AGP Executive Report

Hengqin Push: China’s first Earth system data exchange centre (Macao) has started construction in Hengqin, linking the China Meteorological Administration, the Macao SAR and the cooperation zone to build a cross-border hub for meteorological and environmental data, with a three-year build and three-year operation plan. Local Economy & Finance: Shenzhen issued RMB 1 billion offshore sustainability bonds in Macao, with proceeds earmarked for water management and healthcare, underscoring deeper GBA financial cooperation. Public Safety & Scams: The Judiciary Police warned of a new MPay phishing text scam that tricked 14 people out of over MOP93,000 in five days, urging residents not to click links or enter passwords. Urban Planning: A proposed 11.2-metre building beside Sam Po Temple in Taipa drew scrutiny over heritage impact and entrance changes, with calls for a lower height near the temple. Culture & Tourism: The Parisian Macao marks its 10th anniversary this weekend, touting 100 million visitors since 2016 and renewed focus on non-gaming offerings. Education & Wellbeing: Authorities said they are working with health officials on a student psychological monitoring programme, as mental health concerns intensify. Tech & Innovation: Macau’s science and technology funding applications rose nearly 30% year-on-year, with corporate submissions more than doubling and more projects matched with industry partners.

AI in Finance & Insurance: AXA Hong Kong and Macau signed an MoU with BytePlus to embed AI/LLM tools across underwriting, claims, customer intelligence and marketing, with a stated focus on “Responsible AI” governance. Macao Tourism & Diversification: Sands China says The Parisian Macao is marking its 10th anniversary this Sunday, touting 100 million visitors since 2016 and highlighting non-gaming offerings like MICE, retail and the Parisian Theatre. Culture & Arts: The Macao Orchestra opened its 2026-27 season with “Forever Beethoven,” featuring pianist Eric Lu in a Chopin concerto performance. Local Events: “Felicidade Tipsy Weekend” returns for a second edition on Rua da Felicidade with nearly 50 street booths and around 40 bartenders across Macau, the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Infrastructure & Data: Construction has started on the Earth System Data International Exchange Centre (Macao) in Hengqin, aiming to build an international data exchange ecosystem supporting Macau’s diversification. Sport: Macau hosts the FIA Karting Arrive & Drive Asia-Pacific Championship this weekend, with 43 racers from 16 regions competing at Coloane. Education Spotlight: Teachers’ Day celebrations in Macau saw officials urge educators to blend virtue-building with AI-enabled teaching. Regional Finance: Shenzhen issued RMB 1 billion offshore municipal bonds in Macao, with proceeds earmarked for water governance and healthcare.

Education Watch: PISA 2025 results show families’ involvement in kids’ learning is slipping across many high-income economies, with scores in reading, math and science hitting record lows—while several Chinese regions and Macao keep near the top. Macao Tourism & Events: Macao’s 26th Food Festival is set for Nov. 20–Dec. 6 with 150 vendors, as the city pushes more non-gaming visitor draws. Finance & Greater Bay Area: Shenzhen Municipality issued RMB 1 billion offshore municipal government bonds in Macao, a 3-year deal at a 1.41% coupon aimed at water governance and healthcare. Local Business & Lifestyle: Wynn’s “Hypercar Exhibition” returns Sept. 23–Nov. 22 at Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, featuring 20+ legendary hypercars. Cross-border Mobility: Macau and Hengqin expand fast-track channels for innovative TCM, while Hengqin rolls out “talent cards” for top Macau-Hengqin talent. Culture & Sports: WTT Champions Macao 2026 continues, with Galaxy Entertainment Group backing the event.

