AGP Executive Report

Education & Safety: Macau’s new school year opened with disruption from Tropical Storm Saudel, but most schools started anyway; the day was marred by an alleged assault where an 18-year-old student splashed a female teacher with drain cleaner, sending both to hospital and prompting follow-up by the Judiciary Police. Culture & Heritage: The Cultural Affairs Bureau brings an exhibition to Jakarta—“Splendor of the Mirrored Sea”—showcasing Macao’s role on the Maritime Silk Road, with performances including a new adaptation of Macao’s “Lilau.” Arts & Community: Macau Comic Festival MCF22 returned at Macau Tower with nearly 100 groups, cosplay and doujinshi markets, plus overseas guest performances. Sports & Seniors: The Sports Bureau announced the Macau Senior Sports Games on Sept 13, with home-friendly exercises and activities aimed at building lifelong fitness habits. Regional Links (Macao–ASEAN): CE Sam Hou Fai’s Jakarta stop highlighted new opportunities under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Macao’s 2026–2030 plan for deeper Macao–Indonesia cooperation. Learning & Higher Education: UM hosted an exhibition of ancient Chinese painting masterpieces and modern demonstration works, while UTM welcomed new postgraduates for “dual-city learning” across Macao and Hengqin.

School Safety: A male student allegedly splashed his female teacher with drain cleaner at Saint John de Brito School in Rua de Pedro Coutinho, causing burns to about 17% of her body; both were treated at Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre and the case is now with the Judiciary Police. Macao–Hengqin Education & Youth: Macau media toured Hengqin’s education and youth startup facilities, including the Macao Youth Startup Community Living Room and the Macao–Hengqin International Education (University) Town, highlighting the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone’s push to grow talent and learning opportunities. Cultural Exchange in Indonesia: The Cultural Affairs Bureau and Jakarta’s culture department opened “Splendor of the Mirrored Sea” in Jakarta, with performances by the Macao Chinese Orchestra and a focus on Macao’s Maritime Silk Road heritage. Art & Learning at UM: UM hosts an exhibition of ancient Chinese painting masterpieces and modern demonstration works, linking teaching, research, and public appreciation of traditional ink art. Community & Creativity: Macau Comic Festival MCF22 returned to Macau Tower with anime, cosplay, and doujinshi culture, while the Macau Artist Society marked its 70th anniversary with a large Sands Macao exhibition running to Sept 15. Sports for Seniors: The Sports Bureau announced the Macau Senior Sports Games on Sept 13 at Tap Seac, with home-based exercise games aimed at older residents’ health.

Macao–Singapore ties: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met PM Lawrence Wong in Singapore, agreeing to deepen cooperation in culture, finance, healthcare and tourism, and to tap new opportunities via Hengqin and the Greater Bay Area. Urban renewal lessons: Sam also pointed to Singapore’s “old-for-new” public housing replacement model as a reference for Macau’s ageing-city renewal push. Creative culture in Macau: The 22nd Macau Comic Festival (MCF22) returned to Macau Tower with nearly 100 anime and fan groups, plus cosplay and performances. Lion dance as culture + sport: MGM’s 13th International Lion Dance Championship (Oct 10–11) will bring a record 25 teams and 280 athletes, linking youth training with community and tourism. Community wellbeing for seniors: The Sports Bureau announced the Macau Senior Sports Games on Sept 13 at Tap Seac, with home-item workouts and health-focused activities. Reading and heritage: The Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Public Library released the 43rd issue of “Books and the City,” spotlighting outreach services and multilingual book reviews. Education in the University Town: UTM welcomed 2026/2027 postgraduates at the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, promoting “dual-city learning” and industry-linked study.

