AGP Executive Report

Education & Innovation: Indonesia’s National Student Research Olympiad (OPSI) is seeing a big jump in young talent, with 39,300 registrants in 2026—up about 47%—as the competition pushes students to identify issues and research solutions, not just “solve problems.” Macao Education Tech: St Joseph Diocesan College 5 signed with iFLYTEK (Macau) to boost AI education, aiming for a smart teaching demonstration base and more tech-enabled classroom and admin support. Culture Calendar: Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed October lineup, including the 8th “Encounter in Macao” arts festival and the 29th Lusofonia Festival spotlighting Brazilian culture. Patriotic Youth Exchange: Macao’s CE met teachers and students who took part in Beijing’s “Salute to the National Flag” initiative, urging them to spread the Central Government’s care and deepen patriotic education locally. Digital Life in Schools: A Macau-focused report compares Mainland China’s strict smartphone-in-schools model with Hong Kong’s approach, highlighting how rules shape student digital habits. National Day Mood: China’s 77th National Day celebrations drew crowds for flag-raising, performances and fireworks, with Macao also marking the anniversary through a major government reception. Travel & Lifestyle: Michelin expands to Phu Quoc, while Starbucks plans more outlets across Asia including Macau between 2027 and 2029.

Patriotic Education in Focus: Hong Kong and Macao youth shared what they learned during a Beijing “Salute to the National Flag” visit, with around 250 student representatives gathering for a learning outcomes session after a five-day programme. Macao National Day Events: The Macao SAR Government held a grand reception for the PRC’s 77th anniversary, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai stressing the motherland’s support and calling for bolder reform and high-quality development. Local Governance & Culture Calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed October cultural and sporting programme, including the 8th “Encounter in Macao” festival and the 29th Lusofonia Festival spotlighting Brazilian culture. Community Safety & Services: Home Affairs opened 19 temporary heat shelters, improving cooling, ventilation, and even food options for ethnic minorities during very hot weather. Consumer Protection (Hong Kong): Hong Kong Customs arrested a yoga centre director over alleged unfair trade practices after customers’ prepaid services were left unusable during a sudden suspension. Education & Tech: St Joseph Diocesan College 5 signed with iFLYTEK (Macao) to expand AI education and set up a smart teaching demonstration base. Travel Retail Industry: Starbucks plans more outlets across Asia (including Macau) between 2027 and 2029, alongside menu expansion like matcha chai and protein drinks. Opinion (Macau): A new op-ed argues “Lean Thinking” could help Macau’s social sector do things differently—by investing in talent and improving efficiency.

Lean Thinking for social good: A Macau opinion piece argues NGOs can boost impact without more funding by adopting Lean-style respect for people, clearer purpose, and continuous improvement. National Day cultural-political spotlight: Multiple reports mark China’s 77th anniversary with flag-raising ceremonies and receptions, including a Macao SAR National Day reception where the Chief Executive links the city’s progress to “motherland” support and patriotic education. Patriotic education in action: Macau teachers and students from Beijing’s “Salute to the National Flag” initiative were encouraged to keep sharing the Central Government’s care back home. Macao’s cultural calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau announce a packed October lineup, including the 8th “Encounter in Macao” festival and the 29th Lusofonia Festival, with nearly 690 artists and about 50 events. Creative competition: Registration is open for “Chinese Culture and I—Exploring Macao’s History through Cultural Creativity,” inviting public design entries tied to Macao’s urban symbols and cultural identity. Education-tech partnership: St Joseph Diocesan College 5 and iFLYTEK (Macao) sign an MoC to strengthen AI education and set up a smart teaching demonstration base. Tourism and lifestyle tie-ins: The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum returns to Macao (Oct 15–17) under “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution,” while Macau also plans crowd and traffic controls at tourist hotspots during the National Day holiday.

