AGP Executive Report

Macau-Hengqin Education Push: CE Sam Hou Fai urged UM to lead high-quality cross-border education under the Macau-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, calling for a stronger five-year plan and closer campus synergy. Pet-Friendly Dining Debate: Macau’s catering scene is quietly expanding—about 90 restaurants now allow pets, with around 50 clearly marked “pet-friendly”—as hygiene concerns spark public discussion. Healthy Living Momentum: Community leaders backed SSM’s healthy weight challenge, asking for a walking-hotspot map, “healthy walking stations,” and a more regular branded schedule to keep results going. Skills for Local Jobs: FAOM called for more vocational training and certification to close gaps between workforce skills and demand in sectors like catering, aviation, and accounting. Lusophone Culture Week: “Policromia Lusófona” showcased traditional crafts from Portuguese-speaking countries at Senado Square/IAM Gallery, celebrating shared heritage through textiles, instruments, sculpture and everyday objects. Family Arts Spotlight: The 3rd Macau International Children’s Arts Festival gears up with Giant Puppetry x Science “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo,” mixing interactive theatre and science storytelling. Local Tech Platform: Macau’s new International Science and Technology Industry Center was inaugurated to help build an innovation cluster and support diversification beyond gaming. Community Inclusion: “TOUCH the Heart” exhibition at CCCN highlights deafblindness through art and hands-on learning with works by participants. Sports & Culture Calendar: July’s cultural and sports lineup puts families and youth first, with MICAF as the summer anchor and volleyball among the big highlights.

Smart Government & AI: Macau’s Digital Policy Office and Civil Service College held an I&T leadership seminar on July 2, bringing in tech leaders to discuss how an AI ecosystem can help bureaux co-create better public services. Family Arts in Focus: The 3rd Macao International Children’s Arts Festival is in full swing, with “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo” (giant puppetry x science) set for July 3-4 at the Macao Cultural Centre, plus flash mobs and parent-child programming across July. Heritage Through Play: The Na Tcha Temple Association held its annual blessing ceremony near the UNESCO Ruins of St Paul’s, with a bigger lineup and plans for a feature film to spotlight Na Tcha folk belief. Accessible Culture: “TOUCH the Heart” opened at the Cardinal Newman Centre, using art and activities to deepen understanding of deafblindness and other sensory conditions. Philately as Culture: “MACAO 2026” Specialized World Stamp Exhibition wrapped up with 10,000+ visitors, 1,500 frames from 40+ regions, and top awards including Singapore’s Grand Prix International. Community Support: The International Ladies Club of Macau donated 20,000 patacas to USJ’s Prison Outreach Programme, backing education and rehabilitation. Sports & Society: A commentary on why Macau football still can’t return to AFC competitions points to licensing and governance requirements beyond on-pitch performance.

Children & Families: Macau’s 3rd International Children’s Arts Festival is in full swing, with the Giant Puppetry x Science “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo” set for 3–4 July at the Macau Cultural Centre, plus flash-mob community moments and a month-long July lineup built around parent-child fun. Philately & Heritage: “MACAO 2026” Specialized World Stamp Exhibition wrapped at Cotai Expo with 10,000+ visitors, 1,500 frames from 40+ places, and top prizes including Singapore’s Yau Khai Weng and China’s Ding Jinsong—another win for local stamp culture. Culture & Community: The Na Tcha Temple Association held its annual blessing ceremony near the Ruins of St Paul’s, with a larger-than-usual procession and plans to spotlight Na Tcha folk belief through a major film project. Sports & Lifestyle: Macau’s July sports calendar spotlights youth and families, including the Galaxy Entertainment Group World Women’s Volleyball League Macau 2026. Regional Culture Links: A China-Portuguese culture week continued at Senado Square with performances from across Portuguese-speaking countries, keeping Macau’s Lusophone connections front and centre. Policy Watch (Culture Impact): China’s Ethnic Unity law takes effect July 1, raising concerns about extraterritorial reach and how identity expressions may be treated.

