AGP Executive Report

UFC in Macau: Galaxy Macau wrapped a packed UFC Fight Week with ROAD TO UFC bouts and the UFC FIGHT NIGHT main event “Song vs Figueiredo,” drawing nearly 20,000 fans to Galaxy Arena and boosting the city’s “City of Sports” tourism push. Gaming M&A Watch: Analysts say Barry Diller’s People Inc. takeover bid for MGM Resorts could trigger scrutiny of MGM’s Macau and Japan assets, with MGM China seen as a key “puzzle piece” that might be divested later. Local Transport: Macau’s Transport and Public Works Secretary Raymond Tam outlined plans to connect the city’s LRT with Hengqin’s future light rail, detailing how the existing Taipa, Seac Pai Van and Hengqin lines fit into the cross-border setup. Digital Currency & Payments: Macau is set to deepen its CBDC cross-border push, joining Project mBridge with Digital Pataca for wider payment interoperability. Public Safety: A lawmaker called for zebra-crossing “black spot” fixes after a fatal pedestrian crash, urging faster improvements to pedestrian safety design. Tech & Privacy: iFlytek unveiled AI smart glasses at BEYOND Expo 2026 in Macau, positioning them for real-time translation while privacy concerns grow. Business & Jobs: The Labour Affairs Bureau opened applications for its 2026 Career Development Internship Programme, offering 850 placements across sectors including tourism, finance and technology.

Macau Economy & Tourism: Gaming revenue hit MOP22.61 billion in May, up 6.7% year-on-year, with the month’s strongest performance since the pandemic as holiday demand and the UFC Fight Night at Galaxy Arena helped lift results. Cross-border Finance: Macau has joined Project mBridge, with 11 local banks integrated and ready to transact via the CBDC settlement platform; AMCM also said the “Digital Pataca” is in sandbox testing for later e-government, public transport and campus use. Transport & Safety: After a 10-year-old boy died on a zebra crossing “black spot,” lawmaker José Maria Pereira Coutinho urged road-safety reforms; meanwhile, Transport Secretary Raymond Tam outlined plans to connect Macau’s LRT with Hengqin’s future light rail. Local Business Support: DSEDT launched the “Macau Signature Brand Plan” to help local products and livestream influencers expand overseas, with first selections expected in October. Tech & Education: UTM hosted a webinar on “Sustainable Hospitality,” while DSAL opened applications for a 2026 internship programme for university graduates. Sports: UFC Macau’s Song Yadong capped the event with a second-round guillotine submission over Deiveson Figueiredo, while Angela Hill and Rodrigo Vera also won on the card. Health & Industry: Kent Imaging named JCare as sole distributor of SnapshotNIR in Hong Kong and Macau, bringing portable near-infrared tissue oxygenation imaging to clinicians.

Digital Finance & Trade: Macau’s 11 banks have started using the cross-border central bank digital currency platform Project mBridge after AMCM completed system integration, with e-MOP moving from sandbox testing toward wider e-government, transport and campus use. Typhoon Preparedness: Researchers say Macau’s improved coastal resilience came less from massive seawalls and more from earlier warnings, color-coded storm-surge alerts and clearer evacuation guidance that boosted public trust. Gaming Economy: Macau posted its strongest May since the pandemic, with GGR rising 6.7% y-o-y to MOP22.61 billion (US$2.8b), supported by holiday demand and events including UFC Fight Night. Local Business Going Global: DSEDT launched the “Macau Signature Brand Plan” to help local brands and livestream influencers expand overseas, selecting up to 20 enterprises and 10 influencers in the first round. Tech & Innovation: BEYOND Expo 2026 wrapped up in Cotai with an “AI: Digital to Physical” focus, drawing 30,000+ visitors and showcasing demos from humanoids to real-world AI. Sports Spotlight: UFC returned to Macau with Song Yadong delivering a main-event submission win over Deiveson Figueiredo, saving a tough night for local fighters. Corporate Watch: MGM Resorts confirmed receiving a takeover offer from People Inc (Barry Diller) valuing the company at about US$18b.