National Day in Macao: The MSAR Government hosted a grand reception for the PRC’s 77th anniversary, with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai saying Macao’s progress is inseparable from the motherland’s support, as nearly 1,200 guests gathered at the China–Portuguese-speaking Countries cooperation platform. Culture & Festivals: IC and the Sports Bureau unveiled a packed October cultural calendar, including the 8th “Encounter in Macao” arts festival (China–Portuguese-speaking countries) running to December, plus the 29th Lusofonia Festival spotlighting Brazilian culture at Taipa Houses (Oct 23–25). Creative Competition: Registration opened for “Chinese Culture and I—Exploring Macao’s History through Cultural Creativity,” inviting public entries on Macao’s urban symbols and cultural identity for design products (deadline Oct 30). Education & Tech: St Joseph Diocesan College 5 signed with iFLYTEK (Macao) to boost AI education and set up a smart teaching demonstration base. Tourism Logistics: For National Day Golden Week, PSP forecast 5.2–5.4 million border crossings and announced crowd and traffic control at key hotspots and immigration halls. Arts Spotlight: MGM MACAU’s POLY MGM MUSEUM opens “Luminous Brilliance: The Artistry of Zibo Liuli,” tracing 3,000 years of Chinese glass art through March 31, 2027.

AI in Classrooms: St Joseph Diocesan College 5 signed an MoC with iFLYTEK (Macao) to boost AI education, including an IoT course and a smart teaching demonstration base, as the Education and Youth Development Bureau backs school-enterprise tech training. Macao’s Culture Calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed month of international music, China–Portuguese-speaking cultural exchanges, plus major sports events and National Day activities, with the 8th “Encounter in Macao” and the 29th Lusofonia Festival running Oct–Dec. Creative Competition Open: Registration is now open for “Chinese Culture and I—Exploring Macao’s History through Cultural Creativity,” inviting original cultural-creative product designs tied to Macao’s history and urban symbols. Tourism Forum in Focus: Macao hosts the 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (Oct 15–17) on “Crisis • Resilience • Evolution,” aiming to turn tourism into a shared-future engine. National Day Crowd Measures: Authorities plan pedestrian zones and phased access at key hotspots, while PSP expects 5.2–5.4 million border crossings during Oct 1–7. Health Milestone: Macao Union Medical Center marked its 2nd anniversary with an opening ceremony and medical health forum.

Higher Education & Rankings: The Times Higher Education 2027 World University Rankings show UM holding at 154th and MUST at 269th, while CityU of Macao climbs into the 451–500 band, as Macao pushes internationalisation through the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town. Campus Milestone: UTM marks its 31st anniversary and officially starts operations at the Hengqin extension under the “One University, Two Campuses” model, aiming to expand disciplines, postgraduate study, and overseas collaboration. National Day Travel & Crowd Control: Macao will roll out crowd and traffic measures at tourist hotspots and immigration points during National Day Golden Week, with temporary pedestrian zones in Taipa Village and Rua dos Ervanários (12pm–7pm daily, Oct 1–6) and phased access at the Border Gate during congestion; PSP expects 5.2–5.4 million border crossings (peak Oct 3–4). Tourism Numbers: Macau logged 415,000 visitor arrivals over the three-day Mid-Autumn holiday, up 19.5% year-on-year. Arts & Culture: MGM MACAU’s POLY MGM MUSEUM opens “Luminous Brilliance: The Artistry of Zibo Liuli” on Oct 1, featuring nearly 180 glass works tracing 3,000 years of Chinese glassmaking. Community & Safety: The Municipal Affairs Consultative Council raises concerns over stray dog attacks, urging stronger penalties, targeted monitoring, and public education. Business & Lifestyle: 2026MFE runs Oct 21–24 at Cotai Expo, spotlighting coffee and bakery with end-to-end matching for exhibitors.

Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Art: Albergue SCM’s A2 Gallery is hosting “Little Rabbit Lanterns” (39 exhibits) by Carlos Marreiros and friends, with creative rabbit lantern takes running through next month. Cotai Crime & Safety: A man smashed a Cotai phone shop’s glass entrance with a brick and fled Macau; police say the damage was about MOP 300,000 and he faces aggravated damage charges. Golden Week Travel Crunch: PSP forecasts 5.2–5.4 million border crossings for Macau during Oct 1–7, peaking Oct 3–4, with extra channels and crowd-control measures planned. Museum Spotlight: MGM MACAU’s POLY MGM Museum opens “Luminous Brilliance: The Artistry of Zibo Liuli” tomorrow, featuring nearly 180 glass works tracing 3,000 years of Chinese glassmaking. Stray Dog Concerns: Municipal councillors urged tougher action on stray dog attacks in Taipa Old Village and nearby areas, calling for penalties, tech monitoring, and public education. National Day Drill Update: Macau’s public security forces will adopt Chinese-style foot drill and PLA salute standards from this National Day, aligning honours systems with national standards. WorldSkills Win: Macau returned from Shanghai with gold, silver and bronze at WorldSkills, plus 11 medals for excellence. Oktoberfest Macau Returns: MGM COTAI’s 16th Oktoberfest runs Oct 28–Nov 8, adding a Bavarian band debut and Cantopop DJ nights.

Macau Tourism & Heritage: Macau logged 415,432 visitor arrivals over the three-day Mid-Autumn holiday (up 19.5% year-on-year), with daily figures of 141,898, 171,566 and 101,968—another reminder of how quickly the city’s cultural calendar can move travel demand. National Day Culture & Civic Life: Macau’s public security forces will adopt Chinese-style foot drill and PLA salute standards from this year’s National Day, replacing the Portuguese-style drill while keeping it as part of local culture. Skills & Youth Culture: Macau’s WorldSkills team returned with gold, silver and bronze (plus 11 Medals for Excellence), highlighting vocational education and industry-education links. Arts in Taipa: Taipa Village Cultural Association marks its 10th anniversary with “Walking Culture 2.0,” mixing outdoor and indoor works by 14 artists across the past decade. Lifestyle & Health: Hong Kong’s Department of Health marks World Heart Day with a push for healthier daily habits to prevent cardiovascular disease. Fashion & Entertainment: JxJ (Jeonghan x Joshua) announces a tour that includes Macau, while “Against the Current” keeps spreading globally through major streaming platforms. Digital Security: CTM and Huawei unveiled an integrated QKD target IP network to strengthen digital security across the Greater Bay Area.

Oktoberfest Macau: MGM COTAI’s 16th Oktoberfest runs Oct 28–Nov 8 with Bavarian food, Paulaner beer, and new acts including German band “SAKRISCH GUAT” plus Cantopop DJ nights by “Cantomania.” Mid-Autumn travel surge: Macau logged 415,432 visitor arrivals over the three-day holiday, up 19.5% year-on-year, with Ruins of St. Paul’s among the busy spots. Patriotic education in public service: Macau’s Public Security Forces will switch from Portuguese-style to Chinese-style foot drill from Thursday, with PLA salute standards adopted. WorldSkills win: Macau returned from Shanghai with gold (Visual Merchandising), silver (Unmanned Aerial Systems), and bronze (Retail Sales), plus 11 Medals for Excellence. Culture & art in Taipa: Taipa Village Cultural Association marks its 10th anniversary with “Walking Culture 2.0” and presents James Chu’s “The Practice of Time” at Lisboeta Macau. Youth, school and online harm: Macau reports highlight how cyberbullying and online feuds can spill into real-world school violence, renewing calls for stronger support and prevention. Music on the move: SEVENTEEN unit JxJ announces a “DREAMSCAPE” tour that includes Macau, while Oktoberfest and other events keep the city’s lifestyle calendar packed.