Education & Culture: Lingnan University held a Guangzhou seminar on the present and future of liberal arts education, spotlighting how Hong Kong’s higher-education ecosystem connects with the Greater Bay Area. APEC Tourism & Heritage: APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting delegates in Macao toured museum creative products that turn ancient culture into playful, modern experiences—reinforcing Macau as a bridge between heritage and travel. Tech Diversification: Macau inaugurated the Macao International Science and Technology Industry Center, a policy-backed platform aimed at building an early tech cluster and supporting the city’s shift beyond gaming. Family Summer Programming: The Cultural Affairs Bureau launched a July cultural and sports lineup, with the 3rd Macao International Children’s Arts Festival as the summer anchor and more parent-child activities across Macau and Hengqin. Portuguese-Speaking Cultural Week: China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Cultural Week continued at Senado Square with two nights of song and dance from across Lusophone communities. Inclusion Through Art: A new exhibition at the Cardinal Newman Centre, organised by the Macau Deaf Association, uses artworks and activities to deepen public understanding of deafblindness. Community Support: The International Ladies Club of Macau donated 20,000 patacas to USJ’s Prison Outreach Programme, backing education as a path to rehabilitation. Na Tcha Folk Belief: The Na Tcha Temple Association held its annual blessing ceremony near the Ruins of St Paul’s, with a procession and float parade drawing performers from Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and beyond. Sports & Leisure: Macau and regional partners also pushed sports-event research and community impact, aligning with the city’s tourism-and-leisure identity.

Na Tcha Folk Belief: The Na Tcha Temple Association held its annual blessing ceremony near the Ruins of St Paul’s, with a bigger-than-usual Na Tcha Procession and Float Parade set to draw performers from Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas—aiming to spotlight the belief’s history and bring more visitors into local communities. Art & Inclusion: “TOUCH the Heart” opened at the Cardinal Newman Centre for Culture and Arts Performance of Macau, using artworks and hands-on activities to help the public better understand deafblindness, alongside deaf and blind experiences. Community Education: The International Ladies Club of Macau donated 20,000 patacas to the University of Saint Joseph’s “USJ Prison Outreach Programme,” supporting fellowships and a second chance through structured education. Kids’ Culture: The 3rd Macao International Children’s Arts Festival continues with sold-out camps and extra performances, including Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo and other theatre and puppet shows through early July. Tourism Meets Heritage: APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting delegates visited the Macao Museum of Art’s creative products exhibition “Encounter Ancient China,” where museum toys and interactive displays link heritage with travel. Local Life & Safety: Police arrested a local businessman over suspected breach of trust in a Portuguese visa scam case. Summer Reading: The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s online bookshop launches a month-long summer promotion with 20% off and themed bookmarks, plus new culture and history titles.

APEC Tourism in Macao: Tourism ministers from across the Asia-Pacific met in Macao, with the city spotlighted as a living example of East-West cultural coexistence—from Portuguese-Chinese streets and cuisine to heritage sites. Children’s Arts Festival: The 3rd Macao International Children’s Arts Festival is underway, with extra performances added and several camps already sold out, including Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo and Portugal’s Trupe Fandanga puppet work. Culture & Learning: UM and Clare Hall, Cambridge held a sustainability-focused interdisciplinary forum, while UTM and Sun Yat-sen University ran a symposium on how sports events shape community life. Local Culture Online: The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Online Bookshop launches a month-long summer promotion (20% off, plus Taipa “firecracker industry” bookmarks) and adds new titles across Chinese, Portuguese and English. GBA Legal Access: Hong Kong’s DoJ launched a Greater Bay Area Legal Information Platform for housing, work, education, family and healthcare, using a “one question, three answers” format for residents and businesses. Community Care Gap: A survey finds families caring for people with Down syndrome face high stress and major support gaps, with urgent demand for more residential care. Tourism, but with care: A new urban master plan draft is open for public consultation, projecting Macau’s population to reach 783,000 by 2040 and reshaping land use for diversified development.

