What challenges lie ahead for Macao as it marks 25 years of Chinese rule?

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TACKLING SOCIAL Disparity

Coutinho stated to CNA that he also wants more stringent laws to be developed to address cultural injustice.

” We have already witnessed a huge and growing inequality here since the COVID ( pandemic ) epidemic. Inequality is a very significant matter to remain tackled”, he added.

” We are currently addressing these concerns with the government’s policies, such as subsidizing, providing direct grants to the poor people and the middle-income,” the statement continued.

Social service organizations like Caritas Macau predicted that more individuals would need assistance, particularly the older and migrant workers.

Under the direction of the Chinese central government, the Macao officials have been placing a solid emphasis on social security since the state’s handover to China in 1999. &nbsp,

Through programs like food bank handouts and elder care services, Caritas, which has been providing assistance to poor residents for more than 40 years, helps at least 10,000 people each year.

” Macao has 170, 000 migrant workers, among them more than 70, 000 are non-Chinese talking. They require our assistance because they are incredibly diverse and need it. However, our support to them is extremely limited”, said Caritas ‘ secretary-general Paul Pun.

” Fundamentally, there’s no social security or financial aid for them”.

Some citizens believe that the authorities should work to promote a society that is both abundant with Chinese and Portuguese heritage and pursuing higher economic growth.

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What challenges lie ahead for Macau as it marks 25 years of Chinese rule?

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TACKLING SOCIAL Injustice

Coutinho added that he wants more comprehensive policies to address social injustice.

” We have already witnessed a significant and pervasive inequality in our society since COVID ( pandemic ). Inequality is a very significant issue to remain tackled”, he added.

” We are currently addressing these concerns with the government’s policies, such as subsidizing, providing direct grants to the poor people and the middle-income,” said the minister.

Social service organizations like Caritas Macau predicted that more people would need assistance, particularly the older and migrant workers.

Under the direction of the Foreign central government, the Macau specialists have been placing a solid emphasis on social security since the state’s handover to China in 1999. &nbsp,

Caritas, which has been providing assistance to impoverished occupants for more than 40 years, is able to assist at least 10,000 people each year with the support of the authorities through services like meals bank handouts and elder care services.

” Macau has 170, 000 migrant workers, among them more than 70, 000 are non-Chinese talking. They need our assistance because they come from many various nations. However, our support to them is extremely limited”, said Caritas ‘ secretary-general Paul Pun.

” Fundamentally, there’s no social security or financial aid for them”.

Some citizens believe the authorities should work to promote a group that is both abundant with Portuguese and Chinese history and pursuing higher economic development.

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Hong Kong arrests 25 people, identifies 14 ‘unscrupulous’ agencies amid university admissions fraud crackdown

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The operating security minister of Hong Kong confirmed that the city’s authorities had made 25 arrests in the last three years as they had been claiming they had used forged academic credentials to enroll in nearby universities.

According to Acting Secretary of Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip in the Legislative Council on Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ), police have also identified 14 “unscrupulous” mainland Chinese organizations or intermediaries that are suspected of being involved in the crimes and have contacted Chinese authorities.

Cheuk was responding to a problem from Hong Kong’s senator Chan Wing-kwong, who requested a list of how many people lied about applying for study in Hong Kong.

Chan cited instances of “unscrupulous and unlawful middlemen” in mainland China soliciting businesses by” spreading rumours” about Hong Kong’s several skill registration schemes, even “going as far as concealing educational qualifications”.

At the University of Hong Kong’s ( HKU) business university, two people were detained by Hong Kong authorities in July over an admissions controversy involving about 30 Chinese graduate students.

In later May, HKU made the announcement that it had conducted a police report following an international research. According to reports, the dean of the HKU business school at the time speculated that up to 100 individuals might be involved.

Since Jan 2022, 25 individuals have been arrested for allegedly using false qualifications to secure areas in local colleges, shared Cheuk. Three of the eight people who were charged and ultimately found guilty were later sentenced to a maximum sentence of 17 month in prison.

Immigration officials have determined that those who have been found guilty have their visas or entry permits deemed irrelevant. The 17 never charged are still under inspection.

Any person or business giving false information or attempting to reflect an candidate for a card or access force is a crime in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty is 14 years ‘ jail and a HK$ 150, 000 ( US$ 19, 300 ) fine.

ASSESSING APPLICATIONS IN” RIGOROUS MANNER”

According to Cheuk,” The Immigration Department has established procedures for evaluating each card or access permit application in accordance with the skill admission schemes.”

Also, the law will revoke those’ visas or entry permits if they are discovered to have been obtained there illegally. Additionally, they will be brought back to their country of nature. &nbsp,

According to Cheuk,” Even if the individual has obtained the right of sanctuary in Hong Kong, it will be declared invalid under the laws, and he will be subject to removal back to his place of origin.”

Citing the state’s education ministry, Cheuk said that officers have reminded people who intend to study in Hong Kong not to “easily and naively think” claims of “guaranteed registration” from third-party agencies. &nbsp,

He added that upon identification of any violations, post-secondary institutions may “take fast and decisive administrative actions”, including withdrawing entrance offers or expulsion, and send the cases to law enforcement agencies.

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Wang Zibo: China’s ‘wealth-flaunting’ influencer fined 13.3 million yuan for tax evasion

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A Chinese influencer was fined 13.3 million yuan ( US$ 1.8 million ) for tax evasion after previously being banned from his social media accounts for flaunting his lavish lifestyle and excessive wealth, according to Shanghai tax authorities in a statement released on Wednesday ( Dec. 18 ).