Macau Comic Festival (MCF22): Nearly 100 anime and fan groups filled Macau Tower for two days of doujinshi markets, cosplay, and performances, with overseas guest singer Chihiro Yonekura and Hong Kong creator FCP among the highlights. Lion Dance Culture: MGM’s 13th International Lion Dance Championship returns to Barra Oct 10–11 with a record 25 teams from 14 countries/regions, positioning the event as culture, education, and community exchange—not just sport. Senior Sports Games: The Sports Bureau and Elderly Sports Association set Sept 13 at Tap Seac for games using everyday items to build strength, mobility, and coordination, plus health performances and a lucky draw. Art & Heritage: Sands Macao hosts the Macau Artist Society’s 70th anniversary exhibition (198 works) until Sept 15, while the Macao Museum of Art presents Qing Dynasty Guangdong painting—showing how regional art blended Chinese and Western influences. CE in Singapore: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai’s Singapore meetings focused on deepening practical cooperation in trade, education, digital economy, ageing-related governance, and TCM—tying it to Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan and Macao–Hengqin opportunities. Library for Daily Life: The Public Library’s “Books and the City” (43rd issue) spotlights community reading services like mobile outreach and 10-minute reading, plus new book reviews in Chinese, Portuguese, and English.

Library & Reading Culture: The Public Library (IC) released the 43rd issue of Books and the City under “Joyful Reading Community,” spotlighting Mobile Library outreach, 10-Minute Reading, book delivery, new e-resources, and multilingual book reviews. Education & Community Ties: The Education Bureau appointed Prof. Alan Lam Hiu-fung as Chairman of the Home-School Co-operation Committee, with new and reappointed members for a two-year term starting Sept 1. Filial Piety & Ageing Society: A one-day “Filial Piety Culture Promotion” event in Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion promoted care for seniors through performances, commendations, and health check-ups. Art & Heritage in the GBA: MAM’s “Lucidity in a Prosperous Era: Guangdong Paintings of the Qing Dynasty” opened with 136 works, linking Guangdong’s Qing-era art to Greater Bay Area cultural research. Local Arts Milestone: The Macau Artist Society marked its 70th anniversary with a large-scale exhibition at Sands Macao running to Sept 15. Culture Calendar: IC announced September cultural and sports programming, including major competitions and exhibitions. CE Abroad (Culture/Exchange): Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai continued his Singapore visit, meeting officials on cooperation in public health, TCM, and governance for ageing societies.

CE & Singapore Ties: Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met Singapore’s Ong Ye Kung on public health, traditional Chinese medicine, and ageing-society governance, as he continues an eight-day Singapore–Indonesia–Malaysia visit. Urban Renewal Learning Trip: Sam toured Singapore’s HDB redevelopment, Sentosa, and Gardens by the Bay to draw lessons for Macau’s urban renewal and tourism upgrades. Filial Piety & Seniors: The “15th Filial Piety Culture Promotion” event in Tap Seac pushed community care for elders with performances, services, and health check-ups. Art & Heritage in the Spotlight: MAM opened “Lucidity in a Prosperous Era” with 136 Qing-dynasty Guangdong paintings, while the Macau Artist Society marked its 70th anniversary with a major exhibition at Sands Macao. Motorsport Careers (Regional Lens): A Singapore talk highlighted how access and clearer pathways can help Asian talent break into motorsport engineering. Public Transport for Back-to-School: DSAT, PSP, and DSEDJ plan extra bus capacity, traffic support, and temporary pick-up/drop-off zones as schools reopen Sept 1. Privacy Case: PSP arrested a mainland student for photographing a woman in a public ladies’ toilet, with charges for invasion of privacy.