Urban Planning Consultation: Macau’s government has opened public consultation on draft amendments to the Urban Master Plan, revising the 2040 population forecast to about 783,000 and adjusting land-use to support major infrastructure and industrial diversification, with consultation running until Aug 27. Public Health & Care Gaps: A new survey finds Down syndrome caregivers in Macau face high stress and major support gaps, including low satisfaction with psychological services and urgent demand for more residential care. Culture & Community: The Macau Deaf Association marked the UN International Day of Deafblindness with the city’s first deafblind art exhibition, “TOUCH the Heart,” blending artworks with hands-on experiences. Heritage Through Play: “Macao 2026” Youth Day at the Specialized World Stamp Exhibition brought school campus outreach, youth philately activities, and street-art postcard workshops to make philately feel current. Portuguese-Language Arts: A Lusophone handicraft exhibition opened at IAM Gallery as part of the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Cultural Week, spotlighting textiles, instruments, sculptures and everyday objects from across the Lusophone world. Lifestyle & Food: A local racing driver credits clean eating and training with performance gains, tying motorsport culture to Macau’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy identity. APEC Tourism Spotlight: Macau hosted APEC tourism ministers focused on digital innovation and smoother travel facilitation, reinforcing the city’s role as a regional tourism bridge. Summer Picks: The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Online Bookshop launches a July summer promotion with 20% off and themed Taipa bookmarks, while Starbucks and Jay Chou roll out a “Fantasy” summer experience across Macau and the region.

APEC Tourism in Macao: Ministers meeting in the city put digital innovation and seamless travel front and centre, with plans to use tools like real-time translation and VR while pushing closer regional cooperation. Urban Planning & Growth: Macau’s government released a draft Urban Master Plan amendment, outlining new diversified industrial development core areas and projecting a population of 783,000 by 2040. Philatelic Culture for Youth: “Macao 2026” Youth Day brought stamp culture to younger audiences through school promotions, a “Youth Philately” class, and street-art postcard workshops. Local Culture in Retail: The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Online Bookshop runs a month-long summer promotion with 20% off and themed Taipa bookmarks, plus new titles across history, arts, and research. Music Meets Lifestyle: Starbucks rolls out a Jay Chou “Fantasy” summer campaign across Asia-Pacific, including Macau, blending themed drinks, merchandise, and immersive in-store experiences. Wildlife Update: Macau’s giant panda twins will be transferred to Chengdu in October, with their return status still unclear. Community & Inclusion: A city-wide deafblind art exhibition “TOUCH the Heart” opened to mark the UN’s International Day of Deafblindness.

APEC in Macao: Tourism ministers gathered in the city to push digital innovation and seamless travel, with China’s Sun Yeli calling for real-time translation, smarter border tools, and better sharing of tourism benefits across communities. Local hosting spotlight: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said Macao is ready for deeper APEC exchanges after welcoming a record 40+ million visitors in 2025, framing the meeting as a bridge for sustainable tourism and cultural exchange. Culture-meets-tech showcase: Delegates toured Macao’s heritage and tech displays, including workshops on local snacks and intangible crafts—an on-the-ground reminder that tourism here is as much about identity as it is about services. Giant pandas update: IAM confirmed panda twins Jian Jian and Kang Kang will move to Chengdu in October, but their return to Macao remains uncertain. Community culture & inclusion: Macau marked the International Day of Deafblindness with the first deafblind art exhibition “TOUCH the Heart,” pairing artworks with hands-on experiences. Youth and tradition: The Na Tcha fair returns near the Ruins of St Paul’s, mixing UNESCO-listed heritage with interactive workshops and performances for younger visitors.

