MSAR’s 15th anniversary exhibition in Beijing unveiled today

The MSAR’s fifteen years in pictures, short information panels and paintings have now been unveiled at Beijing’s Exhibition Center, as the Macau government makes an effort to take the city’s history beyond its borders. Chief Executive Chui Sai On will be inaugurating the exhibition to mark the MSAR’s 15th anniversary today, which gathers about 280 images and installations in review of the past 15 years.
On display until December 28, the exhibition is being held at Beijing Exhibition Center, located in the Xizhimen commercial district, comprising an area of 2,500 square meters.
The head of the MSAR’s delegation in Beijing, Hong Wai, said that the government hopes to showcase the MSAR’s achievements since its establishment, while also offering a glimpse into Macau’s artistic accomplishments, as local painters’ artwork is also on display. “We would like people to know our artists better,” she stressed, adding that the exhibition focuses mainly on Macau’s perspectives and long-term outlook for the future.
“[We are showcasing] our long-term mechanisms (…) we wanted to promote our long-term development [ideas] and also show how we’re dealing with Macau’s economic diversification,” Ms Wai added.
The delegation head recalled that the exhibition is mainly comprised of images and multimedia products, including outdoor installations, videos and paintings. Volunteers working at the exhibition are Macau residents currently studying in Beijing. The exhibition, Ms Wai added, was organized in collaboration between several Macau government departments, and its budget has reached MOP6.5 million.
The exhibit comprises of three main thematic sections: the first part presenting Macau as “a center and platform” in its efforts to become a world center of tourism and leisure, while also promoting economic cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries; a second section presents Macau as a city, whose government has pledged to implement transparency and take efficient measures based on scientific studies; a third section is intended to unveil Macau’s relationship with mainland China, and the implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy.
Ms Wai told reporters that they want visitors to have a feeling of cultural interchange. “A union of cultures and history,” she said.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On, who recently announced his new cabinet lineup, spoke to reporters at Macau’s airport before his trip to Beijing yesterday. As he enters his second term later this month, Mr Chui acknowledged that his new team of secretaries are entitled to make changes to their staff, namely when it comes to assistants and advisors. “Each secretary is now pondering [changes] to its respective office staff according to the needs of each secretariat portfolio,” he said, adding that “it is normal to have changes in terms of personnel.”
Chui Sai On travelled to Beijing accompanied by current secretaries and his new cabinet. Lawmakers, prominent businessmen, artists and local media were also invited to join the CE’s mission to mainland China’s capital.
The present Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lau Si Io, spoke to the media yesterday, assuring that he wishes to remain in public service after he hands over his cabinet portfolio to Mr Raimundo do Rosario, the new secretary. He did not want to disclose which government department he will be working in, but said he would continue working within his field of expertise.
The exhibition is free of charge and organizers estimate that 10,000 people will be visiting it over the next 20 days.

CE confirms casino revenue drop in 2015

Macau’s leader acknowledged that casino revenue will continue to drop next year. Chief Executive Chui Sai On spoke to reporters before his trip to Beijing yesterday to attend the MSAR’s 15th Anniversary Exhibition opening ceremony, taking place at Beijing’s exhibition center.
“We can see that the gaming revenue average per month has reached MOP36 billion. Our prediction indicates that the monthly casino revenue will be around MOP27.2 billion next year,” he said. Chui recalled that, through research studies and reports, the government predicted a gaming revenue drop quite some time ago. “We took into consideration a long time ago that gaming revenue would probably drop, that’s why we created our financial reserve,” he revealed. Macau’s leader said that to analyze gaming revenue results, the government must consider the overall economic outlook around the world, in addition to mainland Chinese policies and other external elements. “Taking this into consideration, [we believe] the economy will enter a readjustment period,” he concluded, adding that the government will be monitoring the economic situation closely, while stepping up efforts to diversify the economy.