AGP Executive Report

Macau–Hengqin Integration: A new opinion piece argues the Hengqin-Macau “experience ecosystem” can unlock tourism and leisure growth, but only if the integrated framework is executed well. Urban Planning & Identity: Macau’s proposed 2020–2040 Urban Master Plan overhaul is in public consultation, shifting toward culture, tech, logistics and Greater Bay Area links—while planners warn success depends on protecting Macau’s character and building more liveable neighbourhoods. Sci-Tech Park Push: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai chaired the first 2026 working group meeting for the Macao Sci-Tech Park, urging faster coordination and talent attraction, with space reserved for sustainable long-term growth. Tourism Tech & Lifestyle Finance: Galaxy Macau and Ant Bank (Macao) opened a new financial services station at Taste of Asia, bringing digital banking into the resort’s tourism and membership ecosystem. Trade & Food Culture: The 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair runs into its last two days, with 10,000+ items, wellness and gourmet zones, and prizes worth over MOP 2 million. Community Support in Heat: Home Affairs opened 19 temporary heat shelters with cooling upgrades and age-friendly services during very hot weather warnings. Public Health & Culture: UM’s Faculty of Medicine hosted a Health Sciences Summer Camp for top mainland students, strengthening academic exchange and research pathways.

Guangdong–Macao Branded Products Fair (GMBPF): The 2026GMBPF is in its last two days at Cotai Expo, with 459 exhibitors across six zones, over MOP 2 million in prize draws, and age-friendly facilities plus free shuttles—highlighting wellness trials and a “New Gourmet Tasting Zone” packed with regional food. Urban Planning & Tech: Macau’s 2020–2040 Urban Master Plan overhaul is in public consultation, with a stronger push for culture, technology, logistics, and Greater Bay Area integration—plus land for the proposed Macao Sci-Tech Park and air cargo hub expansion. Sci-Tech Park Working Group: The CE chaired the working group’s first 2026 meeting, reviewing progress, investment promotion, and design plans, and urging space for sustainable development and talent attraction. Heat Safety in the Community: With a Very Hot Weather Warning in force, Macau’s Home Affairs Department opened 19 temporary heat shelters, adding cooling upgrades, easier water access, and even dietary options for ethnic minorities. Talent Recruitment Follow-Up: A review of Macau’s high-level talent recruitment regime shows about 900 recommended applicants so far, but the key question now is whether recommendations turn into real deployment—jobs, staying power, and industry impact. Fun Coffee Scam Fallout: Singapore arrested a woman tied to the “Fun Coffee” crypto-linked investment scheme after victims reported promised high returns and failed withdrawals; Hong Kong and Macau also made arrests earlier. Cultural & Gastronomy Spotlight: Macau’s MGTO joined UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy’s annual conference in Malaysia to discuss sustainable development of gastronomic heritage. Lifestyle Treat: A tea-ceremony-and-dessert pairing event in Macau brought together tea cocktail craft and French-style pastry artistry for a modern take on tea heritage.

Macao Sci-Tech Park: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai chaired the working group’s first 2026 meeting, reviewing progress, investment promotion and design plans, and urging faster work to deliver infrastructure and attract tech talent. Education & youth exchange: UM’s Faculty of Medicine ran a Health Sciences Summer Camp for 35 top mainland students, aiming to deepen research exchange and broaden academic pathways. Tourism lifestyle finance: Galaxy Macau and Ant Bank (Macao) opened a new “Financial Services Station” at Taste of Asia, bringing self-service banking and consultations into the resort experience. Gastronomy diplomacy: Macao’s Government Tourism Office joined UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy’s annual conference in Malaysia to boost the city’s international culinary profile. Local numbers: DSEC reported Macao’s population at 686,500 in the first half of 2026, with females at 54% and 1,447 marriages registered. Consumer culture & heritage: Guangdong rolled out new cross-boundary consumer protection rules with HK and Macao, set to take effect Oct 1. Scam crackdown with Macao links: Singapore police arrested a woman tied to the alleged Fun Coffee pyramid-style investment scheme; Hong Kong and Macau have also arrested suspects after victims reported major losses.

