A quarter century after the former Portuguese colony was made a Chinese territory, Macau’s economic boundaries with the mainland are being blurred.

Seated in the audience at Macau's Dom Pedro V Theatre in the 1970s, 16-year-old Miguel de Senna Fernandes understood not a word of the "strange language" spoken on stage -- but right away he was mesmerised.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over a day of celebrations in Macau and inaugurate the city's new leader on Friday to mark 25 years since the former colony was returned to China.Friday's festivities will be centred around the inauguration of Sam Hou-fai,

China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday to mark a quarter century of Beijing's rule over the former Portuguese enclave, and is likely during his three-day visit to urge further diversification from its casino industry.

China's President Xi Jinping said Macau should "keep up with the trend of the times" and play a bigger role on the international stage, as he urged the world's biggest gambling hub to never be complacent and show "courage" to change and innovate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Macau next week for a gathering marking 25 years since the former Portuguese colony's handover to China, state news agency Xinhua said Saturday. Xi will also attend the inauguration of Macau's incoming administration and conduct an inspection tour during the December 18-20 visit, according to Xinhua.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the casino hub of Macao to diversify its economy as he swore in the former Portuguese colony’s new government at an event marking the 25th anniversary of its handover to China.

“With the [city’s] gaming industry developing in a healthy and orderly manner in accordance with the law, Macau, as a world-class tourism and leisure centre, continues to offer new services, and major emerging industries are booming,” stated Mr Xi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Macau on Wednesday afternoon for a three-day visit as the casino hub prepares to celebrate 25 years of Beijing rule.

Xi Jinping has called for Macau to prioritise economic diversification as its “first” hope as he wrapped up a three-day tour of the Chinese gambling hub to mark the 25th anniversary of its handover from Portugal.

Experts question how far Macau can go with economic reform as city marks 25th anniversary of return to Chinese administration.

Chinese president Xi Jinping on Friday presided over the inauguration of new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai, capping off a three-day visit as the former Portuguese colony marks 25 years since being returned to China. Sam, who served as president of Macau’s ...