AGP Executive Report

Macau Urban Planning: The government has launched a public consultation on draft amendments to the Urban Master Plan, cutting the 2040 population forecast to about 783,000 and adjusting land-use to about 36.96 sq km, to better fit major projects including the Macau International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone, the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park and the west-bank air hub. Cross-border Aviation: Macau and Hengqin are set to launch cross-border low-altitude test flights as part of the low-altitude economy push, with officials saying pilots will be trial-based under existing safety rules. Public Works & Sports Facilities: Road closures begin July 1 on Avenida do Estádio in Taipa for pavement works, and the government plans three temporary sports sites, including a new pickleball court in Taipa. Social Support Gap: A survey by the Macau Down Syndrome Association and USJ finds caregivers face high stress and weak services, with 96.6% calling for more residential care facilities. Crime Watch: Judiciary Police arrested two people in separate gambling-linked cases, including a mainland man accused of exchanging cash for casino chips and a woman accused of selling counterfeit gold items. Regional Economy & Tourism: Macau’s role in Asia-Pacific cooperation remains in focus as APEC tourism ministers meet in the city, while Asean-Greater Bay Area ties are pitched as a growth engine.

Urban Planning Consultation: Macau’s government has launched a public consultation on draft amendments to the Urban Master Plan, including a revised population forecast of 783,000 by 2040 and a slight land-area adjustment to 36.96 sq km, with new zoning aimed at supporting diversified industrial development. APEC Tourism in Macau: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai welcomed APEC delegates and said Macau will share ideas on sustainable tourism and regional cooperation as the city hosts the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. Philately Spotlight (Macao 2026): The Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition continues at The Venetian, with Youth Day activities and workshops, plus an ongoing showcase of about 1,500 frames from 40+ countries/regions. Giant Panda Update: Macau’s panda twins “Jian Jian” and “Kang Kang” are set to be transferred to Chengdu in October, though their return status remains unclear. Public Safety: Police report a sharp rise in red-light violations in early 2026, warning drivers not to assume signal changes. Business & Finance: Moody’s shifted Wynn Macau and other Wynn entities’ outlook from positive to stable, citing leverage that remains elevated. Corporate Change: SJM Holdings says CFO Christopher Ip has resigned, replaced by former NagaCorp executive Sean Tan. Community Economy Watch: A report highlights how more locals are crossing the border for cheaper mainland shopping, squeezing Macau’s small community businesses.

APEC Tourism in Macau: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai welcomed delegates for the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, pitching Macau as a bridge for sustainable tourism cooperation. Urban Planning: The government released a draft amended Urban Master Plan, outlining core areas for diversified industrial development and projecting Macau’s population could reach 783,000 by 2040. Pandas Update: Giant panda twins Jian Jian and Kang Kang will be transferred to Chengdu in October, though their return to Macau remains uncertain. Cross-border Jobs: Over 1,300 local residents took a written recruitment exam for Hengqin executive committee roles, filling 50 vacancies. Transport Safety: Red-light violations jumped 83.1% in the first five months of 2026, with related accidents and injuries also rising. Crime Watch: Police arrested a Mainland man in Cotai for selling fake casino chips, with an ongoing hunt for alleged accomplices. Business & Lifestyle: SJM named former NagaCorp CFO Sean Tan as its new CFO after Christopher Ip’s sudden departure; Starbucks rolled out a Jay Chou “Fantasy” summer campaign across Macau. Culture & Community: Macau marked International Day of Deafblindness with the city’s first deafblind art exhibition, “TOUCH the Heart.”

APEC Tourism in Macau: Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli told APEC delegates the region should push digital innovation and collaborative empowerment to keep tourism growth on track, while also urging smoother cross-border travel. Public Health: Macau reported 132 drug abuse cases in 2025, with the average age for first-time use dropping to 22.8, as officials warned new drug types are increasingly covert. Education & Research: UM will expand its research network with four new institutes (11 total) to speed technology transfer and back economic diversification, with two starting Aug 1. Giant Pandas: Macau-born twins Jian Jian and Kang Kang will be moved to Chengdu at the end of October; the pavilion will undergo renovation after they leave. Community & Culture: IAM announced free summer activities including a Hengqin civic education tour and parent-child camps, plus a deafblind art exhibition “TOUCH the Heart.” Tourism Numbers: Macau hotels hit 89.8% occupancy in May, but guest numbers fell to 1.17 million. Philately & Youth: “Postcard Day” at the Macao 2026 stamp exhibition crowned winners of “Draw My Story of Stamps Contest,” with workshops and seminars running through July 1.

