Chinese casino hub Macau struggles to evolve beyond gaming

In the shadow of the Grand Lisboa, the Macau casino world-famous for its “golden lotus” design, fashion boutique owner Suzanne Leong wonders if the economic miracle that initially made her fortune has now cast her aside. The Chinese casino hub once again tops the world in gaming revenue in 2024 as visitors return after the Covid-19 pandemic, but residents like Ms Leong point to a huge disparity in which parts of the economy are bouncing back. As Macau celebrates 25 years under Beijing rule this week, many feel more urgently than ever that the city needs to diversify its economy – something Beijing has demanded for years to underwhelming results.

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