USJ delegation visits Foreign Affairs Ministry

A delegation of over 60 professors, staff and students from the University of St. Joseph (USJ) visited the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on Monday. According to a USJ press statement, the delegation was warmly received by senior officials and directors, who delivered presentations on special topics ranging from foreign affairs to international conventions and laws that apply to the SAR. The directors then answered questions on the roles of universities in public diplomacy, international cultural exchange, and making Macau a platform for cooperation between China and Lusophone countries. Among the visiting delegation was Ambassador Carlos Frota, who recalled his pleasant experiences working with the Office as the Consul General of Portugal, after the territory’s handover.

HK lawmakers want ferries like Macau’s

An HKSAR Legislative Council transport panel meeting yesterday heard lawmakers criticize the government for reacting too slowly to the Oct. 23 collision that closed Kap Shui Mun Bridge and left thousands of travelers unable to reach or leave the airport. The government tried to arrange ferries to transport passengers to and from the airport, but was unable to dispatch vessels even after the bridge re-opened. Lawmakers urged the government to arrange for high-speed ferries because of their superior speed and passenger capacity, pointing to those currently serving Macau ports as an example. Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Wong Kwok-hing declared: “The incident has clearly shown that the government lacks the mindset to react” to such incidents. “The stranded passengers were like ants in a hot pan,” said Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki. “It was an international joke.”

Rising star defeats Srikanth in 1st round

Indonesia’s rising star Jonatan Christie defeated the badminton world’s seventh-best player yesterday at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion during the first round of the Macau Open. The 18-year-old Indonesian demonstrated good technique and a powerful offense in defeating India’s K. Srikanth, winning the two matches 21-16, 23-21.  “It’s a very good result […] and it’s also one of my biggest upsets so far,” said Jonatan, who is ranked world number 40. “I’ve studied Srikanth’s game through video recordings and I knew how to take him on.” Three other Indonesian youngsters – Hong Kong Open semi-finalist Anthony Ginting, Ihsan Maulana Mustofa and Firman Abdul Kholik – have also made it to the second round.