APEC Tourism in Macau: The 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting opened in Macao with ministers discussing “Digital Innovation, Collaborative Empowerment,” while China’s tourism chief urged easing travel frictions via mutual visa deals, faster customs, cross-border payments and tax refunds. Local Economy & Travel: Macau hotel occupancy hit 89.8% in May, boosted by the early-May Golden Week, but guest numbers fell to 1.17 million; mainland and Hong Kong visitor counts both declined. Macao 2026 Stamp Exhibition: The Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition kicked off at Cotai Expo with “Stamp Day,” featuring international seminars and rare stamp displays, with “Postcard Day” and a “Draw My Story of Stamps” awards ceremony following. Cross-border Sports & Entertainment: PUBG Mobile Macau Invitational 2026 runs June 29–July 5 at Studio City Macau with a $428,000 prize pool. FIA Governance in Macau: F1’s FIA removed its presidential term limits in a vote held in Macau, allowing Mohammed Ben Sulayem to stay longer.

APEC Tourism: The 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting opened in Macao with ministers discussing “Digital Innovation, Collaborative Empowerment,” while China’s tourism chief Sun Yeli urged easier travel via mutual visa deals, faster customs, cross-border payments and tax refunds. Local Economy & Tourism: Macao’s hotel occupancy rose to 89.8% in May, up 1.8 points year-on-year, with international guest numbers increasing, even as mainland and Hong Kong visitor counts fell. Macao 2026 Stamp Expo: The Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition kicked off at Cotai Expo, with “Postcard Day” activities and a “Draw My Story of Stamps” awards ceremony drawing families and philatelic experts. Governance Watch: FIA removed its 12-year presidential term limit in a vote held in Macau, paving the way for Mohammed Ben Sulayem to stay longer. Sports & Culture: TWS launched its first Asia tour with sold-out Seoul shows and will stop in Macau in September; UM opened a biomedical sciences symposium, with plans to restructure FHS into a Faculty of Medicine on 1 August.

APEC Tourism Push in Macao: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met APEC Secretariat Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa, saying Macao is ready to deepen tourism cooperation with APEC economies ahead of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, highlighting record visitor arrivals in 2025 and diversification plans including the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Cultural Zone. Stamp Exhibition Opens: Macao kicked off the first-ever Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition at Cotai Expo, with about 1,500 frames of rare stamps, themed “Stamp Day” events, and free commemorative envelopes/postcards running to July 1. Local Economy Snapshot: DSEC reported the local residents’ unemployment rate stayed at 2.3% (Mar–May 2026), while underemployment rose to 2.4%; general unemployment remained 1.8%. Hotel Demand Update: May hotel occupancy averaged 89.8% (+1.8 points year-on-year), with guest numbers down 4.5% overall but international visitors up 16.1%. Sports/Entertainment Note: Macau is listed as a guest team in the PBA Governors’ Cup group-stage format starting July 10, with the league returning to a two-group setup.

APEC Tourism Push: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met the APEC Secretariat’s Eduardo Pedrosa in Macao, stressing tourism growth and cooperation ahead of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, while the city also hosted the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group meeting (24-25 June) with a focus on digital transformation, travel facilitation and sustainable tourism. Stamp Exhibition Spotlight: Macao’s first-ever Specialized World Stamp Exhibition opened at Cotai Expo, with about 1,500 frames and 40+ sales booths running to 1 July, including “Stamp Day” seminars and free commemorative items. Biomedical Research: UM opened its 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, bringing together 200+ scholars to discuss challenges and opportunities in the field, with UM also noting a Faculty restructure and a Portugal clinical medicine programme. Cross-border Convenience: Smart Immigration Clearance expanded to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s Zhuhai-Macao Hall, shifting from ID-card checks to facial recognition for faster processing. Local Economy Watch: DSEC reported March-May unemployment for local residents at 2.3% (unchanged) and May hotel occupancy at 89.8%, up 1.8 points year-on-year. Sports & Culture: The giant pandas Jian Jian and Kang Kang turned 10 with public birthday celebrations at Seac Pai Van Park.

