AGP Executive Report

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.

Education & Science: PISA 2025 science results put China first (597) and Singapore second (560), with Macao ranking third (541)—a strong sign of how local schooling is performing on real-world science thinking. Public Health: SSM says high-risk residents and some non-resident workers can get free flu jabs starting next Tuesday, with updated 2026–27 vaccine strains rolling out progressively. Youth & Community Safety: Judiciary Police are investigating a student injury case after online fake arson claims; officials say no evidence of arson was found, while the Education bureau is coordinating support. Mental Wellness Through Arts: Melco and Fu Luen launch an 11-school campus theatre tour, “Invisible Bullying,” tackling less visible bullying and promoting help-seeking and inclusion. Culture & Lifestyle Spotlight: MasterChef Asia returns after a decade, filmed in Macau, with episodes premiering across Southeast Asia and showcasing the city’s gastronomy. City Life for the Holidays: IAM plans tougher street cleaning and public toilet management for the Mid-Autumn and National Day Golden Week as visitor numbers are expected to surge. Arts & Learning: UM and Hou Kong Middle School host a children’s literature creation exhibition, encouraging young writers to develop literacy through authentic storytelling. Cross-border Convenience: Hong Kong expands eligibility for the Seamless e-Channel pilot at HZMB, making automated clearance easier for frequent travellers.

Macau Culture & Lifestyle: Galaxy Macau is hosting “Dream Voyage @ Galaxy Resort: Gao Xiaowu’s Art Exhibition” at Galaxy Promenade until 17 Nov, with six sets of works across five life-themed chapters—dreams, growth, gratitude and love—turning a luxury shopping stop into a slow, reflective cultural walk. Heritage & Exchange: “The Empress Regnant – Wu Zetian and the Divine Capital of Luoyang” opened at Mount Fortress Garden, bringing 126 artefacts from eight Henan institutions and strengthening Henan–Macao cultural ties. Community & Local Business: Sands China picked 24 firms for its Rua das Estalagens revitalisation programme, mixing new entrepreneurship support with shop rebranding for neighbourhood dining, retail, cultural and creative concepts. Sports (Macao): Macau karatekas added 1 silver and 1 bronze at the Asian Games, extending the delegation’s medal haul. Education & Youth (Macao): UTM and Hou Kong Middle School launched a children’s literature creation exhibition, spotlighting young writers’ growth in reading and writing. Regional Mobility (Hong Kong): Hong Kong expanded Seamless e-Channel eligibility at HZMB Hong Kong Port, easing enrolment for frequent travellers and enabling sign-up via designated e-channels.

WorldSkills in Shanghai: The 48th WorldSkills Competition opened with 1,385 young competitors from 68 regions tackling 64 skill categories, from ultra-precise joinery to retail and beauty challenges—another reminder that vocational training is becoming a global culture of craft. Children’s Literature in Macao: UM’s Faculty of Education co-hosted a three-day “Children’s Literature Creation Joint Exhibition,” spotlighting student stories and celebrating how writing and reading skills grow through making and sharing. Rua das Estalagens revitalisation: Sands China picked 24 enterprises for its 2026 Rua das Estalagens Community Revitalisation Programme, mixing new business support with shop rebranding across food, retail, and cultural creative ideas. Sports & youth talent: Macau karatekas added one silver and one bronze at the Asian Games, while table tennis saw Macao’s Zhu Yuling return to the continental stage. Education rankings: PISA 2025 science and math results put China far ahead of the US, with Macao ranking among the top performers—fuel for local education conversations. Patriotic education in Beijing: Around 1,200 Hong Kong and Macao delegates joined a “Salute the National Flag” visit featuring drills and cultural tours. Macao culture exhibition: “The Empress Regnant – Wu Zetian and the Divine Capital of Luoyang” opened at Mount Fortress Garden with 126 artefacts from Henan. Hospitality milestone: Morpheus at City of Dreams became Macau’s first hotel to earn Three MICHELIN Keys. Local career planning: Macao’s Talent Development Committee will survey higher-education graduates on employment and further study from 25 Sept to 31 Oct.

