2011 Population Census (2011 Census) will take place from 12 to 26 August. To ensure smooth operation of the census, officials of the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) visited local associations recently; moreover, DSEC invited representatives of the media to a luncheon on 21 July, showing premiere of the 2011 Census television advertisements.

Kong Pek Fong, Director of DSEC, says that full support of the media is vital to the success of the census operation. She wants to extend DSEC’s gratitude for the media’s continuous support to the work of official statistics and takes the opportunity to strengthen the liaison and cooperation with the media. Ms Kong also indicates that the preparatory work for 2011 Census is ready, and the promotional campaign starts on 22 July, including outdoor advertising, shows, as well as newspaper ads, radio and television advertisements. Television advertisements tend to deliver the message that “Participating in Census is simple and easy”, “Census data are essential to a better future of Macao” and “Census is a complete count of the population”.

In addition, DSEC officials went to visit the União Geral das Associações dos Moradores de Macau (UGAMM), the Macao Federation of Trade Unions, The Women’s General Association of Macao, the Industrial Association of Macao, the Macao Importers & Exporters Association, and the Associação dos Familiares Encarregados dos Deficientes Mentais de Macau (AFEDMM), introducing 2011 Census and listen to the comments and suggestions of the associations.

Representatives of the associations state that statistics are essential public goods that are important to the development of Macao. Results of the census are valuable reference to the government in policy formulation; therefore, they will give their full support to the 2011 Census. In addition, there were suggestions to DSEC about informing the public that identification documents of the respondents are not required; concerns about the safety of the census officers; special care with the dogs, etc. And Ms Kong replies that DSEC is well-prepared to take care of these issues.