UNESCO Gastronomy Spotlight: Macao’s Government Tourism Office joined the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference in Malaysia, pushing the city’s culinary heritage and sustainable food culture to an international audience. Local Culture on the Menu: Macau added 28 new items to its intangible cultural heritage list, bringing the total to 98—highlighting traditions like “Preparation of Pork Chop Buns.” Sci-Tech Park Momentum: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai chaired the first 2026 meeting of the working group for the Macao Sci-Tech Park, reviewing progress, investment promotion, and talent attraction plans. Health & Learning: UM’s Faculty of Medicine hosted a Health Sciences Summer Camp for 35 top mainland students, while the city’s first-phase Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town is set to start operating Aug 17. Food, Tea & Lifestyle: A limited-time tea ceremony and dessert pairing event in Macau spotlighted tea craft and modern pastry artistry. Business & Consumer Life: The 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair opened with 49 cooperation agreements and a silver-economy, healthy-living theme. Safety Watch: Authorities warned of heat-stroke risks during hot weather and reported major losses tied to the alleged “Fun Coffee” Ponzi scheme.

UNESCO & Food Culture: Macao’s Government Tourism Office joined the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference in Kuching, Malaysia (Aug 4–6), spotlighting how culinary heritage can support sustainable city development. Local Heritage: The Cultural Affairs Bureau added 28 new items to Macau’s intangible cultural heritage inventory, bringing the total to 98—highlighting “Preparation of Pork Chop Buns” among the newly listed traditions. Health & Community: Macau recorded a 10.8% drop in registered drug abusers to 132 in 2025; methadone attendance stayed above 90% and no HIV cases linked to drug use have been reported for nine years, alongside broad anti-drug education reaching schools and neighbourhoods. Youth & Prevention: The Judiciary Police launched a week-long youth drug abuse prevention campaign across peninsula and Taipa, using patrols plus face-to-face sessions with student youth leaders to tackle risks during summer. Education & Cross-border Talent: CE Sam Hou Fai inspected the first phase of the Macao–Hengqin International Education (University) Town, set to start operating Aug 17, supporting Macau universities’ transitional teaching and research. Trade & Lifestyle: The Guangdong–Macao Branded Products Fair opened with 49 signed cooperation projects, reinforcing Macau’s role as a bridge to Portuguese-speaking markets and Belt and Road partners.

Education & Youth: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai inspected the first phase of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town in Hengqin, with teaching and research facilities for UM, MPU and UTM set to start operating on August 17. Workplace Culture: Sands China earned the “Great Place to Work Certification” after its first assessment, with staff surveys highlighting credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. Local Retail & Lifestyle: Macau’s “first-store economy” support scheme is helping new brands debut in the city, with exhibitors at the 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair pointing to incentives and policy backing. Heritage & Belonging: Macau added 28 items to its intangible cultural heritage inventory, including “Preparation of Pork Chop Buns,” while youth voices stress that heritage education builds pride and a sense of belonging. Community Safety: The Judiciary Police launched a week-long youth drug abuse prevention campaign across school-adjacent and youth hangout areas, pairing patrols with interactive sessions. Cross-border Mobility: Hengqin Port’s one-stop lanes saw cross-border vehicle crossings jump to 2.606 million in Jan–Jul, up about 40% year-on-year. Culture & Food: The St. Regis Bar Macao teamed up with Saicho for a limited-time British-Asian sparkling tea afternoon tea set.

Macau Culture & Heritage: The Cultural Affairs Bureau added 28 new items to Macau’s intangible cultural heritage list, bringing the total to 98—one highlight is “Preparation of Pork Chop Buns,” now officially protected. Local Youth & Belonging: A Macau youth leader argues that heritage education should start in primary schools to build pride and a sense of belonging, so young people can carry local culture beyond the city. Community Learning in Action: University of Saint Joseph (USJ) hosted a four-day service-learning summit across Asia and Oceania, spotlighting student projects and awarding Uniservitate 2026 winners. Public Safety for Young People: The Judiciary Police launched a week-long youth drug prevention campaign with patrols and face-to-face sessions at community spots and near schools. Jobs & Career Reality Check: A trade union employment survey found 43% of respondents struggled to find work, citing too few vacancies and limited career options. Greater Bay Area Talent Push: Government officials say they’re building a returnee information platform to help Macau graduates come back and plug into Greater Bay Area opportunities. Lifestyle Spotlight: St. Regis Bar Macao teamed up with Saicho for a limited-time afternoon tea featuring sparkling teas and Asian-inspired flavors.

