Briefs | Macau and Hengqin to enhance cooperation

Chief Executive Chui Sai On met the director-general of the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee, Niu Jing, last week to discuss cooperation between Hengqin and Macau. According to a government statement, Chui said in the meeting that cooperation between the two regions, particularly in the area of traditional Chinese medicine, has developed substantially. Niu Jing endorsed the words of the Chief Executive, thanking the Macau government for the many years it has supported the development of Hengqin. Secretary for Finance and Economy Lionel Leong added that he will also promote the joint development between Macau and Hengqin.

Turkey-USA and China-Italy open Volley Grand Prix

The 2017 edition of the Galaxy Entertainment Group – FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, will take place in Macau in between July 14 and 16. The event will be held at the Macau Forum, featuring national teams from China, USA, Italy and Turkey. The Sports Bureau (ID) announced that the event will open on July 14, with the games: Turkey-USA and China-Italy. The ID also noted that the tickets for the final day have sold-out already with tickets still on sale for the first two days of the tournament.

USJ students organize social work forum

For this year’s World Social Work Day, students at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) organized a forum of Saturday at the Auditorium of St. Paul’s School in Macau. The activity was organized by students from the bachelor course of social work at USJ, with the aim of raising public awareness of community mental health. The forum, which was organized in collaboration with Caritas Macau and sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau, was attended by some 160 participants who shared their concerns over community and environmental sustainability. According to a statement from USJ, participants were “reminded that social workers need to continue studying, renewing their knowledge and enhancing their professional skills in order to provide better service to the community.” During the forum, the rector of USJ, Professor Peter Stilwell, said that the event had reminded audiences of some existing resources in Macau and had provided advice on handling certain situations in the future.

Ho denies accusations during closed-door session

Former top prosecutor Ho Chio Meng denied accusations against him during Thursday’s closed-door trial, according to a report by Macao Daily News. During the trial, the court addressed a case in which Ho allegedly kept MOP5.6 million in special subsidies that belonged to the Prosecution Office. Ho’s lawyer Oriana Pun said Ho had defended himself in this specific session. A total of ten witnesses were summoned, four of whom were called by the defense.

AIPIM approves journalism code of ethics

The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) approved a “Code of Ethics” and a “Journalists’ Statute” at a general meeting held on Saturday, informed the association in a press statement. The approval and adoption of both documents has been described by the association as a “watershed” moment; the outcome of a process that began a few year ago. The documents aim to set out key ethical guidelines for journalists in Macau. The 10 clauses of the English edition of the document cover areas such as journalistic integrity, accuracy in reporting, abiding by the law and the resisting of censorship.

IACM helps vendors install payment equipment

The Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) plans to install electronic payment equipment across the region’s traditional markets and vendors, according to a report by TDM. The Mutual Assistance Association of Vendor Affairs (AAMVM) announced the initiative during a recent ceremony to mark the association’s anniversary. On April 17, AAMVM surveyed local vendors on their willingness to install electronic payment systems in their shops. The results of the survey have not yet been published. There are currently around 1,000 vendors operating inside local traditional markets in addition to 1,000 other types of vendors.