APEC Tourism in Macao: Delegates from 21 APEC economies met in Macao for the 13th Tourism Ministerial Meeting under “Digital Innovation, Collaborative Empowerment,” with a strong push for digital tools, smoother travel, and deeper regional cooperation. Culture + Tech Showcase: A technical inspection tour highlighted Macao’s heritage and creative industries, from the Macao Museum of Art to hands-on workshops like almond cookies and dragon’s beard candy, plus an exhibition blending traditional culture with humanoid robots and AR translation. Regional Tourism Partnerships: Malaysia and Vietnam discussed expanding cooperation in tourism and culture, including medical and halal tourism, while China’s tourism chief called for better policy alignment on visa facilitation and cross-border travel. Local Lifestyle Moments: Macao’s “Macao 2026” stamp celebrations marked Postcard Day with a “Draw My Story of Stamps” awards ceremony and family-friendly crafting workshops. Education & Research: University of Macau opened the 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, with plans including a Faculty of Medicine restructure and a Portugal clinical medicine programme. Smart Border Travel: Facial recognition smart immigration clearance rolled out to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao HZMB checkpoint, speeding up cross-border commuting.

APEC Tourism in Macao: The 13th APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting opened with delegates touring a culture-tech exhibition, from traditional Chinese medicine to real-time translation AR glasses, humanoid robots and assistive exoskeletons—while China’s tourism chief urged smoother travel and shared benefits across communities. Digital-first travel policy: Ministers also pushed digital innovation for growth, including faster customs clearance, cross-border payments and visa facilitation, as Macao positions itself as a hub for Asia-Pacific tourism cooperation. Macao 2026 stamp culture: “Postcard Day” marked the Macao 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition with a “Draw My Story of Stamps” awards ceremony, hands-on stamp workshops, and lectures on design and printing. Smart border convenience: Macao expanded “face-scan” smart immigration clearance to Qingmao Port and the HZMB Zhuhai-Macao hall, letting eligible travellers use e-channels without presenting travel documents. Learning and health sciences: UM hosted biomedical sciences symposiums and academic forums as the university prepares to restructure its health faculty, while Hong Kong wrapped up Digital Education Week focused on AI in language learning. Local lifestyle spotlight: Li Auto opened its first Macao retail center, localising vehicle systems to meet local needs.

APEC Tourism in Macau: China’s tourism chief Sun Yeli urged easing travel friction at the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Macau, calling for more mutual visa exemptions, fast-track customs, cross-border payments and tax refunds to boost “high-quality” cultural tourism. Smart Borders: Macau expanded “face-scan” smart immigration clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Hall of the HZMB, letting eligible travellers use automated channels without presenting travel documents. Philatelic Culture: “Macao 2026” marked Postcard Day with awards for the “Draw My Story of Stamps” contest and hands-on stamp-making workshops, keeping philately fun for families. Digital Learning & Language: Hong Kong’s Digital Education Week wrapped up, spotlighting AI in language learning and future-ready, human-centric education. Rule of Law Education: Hong Kong’s Rule of Law Education Train-the-Leaders foundation course concluded, training community youth groups to spread rule-of-law messages. Biomedical Spotlight: UM’s biomedical sciences symposium continued, with the university noting a Faculty of Medicine restructuring and new Portugal links. Heritage & Identity: A dialect film, “Dear You,” is drawing overseas Chinese audiences across Southeast Asia and Macau, showing how language and memory travel.