Cultural Heritage & Craft: A French researcher is bringing century-old coconut shell carvings back to China for restoration, tracing how works were traded from southern cities like Guangzhou and Macao to Europe and Southeast Asia. Food & Daily Life: Hong Kong’s FEHD stepped up school lunch box inspections for the new school year, sampling dozens of licensed suppliers and running hygiene and allergy-focused seminars. Education & Skills: Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education Dr Choi Yuk-lin visited Shanghai and the WorldSkills Competition, highlighting vocational training cooperation and Hong Kong’s largest-ever contestant delegation. Macau Community & Etiquette: Macau’s Municipal Affairs Bureau launches a city-wide “Courtesy Living” series in October, with public workshops, photo spots, and civic education activities. Macau Arts & Exhibitions: Taipa Village Cultural Association marks its 10th anniversary with “Walking Culture 2.0,” mixing outdoor and indoor works across heritage lanes, while James Chu’s “The Practice of Time” runs at Lisboeta Macau through late November. Gastronomy Spotlight: Macau will host the Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection on 1–2 November, positioning the city as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Youth & Online Culture: Macau continues to grapple with cyberbullying and school-related violence sparked by online feuds, with parents and lawmakers calling for stronger support and rule-of-law education.

Education & Youth Safety: Macau police are probing a school incident in the northern district after online claims of arson and a knife attack; authorities say they found no evidence of arson, and the Education and Youth Development Bureau is coordinating support for the injured student and his family. Mental Health & Anti-Bullying: Melco and the Women’s General Association of Macau launched an 11-school theatre tour, “Invisible Bullying,” using campus performances to spotlight less visible bullying and promote mental wellness. Digital Life & School Phones: A Macau Business special report links rising youth delinquency to prolonged exposure to unmonitored online content, while also questioning whether smartphone bans in schools actually improve wellbeing. Culture & Creative Events (Macao): Taipa Village Cultural Association marks its 10th anniversary with “Walking Culture 2.0,” blending outdoor and indoor art across heritage lanes; Ark (Association of Macau Art) presents “Art Power Jamming” with two connected themes; and James Chu’s “The Practice of Time” opens in September at Lisboeta Macau. Gastronomy Spotlight: MasterChef Asia returns after a decade, filming in Macau with challenges across street markets and Michelin-starred venues. Civic Life: IAM will run a city-wide “Courtesy” series from 17–31 October with public activities, workshops, and a courtesy orienteering competition. Tourism & Big Stage: Macao will host the Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection on 1–2 November, reinforcing its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status.

Macau Culture & Lifestyle: Taipa Village Cultural Association marks its 10th anniversary with Walking Culture 2.0 (outdoor and indoor collective exhibition), pairing works by 14 artists with a stroll through Taipa’s heritage lanes. Contemporary Art: Also in Taipa’s orbit, Macau artist James Chu brings The Practice of Time (18 Sep–29 Nov 2026) to Lisboeta Macau, turning seven years of daily handwriting into a monumental paper sculpture and other installations. Community & Civic Life: The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) launches the inaugural “City-wide Courtesy” series (17–31 Oct), with public activities, workshops, and a courtesy orienteering competition to promote civic etiquette and community services. Gastronomy Spotlight: Macau will host the Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection on 1–2 Nov 2026, a major boost for the city’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status. Youth & Safety: Macau police investigate a school incident after online claims of arson and a knife attack; authorities say no evidence of arson was found, while support is arranged for the injured student. School Theatre for Mental Wellness: Melco and Fu Luen launch an 11-school “Invisible Bullying” theatre tour, tackling less visible bullying and encouraging help-seeking. Global Screen Culture: Chinese historical drama Against the Current keeps building overseas momentum, topping charts in Hong Kong and Macao and spreading through international streaming platforms.

Taipa Village Art Walk: To mark its 10th anniversary, the Taipa Village Cultural Association is rolling out “Walking Culture 2.0” with outdoor-and-indoor works by 14 artists, turning Taipa’s heritage lanes into a strollable gallery. Contemporary Art in Macau: James Chu’s “The Practice of Time” opens 18 Sep–29 Nov at Lisboeta Macau, built from seven years of daily handwriting and expanded into calligraphy, sculpture, installation and light-and-shadow. Youth & Global Cooperation: A Jiangxi youth dialogue (21–25 Sep) brought together young leaders across continents to discuss green development, trade, vocational education and cultural exchange. WorldSkills Spotlight: Education Secretary Dr Choi Yuk-lin visited Shanghai for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, praising Hong Kong’s largest-ever delegation and backing stronger vocational training support. Macau’s School Safety Moment: Macau police are investigating a school incident after online claims of arson and a knife attack; officials say there was no evidence of arson and support is being arranged for the injured student. Anti-bullying Through Theatre: Melco and Fu Luen launched an 11-school “Invisible Bullying” tour using campus theatre to tackle less visible bullying and mental wellness. Gastronomy on the Calendar: Macau will host Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific on 1–2 Nov, a major boost for the city’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status. Courtesy Living Starts Mid-October: IAM’s “City-wide Courtesy” series runs 17–31 Oct with public activities, workshops and civic etiquette experiences.