Macau–Fujian Cultural & Youth Ties: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai wrapped a Fujian visit and the 5th Fujian–Macao Cooperation Conference in Fuzhou, with fresh deals spanning trade, finance, technology, culture, education and healthcare, plus a push to deepen people-to-people exchanges. Local Culture for Learning: The Macau Comickers Association is expanding its Comic Book Macau series with new stories rooted in local intangible heritage, including Na Tcha folk belief, aiming to make Macau history easier for students to discover. Community, Health, and Youth Safety: The Judiciary Police launched a week-long youth drug awareness campaign across school-adjacent areas and popular hangouts, pairing patrols with face-to-face sessions and student mentors. Jobs & Daily Life: A Gung Luen employment needs survey found about 43% of respondents struggled to find work, citing too few vacancies and limited career options. Healthy Living Showcase: The 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair opens in Cotai Expo Hall A with a record 459 exhibitors and new zones focused on eldercare tech and wellness. Parallel Trading Crackdown: Macau plans tougher rules to criminalize or upgrade penalties for organized parallel trading and false declarations, including recruiting others into the schemes. Arts & Family Fun: Galaxy’s “KAWO SPLASH BAZAAR” returns to Coloane’s Lai Chi Vun Shipyards with free weekend activities and a locally created IP character. Nightlife Spotlight: Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 returned to Wynn Palace in Macau, underscoring how cocktail culture is getting more intentional and art-led.

Fujian–Macao Cooperation: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and Fujian leaders wrapped the 5th Fujian–Macao Cooperation Conference in Fuzhou, pledging deeper ties in trade, finance, tech, culture, education and healthcare, with new agreements on tourism, youth exchanges, medical cooperation and university programmes. Macau Youth & Safety: The Judiciary Police (PJ) launched a week-long youth drug abuse prevention campaign across school areas and popular hangouts, pairing patrols with face-to-face sessions and student “community safety” trainees to spread anti-drug and anti-scam tips during summer break. Local Culture & Learning: Macau Comickers Association is pushing local history into classrooms with comics, including a new Na Tcha belief volume, using pop-friendly storytelling to keep intangible heritage alive. Trade & Lifestyle Fair: The 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair opens Thursday at Cotai Expo, with a record 459 exhibitors and 80+ activities, spotlighting the silver economy, healthy living and eldercare tech. Community Jobs: A Gung Luen employment survey found 43% of respondents struggled to find work, citing too few vacancies and limited career options, and urged better job information and training links. Policy Watch: Macau plans to tighten laws on parallel trading, targeting organized cargo-splitting and false declarations, with harsher treatment for recruiters and student involvement.

Youth & Safety: The Judiciary Police (PJ) launched a week-long youth drug abuse prevention campaign, targeting school-adjacent areas and youth hangouts across the peninsula and Taipa, with on-site patrols, face-to-face sessions, and student trainees helping spread anti-drug and anti-scam messages. Trade & Lifestyle: The 2026 Guangdong & Macao Branded Products Fair opens Thursday at Cotai Expo Hall A with a record 459 exhibitors and 80+ activities, spotlighting the silver economy and healthy living through new zones like Smart Senior Wellness and Healthy Living. Macao Policy: Macau plans to tighten laws on parallel trading, upgrading organized group-based schemes and false declarations from administrative treatment toward criminal or minor offense categories, with harsher penalties for recruiters. Culture & Learning: Comics are being used to spark students’ interest in Macau’s local history and intangible cultural heritage, including a new Na Tcha-themed comic series. Education & Talent: UM undergraduate researchers won first prize at a national life sciences competition for an innovative targeted delivery strategy for inflammatory bowel disease. Community & Jobs: The Macau International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone is set to create jobs across creative and technical roles, linking training, internships, employment, and youth entrepreneurship. Fujian–Macao Links: CE Sam Hou Fai’s Fujian visit highlights ecological tourism and patriotic education, while the Fujian–Macao cooperation conference in Fuzhou points to a new decade of cultural and development ties. Emergency Services: Fire calls and ambulance dispatches rose in the first half of 2026, with the Fire Services Bureau urging safer habits during peak typhoon season.