Macau Gaming Update: Macau’s six casinos took MOP22.61 billion (US$2.8b) in May, up 6.7% year-on-year, helped by the Labour Day holiday surge; for the first five months, GGR reached MOP108.37b. BEYOND Expo 2026: The 6th BEYOND Expo wrapped up at The Venetian Cotai Expo with an “AI: Digital to Physical” focus, drawing 30,000+ visitors from 120+ countries and nearly 800 exhibitors. Local Brand Push: The “MARCA✦MACAU Plan” was launched to help Macau enterprises build a shared Macau identity and expand overseas, including via cross-border e-commerce and live-streaming influencers. Digital Finance Talk: AMCM hosted a seminar on central bank digital currencies and cross-border use with Portuguese-speaking countries, discussing the e-MOP and links to PBOC cross-border transfer services. Culture & Tourism Calendar: Free activities and workshops are set for China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on June 13, while the 26th Macao Lotus Flower Festival runs June 12 to July 17 with 9,000+ lotus pots across the city. Road Safety: A cyclist died after being hit by a bus in Kwai Chung; the driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death. Business Watch: Barry Diller’s People Inc proposed buying the rest of MGM Resorts for $48.30 a share, valuing it at about $18.8b including debt.

UFC Macau Spotlight: Song Yadong saved a tough night for Chinese fighters by submitting former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke in the second round at Galaxy Arena, while Kai Asakura snapped a skid with a fast bantamweight knockout and Sergei Pavlovich blasted Tallison Teixeira in 39 seconds. Local Public Safety: Macau’s Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai ordered a thorough probe after a 10-year-old boy was killed on a zebra crossing, with the driver arrested for negligent homicide. Gaming & Tourism Numbers: Hotel occupancy hit 90.2% in April as international guests rose, but gaming spend per visitor lagged, with analysts pointing to a changing visitor mix. Cross-Border Yacht Policy: Hong Kong and Macao welcomed a “milestone” plan that waives guarantee deposits and temporary ship nationality registration for yachts entering nine Greater Bay Area mainland cities via designated ports. Business/Tech: ZTE says it’s aiming to build an AI-era “digital tropical rainforest” ecosystem overseas, and ReNerve signed an exclusive distribution deal to commercialise NervAlign across Hong Kong, Macau and the GBA.

Customs Crackdown: Macau Customs seized 2.4 tonnes of cooked chicken feet worth about 50,000 patacas in a parallel-trading den, arresting a 20-year-old man; the case is being followed up by the IAM and DSF over suspected food-safety and licensing breaches. Wealth-Sharing Update: 2026 cash handouts will start on July 1, with eligibility generally tied to a 183-day stay rule in 2025; permanent residents get 10,000 patacas and non-permanent residents 6,000, with exemptions available from June 15 for defined reasons. Road Safety: CE Sam Hou Fai ordered a thorough investigation after a 10-year-old died on a zebra crossing; the driver was arrested for negligent homicide. GBA Yacht Policy: China’s State Council approved a guarantee-free, temporary nationality registration scheme for Hong Kong and Macao yachts entering nine Guangdong cities via designated ports, cutting costs and paperwork—welcomed as a milestone for the yacht economy. Tourism Numbers: Macau hotel occupancy hit 90.2% in April, up 2.4 points year-on-year, driven by stronger 5-star demand and more international guests. UFC Macau Spotlight: Song Yadong submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round to keep China’s hopes alive, while Alex Perez was taken to hospital after a brutal low blow ended in a No Contest. Tech & Events: BEYOND Expo 2026 showcased “AI: Digital to Physical” with nearly 800 exhibitors, and the Macao Grand Prix Museum marks its 5th anniversary with free admission and Formula 4-themed activities on June 1.

UFC Macau Spotlight: Song Yadong delivered for the home crowd at Galaxy Arena, submitting former UFC flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke at 4:42 of Round 2 in the bantamweight main event. Event Bonuses: UFC also handed out $100,000 performance bonuses to Song, Kai Asakura, and co-main brawler Alonzo Menifield and Mingyang Zhang. Local Tourism Numbers: Macau hotels logged 4.86 million guests in Jan–Apr, up 1.9% year-on-year, with foreign guests rising 13.8% to 453,000. Greater Bay Area Yacht Access: Hong Kong welcomed Beijing’s approval of an “exempt from guarantees” policy and temporary ship nationality registration for Hong Kong and Macao yachts entering nine mainland GBA cities via designated ports. Education & Culture: UM held Congregation 2026, with Secretary O praising the university as a global gateway for China’s higher education. Tech Showcase in Macau: BEYOND Expo 2026 highlighted “AI: Digital to Physical,” including iFLYTEK’s AI glasses with real-time translation in 122 languages.