Local Health Policy: Macau rolls out a yearlong Healthy Lifestyle Competition via Macao One Account, rewarding exercise, healthier eating, vaccinations and disease screening with points and gifts for residents aged 13+ who log activities in at least two categories. Road Safety & Policing: Zebra crossing violations in Macau nearly double to 870 cases (Jan-Aug), as police plan 3D scanners for faster accident analysis and even propose removing a busy crossing to cut pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, alongside upgrades to 999 emergency call systems. Cost Watch for Dining: The yuan’s recent rise may lift procurement costs for Macau restaurants, though menu price impacts are expected to be limited in the short term due to supplier contracts and settlement lags. Gaming Update: Early September gaming revenue eased from August’s peak, with daily GGR averaging about MOP633 million (Sept 1-6), but analysts still forecast year-on-year growth for the month. Education Spotlight: Macau students shine in PISA 2025, ranking third in science and maths and fifth in reading, plus first globally in computational problem-solving. Public Safety at Venues: A heart patient alleges Macau venue security ignored medical documentation and forced her through a magnetic arch, triggering symptoms; the industry association says alternative checks can be arranged on request. Food Festival: Macau’s 26th Food Festival runs Nov 20-Dec 6 with about 150 local vendors, plus plans for temporary parking and a Hengqin shuttle. Regional Ties & Culture: The “Tiangong Class” brings Shenzhou-23 astronauts’ live space lectures to Hong Kong and Macao students, including real-time microgravity experiments. Business & Education Funding: MGM donates MOP 1 million to the Macao University of Tourism Development Foundation to support learning, teaching and research, aligned with the city’s diversification push.

Space Education in HK & Macao: The “Tiangong Class” brought Shenzhou-23 astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying into classrooms for a live, interactive lesson—complete with in-orbit demos and Q&A—jointly organised by the Hong Kong and Macao governments and China Manned Space Agency. Public Safety Probe: Hong Kong’s Buildings Department has laid charges over the Wang Fuk Court fire, accusing four people and two companies of 259 offences tied to repair works, including alleged use of non-fire-retardant materials and supervision failures. Health & Chinese Medicine Standards: Hong Kong’s Director of Health Ronald Lam signed a cooperation agreement with China’s NMPA to deepen research on testing technologies and standards for Chinese medicines, alongside a Beijing-Hong Kong health exchange. Education Alarm from OECD: PISA 2025 results show OECD reading, maths and science scores at record lows, with “hasty” reading and weaker fluency flagged as major concerns. Macau Economic Push: Macau’s trade and investment body says the city wants to become a “business city” (not just gaming), backed by a 2026-2030 plan targeting a big rise in non-gaming GDP. Macau Tech & Mobility: Uber marks six months in Macau with a fivefold jump in taxi trips, and says Hong Kong visitors are its top demand source while rolling out a WeChat Mini Program to boost mainland use. Local Enforcement: Hong Kong Customs reported multiple cigarette smuggling cases, including a speedboat seizure worth about $22 million and jail sentences for duty-not-paid cigarette importers.

Uber in Macau: Uber says its “Uber Taxi” Meter Taxi service has seen completed trips rise more than fivefold since launch, with Hong Kong visitors its biggest demand source and a new WeChat Mini Program aimed at boosting mainland use for National Day and major events. Animal Welfare: Anima warns Macau’s shelter debt has hit MOP 1.4 million with over 700 stray animals, urging the government to restart trap-neuter-return as euthanasia rises. Health & Innovation: Macau and Hengqin regulators set up a fast-track channel to help Hengqin-developed innovative TCM secure Macau registration. Aviation Push: The government forms a cross-departmental civil aviation working group to accelerate market opening and develop Macau into a regional aviation hub. Tourism Enforcement: MGTO and police sealed two illegal hotels in Taipa and NAPE after reports, finding 11 mainland nationals. Halal Tourism: A new Halal Industry Development Association targets hotel halal certification to attract Muslim travellers. Education Spotlight: Macau topped global rankings in Learning in the Digital World in PISA 2025, while the wider world shows declining reading, maths and science skills. Sports & Events: WTT Champions Macao 2026 begins at the East Asian Games Dome, with early round-of-32 matches underway.

