A quarter century after the former Portuguese colony was made a Chinese territory, Macau’s economic boundaries with the mainland are being blurred.

Seated in the audience at Macau's Dom Pedro V Theatre in the 1970s, 16-year-old Miguel de Senna Fernandes understood not a word of the "strange language" spoken on stage -- but right away he was mesmerised.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over a day of celebrations in Macau and inaugurate the city's new leader on Friday to mark 25 years since the former colony was returned to China.Friday's festivities will be centred around the inauguration of Sam Hou-fai,

Macau is expecting almost 36 million visitors in 2025, fueled by Beijing's expanded Individual Visitor Scheme, which added eight mainland cities to the program in May 2024. Notably, casinos are introducing smart tables and new baccarat side bets to enhance the gaming experience and attract more players.

China's President Xi Jinping said Macau should "keep up with the trend of the times" and play a bigger role on the international stage, as he urged the world's biggest gambling hub never to be complacent and show "courage" to change and innovate.

China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday to mark a quarter century of Beijing's rule over the former Portuguese enclave, and is likely during his three-day visit to urge further diversification from its casino industry.

Macau welcomed 625,154 visitors in a six-day period encompassing the Christmas season and other public holidays in the city, from Friday, December 20, to Wednesday, December 25. That is according to preliminary figures from the city’s Public Security Police.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday presided over the inauguration of new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai on 25th anniversary of colony's return to Chinese rule.

China's President Xi Jinping will visit Macau from Dec. 18 to 20 to attend the inauguration ceremony of Macau's new government, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is in Macau for events marking 25 years since the city was returned to China from Portugal. Xi hailed Macau’s development since 1999, saying the city’s development potential is being unleashed and the special administrative region has a bright future.

Xi Jinping has called for Macau to prioritise economic diversification as its “first” hope as he wrapped up a three-day tour of the Chinese gambling hub to mark the 25th anniversary of its handover from Portugal.

Chinese president Xi Jinping on Friday presided over the inauguration of new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai, capping off a three-day visit as the former Portuguese colony marks 25 years since being returned to China. Sam, who served as president of Macau’s ...