AGP Executive Report

Macao–Philippines Ties: Macao and the Philippines signed a new air services agreement, tripling Manila passenger capacity to 20,000 seats, removing limits on other passenger routes and opening cargo flights to fifth-freedom rights. It is the first bilateral air pact established under the current-term government. Policy Agenda: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai says the 2027 Policy Address will focus on public concerns and implementing Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan. Consultation drew 3,417 submissions, containing 9,036 suggestions. Judicial Affairs: The MSAR government and Legislative Assembly strongly condemned the European Parliament’s reported interference in Macao’s judicial process. Gaming Outlook: Sam said there are no plans to lower the 2026 gross gaming revenue forecast of MOP236 billion, though October’s figures will be key to assessing the year’s prospects.

Gaming Policy: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai says Macao will not lower its 2026 gross gaming revenue forecast despite four straight months of annual declines. Revenue reached MOP187.1 billion through September, leaving MOP48.9 billion to meet the MOP236 billion target; he said October’s results will be key. Judicial Affairs: The MSAR government condemned a European Parliament report criticizing the city’s first national security case, saying the proceedings were lawful and an internal matter. Tourism: Macao recorded 1.87 million visitor arrivals from Sept. 25 to Oct. 7, while National Day holiday arrivals set new records for daily average and single-day traffic. Cybersecurity: The government warned residents about a fake website using the Chief Executive’s name and photo, and said the case had been referred to police.

Judicial Affairs: Macao’s government and Legislative Assembly condemned European Parliament criticism of the SAR’s first national security case, calling the trial an internal matter and defending judicial independence under the Basic Law. Cybersecurity: Authorities warned that a fake English-language website impersonating Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai is not official and said the case has been referred to police. Talent Policy: The Talent Development Committee signed agreements with Macao’s International Technology Industry Centre and Zhukuan Group to link government, innovation platforms and businesses in support of talent recruitment and development. Tourism: Macao recorded a National Day holiday high, averaging 163,000 daily arrivals from Oct. 1 to 7 and reaching 210,000 on Oct. 4; more than 1.87 million visitors arrived over the wider Sept. 25–Oct. 7 period.

Cybersecurity Warning: The Macao government warned residents about a fake English-language website using Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai’s name and photo. The case has been referred to police; officials urged the public to use only the Chief Executive’s official website. Judicial Dispute: The government and Legislative Assembly condemned European Parliament criticism of Macao’s first national security case, saying the court’s ruling was lawful and outside interference in judicial affairs was unacceptable. Trafficking Report: Security authorities rejected the U.S. State Department’s decision to rank Macao Tier 3, pointing to local anti-trafficking laws and prevention measures. Holiday Tourism: Macao recorded a National Day holiday high, averaging 163,000 daily arrivals from October 1 to 7 and peaking at 210,000; more than 1.87 million visitors arrived over the wider September 25–October 7 period.

Trafficking Report Dispute: Macao’s security authorities rejected the U.S. decision to place the SAR in Tier 3, pointing to its anti-trafficking law, interdepartmental work and victim-protection measures. Holiday Tourism: Macao recorded 1.14 million arrivals over the seven-day National Day holiday, with a record daily average of 163,282 and a peak of 210,276, the tourism office reported. Five-Year Plan: The Government Headquarters open day will feature an exhibition on Macao’s 2026–30 development plan and four major projects, giving residents a closer look at the blueprint. Local Services: Northern District councillors urged stronger support for elderly carers, including permanent digital-help stations and better transport links to hospitals. Business Rules: The government plans to submit a bill to streamline business licensing.

Government Priorities: The Government Headquarters Open Day this weekend will feature an exhibition on Macao’s 2026–30 development plan and four key projects. Business Regulation: The government plans to submit a bill to the Legislative Assembly to streamline business licensing. Policy Consultation: The Secretaries for Economy and Finance and for Security have met local associations to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address; Economy and Finance Secretary Dora Ng also pledged stronger Macao–Hengqin cooperation to help local products reach new markets. Tourism: Macao recorded 1.14 million visitor arrivals during the seven-day National Day holiday, with a record daily peak of about 210,000. Elderly Services: Northern District councillors urged more support for elderly carers, permanent digital-help stations for seniors and age-friendly upgrades to older neighbourhoods.

Business Licensing: Macao has drafted a bill to simplify business rules, removing permit requirements for some low-risk businesses and introducing registration for others. Paid photography and filming services at tourist sites would require registration limited to local residents. Local Governance: Central District council members want Golden Week pedestrian zones considered for regular weekends or public holidays, arguing they could help revive older neighbourhoods and spread visitors beyond main roads. Policy Priorities: The Secretaries for Economy and Finance and for Security have been consulting local associations on the 2027 Policy Address. Regional Security: More than 500 officers and 50 vessels from Greater Bay Area agencies joined a maritime drill and patrol ahead of the APEC meeting, with Hong Kong and Macao participating.