Sustainable Coastal Thinking: A Macau CSR member points to Barcelona’s “beach economy” as a model for turning coastal space into a connected, tourism-linked urban asset—arguing Macau’s Hac Sa Beach could capture far more social and economic value than it does now. Heritage Through Visitors’ Eyes: A UTM-led study finds mainland Chinese tourists judge Macau’s urban heritage not just by landmarks, but by surroundings, cultural values, and emotional ties—spotlighting Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, and A-Ma Temple. Sports, Community, and Real Support: Nepal’s Rabindra Dhant advanced toward a UFC deal after a win in Shanghai, offering a morale boost after devastating floods—and his camp is now pushing for concrete action from Nepal’s sports ministry. Hengqin-Macao Development: Coverage highlights how Hengqin is being used as a commercialization platform for Macau-linked innovation, with cross-disciplinary research and industry building accelerating under the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. Education & Talent Spotlight: UM crowned Edward Daniel Belza Alfaro at the World Universities Public Speaking Invitational, while UM also hosted a smart grid forum and welcomed new academic staff—keeping the focus on learning, skills, and future-facing careers. Culture on the Calendar: Barra’s free “Barra Slow Fest” returns with a baking theme and upgraded sunset music programme, plus a reminder that Macau’s cultural scene keeps mixing lifestyle markets with performance.

Hengqin-Macao Integration: A new Xinhua look at Hengqin’s 106 sq km scale says the island is becoming Macao’s “diversification” engine, with the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone and the Macao Institute of Materials Science and Engineering helping turn lab work into products. CE Diplomacy & Culture: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore and is kicking off an eight-day trip to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, aiming to strengthen ties in talent, research, and TCM while pushing Macao’s “Down South” bridge role. Campus & Public Speaking: UM’s 45th-anniversary World Universities Public Speaking Invitational Championship crowned UM student Edward Daniel Belza Alfaro, spotlighting Macao as a global student stage. Smart Grid Education: UM hosted a smart grid forum in the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, launching a Master’s intake and linking energy transition with AI talent training. Arts & Lifestyle: Barra’s free “Barra Slow Fest” returns with a baking theme and upgraded sunset concerts, plus lifestyle-aesthetics market stalls. Youth & Community: CAS Cadet Corps held its 155th passing-out parade, pairing youth development with national security education exchanges.

Chief Executive Visit & Tourism Branding: Sam Hou Fai is set to lead a Macao delegation on a 3-nation trip to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, with roadshows and business matchmaking aimed at boosting trade, tourism, culture and education, while MGTO pushes destination branding via multilingual mini drama “Cahaya Macao” debuting 30 Aug. Education & Community Life: As the Sept 1 school reopening nears, Macao ramps up buses, traffic staff and temporary school pick-up/drop-off zones to ease the back-to-school rush. Arts & Youth Culture: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition wrapped up with special prizes across Chinese instrumental and Western categories, highlighting nearly 1,100 participants. Local Culture Spotlight: Artist Julia Lam Tsz Kwan’s “Hua of Casa” at the Mandarin Oriental uses her superflat style to map Macau’s colours, landmarks and “hidden gems,” blending memory and place. Public Policy & Daily Services: The government’s entity mergers and restructuring take effect next week, including moving the Macao Conservatory under the Education and Youth Development Bureau. Sports & Entertainment: A Macau-linked MMA storyline continues as Rabindra Dhant advances on the Road to UFC after a win in Shanghai.

Macao–ASEAN Outreach: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai will lead a Macao delegation to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia (Aug 29–Sept 5), with trade, tourism and investment roadshows plus business matchmaking, and a push for cultural and higher-education exchanges. Digital Culture & Tech: Cyberport’s “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026” opens today in Hong Kong under “The Dreamatic Circus,” spotlighting AI, immersive experiences, robotics and arts—an energy boost for the region’s creative industries. Tourism Branding via Drama: MGTO is rolling out a multilingual mini-drama series, “Cahaya Macao,” filmed across Macao, debuting Aug 30 to strengthen destination branding across Southeast Asia. Local Arts & Learning: UM hosts a smart grid forum in the Macao-Hengqin education town and welcomes new talent for its smart power grid master’s programme. Heritage in Motion: IC launches “Discovering the History of Macao,” linking key sites with theatrical guided tours and stamp-collecting, with free weekend shuttles. Community Life Events: Barra Slow Fest returns with a baking theme and upgraded sunset concert series, plus lifestyle-aesthetics market stalls. Privacy & Safety: PSP arrested a mainland student for taking photos in a public ladies’ toilet, with the case now at prosecutors.

