Macao News

The government intends to toughen up gambling laws

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:20:29 +0000

A new bill clarifies rules around parallel betting, explicitly prohibits online bets, and significantly raises maximum prison sentences for offenders.

USJ has big plans for biotechnology and the blue economy

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:07:37 +0000

The University of Saint Joseph wants to merge China’s cutting-edge oceanic technologies with Portugal’s sustainable approach to marine farming, right here in Macao.

The mainland updated its mask policy. Will Macao?

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 23:59:53 +0000

As respiratory illness spreads in mainland China, officials are taking action. But Macao’s government says it’s already ahead of the game.

Using infrastructural investment, the US vies with China in Angola

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 23:52:23 +0000

The US and other G7 countries step up their investment in the latest instance of superpower rivalry on the African continent.

Property prices continue to fall

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:08:55 +0000

While the decrease – just 1.3 percent overall – is small, a trend has become evident, the latest figures show.

Sport, art and culture will be at the heart of more MICE events

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:46:57 +0000

Not only will Macao increase the number of MICE events it hosts, it will broaden the scope of subject matter covered at these events, an IPIM official says.

The taxi licence tender was conducted properly, says the Transport Bureau chief

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:36:18 +0000

Lam Hin San has strongly denied the allegations of wrongdoing, following a complaint lodged by a legislator to the anti-graft commission.

The 40th Walk for a Million returns with a bang

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:22:53 +0000

This year’s Walk for a Million saw more participants than ever as well as a record-breaking 18 million patacas in donations.

Top official confident Macao will welcome 28 million visitors by the end of this year

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:23:24 +0000

If achieved, the tally would be 70 percent of 2019’s tourism numbers – slightly better than what the government predicted in November.

Convicted Suncity boss purportedly pens an open letter to Xi Jinping

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:02:02 +0000

Alvin Chau is currently spending 18 years behind bars after being convicted on dozens of counts of racketeering.

Macao’s GGR will reach 231 billion patacas next year, says Fitch

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:36:44 +0000

The top ratings agency has made its predictions for next year’s global gaming industry, and sees continuing growth in Asia in spite of China’s weakening economy.

The Taipa-Barra LRT extension has opened

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:29:46 +0000

The newest addition to Macao’s Light Rapid Transit system allows passengers to travel between the peninsula and Taipa by rail for the first time.

Portugal has inaugurated its first made-in-China metro

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 23:19:22 +0000

Porto welcomes 18 new train carriages from Chinese manufacturer CRRC Tangshan as it marks a new milestone in public transit.

Guangzhou unveils a powerful new supercomputer

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:41:46 +0000

The Tianhe Xingyi supercomputer outperforms existing models and is expected to give a significant boost to technological innovation in the Greater Bay Area.

Cabbies want a fare hike, while bidders query the integrity of the latest licence tender

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 06:43:39 +0000

Residents can expect a taxi price hike sometime next year if the taxi association’s new application is approved.

Moody’s downgrades Macao’s outlook from stable to negative

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:02:24 +0000

The local government has strongly condemned the new rating, which was made because of the city’s close ties to mainland China’s sluggish economy.

SJM holdings announces a management reshuffle

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 23:58:54 +0000

Macao’s oldest gaming concessionaire has a new chief financial officer, one with extensive experience in investments, real estate and corporate finance.

There’s only one candidate for the Casa de Macau presidency in Portugal

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 23:54:00 +0000

Carlos Piteira says he will revitalise Lisbon’s hub for the Macanese community. That will entail appealing to a younger demographic and finding new ways to fund the association.

Canadian company secures prospecting rights to massive Angolan greenfield

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 23:43:44 +0000

Ivanhoe’s founder touts the ‘outstanding geological potential’ for copper mining in the area, located in the southeast of Angola.

The LRT journey from Barra to Taipa will take only four minutes

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:27:18 +0000

Scheduled to open this Friday, the Taipa-Barra extension line will allow residents to travel between Taipa and the Macao Peninsula by rail for the very first time.

Las Vegas Sands increases its stake in Sands China

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:11:52 +0000

Analysts say the US-based gambling empire’s move shows the high level of confidence that it has for its Macao-based subsidiary.

Macao students are (almost) the world’s best at maths

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:56:15 +0000

Local secondary school students performed exceptionally well in the OECD’s triennial ranking of academic performance – coming second in maths and third in science.

Why have Macao’s gaming stocks fallen?

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:49:31 +0000

MGM China is trading just a fraction above its 1 January level. The five other concessionaires’ share prices have dropped between 21 and 48 percent.

A Guangdong-based think tank wants to turn the GBA into a common market

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:44:29 +0000

The Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area has proposed creating a European Union-like arrangement for Macao, Hong Kong and Guangdong province.

