Portuguese gained permission from local Chinese officials to stay temporarily on the
Macao peninsula to carry out commercial activities. Around 1573, the Portuguese began paying land
rent to the Chinese government. From then till the Opium War, for nearly 300 years, the Ming and
subsequent Qing governments exercised sovereignty over Macao, levying taxes and implementing
various controls.
The Ming and Qing Governments’ Exercise of Sovereignty Over
Macao
The Ming and Qing governments maintained irrefutable sovereignty over Macao, and under the
principle of sovereignty exercised strict and comprehensive land, military, administrative, judicial
and customs controls.
539

Macao Yearbook 2011
While exercising sovereignty over Macao in all aspects, the Ming and Qing governments used
the strategy “let foreigners take charge of foreigners” to control the Portuguese in Macao. They
did not directly interfere with the internal affairs of the Portuguese community, but allowed the
Portuguese to exercise self-administration to keep their social and economic affairs in order. In
1583, the Portuguese in Macao were permitted to form a Senate to handle various issues concerning
their community, on the understanding that they recognised overall Chinese sovereignty and that
this autonomous organ was not politically independent.
The Portuguese Occupation of Macao and the Sino-Portuguese
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
After the Opium War, the Chinese and British signed the Treaty of Nanking, stipulating the cession
of Hong Kong to Britain. The Portuguese seized the opportunity to put forward various requests
– including exemption from the annual land rent – and gradually occupied Macao. In 1887, the
Qing government was forced to sign the Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Amity and Commerce, under
which the Portuguese obtained the right to permanently settle in Macao as well as control over the
region. In 1928, the foreign affairs ministry of the then Kuomintang government officially notified
the Portuguese side that it was abrogating the treaty.
The Signing of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government declared
the abolition of all unequal treaties. In March 1972, China’s Permanent Representative to the
United Nations sent a letter to the UN Special Committee on Decolonization, stating the country’s
principled stand on the issues of Hong Kong and Macao. On 8 February 1979, when China and
Portugal established diplomatic relations, the two governments reached the following agreement
on the issue of Macao: Macao is a Chinese territory currently under Portuguese administration;
the issue of Macao is a question left over from history, which will be settled through friendly
consultation between the two governments when appropriate.
In 1984, as soon as the question of Hong Kong was solved, the issue of Macao was put on the
agenda. June 1986 saw China and Portugal begin negotiations concerning the issue of Macao. After
four rounds of talks, on 23 March 1987 the two governments reached a consensus on the entire
text of the agreement and memorandum, thus bringing to a satisfactory conclusion of the Sino-
Portuguese negotiations, which lasted eight months and 14 days. On the morning of 26 March 1987,
the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of
the Portuguese Republic on the Question of Macao was initialled in the Great Hall of the People in
Beijing, by Deputy Foreign Minister Zhou Nan, head of the Chinese government delegation, and
his Portuguese counterpart, Ambassador Rui Medina.
The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration was officially signed on 13 April 1987 in Beijing. A grand
ceremony for the occasion was held in the Great Hall of the People. On behalf of their respective
governments, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Zhao Ziyang,
and the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, Anibal Antonio Cavaco Silva, signed the Joint
Declaration, which stated that China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao from 20
December 1999 onwards. Deng Xiaoping attended the ceremony in person. The National People’s
Congress (NPC) of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese parliament, the Assembly
540

History
of the Republic, ratified the Joint Declaration in June and December, respectively. On 15 January
1988, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration came into effect, and Macao thus entered a transition
period leading to the Handover.
The Enactment of the Basic Law and the Transition Period
In order to specify and legalise the basic principles and policies of the central government concerning
Macao that were set forth in the Joint Declaration, the First Session of the Seventh NPC decided
on 13 April 1988 to establish the Drafting Committee of the Basic Law of the Macao Special
Administrative Region. On 5 September 1988, the list of members of the committee was approved
at the Third Session of the Seventh NPC. It comprised experts and representatives from all walks
of life, from both the mainland and Macao. For more than four years, the committee carried out
extensive and painstaking investigations, consultations, democratic discussions and revisions, and
finally in January 1993, the Drafting Committee approved the draft of the Basic Law and the designs
of the flag and emblem of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
On 31 March 1993, the First Session of the Eighth NPC passed the Basic Law of the Macao
Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, its annexes, and the designs of the
flag and emblem of the Macao SAR. On the same day, President Jiang Zemin signed Presidential
Decree No. 3, promulgating the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region, which
was to come into effect when the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over
Macao on 20 December 1999.
The nearly 12-year period from 15 January 1988, when the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration
came into effect, to 20 December 1999, when the central government resumed the exercise of
sovereignty over Macao, was called the transition period. The Portuguese government prepared,
in this period, for the handover of the government in 1999. Maintaining Macao’s social stability,
boosting economic development and creating favourable conditions for a smooth handover were
the main tasks at that stage.
The Sino-Portuguese Liaison Group and the Sino-Portuguese Land Group, founded under the
Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, resolved issues that arose during the transition period through
negotiation. The two governments also reached agreement on the establishment of the Macau
International Airport, the Bank of China becoming a Macao currency-issuing bank, and the
amendment and renewal of the casino gaming franchise. Three key issues that had attracted much
attention – the localisation of the civil service, the localisation of the law and the official status of
the Chinese language – were also settled satisfactorily.
On 29 April 1998, the Second Session of the Ninth Conference of the Standing Committee of the
NPC passed the list of members of the Preparatory Committee of the Macao Special Administrative
Region. The Preparatory Committee was established in Beijing on 5 May 1998. One of its chief
missions was to establish, in accordance with the NPC decision, a highly representative Selection
Committee comprising 200 members, who are all permanent residents of Macao, to select the first
Chief Executive of the Macao SAR. On 15 May 1999, in a secret ballot at the third plenary session
of the Selection Committee for the First Government of the Macao SAR, Edmund Ho Hau Wah
was elected the first Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s
Republic of China. On 20 May 1999, Zhu Rongji, Premier of the State Council, issued State Council
Decree No. 264, appointing Edmund Ho Hau Wah as the first Chief Executive of the Macao Special
Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, to assume office on 20 December 1999.
541