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Around Macau

Mainlanders with only HK visas to be barred

Macau police said mainlanders holding only Hong Kong visas would not be allowed into the city from September 1. They had been allowed in to boost tourism, but Beijing has increasingly curbed mainlanders' visits to Macau. Another change involves holders of mainland passports, who leave for international trips from Macau. They will be allowed a maximum stay of seven days, reduced from 14, from August 1. Police said the change was intended to make it difficult for potential criminals to stay in the city.

Tourist price index rises 10.8pc

Prices that tourists pay for goods surged 10.8 per cent year on year in the second quarter, according to the government's Tourist Price Index. The sub-index tracking food, alcohol and tobacco gained 10 per cent, while the restaurant service sub-index rose 12.1 per cent. The largest rises were seen in the sub-indexes for 'miscellaneous goods', which soared 27.6 per cent. But prices paid for accommodation fell 2 per cent.

Gun-toting Filipino creates chaos

A Filipino man pointed what appeared to be a machine gun at tourists at Macau's busiest ferry terminal on Sunday night, causing chaos on a bus and scaring passers-by. The 30-year-old man boarded a casino bus at about 7pm travelling from Central district to the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal. He produced the gun from his bag as he got off the bus when it arrived at the terminal. Passengers, thinking it was robbery or even a terrorist attack, ran for cover. Police officers arrested the man and later said they had also found knives in his bag.

Air Macau denies crisis

Air Macau has denied it is facing a financial crisis, dismissing rumours that the carrier is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The company said it was operating normally despite high oil prices. It was reported last week that Air Macau needed fresh capital. Vice-president Anabela da Rosa said the company would soon publicise its plan to address the issue. She said the company had been working to develop new routes and reduce its dependence on the Taiwan market.

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