Education & Youth Exchange: A Beijing flag-raising visit for about 1,000 Hong Kong and Macao students is being hailed as “fruitful results” of patriotic education, with students describing the national flag ceremony as a moving, firsthand experience. Culture & Lifestyle (Hospitality): Melco’s Morpheus at City of Dreams becomes Macau’s first hotel to earn Three MICHELIN Keys, upgrading from Two Keys and spotlighting its design, dining and service. Tourism & Skills: UTM’s 18th UTM–UN Tourism Training Programme opens at MGM COTAI, focusing on destination branding through AI and digital marketing. Arts & Community Exchange: MyLand Culture’s “MACAO&” project brings Macau photographer Tang Kuok Ho’s work to Lisbon, pairing photos with Lisbon dancer-audio scores in a cross-city creative dialogue. Exhibition Spotlight: Macau prepares to host “The Empress Regnant – Wu Zetian and the Divine Capital of Luoyang,” opening 24 Sept at the Macao Museum with Tang-era treasures and themes of arts, trade and multicultural life. Film Talent: Sands China-backed International Film Camp 2026 wraps at The Londoner Macao, selecting eight short-film projects for production funding. Sports & Identity: Zhu Yuling returns to the Asian Games in a new jersey, representing Macao, and wins a strong start against top China rivals.

Culture & Exchange: MyLand Culture’s “MACAO&” project brings Macau photographer Tang Kuok Ho’s “Photosynthesis” to Lisbon, pairing nearly 40 photos with Lisbon dancer-educator Inês Zinho Pinheiro’s kinaesthetic audio scores at Procurator.arte until Oct 9. Skills & Vocational Training: Macau’s Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) sent its first cross-sector delegation to Shanghai to observe the WorldSkills Competition and compare notes on curriculum design and industry-education links. Art & Education in the GBA: UM hosts an exhibition celebrating the University of Macau’s 45th anniversary, featuring Greater Bay Area masters and UM faculty/students on Chinese painting sketching, with more than 80 works. Heritage Exhibition (Macao): “The Empress Regnant – Wu Zetian and the Divine Capital of Luoyang” opens Sept 24 at the Macao Museum, running to Feb 28, 2027, with 126 artefacts and Tang-era themes. Lifestyle & Entertainment: Galaxy Macau’s “Dream Voyage @ Galaxy Resort: Gao Xiaowu’s Art Exhibition” runs until Nov 17, while NBA House returns to The Venetian Macao Oct 7–11 with 10 legends and fan activations. Public Life: FEHD reminds diners to check whether restaurants are permitted to allow dogs during Mid-Autumn Festival. Urban Renewal: CE Sam Hou Fai chairs the first meeting of the leading group on urban renewal, reviewing work plans and policy support.

Macao Social Policy Consultations: Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam met local groups including the Women’s General Association of Macau and the Macao Youth Federation to shape the 2027 Policy Address, with talks ranging from education and the Macao-Hengqin International Education Town to ageing, elderly care, support for vulnerable groups, and youth development. Lion Dance Spotlight: MGM’s month-long “Lion Dance Festival 2026” (Sept 19–Oct 18) brings exhibitions, talks, intangible heritage experiences, workshops and an international competition, culminating in the 13th International Lion Dance Championship (MGM Cup). Film Talent Pipeline: Sands China hosted the third International Film Camp in Macau (Sept 18–22), selecting 16 filmmakers from 450 applicants for mentoring and masterclasses, with grants to help launch new Asian short films. Greater Bay Area Culture Bridge: The Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2026 in Macao gathered filmmakers and musicians from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, aiming to strengthen shared cultural memories and cross-strait ties. Sports & Culture in Action: Macau wushu athletes Kuong Chi Hin and Song Chi Kuan won gold and silver in men’s changquan at the Asian Games, with the win framed as a way to promote traditional Chinese culture. Education & Reading Rankings: New PISA results highlight Singapore leading reading skills and Macao ranking among the top performers in math, feeding into wider debates about education quality.

Greater Bay Area culture on stage: Macao hosted the Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2026, bringing together filmmakers and musicians from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan with classic hits, new works and film-linked performances. Intangible heritage spotlight: MGM’s “Lion Dance Festival 2026” runs Sept 19–Oct 18 in Barra, featuring exhibitions, public talks, hands-on workshops and international competition, with lion dance inheritors and contemporary artists. Health & tradition in the GBA: Macao will welcome a Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao TCM conference, with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Health leading a delegation to discuss inheritance, innovation, talent training and industry transformation. Tourism goes European: MGTO debuted at Paris’s IFTM Top Resa 2026, using the “Nihao! China” pavilion to pitch Macao’s East-meets-West appeal and promote long-haul travel. Film industry pipeline: Sands China’s third International Film Camp in Macao selected 16 emerging directors from 450 applicants for mentoring and production grants. Sport as culture: Macau wushu athletes Kuong Chi Hin and Song Chi Kuan won gold and silver in men’s changquan at the Asian Games, underscoring wushu as a living tradition. Youth exchange & identity: Over 300 Hong Kong and Macao youths joined a military camp in Guangzhou, mixing training with national defense and historical themes. Smart travel convenience: South Korea expanded smart entry gate eligibility to 42 countries, including Hong Kong and Macao, aiming to cut peak-season immigration queues.