China’s Xi Remarks and New Leader of Casino Hub Macao

Sam Hou Fai is sworn in as Macao’s new leader by Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 20th 2024 in Macao at an inauguration event commemorating the 25th anniversary of Macao’s transfer from Portugal to China. At an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the casino capital to widen its economy while the oath taking ceremony for the new leader of the former Portuguese territory on Friday.

After being handed over in 1999, the 687,000 populated city has changed from a gambling enclave controlled by monopolies to the greatest gaming hub in the world by attracting an enormous number of tourists from mainland China. Although living standards have increased due to the casino boom, officials worry that the semi-autonomous city’s economy is becoming excessively dependent on the gambling industry.

Some young individuals claim that the city’s diverse development and their employment opportunities have been restricted by the tourism dominated economy. Critics claim that years of easy money from tourists stopped local companies from developing and improving and that many locals now rely more on personal relationships than on civic engagement to resolve issues.

At a formal dinner on Thursday, Xi commended Macao’s increased worldwide recognition and its economic diversification efforts over the past five years. To create a better Macao he urged the city to draw in talent from around the world and increase its international position. In what observers felt were more strong and detailed remarks than previously, he stated on Friday that the city should improve its industrial development strategy, reinforce policy support and increase investment to foster globally competitive new industries.

Similar to its neighbor Hong Kong, Macao is governed independently of the rest of China under a framework that permits it to preserve aspects of the social and economic structures of the West. It is the only city in China where gambling at casinos is permitted.