MasterChef Asia (Macao): Nambie Marak from Meghalaya has qualified to represent India on MasterChef Asia, bringing Northeast Indian flavours to the international stage in Macao. Music & Youth: The 44th Macao Young Musicians Competition wrapped up with special prizes across Chinese and Western categories, drawing nearly 1,100 participants. Back-to-school life: DSAT, PSP and DSEDJ are ramping up buses, staffing and temporary pick-up/drop-off zones as about 80% of schools reopen on Sept 1. Public safety & privacy: Police arrested a mainland male student for taking photos inside a university ladies’ toilet, with the case sent to prosecutors for invasion of privacy. Culture & community events: Barra Slow Fest returns with a baking theme and a bigger sunset concert series, while MICAF Fun Day adds a stamp-collecting arts carnival activity at Macao Cultural Centre and Anim’Arte NAM VAN. Policy affecting culture education: The government will merge and restructure several entities from Sept 1, including moving the Macao Conservatory under DSEDJ. Hengqin culture-tech: A world-first immersive embodied AI theme park is set to open in Hengqin, blending humanoid-robot experiences with tourism and performances.

Barra Slow Fest: Macau’s free “Bake with Ease, Savour the Summer” festival returns next Friday–Sunday with 100+ bakery and lifestyle stalls plus a three-day sunset concert series featuring artists from across China. Public Safety & Privacy: PSP arrested a mainland male student for taking photos inside a university ladies’ toilet, transferring him to prosecutors for invasion of privacy. Tech + Culture Weekend: Cyberport’s Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 opens tomorrow, bringing AI, XR, robotics and ArtTech to the public through 35+ interactive activities. Macao Culture Calendar: The Cultural Affairs Bureau rolls out “Discovering the History of Macao” with theatrical tours and stamp-collecting across three heritage sites, plus a MICAF family stamp hunt at cultural venues. Hengqin Integration in Motion: Macau International Airport’s Hengqin upstream cargo terminal handled its first outbound shipment under “Hengqin pickup, Macau flight,” marking progress in Macau–Hengqin logistics integration. UM in the Spotlight: University of Macau welcomes nearly 80 new international academic staff for 2026/27, spanning engineering, health, and humanities. Mental Health Awareness: A micro-film screening for “Facing Light” tackles stigma around mental illness and encourages earlier support. Public Administration Shake-up: Government restructuring merges and streamlines several entities from Sept. 1, including moving the Macao Conservatory under the education bureau. Lifestyle Watch: A new Hong Kong–Macau retirement expense index flags rising costs for retirees, with monthly spending hitting HK$15,090.

Language & AI: Hong Kong’s Votee AI is pushing Cantonese-focused models, arguing AI becomes “essentially useless” when education, healthcare, and police comms can’t be handled in local speech. Macau–Hengqin Logistics: Macau International Airport’s Hengqin Upstream Cargo Terminal handled its first outbound shipment under “Hengqin pickup, Macau flight,” a concrete step toward integrated air logistics. Government Reshuffle: Macau will merge and streamline several public entities from Sept 1, including moving the Macao Conservatory from the Cultural Affairs Bureau to the Education and Youth Development Bureau. Public Health: Macau recorded 88 drug dependency cases in the first half of 2026, with alcohol still the most common associated substance. Culture & Family: The Cultural Affairs Bureau launches MICAF-linked stamp-collecting family activities at Macao Cultural Centre Plaza and Anim’Arte NAM VAN. Tourism Calendar: The 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest runs Sept 12–Oct 4 with fireworks plus drone shows. Arts Spotlight: Julia Lam’s “Hua of Casa” exhibition uses superflat art to tell Macau’s story through colour, memory, and local “hidden gems.”