Cross-border Travel Tech: Macau expanded “face scan” smart immigration clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Hall of the HZMB, letting eligible border crossers use e-channels without presenting travel documents—after Hengqin’s earlier rollout. Local Governance & Transport: Lawmakers warned Zone A’s reliance on two bridges could trigger a traffic crisis if the Zone A–B Connector Tunnel slips, urging summer works and better pedestrian access. Gaming & Hospitality: The 13 Hotel reopens as The 13 Palace with a gold exterior and 199 villa-style suites after government tourism office recognition; separately, Sands China says it has logged 15.7 million MICE visits since 2007. Public Safety: Police fined a “tired driving” driver after he crashed into 15 parked motorbikes; Judiciary Police arrested a Malaysian man smuggling heroin hidden in 49 tuna tins worth 4.18 million patacas. Culture & Events: Macau hosts its first-ever Specialised World Stamp Exhibition, while BIGGER Art Fair debuts at Fisherman’s Wharf. International Spotlight: The US snubbed a Macau APEC tourism meeting over visa rules for American diplomats.

Stamp & Culture Spotlight: Macau kicks off its first-ever Specialised World Stamp Exhibition at Cotai Expo today, with about 1,500 competitive exhibits, global sales booths, and rare zones featuring China’s stamp museum archives and original Macau stamp design files. Drug Crackdown: Judiciary Police arrested a Malaysian man at Macau airport for smuggling heroin hidden in 49 tuna tins, worth about MOP4.18 million. Cross-border Smart Travel: Macau extends “Face Scan” Smart Immigration Clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint, letting eligible travellers use e-channels without presenting travel documents. Anti-corruption Watch: CCAC uncovered a courier-delivery kickback scheme, alleging monthly bribes of HKD20,000+ and over HKD1.1 million total, plus a separate fraud case involving inflated delivery volumes. Regional Mobility & Economy: A Visa study says GBA trips are getting shorter and more frequent, with Macau among the commonly visited destinations. Business & Industry: Sands China says it has drawn over 15.7 million MICE visits since 2007, while GEG highlights EarthCheck certification upgrades across its hotels and convention facilities.

Smart Border Tech: Macau is extending “Face Scan” Smart Immigration Clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port from Friday, letting eligible travellers clear via joint automated channels without ID documents after registration—following Hengqin Port’s rollout that has already registered 310,000 users and logged 6.21 million trips. Public Services & Culture: CTT will run temporary commemorative postmark cancellation counters for the “Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition” (26 June–1 July) and for the “105th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (1 July), with themed envelopes and postcards distributed on-site. University & Diversification: UM says it is building a research network of 11 institutes to speed up lab-to-industry translation, including new AI and smart-city institutes opening 1 August, alongside five new science/tech faculties from 2026/27. Local Governance & Daily Life: Two public bus operators posted 2025 profits totaling MOP97.1 million as ridership hit a record 231 million trips; TCM logged 125 million passengers while Transmac saw a slight dip amid LRT competition. Anti-Corruption: CCAC uncovered a courier kickback scheme involving HKD1.1 million in bribes and alleged inflated delivery billing worth over MOP5 million. Heritage Safety: A fire at a protected heritage building on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro damaged multiple floors and disrupted 17 bus routes; the IC says affected historic buildings may apply for FDC support. Cross-border Travel Trends: A Visa study finds GBA trips are getting shorter and more frequent, with digital wallets driving seamless payments and boosting mobility—Macau is among the most visited destinations. Business & Gaming: Paradise Entertainment says a Singapore regulator has granted its subsidiary “approved manufacturer” status, while The 13 Hotel has rebranded as “The 13 Palace” after creditor sale, aiming for a second try in Macau’s ultra-luxury market. International Tensions: The US said it sent no high-level officials to an Apec tourism meeting in Macau, citing China’s visa rules limiting emergency consular help.

Public Finance Watch: Macau’s financial reserves hit a record 697.27 billion patacas at end-April, up 4.6% from end-2025, with AMCM citing both budget surplus and investment returns. Transport & Daily Life: Macau’s two public bus operators posted a combined 97.1 million pataca profit in 2025, as passenger numbers reached a record 231 million. Anti-Corruption: CCAC says a local supplier paid monthly kickbacks to a courier company boss to win delivery contracts and also helped falsify delivery records, netting over 5 million patacas through fraud. Heritage & Safety: A listed heritage ensemble on San Ma Lou (Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro) was gutted by a smoky blaze early yesterday; IC says fire-hit historic buildings may apply for funding support. Culture & Community: Na Tcha Temple Association’s Na Tcha-themed fair runs tomorrow to next Wednesday near the Ruins of St Paul’s, with rituals, food stalls and performances. Youth Arts: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition runs July 25-Aug 2 (with a special prize event Aug 6) after nearly 1,100 applications. Sports Tourism: FIA president Ben Sulayem floated the idea of an FIA training hub in Macau, including for karting and grassroots pathways.