Guinea-Bissau dissolves parliament following an ‘attempted coup’

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:33:52 +0000

A deadly skirmish marks the latest flare-up in the deep political divide between the president and ruling coalition.

Zhuhai’s logistics park offers up to 5 million yuan in subsidies

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:28:43 +0000

The new scheme is part of a wider effort by the mainland authorities to ramp up the shipment of goods via the HZM Bridge.

Bills drawn up on legislative assembly elections and safeguarding state secrets

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 04:24:04 +0000

With the passage of these two bills, the Macao government aims to considerably strengthen the SAR’s national security apparatus.

The minimum wage hike could increase some companies’ costs by almost 3 percent

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 23:45:42 +0000

Macao’s minimum wage is going up to 34 patacas per hour next year. That extra money has to come from somewhere.

Crime is up 32 percent since last year

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 23:41:38 +0000

The fastest growing areas of criminal activity are telecommunications fraud – including phone scammers impersonating government officials – and illegal currency exchange activities.

Guangzhou’s first rocket engine testing facility is now under construction

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 23:40:36 +0000

According to the company behind the development, the fast-expanding network of satellites in orbit means there’s currently high demand for rockets.

Brazil is set to join OPEC+ next year

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 23:31:00 +0000

South America’s largest oil producer is to become a member of a broader coalition formed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

The first Costco in southern China is scheduled to open in early 2024

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 06:30:58 +0000

The new Shenzhen store will be the sixth Costco in China, following the wholesale supermarket chain’s arrival in the country in 2019.

Macao aims to have three doctors for every 1,000 residents. Will that be enough?

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:52:32 +0000

Lawmaker Che Lai Wang is concerned that a marginal increase on the current ratio still remains significantly below what most developed healthcare systems have.

Macao is the 2024 ‘Preferred International Destination’ for Portuguese travel agencies

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:50:45 +0000

The official designation is a significant win for Macao’s tourism industry, which wants to lure more foreign visitors to the city.

‘Never cease to innovate’: UM congratulates new postgraduates

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:40:40 +0000

Some of these now-former students have already made useful contributions to the emerging health and high-tech industries.

Mozambique announces an ambitious new energy plan

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 23:00:16 +0000

The southern African nation seeks investors for its energy transition at the world’s largest climate change summit.

Mandatory mask-wearing reinstated in Macao’s care facilities

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 05:15:57 +0000

The Social Welfare Bureau has reinstated mandatory mask-wearing in care facilities to minimise festive season infection risks.

November’s gross gaming revenue falls back from October’s post-pandemic high

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:05:54 +0000

The dip was anticipated by the gaming sector, given that October’s figure reflected the ‘golden week’ holiday windfall.

The new Guangzhou Museum of Art is open to the public

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:00:20 +0000

The Guangzhou Museum of Art has a sparkling new home, spread out over 30,000 square metres and seven floors.

New bus routes are going to service Barra LRT station

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 04:40:48 +0000

The long-awaited station opens on 8 December, connecting Taipa and the Macao peninsula by rail for the first time.

Will 500 new taxis be enough to meet demand? ‘Maybe not’ says Rosário

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:38:08 +0000

Officials say that even 700 additional cabs won’t solve Macao’s desperate taxi shortage, which will take time to rectify.

The Walk for a Million makes a return

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:30:09 +0000

The charitable fundraiser is scheduled for 10 December. Funds donated go towards helping society’s most vulnerable.

Officials are hinting at easier rules on bringing pets to mainland China

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:10:21 +0000

Pet ownership among Macau New Neighbourhood’s soon-to-be residents is sparking a conversation on broader policy.

China-Angola trade dips amid global instability

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:00:12 +0000

Bilateral relations remain strong despite the expected 20 percent drop in trade, which sits at just US$18.9 billion for the year so far.

Macau airport’s passenger volume is still well below pre-pandemic levels

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:38:06 +0000

The 4.04 million passengers who travelled via Macao’s airport between January and October represent just over half of the total recorded in pre-pandemic 2019.

Expect cooler weather in the coming days

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:34:22 +0000

Falling temperatures will be a welcome change after a summer that saw temperature records broken and heavy rainfall.

Miriam Adelson’s sale of Las Vegas Sands stock will not impact Macao, says analyst

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:11:21 +0000

Adelson is reportedly selling 10 percent of her stake in order to fund the purchase of the NBA team Dallas Mavericks.

Hotel staff are earning almost 6 percent more than they did last year, on average

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:43:47 +0000

The latest jobs survey shows increased demand for hospitality staff as the city’s tourism industry bounces back.

The Macao Science 1 satellites have been officially deployed

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 23:56:54 +0000

The two satellites, in orbit since May, are now actively monitoring the South Atlantic Anomaly in a groundbreaking project carried out jointly by Macao and mainland China.