Maritime Security: More than 500 officers and 50 vessels took part in a joint Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao patrol and drill ahead of the APEC meeting, strengthening coordinated enforcement in Greater Bay Area waters. Business Rules: The government plans to submit a bill easing licensing requirements: some businesses would need only general registration, while higher-risk venues would still require permits. A new registration system for paid photography and filming at tourist sites would be open only to local residents. Public Space: Community councillors urged the government to make holiday and weekend car-free zones a regular feature, saying pedestrianisation could help revive the central district. Visitor Management: Macau recorded more than 1.05 million arrivals in the first six days of Golden Week, according to provisional police figures.

Policy Address: Macao’s economy and finance and security secretaries visited local associations to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address, bringing community concerns into the government’s next policy agenda. Tourism and Borders: Golden Week brought about 1.05 million visitor arrivals in six days, according to provisional figures, putting renewed focus on managing peak travel and cross-border flows. China-Brazil Ties: A Brazilian percussion performance at the Macao International Music Festival marked the China-Brazil Cultural Year. The Foreign Ministry’s acting commissioner highlighted Macao’s role in connecting China with Portuguese-speaking countries. Public Safety: Judiciary Police say 25 residents have lost a total of 5.4 million patacas to scammers posing as Douyin customer service staff, and urged the public to stay alert.

Sports & Local Life: The PBA Governors’ Cup resumes after a nearly two-month break, with NLEX set to face Macau at 5:15 p.m. and TNT taking on Terrafirma at 7:30 p.m., as teams chase Group A top-four spots and new imports try to gel fast. Business & Regional Logistics: DHL Express appoints Julian Neo as Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau, effective 1 Oct 2026, aiming to boost cross-border growth for SMEs. Tourism Numbers: Macau’s Golden Week has drawn over 1 million visitor arrivals, with provisional PSP figures putting entries at about 1.05 million by day six. Public Safety & Enforcement: PSP arrests two mainland female students over unlawful employment/illegal work, while Judiciary Police warn of “Douyin” customer-service scams that have cost 25 residents 5.4 million patacas. Cross-border Biosecurity: Zhuhai Gongbei Customs seizes 17 peony plants and 24.7 kg of palm-family seeds from Macau-bound travellers. Culture & Education: IIM launches a trilingual exhibition on Macau’s fishing community, and DSEDJ runs an online space-science quiz for students through 5 Nov.

Cross-border Security & Law: Taiwan prosecutors indicted 10 people for allegedly forging end-user documents to resell restricted military-grade chips from U.S. firms to Hong Kong for onward delivery to China, seeking up to 10 years for the ringleader. Public Safety & Community: Macau’s Security Secretary Chan Tsz King met local associations to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address, stressing national security education and better boundary control to improve crossing efficiency. Border Management Tech: Macau-linked Hong Kong immigration updates allow eligible residents to enrol for “collaborative inspection” automated channels at Huanggang Port, aiming to cut clearance to a single document presentation for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. National Day Tourism Pulse: Macau logged about 750,000 visitor arrivals over the first four days of the mainland Golden Week, with Sunday alone seeing around 210,000 entries. Culture & Events: CTT will run temporary commemorative postmark services for the 13th International Lion Dance Championship at Barra Square, while the 34th fireworks drone show was rescheduled to 6 Oct after weather delays. Green Finance & Regional Links: Macao’s carbon exchange (MEX) says it has listed 30+ projects from Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries, positioning Macao as a bridge to China’s international carbon market.

National Security Crackdown: Hong Kong’s “831” staged mourning at Prince Edward Station led to two rounds of National Security Department enforcement and eight arrests, including online media figure Tang Ho-wing, with police citing alleged seditious intent under Article 24 and warning more arrests may follow. Economic Policy Consultations: Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance Ng Wai Han toured local associations to collect views for the 2027 Policy Address, hearing calls to improve the business environment, boost the local economy, expand youth employment support, and introduce Portuguese-speaking countries’ products to communities. Security Policy Consultations: Secretary for Security Chan Tsz King also visited community groups, thanking them for crime prevention support and pledging to use feedback to shape 2027 security measures, including national security education and boundary control efficiency. Digital Security & Quantum Tech: CTM and Huawei announced an integrated QKD-communication target IP network, aiming to strengthen end-to-end transmission security for enterprises and government and support Digital Macao. Tourism & Events: Macao logged about 750,000 visitors over the National Day Golden Week’s first four days, while the 34th International Fireworks drone show was rescheduled to 6 Oct after weather delays; the 34th fireworks contest also crowned Korea’s Faseecom as champion. Public Safety & Social Issues: A Cotai phone shop door was smashed by a mainland man using a brick and steel bar, and local lawmaker Sharon Loi urged deeper prevention and counselling after two student violence incidents.