UFC Macau Spotlight: The Octagon returns to Macau’s Galaxy Arena on Saturday, May 30, with Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo headlining and all fighters making weight at Friday’s weigh-ins; the main card starts at 7 a.m. ET on Paramount+. Local Sports Buzz: The card also features Zhang Mingyang vs. Alonzo Menifield, plus heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich taking on Tallison Teixeira, as UFC boss Kevin Chang calls Macau a “launch pad to Asia” with tickets already sold out. Health & Science (Global, with Macau relevance): At ASCO in Chicago, Sichuan Kelun-Biotech reported Phase III OptiTROP-Lung05 results for sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) plus pembrolizumab in first-line PD-L1 TPS≥1% NSCLC. Smart City Tech: BEYOND Expo 2026 in Macao showcased “AI: Digital to Physical,” including iFLYTEK’s new AI glasses offering real-time translation in 122 languages. Gaming Industry Watch: Las Vegas Sands CEO Patrick Dumont said the company is not pursuing online gaming and wants to focus on Macau and Singapore integrated resorts.

UFC Macau: The UFC Fight Night 277 weigh-ins in Macau wrapped up cleanly, with Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo both making weight ahead of Saturday’s main event, while officials stepped in during face-offs after Song got involved. Cross-Strait Policy: China reorganised parts of the Taiwan Affairs Office and set up a dedicated bureau to handle mainland education, internships, employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwanese residents. Macau Economy & Jobs: The Monetary Authority of Macao reported lower composite interest rates in Q1 2026, while DSEC data showed April retail and restaurant spending rising year-on-year and the unemployment rate edging up to 2.3% (Feb–Apr). Gaming Leadership: Sands China confirmed former MGM China president/COO Hubert Wang will join as COO from June 1, overseeing gaming and resort operations. Smart City Tech: BEYOND Expo 2026 in Macau highlighted AI moving from digital to physical, including iFLYTEK’s AI glasses with real-time translation in 122 languages. Food Safety: IAM announced a June “Food Safety Week” with forums and public talks, focusing on technological supervision. Culture for Families: The 3rd Macao International Children’s Arts Festival runs June 30 to August, with performances, camps and workshops.

UFC Macau Spotlight: UFC Fight Night 277 at Galaxy Arena is set to feature Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo, with Song aiming to bounce back and keep bantamweight title hopes alive at home. Road to UFC in Macau: Kasib Murdoch advanced to the Road to UFC semifinals after a submission win in Macau, where he is set to face Nepal’s Rabindra Dhant. BEYOND Expo 2026 (Macao): Makera showcased its Makera Z1 desktop CNC at The Venetian Macao, while Matrix Robotics displayed humanoid robot MATRIX-3 as the expo runs May 27–30. AI Glasses Launch: iFLYTEK unveiled its 40g AI smart glasses at BEYOND Expo, offering real-time translation in 122 languages and a paired AI assistant, with pre-orders opening mid-June. Local Safety Update: Macau police arrested a driver accused of negligent homicide after a 10-year-old boy was killed on a zebra crossing in Toi San. Community & Culture: Macao’s LRT and the Macau Artist Society launched a “Travelling Together on the LRT” art contest for students and the public.

Smart City & Tech at BEYOND Expo: MACAU Pass and Ant Bank (Macao) teamed up with Alibaba ecosystem partners to showcase a smart-city vision at BEYOND Expo 2026, while iFLY AI Glasses went on sale mid-June with real-time translation in 122 languages. Tourism & Culture: SJM kept backing the Feast of the Drunken Dragon, adding interactive games in June, and a two-month “Enjoy Macao with Coffee” festival wrapped up, aiming to boost local coffee culture. Local Governance & Integrity: The CCAC referred a case to prosecutors after uncovering alleged falsification of attendance records by public school staff, including claims of tampering with video records. Public Holidays: The government released 2027 public holidays and rest-day arrangements, including a 5.5-day Lunar New Year break for public employees. Sports & Entertainment: PPA Asia 500 Macao Open 2026 kicked off with 600+ players, and UFC Macau returns Saturday with Song Yadong facing Deiveson Figueiredo at Galaxy Arena. Business & Industry: TrustFall Technology Group acquired ExtraPro to expand LED integration in Asia-Pacific, and MGTO and SJM launched the “Star Service Formula” luxury hospitality training series.

Transport & Cross-Border Travel: Hong Kong lawmakers urged merging the city’s two cross-boundary ferry piers to better use capacity, pointing to a 6.5% passenger drop in 2025 and arguing manpower shouldn’t stay the same if demand falls. Local Governance & Planning: Macau will consult the public from June 29 to Aug 27 on amendments to its urban master plan, the first update since it took effect in Feb 2022. Elderly Benefits: Macau’s Social Security Fund is proposing more frequent old-age pension adjustments by lowering the inflation trigger threshold to 2%, with extra consideration even if inflation stays below that level for three straight years. Culture & Tourism: The Cultural Affairs Bureau will run free workshops, guided tours and exhibitions at World Heritage sites for China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, including VR sessions at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and hands-on craft activities. Gaming & Hospitality: SJM’s Daisy Ho said the second phase of Hotel Lisboa’s “Crystal Palace” gaming area is expected to open in July or August, alongside the rollout of 400+ refurbished rooms. Food & Media: MasterChef Asia returns after a 10-year break, with Macau chosen as host; filming is underway and the 10-episode series will air across multiple Asian markets. Public Safety: Judiciary Police arrested a five-person Filipina group over fraud and money laundering linked to online romance scams targeting two victims.