APEC Tourism in Macao: Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai welcomed delegates for the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, pitching Macao as a cultural crossroads where heritage and leisure meet new Asia-Pacific tourism cooperation. Smart Travel Tech: Macao expanded “face-scan” smart immigration clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao HZMB hall, letting eligible travellers pass without document checks at upgraded automated channels. Biomedical & University Life: UM’s Faculty of Health Sciences symposium on biomedical sciences drew 200+ experts, as UM also moves toward restructuring and new research institutes to support Macao’s industrial diversification. Culture & Community Events: Macao launched its first-ever Specialised World Stamp Exhibition, with themed postmark services and Macau stamp archive displays; plus giant pandas Jian Jian and Kang Kang marked their 10th birthday with public celebrations. Arts & Design: BIGGER Art Fair debuted in Macau at Fisherman’s Wharf, spotlighting independent creators and design-led community programming. Workplace & Lifestyle: Melco won HR Asia awards for people-first “Whole Person Development,” while Wynn Signature events picked up international marketing honours. Heritage Spotlight: A feature revisited why June 24 (Macau City Day) feels “almost forgotten,” and how people are trying to keep its meaning alive.

APEC Tourism in Macao: The 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting wrapped up in the city (24–25 June), with MGTO and DSEDT updating delegates on Macao’s tourism outlook ahead of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. Biomedical & Education Futures: UM’s 12th Macau Symposium on Biomedical Sciences opened (26 June), bringing 200+ researchers to discuss challenges and collaboration; UM also flagged its Faculty of Health Sciences restructuring into a Faculty of Medicine from 1 August and new Portugal links. Smart Travel at Borders: “Face-scan” smart immigration clearance is now extended to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao hall of the HZMB, building on Hengqin’s earlier rollout and speeding up document-free e-channels. Culture & Community Events: Macau’s first-ever Specialised World Stamp Exhibition begins today at Cotai Expo, with rare stamp displays and original Macau stamp archives; BIGGER Art Fair debuts at Fisherman’s Wharf, spotlighting indie creators and design community. Local Heritage & Lifestyle: Giant pandas Jian Jian and Kang Kang mark their 10th birthday with public celebrations at Seac Pai Van Park. Sports & Arts Calendar: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition schedule is out (July 25–Aug 2), and the 2026 Macao International Children’s Film Festival runs July 10–26.

Smart Border Travel: Macau is rolling out “face-scan” smart immigration clearance at Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Hall of the HZMB, letting eligible travellers use e-channels without presenting documents—building on the Hengqin pilot’s fast, card-free flow. Tech & Work: Lawmaker José Pereira Coutinho urges Macau to legislate AI and define “robot” rights and duties soon, warning reskilling in gaming and tourism can’t keep up with rapid automation. Arts & Community: BIGGER Art Fair debuts in Macau at Fisherman’s Wharf, spotlighting indie creators and design dialogue through talks, workshops, and local-to-overseas showcases. Philately Spotlight: Macau hosts its first-ever Specialised World Stamp Exhibition, with rare stamp zones and original Macau stamp archive displays running through the week. Culture Calendar: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition opens registrations and the Macao International Children’s Film Festival starts July 10, with workshops and family-friendly screenings. Public Health Focus: A psychologist marks UN Day against Drug Abuse, warning Macau’s drug scene is shifting toward hidden, synthetic use—especially among youth.

Smart Border Tech: Macao will expand its “face-scan” smart immigration clearance to Qingmao Port and the Zhuhai-Macao Bridge’s Zhuhai-Macao hall from June 26, bringing document-free automated clearance to 204 channels across joint inspection ports. University & Research: UM, marking its 45th anniversary, is ramping up Hengqin development with plans for 11 research institutes and new science-and-tech faculties, including an Institute of Smart City Technologies and an Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Sciences starting Aug 1. Culture Calendar: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition runs July 25–Aug 2 (with a Special Prize Competition on Aug 6), after nearly 1,100 applications; the 2026 Macao International Children’s Film Festival starts July 10 (theme: “Growth, Communication, and Heritage”). Heritage & Community: A Na Tcha-themed fair, “Lotus Door Three Banquets: Rites Banquets,” opens tomorrow near the Ruins of St Paul’s, spotlighting Taoist rituals and local food with daily performances. Arts Spotlight: “The Insider” exhibition lets visitors see Macau-based Portuguese documentary photographer Eduardo Leal’s work through five themed photo series, running through July 5.