Politics

9 October 2025
The NBA holds preseason matches in Macao on Oct. 10 and 12, marking a symbolic return to China after a six-year hiatus.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te visits the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in Taipei on Sept. 19.
Your Week in Asia

Taiwan president's speech, Malaysia budget, NBA preseason in Macao

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

6 October 2025
Au Kam-san, one of the few open proponents of democracy in Macao, speaks with Nikkei Asia in late 2024. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Politics

Macao democrat arrested for alleged foreign collusion

Gambling hub tightens control as city prepares for legislative election

31 July 2025
Visitors from mainland China walk in front of a casino in Macao. The territory has seen an influx of funds from wealthy Chinese.
Politics

Macao 'satellite casinos' to close as China cracks down on dark money

11 sites to shut by year-end as end of grace period looms

11 June 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping hails the success of Macao under the "One Country, Two Systems" formula in a speech on Dec. 20.
Politics

Security is name of game in Macao as Xi marks 25 years since handover

Chinese president urges casino capital to spread its economic bets

20 December 2024
Au Kam-san served for two decades as a Macao legislator after the handover. He retired in 2021, before his successor and peers were disqualified from running for office. He remains unusually outspoken about democracy. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)  
Interview

Macao democracy advocate sees tough path for city's new chief

Au Kam-san says Beijing's emphasis on security will complicate economic agenda

14 October 2024
Sam Hou-fai, Macao's former top judge, is set to become the chief executive of the world's leading casino hub. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Macao's predetermined election reverberates across casinos and Hong Kong

Sam Hou-fai set to be first chief executive born outside former Portuguese colony

12 October 2024
Sam Hou-fai, center, the former president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal, looks set to become the city's next chief executive after a one-candidate election.
Your Week in Asia

ASEAN summit, Macao's lonely election, 7-Eleven operator earnings

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

6 October 2024
Macao's former top judge, Sam Hou-fai, announces his candidacy for chief executive on Aug. 28.
Politics

Macao's former top judge to run unopposed in leadership race

Sam Hou-fai nominated by 96% of voting committee

13 September 2024
Macao in June: Some mainland Chinese are believed to use casinos in Macao as a way to circumvent strict capital controls by Beijing. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Macao casinos rake in revenue as authorities target money changers

Unlicensed services for gamblers seen as path to skirt Beijing's capital controls

1 September 2024
Secretary for Attractiveness Frederic Genta is pitching the wealthy European principality of Monaco to Asian investors. (Monaco's Government Communication Department)
International relations

Monaco 'attractiveness secretary' woos Asian investors on Macao visit

Prince Albert II's microstate bets on ties between Monte Carlo and Macao casinos

16 April 2024
Macao's landmark Casino Lisboa. The city's VIP gambling business suffered a sharp downturn during the pandemic.
Travel & Leisure

Macao slaps new tax on VIP gambling business

Junket operators say 5% levy on casino commissions will 'kill' sector

8 February 2023
China is set to announce on Tuesday GDP growth rates for the last quarter and the 2022 full year, along with other key economic data. In December it scrapped its zero-COVID strategy, which had weighed on growth.
Your Week in Asia

Davos 2023, China GDP, Chinese Lunar New Year starts

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

15 January 2023
A woman gets swabbed to be tested for COVID-19 in Shanghai. Beginning on Jan. 5, all air passengers heading to the U.S., 2 years old and older, will require a negative result from a test no more than two days before departure from China, Hong Kong or Macao.
Coronavirus

U.S. to require negative COVID test results for travelers from China

Washington joins Japan, Taiwan, India and Italy in taking new measures

29 December 2022
Inflation is forcing many households in Pakistan to cut back on meals. 
Your Week in Asia

IMF decision on Pakistan, China PMI, Macao junket king's trial

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

28 August 2022
Macao has recorded around 1,500 COVID-19 infections since mid-June. Around 19,000 people are currently in mandatory quarantine.
Coronavirus

Macao gaming shares tumble as COVID outbreak shuts casinos

Over 30 venues will stay closed for a week; residents ordered to stay home

11 July 2022
A croupier works at a gaming table at MGM Cotai Resort in Macau in February 2018: Japan is late to the party.
Opinion

China shows why Asia's casino bubble was always doomed

Other Japanese cities should follow Yokohama's decision to walk away

20 September 2021
The Macao Electoral Affairs Commission attributed the decline in voting to bad weather and pandemic travel controls. (Courtesy Macao Government Information Bureau)
Politics

Plunge in Macao voter turnout carries signal for Hong Kong

Participation falls below 50% for first time after 21 candidates disqualified

13 September 2021
Hong Kong's Victoria Park on the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators: The organization that hosted the vigil says it will dismiss its entire staff.
Politics

230 elected pro-democrats quit Hong Kong local councils

Loyalty pledge requirement accelerates crackdown against political activism

13 July 2021
Police officers raise the flags of China and Macao in the territory's Golden Lotus Square.
Politics

Macao disqualifies pro-democracy groups from legislative election

Three incumbents among about 20 candidates barred from September polls

9 July 2021
The Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan is housed in the iconic Taipei 101 building.
Politics

Macao follows Hong Kong in closing Taiwan office

No reason given for move that follows China's biggest incursion into Taiwan ADIZ

16 June 2021
The Taj Mahal in the northern Indian city of Agra reopens Monday with strict safety guidelines in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Your Week in Asia

UN General Assembly, Taj Mahal reopens, Sabah election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

20 September 2020
A casino dealer collects chips at a roulette table in Manila. Chinese account for a fifth of foreign visitors to the Philippines.
Travel & Leisure

China's foreign casino ban risks snake eyes for Vietnam and rivals

Macao stands to lure high rollers from destinations like Philippines and Singapore

7 September 2020
Delegates applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for the opening session of China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 22. (Xinhua via AP)
Politics

Xi's Hong Kong power grab deftly masks domestic shortcomings

With a single stroke, president shuts down critics in his party and justifies US tensions

23 May 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the White House South Lawn on Tuesday.
Coronavirus

Trump weighs adding Japan to coronavirus travel restrictions

India, Thailand and cities in China announce measures to limit travelers

4 March 2020
The Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has left Macao casinos with few customers other than city residents.
Society

Macao locals' gambling habits prompt rising concern

Casino operators expected to face new obligations to combat addiction

3 March 2020
A staff member wearing a face mask stands in front of a restaurant on Valentine's Day in Beijing.
15 February 2020
Zhang Xiaoming has been removed from his position as director of China's office handling Hong Kong affairs.
Hong Kong protests

Xi tightens grip on Hong Kong with change at the top

Central government sacks highest official responsible for protest-hit city

14 February 2020
At least 61 people are infected with the novel coronavirus on the Diamond Princess, seen anchored at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, on Feb. 7.
Coronavirus

No port in a storm: Cruise ships left adrift over coronavirus

Luxury liners struggle to drop anchor as countries turn them away

7 February 2020
The Diamond Princess off the coast of Yokohama. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said foreigners on a second cruise ship would not be allowed to enter Japan.
Coronavirus

41 new coronavirus cases confirmed on Yokohama cruise ship

Japan denies entry to foreigners on another cruise ship from Hong Kong

7 February 2020