Briefs | DSEJ to continue infant enrolment system

According to a statement issued by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ), the bureau intends to continue to carry out the “Centralized Registration Measure for First-time Infant Educations Students” in the first month of 2017. This measure applies to infants who were born between 2012 and 2014 and are intending to enroll for education for the first time in Macau. It will allow parents of such infants to access the centralized registration system, and apply to a maximum of six schools. The application system will be open to parents between January 5 and 20, 2017. In order to apply, parents must complete and submit the information in their enrolment document, as well as upload a recent photograph of the infant showing the child’s full face without any obstructions such as a hat.

Local jailed for 10 months for killing cats

Macau resident Chan Ho-Yueng, who has killed two cats in Taiwan while he was studying in the territory, has discontinued his court appeal and will soon be jailed for a period of 10 months, according to reports in Taiwan. On December 30 and 31 of 2015, Chan was questioned by the police in Taiwan after being accused of torturing and killing the popular stray cat called “Big Orange”. In January of this year, Chan was expelled from the National Taiwan University (NTU) after killing a second cat in Taipei.

Street performance scheme receives 57 applications

A total of 40 people were granted an approval by the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s (IC) Street Performance Scheme to showcase their talents at Fortaleza do Monte, Anim’Arte Nam Van and Casas-Museu da Taipa. The IC has received a total of 57 applications over the past two weeks. The applicants comprised of 53 local residents and four tourists. Applications pending approval are currently still under evaluation. The 57 applications involve 50 performances, seven visual-arts displays, and six handcrafts displays. Several applicants have applied for multiple categories.

Crown employees visited by consular staff

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop revealed that three Australian Crown employees, who have been arrested in China, were visited by consular staff on Tuesday. As the Times reported yesterday, a group of Crown employees were formally arrested last Friday for alleged gambling-related crimes, and their detainment could be extended beyond two months while the case is being investigated. Bishop told Sky News television that the crackdown on gambling was part of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign and that Australians in China are subject to following Chinese law. Australia has received formal notification of the detentions, Bishop said.

Fourth bridge to initiate construction next year

Chau Vai Man, the coordinator of the Transportation Infrastructure Office (GIT), said that construction of the fourth bridge connecting Macau Peninsula and Taipa is expected to begin in 2017. Chau said that Macau is currently waiting for approval from the Central Government regarding the sea area around the bridge. Chau said that if Beijing approves the project soon, then the public tender regarding the bridge might start in the first or second quarter of 2017. The MSAR government awarded the contract for the preliminary design of the fourth bridge to Chinese company China Communications Construction Company.