The 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to China presents a wonderful “new” answer sheet

Travel through the past and present, technology empowers the new tourism

In recent years, Macau’s tourism industry has actively created a “old city and new tour” fusion tour. Starting from the magnificent hotel in Taipa, take the light rail, easily shuttle to the other side, arrive at the ancient temple A-Ma Temple, and take a boat to the quiet Coloane with awe and tranquility. In an instant, it seems to travel through time and space, and the characteristics of the small city are fully displayed in the fusion of ancient and modern times. The Ruins of St. Paul’s, advanced simulation technology reproduces the splendor of the church in those days; “You Taipa”, “You Coloane”, “Guanqianhui”… These old streets and alleys have derived new vitality through digital technologies such as AR technology and 5G, and various immersive experiences are constantly “updated” in Macau.

Data shows that in 2023, the total value added of Macau’s non-gaming industry will increase by 20.7% year-on-year to MOP220.73 billion, accounting for 61.7% of the total value added, an increase of 12.9 percentage points from 2019, and new progress has been made in moderate economic diversification. As of December 7, the cumulative number of inbound tourists to Macau in 2024 reached 32.545 million. The activeness and inclusiveness of cultural and tourism elements and the constantly improving infrastructure make Macau a charming tourist destination.

Inclusiveness, the combination of Chinese and Western cultures shows new cultural vitality

Historically, Macau has always been a window for the intersection of Chinese and Western cultures. Macau has completely preserved the genes of Chinese culture, and in the long-term exchanges and interactions with foreign cultures, it has demonstrated the openness and inclusiveness of Chinese culture. Since Macau’s return to China in 1999, the Chinese government and people from all walks of life have been committed to building Macau into an important base for China’s external cultural dissemination and exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations on the basis of building a solid social and political foundation of “one country, two systems”, using cultural advantages as a glue to integrate Macau into the general trend of China’s national development. After a quarter of a century of vigorous development, the colorful colors reflected in Macau’s cultural exchanges are shining more and more.

The Macao SAR Government actively carries out foreign cultural exchanges, encourages Macao youth to study abroad and foreign students to come to Macao for exchanges, promotes Macao cultural projects and performing arts groups to go overseas and attracts excellent overseas cultural projects to Macao. In recent years, the number of cultural and artistic performances held in Macao has increased significantly. The Macao International Fantasy Parade, Macao Arts Festival, Macao International Music Festival, Sino-Portuguese Cultural and Art Festival and other activities have greatly increased Macao’s popularity. New cultural names such as “East Asian Cultural Capital” and “Performing Arts Capital” are injecting strong momentum into the development of Macao’s cultural and tourism market.

Optimizing structure, leapfrogging economic development and embarking on a new journey

In 1999, Macau’s per capita GDP was US$15,000. In 2023, this figure increased to US$69,000, ranking ninth in the world and third in Asia. It is expected to reach US$75,000 this year. According to statistics, Macau’s unemployment rate exceeded 6% before the return. After the return, it has maintained full employment for a long time, with the unemployment rate never exceeding 4% and remaining at around 2% for many years. Such full employment is extremely rare.

On November 1, 2023, the Macao SAR Government officially announced the “Macao Special Administrative Region Economic Moderate Diversification Development Plan (2024-2028)” to guide the direction of social investment and residents’ development, and accelerate the promotion of Macao’s moderately diversified, sustainable and high-quality economic development. Through the co-construction of industrial parks and cross-border cooperation zones, Macao has carried out in-depth cooperation with cities in the Greater Bay Area in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, financial services, cultural tourism, etc. in recent years, and jointly promoted regional industrial upgrading and innovative development.

In the 25 years since Macao’s return, the diversified economic development pattern has enhanced Macao’s fiscal resilience, cultural exchanges and mutual learning have enhanced Macao’s international reputation and influence, and the solid foundation in education has helped Macao’s further development, achieved dazzling results, and attracted the attention of the world. We look forward to the infinite possibilities in the future.