Parallel Trading Crackdown: Macau plans tougher rules on parallel trading, upgrading organized cargo-splitting and false declarations from administrative treatment to criminal or minor offenses, with added penalties for recruiters—while immigration-linked stay curbs loom for repeat offenders, including some students. Youth & Jobs in Culture: The Cultural Affairs Bureau says the Macau International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone will create roles across design, stage tech, performing arts and public services, with a pathway linking training, internships, employment and youth entrepreneurship. CE in Fujian on Ecology & “Red Tourism”: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai toured Xiamen’s Wuyuan Bay for ecological restoration and cultural tourism lessons, then visited Longyan’s Gutian Conference site for patriotic education briefings. Employment Reality Check: A Gung Luen survey finds 43% of respondents struggled to find work, citing too few vacancies and limited career options, plus skill-market mismatches—most still prefer job searches within Macau. Local Culture in Comics: The Macau Comickers Association is publishing new comic volumes on local intangible heritage, using school-friendly storytelling to keep Macau history alive. Summer Family Fun: “KAWO SPLASH BAZAAR” returns to Coloane’s Lai Chi Vun Shipyards with free weekend activities, a creative market, and KAWO-themed immersive experiences. Tech & Education Push: UM launched five new science/tech faculties and two research institutes, while Macau students won major awards at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship.

CE & Sam Hou Fai’s Fujian trip: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai toured Xiamen’s Wuyuan Bay for eco-restoration and cultural tourism lessons, then visited the Gutian Conference site in Longyan to review “red tourism” and patriotic education. Employment reality check: The Macao Federation of Trade Unions’ survey found 43% of residents struggled with job-seeking, citing too few vacancies and limited career options, plus skill-market mismatches. Family summer in Coloane: Galaxy’s “KAWO SPLASH BAZAAR” runs weekends in August at Lai Chi Vun Shipyards with free Kawo-themed immersive play, creative markets, and shuttle buses. Local history through comics: The Macau Comickers Association is publishing new Macau-themed comics, including a Na Tcha folk belief volume, to help students learn local heritage beyond World Heritage sites. Tech & education push: UM launched five new science-and-technology faculties and two research institutes, aiming to boost innovation talent and support Macao’s diversification. Medical tourism spotlight: CNN’s “Meanwhile in Asia” featured iRad Hospital at Studio City as part of Macao’s move beyond gaming into wellness and health services. Cross-border flow: Hengqin Port crossings topped 20 million, with July hitting new monthly records as more families and students travel. Food safety watch: CFS flagged a Japanese dried fish batch suspected of breaching a food safety order and sealed it pending follow-up.

University of Macau (UM): UM is now accepting applications for doctoral, master’s and postgraduate certificate programmes for the 2027/2028 academic year, with new science-and-tech faculties and research institutes already in motion to boost innovation and talent for Macao’s diversification. Education & Skills: UM’s restructuring adds five tech-focused faculties and two institutes, while local students also brought home major wins at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, showing Macao youth’s growing global tech presence. Culture & Community Events: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed August calendar, including a new “Macao Historical Exploration Tour” that mixes heritage trails with performing arts and creative activities. Arts & Learning for Young People: MGM graduated its first cohort of arts and culture docents, training students to become future museum ambassadors through hands-on guiding. Cross-border Lifestyle: Hong Kong’s Transport Department opens 1,400 regular HZMB quotas for Macao applications from August 7, making it easier for work, business and family visits. Entertainment in Cinemas: VTuber unit 3SKM’s long-awaited first live concert will be streamed to cinemas across Asia, including Macau. Health Services: SSM says average emergency wait times fell 10% year-on-year, with new capacity measures supporting faster triage.