Macau Education & Safety: Macau police are investigating a school incident after online claims alleged a student set a fire and attacked someone with a knife; authorities say they found no evidence of arson, and the case is still under investigation. Cyberbullying & Mental Health: Melco and Fu Luen launched an 11-school theatre tour, “Invisible Bullying,” to tackle less visible bullying and promote student mental wellness, using campus performances to help young people spot harmful behaviour and seek support. Civic Etiquette: The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) will run the inaugural “City-wide Courtesy” series from 17–31 October, with public activities, workshops, and an orienteering competition to spread civic etiquette and community respect. Creative City & Food Culture: Macao will host the Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection on 1–2 November, bringing eight teams to the “Olympics of gastronomy” and spotlighting Macao’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status. Local Culture Business: Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau is inviting local cultural and creative companies to apply for a Macao pavilion at the Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industries Fair, with products featuring Macao World Heritage or intangible cultural heritage elements. Cost of Living Watch: DSEC reported August Composite CPI rose 1.29% year-on-year, with food and transport among the contributors.

Macao Creative Industries: The Cultural Affairs Bureau is inviting local cultural and creative companies to apply for a Macao Pavilion at the Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industries Fair, with products required to feature Macao World Heritage or intangible cultural heritage elements (applications run until 7 Oct). Civic Culture & Community: IAM launches the inaugural “City-wide Courtesy” series from 17–31 Oct, with 16 activity types across 43 sessions, including interactive photo spots, workshops, and a courtesy-themed orienteering competition. Gastronomy Spotlight: Macao will host the 2026 Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection on 1–2 Nov, a major boost for the city’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status. Mid-Autumn Hygiene Push: IAM plans stronger street cleaning, extra bins, and tighter public toilet management during the holiday surge. Youth & Wellbeing: Melco and Fu Luen roll out an 11-school theatre tour, “Invisible Bullying,” using campus performances to tackle less visible bullying and support mental wellness. Border Travel Context: Authorities expect a holiday traffic jump across Guangdong ports linking Hong Kong and Macao, with Macao residents citing easier connections via Qingmao. Arts in the City: Galaxy Macau opens Gao Xiaowu’s “Dream Voyage” exhibition at Galaxy Promenade, running until 17 Nov.

Macau Culture & Lifestyle: MasterChef Asia is back after a decade, and this new 10-episode season was filmed in Macau—bringing contestants to street markets and Michelin-starred spots, with Macau’s Sandy Tang among the line-up. Gastronomy Spotlight: Macau’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status is getting a fresh push as the show tees up the city’s 10th anniversary in 2027. Community & Wellbeing: Melco and Fu Luen launched an 11-school theatre tour, “Invisible Bullying,” tackling less visible bullying and mental wellness through campus performances. Family-Friendly Arts: UM’s Faculty of Education is co-hosting a “Children’s Literature Creation Joint Exhibition” to encourage kids to write and share stories. Public Hygiene: IAM is stepping up street cleaning, bin placement, and public toilet management for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Golden Week tourist surge. Education & Culture: A Macau exhibition aims to promote kids’ literature creation, spotlighting young creators’ writing and imagination. Health in Focus: SSM announced free flu jabs for high-risk residents and certain non-resident workers starting next Tuesday. Safety Watch: Judiciary Police are investigating a student injury case after online fake arson claims, with no evidence of arson found so far.