China dominates Brazilian imports of electric vehicles

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 23:38:14 +0000

Latin America’s largest car market is spending more on Chinese autos than ever before, with Chinese brands accounting for over 50 percent of EVs sold.

Macau New Neighbourhood flooded with 500 applications in one day

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:16:05 +0000

Demand for the flats has been high, with local residents drawn by the development’s affordability and proximity to Macao.

Experts are optimistic about the future of Macao’s retail industry

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:10:02 +0000

The post-pandemic growth of the sector and its stellar performance compared to Hong Kong bode well.

October’s hotel occupancy rate was better than 2023’s average

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 05:20:00 +0000

Almost 1,250,000 people stayed at least one night in Macao during October, meaning the city’s 137 hotels were more than 82 percent full.

The government wants to build a new Portuguese school in Macao, report says

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:37:45 +0000

The need for lusophonic language skills will only increase, claim officials, who also promise support for students undertaking further education in Portugal.

The government aims for a 12-week maximum wait for specialist health consultations

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:30:47 +0000

The current average is less than four weeks, though it takes much longer for a first consultation with certain specialists.

Inner Harbour flood prevention works begin soon, with detours and delays expected

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:20:55 +0000

Drivers, pedestrians, and bus users will be impacted by five months of construction that’s set to start this weekend.

Angola inaugurates a massive new diamond mine

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 23:00:37 +0000

The 628-million-carat mine is the southern African nation’s largest diamond mine to date and has an initial annual processing capacity of 4 million metric tons of ore.

Construction of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link is nearing completion

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:22:49 +0000

The 24-kilometre infrastructure project connects two major GBA cities via bridges, tunnels and artificial islands.

A former Macao junket operator has been declared a criminal kingpin by a Beijing court

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:19:05 +0000

Ji Xiabo, whose whereabouts are unknown, is the latest high-profile junket operator to have run foul of the law.

There are 21 companies vying for 10 taxi licences

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 05:54:02 +0000

Each licence allows the holder to run a fleet of 50 taxis, meaning the SAR could soon have 500 desperately needed new cabs on the streets.

The first direct air service to Jakarta started today

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 05:38:10 +0000

After a one month hold up, Macao residents are now able to fly directly to the Indonesian capital, with services scheduled three times a week.

The Commission Against Corruption could soon see its powers broadened

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:00:33 +0000

The government has responded to a number of recent high-profile graft cases with a proposal to widen the CCAC’s remit.

Official figures show Macao’s prices are going up slightly

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 23:50:46 +0000

October’s composite consumer price index saw a 1.10 percent year-on-year rise, with tuition fees experiencing the biggest price hike.

Rita Santos will remain head of the regional council of the Portuguese Communities

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 23:10:50 +0000

Santos ran unopposed, but said the impressive voter turnout was an indication of support for her position and advocacy on a number of issues.

China is seeking to broaden its economic activities in Brazil

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 23:00:49 +0000

Beijing wants to move beyond investments in traditional sectors and is looking at opportunities in emerging sectors such as green energy and telecommunications.

Citizens of six countries can travel to China without a visa until next November

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:59:26 +0000

Portugal’s omission from the list will come as a blow to those seeking to strengthen ties between China and the lusophone world.

A Macao team has won the inaugural GBA birding competition

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:50:34 +0000

The team came in first place after identifying 86 bird species in the competition, which took place over the weekend.

The LRT’s Barra Station will open on 8 December

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:22:51 +0000

Passengers will finally be able to make that long-awaited trip between the Macao peninsula and Taipa via the train network next Friday.

Macau New Neighbourhood flats go on sale from tomorrow

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:38:10 +0000

The development in Hengqin comprises more than 4,200 units spread over 27 residential towers, as well as a school and community facilities.

’Tis the season: Christmas Market returns to Tap Seac Square

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:30:55 +0000

Get into the Yuletide spirit at Macao’s 17-day Christmas Market, featuring stalls, festive snacks, rides and – of course – Santa.

Marketing and technology are the keys to unlocking Macao’s MICE potential, says IPIM

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:20:30 +0000

The government has been running training sessions geared towards sharpening the SAR’s competitive edge in the international MICE arena.

Macao’s prize-winning 5G Smart Campus Network launches at MUST

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:10:07 +0000

A collaboration between Huawei, CTM, and the university gives staff and students secure, high-speed intranet access wherever they happen to be.

Guinea-Bissau sets its sights on World Heritage status for the Bijagós archipelago

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 23:00:59 +0000

Authorities hope their presentation to UNESCO next February will net the coveted designation for the islands.

Guangdong is projected to become a ‘moderately’ ageing society by 2030

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:12:50 +0000

There are big plans for the Greater Bay Area, but Guangdong province must also deal with an ageing workforce.