Education Shock: OECD’s PISA 2025 shows a broad slump in 15-year-olds’ reading, maths and science, with reading hitting the weakest levels on record and a growing share of low performers—an alarm bell for skills needed in an AI-driven economy. Macao Spotlight: Macau is flagged among top performers in parts of PISA, including computational problem-solving, even as the wider global picture worsens. Local Governance & Safety: Macau’s Transport Bureau says it has reviewed 478 pedestrian crossings and optimized 54 near schools plus 38 on inter-district roads, rolling out safer crosswalk surfacing and traction upgrades. Tourism Push: Macau’s tourism recovery is set to target new international markets under its 2026-30 plan, with MGTO citing 40.07m total visitors in 2025 and aiming for major Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking outreach. Business & Community: A business leader warns Macau’s urban renewal must treat community commerce as core infrastructure, not an afterthought to housing and roads. Tech & Mobility: Uber says it will apply for a Hong Kong licence by end-October and reports a surge in Macau trips since its February relaunch.

Third Five-Year Plan Focus: Macau’s economy-and-finance roadmap for 2026-30 doubles down on diversification, with Secretary for Economy and Finance Dora Ng reiterating a target to lift non-gaming value added to about 60% of GDP by 2030 and pushing an “1+4” industrial layout plus a more competitive business environment for SMEs. Tourism & Investment Targets: Under the same plan, Macau is aiming for MOP17–23 billion in cumulative investment projects and 2,400 business matches by 2030, while tourism authorities say recovery is steady—40.07 million total visitors in 2025 and 2.76 million international arrivals. Road Safety Upgrade: DSAT says it has reviewed 478 pedestrian crossings, including school-area improvements, and is rolling out better traction markings using thermoplastic paint. Hengqin Integration: Macau-linked companies in Hengqin rose 75% over five years to 8,148, with Macau capital now making up 16.2% of Hengqin firms. Customs Crackdown: Customs seized smuggled goods worth about MOP850,000 in a six-day operation, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes, with cases referred for prosecution. Community Commerce Debate: A business leader warns urban renewal must include “community commerce” as core infrastructure, citing Seac Pai Van’s housing-heavy model that left residents short on nearby daily amenities. Diplomatic Appointment: Marta Cowling is set to become Portugal’s first female Consul General in Macau. Local Transport: A temporary Rua de Entre-Campos car park opens with 86 spaces and EV charging, using electronic payments. Urban Renewal Safety: A concern group says the Pátio do Espinho (Chi Lam Vai) revamp should prioritize housing safety, especially fixing water, electricity and fire risks.

Customs Crackdown: Two incoming men were jailed for six months and fined $2,000 each in Hong Kong for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes worth about $280,000, with authorities warning the maximum penalty can reach a $2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment. Urban Renewal Talks: Macau’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works Tam Vai Man met local associations to gather input for the 2027 Policy Address, with focus on old-building redevelopment, integrated transport, smart mobility, and an eco-friendly city. Accessibility Push: Lawmaker Ho Ion Sang urged broader barrier-free access across Macau, calling for more private-sector participation beyond government-funded facilities. Transport Upgrade: LRT station access gates are being replaced with options for diversified electronic payments, including QR and e-wallet methods, to ease entry for residents and visitors. Tourism & Trade Boost: Ticket holders for WTT Macau Championship 2026 can claim up to MOP150 in ZAPE discounts, while merchants also asked for more sustained, creative initiatives like a dedicated food street or night market. Cross-border Links: Macau and Indonesia are again eyeing direct flights to Jakarta after strong demand, with the CE citing 200,000 Indonesian visitors in 2025 and thousands of Indonesian workers in the city. Local Culture: The 38th Macao International Music Festival runs Oct. 2 to Nov. 29 with 10 programs and citywide activities. Business & Lifestyle: Furla opened a new boutique at The Venetian Macao, and casino operators pledged MOP40 million for mudslide relief in Xizang.