Wang Zibo, also known as” Bo Gongzi” or Master Bo, had underpaid his income including his personal income tax and value-added income totalling 7.49 million renminbi, the Shanghai Municipal Tax Service said. &nbsp,

This is part of China’s wider assault on tax evasion and money flashing.

The Shanghai-based influence was well-known for his passion of Hermes comfort goods, and he was a part of a flood of high-profile social media account suspensions in May that hit China’s super-wealthy sun influencers, many of whom became well-known website for displaying gorgeous designer bags, sports cars, and high-end jewelry.

On Douyin, the type of TikTok in China, Wang’s bill had been muted and restricted from gaining fresh fans, &nbsp, checks by CNA showed. &nbsp,

According to Chinese media reports, his accounts on different social media platforms, including the Sina Weibo blogging site and the Xiaohongshu app, were even deleted. &nbsp,

China takes a strong stand on tax avoidance and under the law, officials are entitled to recover tax volumes, unpaid or underpaid, with surcharges imposed. &nbsp,

Those who defraud, mask, or fail to pay their fees are subject to severe fines and criminal charges under the law. &nbsp,

Another Chinese A-listers have also been charged with income crimes.

In 2018, superstar Fan Bingbing, one of China’s highest paid stars, was blacklisted from the entertainment business and fined around 883 million yuan for tax avoidance and other crimes. &nbsp,

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Making art with trash: Japanese firm turns eyeshadow, face powders into paint

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Mr. Tanaka now collaborates with 16 beauty companies to purchase unnecessary cosmetics straight from their companies.

” Makeup businesses pay to rid of makeup spend. That spending may become minimised as we, Mangata, pay each skincare firm. This will help us secure sources and allow makeup companies to reduce expenses. It’s a win-win relationship”, he said. &nbsp,

This, according to Mr. Tanaka, lessens concerns about contamination or sanitary standards.

AN ART EVENT WITH UPCYCLED PAINT

Chinese beauty product Kanebo and printing business Toppan recently held a large artwork event in Tokyo earlier this month, where the waste firm’s materials were provided, in response to Mangata’s vision. &nbsp,

At the occurrence, about 10 kilograms of recycled eyeshadow and powders were used. &nbsp,

” To avoid waste, we talked about various ways of waste, such as change into paint, and realised it”, said Kanebo company supervisor Yumi Kizu.

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South Korea’s political turmoil could drag on for months as a stubborn Yoon clings to power

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Following his military law wrangling, Yoon’s approval rating has hit a record low of 1 %, with thousands of protesters marching in the cash.

However, compared to Park, Yoon’s people scores are higher, and he has more assistance from his own party – more than half the lawmakers in Park’s gathering abandoned her.

If Yoon is defeated in the movement and sufficiently justices cast their ballots in his favor, he will be reelected and eligible to serve the remainder of his five-year term.

However, some – both among the people and in parliament – may consider the shift to be against the person’s wishes, said experts. The opposition is likely to start a second prosecution proceeding.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law has “absolutely very many political and legal repercussions.” Nobody in the legal field, according to Hong Ji Yeon, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Michigan, who I believe would be able to fully defend it for Yoon.

” Given Yoon’s stubborn attitude, it’s unlikely that this purgatory may be resolved within a few months. For a while, we will witness more turmoil in South Korea politics and the National Assembly.

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Turning eyes to artwork: Safety, privacy risks in view as young Chinese look towards iris photography

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SINGAPORE: Looking to move your gaze to painting? More young people in China have been opting for iris photos, a pattern that worries experts because of possible protection and privacy risks.

As the title suggests, iris photo involves high-resolution pictures being snapped of a person’s retina. The graphics are then transformed into artistic designs. &nbsp,

While such companies are not new and are offered all around the world, more persons in the nation’s second-largest market, particularly children, have been taking a glow to them, according to local media reports.

CNA did a search for “iris photography”, or “hongmo sheying” in Mandarin, on the common Taiwanese social media platform Xiaohongshu. Users from all over China shared their experiences in various posts, along with photos of iris photography studios advertising their services.

Iris photography services were provided by one studio in Changchun city in northeastern Jilin province for a promotional price of 98 yuan ( US$ 13.45 ) per person. The entire process takes about 30 hours to 40 minutes, the workshop added.

Also, one Xiaohongshu person, Matiani, said her retina photography expertise at a workshop in Chengdu took 30 minutes.

” The last item is beyond your mind, each picture is full of creative expression”, Matiani wrote. ” It’s almost as if there are universes in your eyes” .&nbsp,

EYE SAFETY AND PRIVACY Problems

Concerns over safety as well as dangers to individual private have also come into sharp focus as more people look at iris photography services.

According to Yu Pingping of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, as reported by regional news website ECNS in a Dec 12 content, exposure to severe light while taking photos could possibly hurt the eye. You advised users to limit their exposure to bright light and cut back on their photography sessions.

Patients with conditions such as keratitis, retinal diseases, or recent eye surgeries should refrain from trying out iris photography, said another doctor, Han Wei, from Zhejiang University School of Medicine who was quoted in the same report.

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Xi Jinping visits Macao to mark 25 years of Chinese rule

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Xi Jinping, the president of China, arrived in Macao on Wednesday ( 18 December ) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Beijing’s occupation of the former Portuguese enclave and is likely to demand that the country’s casino industry be further diversified during his three-day visit. Xi’s excursion to the country’sContinue Reading