Xi arrives in Macau for three-day visit and praises ‘jewel of the motherland’

Macau and Chinese flags hang at the Senado Square, in Macau, China December 17, 2024. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday for a three-day visit as the casino hub prepares to celebrate 25 years of Beijing rule. He also met with Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng on the same day.

Xi was greeted by dozens of cheering school children waving yellow and red flowers and lion dancers at the Macau International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, He said Macau was the “jewel of the motherland.”

“I have always been concerned about the development of this place and the well-being of all its residents,” he told the crowd, which included senior government officials and Macau’s current leader Ho.

“In the next few days, I will take a walk, have a look, and have extensive and in-depth exchanges with friends from all walks of life to discuss Macau’s development plans.”

During his meeting with Ho, Xi acknowledged Ho’s efforts in the five-year term and appreciated Ho for bringing fruitful results to the SAR.

Xi also hoped that Ho would actively support the new Chief Executive and the governing team in contributing to the country’s development.

The former Portuguese colony was handed over to China on December 20, 1999. The city — the only place in China where casino gambling is permitted — has long surpassed Las Vegas to be the world’s top casino hub, fuelled by two decades of spending by Chinese visitors.

Xi will attend the inauguration of Macau’s new administration during his trip and “also conduct an inspection tour”, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Sam Hou-fai, the former president of Macau’s highest court, will be sworn in on Friday as the city’s fourth post-handover leader — and the first to be born in China and not have a background in business.

Sam has said that Macau cannot rely solely on casinos — which account for 81 percent of government revenue — and noted the sector’s “barbaric expansion” over the years.

Macau’s economic diversification and integration into China’s regional blueprint, dubbed the Greater Bay Area, will likely be the main themes during Xi’s visit, analysts and scholars told AFP.

“(Xi) will probably want to inspect the non-gaming investments that the Macau concessionaires have promised two years ago,” said Ben Lee, a casino consultant.

Hengqin Island, which is partly leased to Macau to boost its land supply for development, will also be a likely focus of the visit, Lee said.