Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai in Beijing on December 16, 2025, to discuss governance priorities and regional development strategies. The meeting occurred during Hou Fai's annual duty visit, marking 26 years since Macao's return to China in 1999.
Xi emphasized Macao's role as a 'bridge for economic cooperation' between the Chinese mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries, while commending the SAR's pandemic recovery efforts. 'Macao has maintained social stability and economic diversification despite global challenges,' Xi stated, reaffirming central government support for the region's tourism and technology initiatives.
Hou Fai presented updates on Macao's integrated tourism development and financial sector reforms, highlighting a 4.8% year-on-year GDP growth recorded in Q3 2025. The discussion also touched on enhanced cross-strait cultural exchanges, with Macao positioned to host the 2026 Lusophone Cultural Forum.
