■ The Opening Ceremony of the "7th Chinese Congress on World Evangelization" (CCOWE) will be held at the Macau Forum on July 18. Chief Executive of the Macau SAR, Edmund Ho Hau Wah and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government, Chui Sai On will attend as Guests of Honor.

■ The first CCOWE to be held on Chinese soil will take place between July 17 and 21 in the Macau SAR. The Macau Forum and the Macau Polytechnic Institute are the key venues of the Congress.

■ Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government hosted a welcome dinner on July 17 for the delegates of the 7th CCOWE.

■ Both Secretary Chui Sai On and General Secretary for Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism (CCCOWE), Rev. John Kao spoke during the dinner.

■ Vice General Secretary for the 7th CCOWE, Rev. Chadwin Mak came to Macau from Canada 6 months prior to the Congress for preparation and arrangement.

■ Rev. Chadwin Mak expressed that aside from the relationship between Macau's historical origin and the religion, the major reason for choosing Macau as the location to host the Congress is because of the support and attention given by the Macau SAR Government. In addition, the people of Macau are modest and friendly, while the World Heritage and tourism characteristics are also key factors.

■ The 3,000 participants are from 40 different countries/regions, including Macau SAR; Hong Kong SAR; Taiwan, China; Indonesia; the Philippines; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Singapore; Thailand; Myanmar; Brunei; USA; Panama; Brazil; Costa Rica; UK; Italy; Spain; France; Sweden; Belgium; Germany; the Netherlands; Australia; New Zealand among others.

■ On July 22, over a thousand participants will attend "Gospel to China Heritage Tour" sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), visiting various World Heritage sites including Morrison Chapel, Protestant Cemetery, St. Anthony's Church, Ruins of St. Paul's (including the façade and remains of St. Paul's College), Mount Fortress, St. Dominic's Church, Holy House of Mercy and "Leal Senado" Building.