Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the MSAR Government Alexis Tam recently led a delegation to Japan to mark Macao's first-time participation in the Sapporo Snow Festival, where he officiated as one of the guests at the event's grand inauguration. A feature destination of this year's edition of the Sapporo Snow Festival, Macao is showcasing a snow sculpture of the territory's iconic Ruins of St. Paul's at the centre of the event with superimposed video mapping projections promoting Macao. A Macao Café welcomes visitors with warm drinks and delicacies in the same area, alongside an exhibition of photographs by a Macao artist based in Hokkaido; in addition to these attractions, a team from Macau Culinary Association was invited to join the International Snow Sculpture Contest.

Macao Government Tourism Office's (MGTO) spectacular promotion, filled with colourful new dimensions, is presenting the enchanting destination in snowy beauty to an estimated two million Japanese residents and international visitors at the Sapporo Snow Festival. By participating in this prestigious international event, MGTO is striving to execute the effective promotion of the MSAR's destination image and attract more international visitations to Macao.

The traditional handover ceremony of the snow statue was held in the HBC Macao Square. On behalf of Macao, Secretary Tam received the 17-metre high snow sculpture of the Ruins of St. Paul's - two-thirds the size of the real historic façade - saying that the Ruins of St Paul's and the World Heritage 'Historic Centre of Macao' serve as a magnet for visitors travelling to Macao. He added that the territory hoped to echo the successful experience of the Macao Light Festival and showcase Macao in a spectacular way at the Sapporo Snow Festival, in keeping with the traditions of this outstanding winter event. During the handover ceremony, Sapporo City Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto remarked that the snow statue of the Ruins of St Paul's would act as a bridge to foster international exchange as well as friendship between Macao and Japan.

In addition, a team of three snow-carving artists from Macau Culinary Association invited by MGTO to join the 43^rd International Snow Sculpture Contest - another highlight of the Festival - presented a sculpture titled 'Golden Lotus Flower Embraced by the Dragon' and returned home as second-prize winner.

Secretary Tam said it was a true inspiration to see the Macao team return home as runner-up, especially as it was a new contestant in this internationally acclaimed competition. Extending his sincere congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievement, he said he believed that the contest not only fostered exchange and friendship among snow-carving artists and spectators from around the world but also created an unrivalled opportunity for Macao to promote its destination image to international visitors.