Xi Jinping visits Macau to attend the anniversary of its return to China and the inauguration of the new government

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday for a three-day visit. This is Xi Jinping’s third visit to the city famous for its gaming industry since he took office in 2013. He will attend the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to China and the inauguration of the new government of the Macau Special Administrative Region, and inspect Macau. AFP quoted analysts as saying that Macau’s economic diversification and integration into the regional economic planning of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area may be the main topic of Xi Jinping’s visit. Xi Jinping last visited Macau in 2019 on the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to China, when anti-government demonstrations were sweeping neighboring Hong Kong. Since its return on December 20, 2019, Macau has implemented the “one country, two systems” policy like Hong Kong, but its external visibility is much lower. Beijing has praised Macau’s “loyalty and stability” for many years. More than half of Macau’s current 700,000 population are from mainland China. After the return, Macau, famous for its gaming industry, became the only region in China where casinos are allowed to operate. The gaming industry is the pillar of Macau’s economy, contributing about 80% of the tax revenue to the SAR government and attracting a large number of tourists from mainland China. Xi Jinping flew to Macau via Sanya, Hainan on Wednesday. Before arriving in Macau, Macau was on high alert and security was fully upgraded. The civil aviation department implemented a drone ban from the 14th, and several major roads were temporarily closed. The Macau light rail operator announced the temporary closure of some important sections, and passengers entering through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge also need to undergo strict inspections. Xi Jinping and his wife were greeted by officials including the Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region, He Yicheng, at the airport. In his speech at the airport, he said that Macau is “the apple of the motherland’s eye” and that he “has always been concerned about the development of Macau and the well-being of all residents.” In the next few days, he will “walk around, have a look, have extensive and in-depth exchanges with friends from all walks of life, and discuss Macau’s development plans.”