Tourism & Culture: Macau is set to host MasterChef Asia again after a 10-year break, with a 10-episode series filmed across the city and aimed at audiences in India, Southeast Asia, China (including HK/Macau/Taiwan), South Korea, Japan and the Middle East, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and CreAsia Studio in partnership with MGTO. Public Consultation: The government will hold a 60-day public consultation from June 29 to Aug 27 on amendments to Macau’s urban master plan, the first update since it took effect in Feb 2022. Crime & Security: Judiciary Police arrested a Hong Kong man over a Cotai hotel rape case, and also busted a Filipina fraud and money-laundering gang of five linked to online romance scams. Law Enforcement: A 13-day operation targeting illegal currency exchange ended with 32 cases and continued crackdowns. Youth & Community: Summer activities will offer about 46,000 places for ages 4–25, with new AI-themed workshops and career exploration options. Sports Spotlight: UFC Fight Night Macau is underway at Galaxy Arena, headlined by Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo on Saturday.

Courtroom Fallout: Australia’s corporate watchdog is pushing for a $1.3m fine and an eight-year director ban for former Star CEO Matthias Bekier over alleged failures to disclose risky overseas junket conduct, including cash deliveries and staff trying to dodge CCTV. UFC Macau Buzz: Deiveson Figueiredo says he’s better prepared for Saturday’s headliner against Song Yadong after arriving earlier and lighter this time, while UFC’s Macau broadcast team shifts with Joe Martinez set to handle Octagon announcing. Anti-Scam Crackdown: A major cross-border operation netted 3,018 suspects tied to about $752m in reported losses, with Hong Kong among the hardest hit. Local Culture & Heritage: The Cultural Affairs Bureau is running free workshops and guided tours at World Heritage Sites for “China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day,” including VR sessions at the Ruins of St Paul’s. Macao Events Ahead: The Macao 2026 Specialised World Stamp Exhibition opens June 26 at The Venetian, and the Macau Golf Masters drew a record community turnout. Public Safety: Police arrested a South Korean man in a Cotai hotel case involving alleged detention, assault and rape of his ex-girlfriend.

Macau Budget Watch: The Chief Executive has directed government agencies to keep the 2027 budget from exceeding the 2026 level, with a new thrift-and-austerity push and tighter scrutiny of every spending item. Tourism & Cross-Border Pulse: Macau welcomed 403,000+ visitors over the Buddha’s Birthday long weekend, while border crossings hit 100 million this year—14 days ahead of last year—showing demand is still rebounding. Border Tech Upgrade: PSP says self-service immigration lanes will expand to more countries, and Border Gate will add 10 lanes later this year, boosting entry capacity. Local Culture on the Move: The “Felicidade Tipsy Weekend” drew nearly 20,000 people to Rua da Felicidade, blending cocktails, live music, and neighborhood promotions. Arts Spotlight: Macau artists are featured at the Venice Biennale in “Jacone’s Polyphony,” linking Wu Li’s unfinished journey to today’s Macau identity. Health Services Snapshot: Private clinics handled 76.3% of primary care consultations in 2025, underscoring how much residents rely on the private sector.

Border Boom: Macau’s border crossings hit 100 million trips by Sunday night—14 days earlier than last year—while police plan to add more self-service lanes at Border Gate and expand iris-recognition clearance to more eligible groups. Health & Safety: The Health Bureau is tightening monitoring for arrivals from 10 African countries amid Ebola risk, starting from 9 a.m. today. Primary Care Shift: Private clinics handled 76.3% of primary health care consultations in 2025, with 3.94 million people served across 767 facilities. Public Order & Daily Life: PSP logged 5,237 “lost property not reported” cases from 2023–2025, as residents weigh the hassle of returning found items. Culture & Community: A Macau recitation contest drew 4,043 students across 86 campuses, while Rua da Felicidade’s “Tipsy Weekend” pulled nearly 20,000 visitors. Business & Travel: Visitor arrivals rose 11.3% in April, and Macau fast-track lanes are set to expand to more countries.