Embodied AI & Tourism: Guangdong’s Hengqin work office says the world’s first immersive “embodied AI” theme park will open at Hengqin Chimelong International Ocean Resort, pairing Chimelong with Agibot and rolling embodied-AI shows, interactive hotel experiences, and an on-site AI lab. Public Administration Shake-up: Macau will merge the Consumer Council and FDCT into the Economic and Technological Development Bureau, shift the Macao Conservatory to the Education and Youth Development Bureau, and streamline several chief-executive bureaus from next week. Culture & Heritage on the Move: The Cultural Affairs Bureau launches “Discovering the History of Macao,” linking Kun Iam Temple, the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum, and General Ye Ting’s Former Residence with theatrical tours and a weekend stamp-collecting trail. Family Arts This Summer: IC’s MICAF-linked stamp collection runs until 30 August across Macao Cultural Centre Plaza and Anim’Arte NAM VAN, with check-ins, photos, and a lucky draw. University Spotlight: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met UM’s new University Council standing committee, urging clearer goals toward world-class status and deeper Macao–Hengqin integration. Art & Macau Colours: Contemporary artist Julia Lam’s “Hua of Casa” at Mandarin Oriental uses superflat works to map Macau’s landmarks, gates, and changing greenery through colour and memory. Film Going Global: Chinese hit “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” (Shen Teng) is set for wider Asian and international release, with screenings starting in Hong Kong and Macao on 11 September.

Tourism + Events: MGTO has unveiled the 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, running 12 September to 4 October, with the theme “Set Sail for Macao, where the Silk Road Sparkles” and a first-time mix of fireworks plus large-scale drone shows, alongside a Fireworks Carnival and community outreach. Mental Health + Community: The micro-film “Facing Light” screened in Areia Preta, aiming to cut stigma around mental illness and encourage early support, with organisers citing rising outpatient visits linked to growing public awareness. Culture + Performance: The Chinese Peking Opera Art Troupe will stage “Han Ming Fei” at Wing Lok on 5 September, with free tickets from Friday, as part of an annual youth-and-troupe cultural exchange. Education + Youth: WYF-FLALS 2026 wrapped up in Macao, bringing 400+ students together for interdisciplinary learning on climate and cross-cultural collaboration. Local Lifestyle + Heritage: Sands China extends its “Iec Long Firecracker Factory” exhibition at Sands Gallery to 29 November, adding new tools, traditional semi-finished items, and interactive guest reflections. Macao Development (Culture): In interviews on the 3rd Five-Year Plan, officials highlighted the Macao Int’l Integrated Tourism & Culture Zone as a “cultural name card,” linking major cultural venues into one integrated cluster.

Books & Bookshops: Two voices from Macau’s reading scene say independent bookshops like Júbilo 31 Books keep going on passion, but sales are thin and the city’s reader base feels small—so the real mission is building readers, not just selling titles. Mental Health Awareness: The Macao Populace Mental Health Promotion Association screened the micro-film “Facing Light” for 150+ people, aiming to cut stigma and encourage earlier help as outpatient visits rise. Peking Opera in Macau: The Inner Mongolia Peking Opera troupe will stage “Han Ming Fei” at Wing Lok on Sept 5, with free tickets starting Friday, continuing a long-running cultural exchange. Macao’s 3rd Five-Year Plan: Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai frames the 2026–2030 blueprint as “Moving Ahead,” linking national strategy to everyday governance and Hengqin integration. Culture & Heritage Spotlight: Sands China extends its “Iec Long Firecracker Factory” exhibition to Nov 29, adding new tools, posters, and interactive displays. Youth & Learning: UTM welcomed 1,000+ new students for its biggest intake, while WYF-FLALS brought 400+ students to Macao for interdisciplinary leadership learning. Cross-border Life: Macau residents can now rent farmland in Hengqin, with “Peach Blossom Spring Farm” set to open end of September. Public Safety: PJ reported a “fake police” scam that cost a local woman about 1.9 million patacas.