Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong said yesterday that the Macau government did not invest tens of billions of patacas in the “metaverse”, stressing that the metaverse is just a “direction” for the government to improve working methods and life in the future.
According to Wiktionary, the metaverse is “a hypothetical future (counterpart or continuation of the) internet, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space.”
Lei made the remarks in response to an oral interpellation during a plenary session yesterday in the legislature’s hemicycle, acknowledging that the government did indeed make some investment in digital application scenarios and subsidised several technology enterprises to create job opportunities in Hengqin, but the government did not directly invest in any projects of the companies concerned.
Lei’s remarks came also in response to social media speculation and rumours that the government had invested “tens of billions” of patacas in the metaverse.
Lei said that according to his understanding, there is no constant definition of the metaverse, and he regarded it as a digitalisation process to enrich life, entertainment and commercial activities, which would gradually become more concrete with the constant development of technology, but also needed to be refined and integrated as it develops.
‘Low altitude airspace economy’
During yesterday’s plenary session, Macau Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) Vice President Fong Wai Long said that the government was preparing to set up a helicopter service at Taipa Ferry Terminal in Pac On, and it was hoped that the service could start operating in the second half of next year.
Fong said that the launch of helicopter routes had to take into account the client base, which has been decreasing since the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB), and restrictions such as cross-boundary issues had to be taken into account as well if helicopter routes were to be opened up to the mainland.
Fong also pointed out that given the limited airspace in Macau, coupled with the high density of buildings and population, the development of a “low altitude airspace economy” needed to take into account aviation safety, which should be carefully assessed and approved.
Lei underlined that the “low altitude airspace economy” involves low-altitude flights and scientific research and training, as well as drones and helicopters.
Lei pointed out that the government needed to introduce laws and regulations on aircraft flight management, including drones, adding that the economic and financial sectors would study the relevant issues in a timely manner.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong looks on during yesterday’s plenary session in the Legislative Assembly’s (AL) hemicycle.
– Photo courtesy of TDM