Aviation & Tourism: Macau and Jakarta are pushing to restore direct flights, with CE Sam Hou Fai citing strong demand after Macau logged 200,000 Indonesian visitors in 2025 and hosts over 8,000 Indonesian workers. Sports-to-Local Business Push: WTT Champions Macao 2026 ticket holders can claim up to MOP150 in ZAPE shopping discounts (Sept 7-13), redeemable at about 500 merchants. Accessibility & Inclusion: Lawmaker Ho Ion Sang urges broader barrier-free access citywide, calling for more private-sector participation and an expanded Barrier-Free Restaurant Award scheme. Culture Calendar: The 38th Macao International Music Festival runs Oct 2 to Nov 29 with 10 programs plus citywide activities, including a special Brazil performance. Urban Renewal Planning: Government announces a citywide survey of old buildings and studies a special urban renewal fund as part of the 2026-2030 plan. Transport Upgrade: LRT stations begin replacing access gates with multi-payment electronic options (QR and cards) to ease travel. Public Safety: Police arrest a Hong Kong man in Macau after seizing 52.11g of cocaine at the bridge checkpoint. Disaster Aid: Casino operators pledge MOP40 million for mudslide relief in Xizang’s Gyirong County.

Hengqin-Macao Progress: Hengqin’s Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone marks five years with fast border clearance now taking under two minutes, and reports 190 billion yuan in cross-border trade plus 100 million passenger trips and 12.5 million vehicle crossings. Local Leadership Abroad: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai wrapped up a four-day Malaysia visit, meeting PM Anwar Ibrahim and pushing deeper trade, tourism, finance, tech and education links, with Macao-Hengqin and ASEAN ties highlighted. Business Push to ASEAN: A Macao government mission to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia delivered 370+ business matching sessions and 189 signed agreements, aiming to boost Macao’s diversification. Media Diplomacy: In Shenzhen, 400+ media professionals backed the “Shenzhen Consensus” for openness and supply-chain stability ahead of APEC, with the Greater Bay Area including Hong Kong and Macau in focus. Legal Shock for Casinos: Singapore’s High Court ruled foreign gambling debts can’t be enforced in Singapore on public-policy grounds, casting uncertainty for credit practices tied to overseas casino judgments. Travel Rules Watch: Thailand’s visa-free scheme tightens from Sept 15, ending 60-day exemption for 21 nationalities, while Macao remains covered under separate arrangements. Culture & Education: “Tiangong Class” will bring Hong Kong and Macau students a live space lecture from Shenzhou-23, with an in-orbit demo and Q&A.

Macau-ASEAN Diplomacy: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai wrapped up a four-day Malaysia visit and departed Kuala Lumpur, after co-chairing a Macau Business Leaders meeting and reaffirming cooperation with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim across trade, investment, finance, tech, education and MICE, with both sides pointing to Macau–Hengqin links in the Greater Bay Area. Healthcare + Tourism Push: Macao Union Medical Center (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) deepened ties with Southeast Asia during a Singapore–Indonesia–Malaysia trip, highlighting clinical research and critical disease treatment as part of a “Healthcare + Tourism” expansion. Regional Media Cooperation: The Asia-Pacific Media Forum in Shenzhen issued a “shared prosperity” consensus, calling for openness, innovation and stronger media collaboration ahead of APEC leaders’ talks. Aerospace Education for Youth: Hong Kong and Macau students are set to join the “Tiangong Class” live session with Shenzhou-23 astronauts, featuring an expert lecture, in-orbit demonstrations and Q&A. Macao Business Networking: A Macau–Malaysia economic and tourism investment seminar in Kuala Lumpur drew 300+ participants, ran nearly 120 business matchings and secured 54 cooperation agreements.