University of Macau Innovation Push: UM has started operating five new science and technology faculties and two research institutes, including Medicine, Engineering, Smart City Technologies, and AI & Brain Sciences, aiming to boost innovation and support Macao’s economic diversification. Tech & Skills Spotlight: Melco hosted an industry-academia-research reverse business matching event at Studio City, bringing together local tech firms and research teams to co-create solutions for real resort operations. Student Wins Abroad: Macau students returned from the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in California with three world champion awards and a runner-up title, after a structured training programme. Culture Calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed August lineup, including a new “Macao Historical Exploration Tour” blending theatre-style storytelling with heritage stops and creative missions. Healthcare Update: SSM reported emergency department waiting times down 10% year-on-year, with Category 2 averaging 16 minutes, and highlighted expanded capacity at the Macau Medical Centre. Arts Education: MGM graduated its first cohort of arts & culture docents, training young ambassadors through museum-based learning and guided-tour experience. Cross-border Travel: Hong Kong’s Transport Department opened 1,400 regular HZMB quotas for Macao applications from August 7, adding options for work, business, family visits, and sightseeing. Cultural Security Debate: Lawmaker Ip Sio Kai urged stronger “cultural security” measures to protect local culture and resist “Westernization,” sparking another public discussion on identity and values. Bar Culture in Focus: Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace hosted Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 for the second straight year, reinforcing Macao’s growing cocktail and gastronomy scene. Summer Entertainment: Galaxy Macau rolled out “Where Summer Comes to Play,” featuring Formula 4 simulator fun and resort shopping rewards.

University & Talent: UM has started operations for five new science-and-tech faculties and two research institutes, aiming to boost tech innovation and strengthen education links with Hengqin. Health & Daily Life: SSM says ER wait times fell 10% in the first half of 2026, with new capacity measures including a Peking Union Medical College Hospital Macau emergency service. Culture & Community: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed August calendar, including a “Macao Historical Exploration Tour” mixing heritage trails, theatre-style storytelling, and stamp missions. Education & Youth Culture: MGM graduated its first cohort of student docents, training young “arts and cultural ambassadors” through museum-based guiding. Cross-border Mobility: Hong Kong’s Transport Department opens 1,400 regular HZMB quotas for Macao applications from August 7. Public Safety: FEHD responded to rodent sightings at Langham Place in Mong Kok with inspections and hygiene guidance for improved pest control. Religion & Politics: A Macau Summit on the “Sinicization of Religion” highlights how religious life is being aligned with state priorities. Sports & Identity: A Bay Area Olympic spirit camp in Nansha brought together youth athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for sports education and Olympic values.

University Expansion: UM has launched five new science-and-tech faculties and two research institutes, signaling a push for tech talent and innovation in Macao and Hengqin. Cross-Boundary Mobility: Hong Kong will open 1,400 regular HZMB quotas for Macao applications from Aug 7, aiming to make better use of the bridge and ease travel for work and visits. Health & Daily Life: SSM says ER wait times fell 10% in the first half of 2026, with a new Peking Union Medical College Hospital Macau emergency service helping reduce pressure. Culture Calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau unveiled a packed August lineup, including a new “Macao Historical Exploration Tour” blending theatre, heritage trails, and creative stamp missions. Arts Education: MGM graduated its first cohort of arts & culture docents, training young ambassadors through museum-based learning and guiding experience. Religion & Politics: A report highlights the “Sinicization of Religion” summit in Macau as part of a wider national strategy shaping religious life. Community Health Tech: The Health Bureau plans self-service kiosks for physical and mental checks, expanding chronic screening and using the “My Health” platform. Sports & Youth: A Greater Bay Area Olympic spirit camp brought together youth athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for a three-day exchange. Lifestyle & Nightlife: Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace hosted Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026, keeping Macao at the center of regional cocktail culture.