China more than triples Macau's size with new maritime jurisdiction

Paradise Entertainment

17/12/2015 05:28

HONG KONG, Dec 17 (Reuters) - China has granted tiny Macau 
control over its surrounding sea for the first time to help 
boost its economic development, more than tripling the size of 
the former Portuguese colony's territory.  
    Macau, which has an area of 30 square kilometres, will 
administer its surrounding sea as well as its offshore border 
with neighbouring Zhuhai city, effectively enlarging its 
territory by 85 square kilometres, according to a notice on the 
Macau government's website on Thursday.  
    The move, which will give access to mainland vessels wishing 
to use Macau's waters, comes at a time when the world's biggest 
casino hub is facing slumping gaming revenues and the worst 
economic growth on record. 
    Macau is the only place in China where its citizens are 
allowed to gamble in casinos. The new area, however, will not 
permit any development for the gaming industry.  
    "Any fresh proposal for land reclamation involving Macau's 
newly demarcated waters would be reported to the Central 
Government; and there would be no gaming venues or commercial 
gaming activities in such areas," Macau's Chief Executive Chui 
Sai On wrote in a statement. 
    Like Hong Kong, Macau is ruled under the one country-two 
systems model that affords its residents wide-ranging personal 
freedoms that don't exist on the mainland. Critics say these 
freedoms have been eroding under pressure from China. 
    Space-starved Macau, which has one of the world's highest 
population densities for its 600,000 residents, will step up its 
role in national policy and help boost the nation's maritime 
economy, Chui added. 
    China has been putting pressure on Macau, home to 37 
casinos, to diversify away from an industry that brings in over 
80 percent of government revenue.  
    Casino operators have responded by building more non-gaming 
amenities such as Melco Crown's Studio City resort which opened 
with a Batman ride and ferris wheel.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL3N12R4EJ          
    Macau's Secretary for Economy and Finance met with 
representatives of the city's six casino operators for talks 
this week about enhancing Macau's economic competitiveness.  
    Gambling revenue has plummeted for the past 18 months, and 
is expected to drop some 35 percent for 2015.  
 
 (Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Ryan Woo) 
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 28431631 , +852 9631 
8262; Reuters Messaging: 
farah.master.thomsonreuters@thomsonreuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: MACAU CHINA/MARITIME