National Security Consultations: Security Secretary Chan Tsz King toured local associations to gather views for the 2027 Policy Address, thanking groups for long-running support in crime prevention and pledging to use feedback to refine security measures. Golden Week Tourism Surge: Macau logged about 750,000 visitor arrivals over four days of the National Day holiday, with 540,549 arrivals in the first three days and Sunday alone seeing around 210,000 entries. Asian Games Sports Boost: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai congratulated the Macao-China delegation after a best-ever Asian Games showing: 1 gold, 4 silvers and 1 bronze in wushu and karate. Fireworks Contest Update: The 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest drone show was postponed by weather and rescheduled for 6 October, with over 3,400 drones lighting the “Encounter with Future” theme. Tech & Security Infrastructure: CTM and Huawei launched an integrated QKD-communication target IP network, aiming to strengthen end-to-end protection for critical data across the Greater Bay Area. Local Public Safety Case: Judiciary Police arrested a mainland man who smashed a Cotai phone shop entrance door with a brick and steel bar, after he tried to re-enter Macau. Tourism Partnerships: Macau and Hainan tourism operators discussed multi-stop itineraries, including smoother transport links via Macau and Zhuhai airports.

Tourism & Events: Macau logged about 750,000 visitor arrivals over the first four days of the National Day Golden Week, with 540,549 entries in the first three days and Sunday alone seeing around 210,000 arrivals, while the LRT recorded its highest daily average since opening. Cultural Diplomacy: The 38th Macao International Music Festival opened under “Silk Resonances,” featuring a Yue opera performance and international acts, while the 34th International Fireworks Display Contest crowned South Korea’s Faseecom as champion, boosting “tourism +” nighttime appeal. Local Governance & Public Safety: A mainland man who smashed a Cotai phone shop door was arrested after re-entering Macau; police said the attack caused 300,000 patacas in damage and CCTV showed repeated strikes with a brick and steel bar. Youth & Social Issues: Lawmaker Sharon Loi urged deeper prevention and counselling after two campus violence incidents involving corrosive liquid and a stabbing. Sports & Policy: CE Sam Hou Fai congratulated Macau’s Asian Games delegation on a best-ever haul (1 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze). Business & Economy: Macao Franchise Expo 2026 will run Oct 21–24, spotlighting coffee and bakery matching with end-to-end services tied to Portuguese-speaking country partners.

Macao National Day: Macao marked the PRC’s 77th anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square and a government reception, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai stressing alignment with the 15th Five-Year Plan and a “resident-centered” governance approach. Gaming & Tourism Signals: New DSEC figures show Macau hotel guests fell 1.6% year-on-year in the first eight months, while August occupancy still rose to 93.9%, and separate reporting flags weaker gaming momentum with September casino takings down 1.2%. Energy & Policy Spillover: China’s suspension of refined fuel exports beyond Hong Kong and Macau is tightening Asia’s diesel and jet-fuel supply, pushing prices and rattling markets already sensitive to Middle East risks; in parallel, G7 states agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude from strategic reserves under US pressure. Regional Governance & Youth Exchange: Hong Kong and Macao youth from the “Salute to the National Flag” Beijing visit shared outcomes to deepen patriotic education, as officials promoted the programme’s messages to schools and the wider community. Markets & Corporate Governance: Singapore Exchange chairman Koh Boon Hwee urged listed firms to proactively disclose 3–5 year strategies, warning that exchanges can’t create liquidity.

National Day in Macao: The Macao SAR marked the 77th anniversary of the PRC with a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square and a government reception, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai stressing refined governance and risk prevention as the SAR aligns with the 15th Five-Year Plan. Gaming & Tourism Signals: Casino gross gaming revenue fell 1.2% year-on-year in September to MOP$18.06b, while hotel guest numbers slipped in the first eight months and occupancy stayed high at 93.9% in August—mixed demand signals for the city’s economy. Fuel & Energy Pressure: China’s move to suspend refined fuel exports beyond Hong Kong and Macau is tightening Asia’s diesel and jet-fuel supply, lifting prices and prompting talk of strategic reserve releases in Europe and pressure on the US. Public Policy & Governance: Macao’s proposed Telecommunications Law is moving to recalibrate the sector’s framework, while the SAR also extended interest-free loans to Hengqin. Community & Youth Education: Hong Kong and Macao youth shared outcomes from a patriotic Beijing visit, reinforcing national identity education. Sports (Regional): In the PBA Governors’ Cup, Macau’s Giant Pandas sit near the bottom as the league resumes play after breaks.