Earnings are slowing for the top 500 manufacturers in Guangdong

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:49:48 +0000

The collective profits of the leading manufacturing firms in the province have dropped by nearly 22 percent in a sure sign of more hurdles ahead for China’s slowing economy.

The value of retail sales continues to fall

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 04:20:33 +0000

The cumulative total for the first three quarters exceeds 2019’s but consecutive quarterly declines in 2023 have retailers concerned.

Taxi tender: the bids are in

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:00:49 +0000

Four bids were submitted for each licence up for grabs. The end could be in sight for Macao’s desperate taxi shortage.

The government unveils freebies and discounts for foreign tourists

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:54:43 +0000

The so-called Tourism Sources Expansion Package will see perks handed out in a bid to lure travellers from new markets.

Pay and hiring in Macao’s financial sector remain fairly static

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:10:26 +0000

There are roughly 8,500 people working in full-time financial sector jobs in Macao, according to the latest figures from the Statistics and Census Service.

Angola’s latest oil and gas tenders net 53 bids

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:00:19 +0000

The country’s oil and gas secretary, José Barroso, praised the bidding as ‘another safe step in the process of exploration and production of hydrocarbons.’

AustCham holds its second Movember quiz night

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:30:52 +0000

Dozens took part in a jovial evening of trivia and good food, while helping to raise funds for charities dealing with men’s health.

The government will spend up to 30 percent of the 2024 budget on welfare measures

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:30:03 +0000

Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong also predicted that gross gaming revenue for 2023 could top 200 billion patacas.

DSAL initiatives secure jobs for more than 11,000 locals

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:28:31 +0000

In the first ten months of this year, about four percent of Macao’s resident workforce found jobs through the Labour Affairs Bureau.

The government’s travel subsidy scheme yields over US$154 million in bookings

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:20:40 +0000

A subsidy of up to 250 patacas per person, per night, has been available to travel agencies bringing groups of tourists to Macao.

Macao’s ban on Japanese food products is hurting business, restaurateurs claim

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:10:18 +0000

Not only is it harder to source seafood, but some consumers seem wary of Japanese dishes in general – fearing contamination by radioactive waste from Fukushima.

India’s state-owned railway company nets a contract in Mozambique

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:00:06 +0000

New locomotives from RITES will help power the growing rail network in the southern African country.

Industry experts gather for an AI and robotics summit in Hong Kong

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:02:32 +0000

Around 1,000 delegates shared ideas about the development and application of AI and robotics in key GBA industries such as manufacturing and health.

Appeals court reduces sentence of former public works chief Li Canfeng

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:34:05 +0000

Li will see his sentence reduced from 24 years to 17 years, while several other businessmen involved in the graft case will also have their jail terms reduced.

‘All Portuguese must have the same rights’: petition delivered to Lisbon

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:54:05 +0000

Hundreds of Macao’s Portuguese residents have signed a petition expressing their frustration with the local Portuguese consulate. It’s been hand delivered to Portugal’s government.

800 new jobs: Macao’s investment agency is making its mark

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:44:52 +0000

More than 210 business projects green-lit, 1.3 billion patacas invested and over 800 jobs created: IPIM is having a busy year.

The amount of gaming tax collected in 2023 will outstrip official forecasts

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:30:02 +0000

By the end of October, the government’s income from gaming taxes had already edged past its target for the whole year.

Brazilian soybean exports to China surge in October

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:00:25 +0000

Chinese imports of Brazilian soybeans hit a record high in the first six months of 2023 and remain on an upward trend.

A new government app for businesses will be released early next year

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 04:22:48 +0000

The app will enable businesses and other organisations to access services from 27 government departments.

Hong Kong is coming up with a new port masterplan

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 04:00:53 +0000

Macao’s sister SAR hopes to become a go-to hub for what it calls ‘high-end maritime services’ and ‘smart and digital initiatives’

Can Macao convince two million foreigners to visit in 2024?

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:52:13 +0000

That’s the ambitious new target authorities are aiming for. It’s about double the number that arrived in the first 10 months of this year.

The government intends to amend the law on oaths of office

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:45:13 +0000

Officials say that the law, which has not been amended in 22 years, needs to be updated in line with national security legislation.

A new date has been set for Air Macau’s first flight to Jakarta

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:40:02 +0000

After a month’s delay, the airline is set to make its inaugural flight to Indonesia’s capital by the end of this month.

October saw a 20 percent surge in visitor arrivals

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:30:50 +0000

Compared with September, October was a good month for tourism in Macao, helped by the so-called Golden Week holiday.

Angola looks to jumpstart tourism in the Okavango region

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:00:45 +0000

The southeast African nation aims to open its corner of a gigantic cross-border conservation area by 2024.

The Barra LRT extension will open next month

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:18:28 +0000

The unveiling is a watershed moment for public transport in Macao, as passengers will be able to take the train between the Macao Peninsula and Taipa for the first time.