Macau’s move away from gambling will remain difficult

Significance Macau, more than Hong Kong, embodies President Xi Jinping’s ‘one country, two systems’ vision, as it enjoys economic freedoms while remaining loyal to Beijing. However, efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on the gambling sector have barely progressed. Impacts Chinese territory adjacent to Macau will benefit from cooperative economic projects, especially in transportation, housing and services. Rising Chinese tourism will offset the impact of lower levels of Western tourism to Macau. Macau will become more integrated with China, both for demographic reasons and because local policy is increasingly directed by Beijing.