Macao-Malaysia Push: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai wrapped up a four-day Malaysia visit, meeting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and pushing deeper cooperation on trade, tourism, finance, science and tech, and education—also leveraging Macau and Hengqin’s Greater Bay Area links for Malaysian firms. Healthcare & Regional Ties: Macao Union Medical Center (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) expanded Southeast Asia cooperation after visits to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, aiming to grow “healthcare + tourism” and clinical research links. Business Matching in Kuala Lumpur: A Macao Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar in Malaysia drew 300+ participants, ran nearly 120 matching sessions, and secured 54 cooperation agreements across high-tech, tourism, biomedicine and halal-friendly initiatives. Aerospace Education for Youth: Hong Kong and Macau are set to hold a “Tiangong Class” live session with Shenzhou-23 astronauts, featuring expert lectures, in-orbit demonstrations and Q&A for students. Diversification Spotlight: A new report highlights Macao’s “1+4” diversification plan to cut gaming reliance, targeting non-gaming industries to reach about 60% of GDP by 2030. Disaster Support: Macao’s six casino concessionaires donated MOP$40 million to mudslide relief in Gyirong, Tibet.

Macao-Malaysia push: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met Malaysian PM and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, pledging deeper trade, tourism and cultural cooperation and urging firms to use Macau–Hengqin links to reach ASEAN markets. Visa and mobility: Angola and Macao signed a mutual visa exemption deal, allowing eligible travellers to enter both places without a visa for up to 30 days (effective 90 days after signing). Disaster giving: Macau’s six casino concessionaires donated a combined MOP$40 million to Gyirong, Tibet after deadly mudslides. Education drive: Macao launched “Study in Macao” promotional initiatives in Malaysia, with an education fair in Kuala Lumpur drawing over 1,000 visitors. Local culture: The 38th Macao International Music Festival returns Oct 2–Nov 29 under the “Silk Resonances” theme, with tickets on sale from Sept 13. Public safety: A DH workshop trained 130+ healthcare professionals on comprehensive smoking cessation interventions, including support for construction-site workers.

Macao-Malaysia Push: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai wrapped a Kuala Lumpur push for higher-level cooperation, pitching Macau as a bridge to the Chinese mainland and ASEAN while highlighting tourism, digital economy, TCM, green energy and cross-border e-commerce. Deal Momentum: A Macau Economic, Trade and Tourism Investment Promotion Seminar in Kuala Lumpur drew 350 guests, 120+ business matching sessions and ended with 60+ signed agreements across tourism, MICE, high-tech/AI, big health and Muslim-friendly initiatives. Gaming & Property Watch: CBRE flagged margin pressure for Macau casinos as gaming commissions hit a record 20.9% of GGR, while JLL said the property market recovery has lost momentum and may stay cautious in H2. Local Life & Safety: Police arrested a suspected casino extortion ring security manager in Zhongshan; authorities also reported 33 stray dogs and one cat captured after bites in Old Taipa, and a body found in waters near NAPE. Health & Community: The Health Department trained 130+ professionals on comprehensive smoking cessation, and Oxfam opened registrations for its Nov. 15 TowerRun. Business/Tech: Wynn Macau marked its 20th anniversary with a share award for nearly 95% of its 11,660 staff.

Slope Safety: Macau reported 298 slope risk sites as of July, with high-risk locations down to just one in Coloane, while rehabilitation work continues on key roads including Estrada de Hac Sá and Estrada Marginal de Hac Sá Long Chao Kok. Public Health & Safety: 33 stray dogs and one cat were captured in Old Taipa Village after a bite incident, with authorities urging residents to stop feeding strays in public areas. Local Crime/Investigation: A middle-aged non-resident woman was found dead in the sea near One Central Macau; police say there were no obvious external injuries and the cause of death is pending forensics. Tourism Transport: Macau’s Tourism and “Leisure” bus service carried nearly 37,000 passengers by mid-August as officials study whether to make the weekend-focused routes permanent. Gaming & Business: Wynn Macau marked its 20th anniversary with a share award scheme for nearly all staff, while Wynn Palace entered the World’s 50 Best Hotels Extended 51–100 list at No. 96. International Links: PATA and GBTA signed on to strengthen corporate travel at PATA Travel Mart 2027 in Macao (20–22 Sept 2027). Community & Culture: Oxfam TowerRun returns Nov. 15 with the “You Fund I Run” theme, and WTT Champions Macao 2026 is set for 8–13 Sept at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.