APEC Tourism in Macao: Delegates are already arriving for the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting, with the opening ceremony set for Saturday and a government-hosted dinner for high-level guests on Friday. MGTO Visitor Boost: The Macao Government Tourism Office is partnering with e-payment platforms in South Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong to offer travel spending incentives and make paying in Macau easier for visitors. Giant Panda Milestone: Jian Jian and Kang Kang turn 10 this Friday at the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion, with public activities, a card design award ceremony, and a keeper-led birthday celebration. Cross-border Anti-Drug Push: Judiciary Police say they’re stepping up Greater Bay Area cooperation, including tracking “drug parcels” sent to Macau and returned to the mainland, ahead of higher summer travel flows. Education Expansion: Macao is accelerating plans for the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, with the first phase starting in August for about 1,300 postgraduate students. Local Hospitality Watch: A new MGTO-linked survey shows Macau’s five-star average room rate in May held flat year-on-year at MOP 1,555.7, while occupancy dipped to 92.3%. Hotel Relaunch Update: Macau’s The 13 Hotel has been renamed “The 13 Palace” after renovation, with the website and MGTO now using the new name.

Tourism Push: MGTO says it’s partnering with e-payment platforms in South Korea (Naver Pay), Thailand (TrueMoney) and Hong Kong (AlipayHK) to run spending incentives through year-end, using local celebrity-led campaigns and major events to get visitors to spend more in Macau. APEC on the Calendar: Macau is hosting the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th Tourism Working Group Meeting this week, with delegates arriving and venues, receptions and security now set. Public Safety & Drugs: Judiciary Police Director Sit Chong Meng says anti-drug cooperation across the Greater Bay Area is stepping up against “drug parcels,” as airport and border traffic rises into summer. Culture & Heritage: The government has designated eight inheritors for seven intangible heritage items, including Na Tcha Temple inheritor Ip Tat, while a new Fernando Pessoa poetry calligraphy exhibition opens at the Rui Cunha Foundation gallery. Sports & Community: Macau taekwondist Lao I Ieng wins 1 gold and 2 bronzes in Australia; giant pandas Jian Jian and Kang Kang turn 10 this Friday with public festivities. Local Life: Hourly car parks at Edifício Ut Koi and Edifício Lok Koi open from 22 June, with set half-hourly rates for cars and motorcycles.

Tourism Momentum: Macau logged 18.14 million visitor arrivals in Jan–May, up 11.1% year-on-year, and passed the 20 million mark 18 days earlier than last year, with May alone at 3.49 million arrivals. Hospitality Pressure: Hotel leaders say peninsula properties are feeling the squeeze as new room supply grows and more guests choose Zhuhai/Hengqin; occupancy averaged about 80% and rates fell 5–6% in the first half. Travel Demand Push: MGTO is using e-payment promotions with Naver Pay (South Korea), TrueMoney (Thailand) and AlipayHK (Hong Kong) to boost spending, with South Korea and Thailand offers running to year-end. Public Health: The Health Bureau reported an 87-year-old man died of influenza A and a 73-year-old is in critical condition with influenza B, both with no travel history and no seasonal flu jab. Community & Culture: Forum Macao’s China–Portuguese Cultural Week runs June 27–July 10 across Macau, Qinghai and Beijing, with a “three-city linkage” programme. Motorsport Grassroots: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the federation’s job is to cut motorsport costs so karting isn’t a “rich club.”

APEC Tourism Meetings in Macau: The 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting run June 24-28, with MGTO saying Macau will showcase its hospitality, cuisine and cultural mix. Visitor Surge: Macau hit 3,487,994 visitor arrivals in May (+3.4% y/y), and the city passed 20 million arrivals for 2026 on June 20—18 days ahead of last year. Public Health: WHO and the local government co-hosted a seminar on TCM clinical safety, highlighting acupuncture for smoking cessation; meanwhile, SSM reported an 87-year-old died of influenza A and a 73-year-old is critical with influenza B. Safety & Crime: PJ said a police officer was assaulted and had his smartphone robbed by seven men in Cotai; PSP reported a Hong Kong driver fined after a zebra-crossing crash injured a boy. Community & Inclusion: Macau Autism Association’s “Life Everlasting” art exhibition opens at the Maritime Museum until July 27. Culture & Heritage: Forum Macao’s 18th China-PSCs Cultural Week returns this Saturday through July 10 with a “three-city linkage” across Macau, Qinghai and Beijing.