Macao, China — In a symbolic yet significant electoral event, around 400 pro-Beijing electors will cast their votes this Sunday for the sole candidate, Sam Hou Fai, signaling a shift in leadership for the gambling capital of Macao. This vote is poised to install the first chief executive born in mainland China, a departure from the local tradition favoring representatives from influential, native business families.
Sam, a former top judge aged 62, is expected to win the election effortlessly, having already secured the endorsement of 386 out of the 400 election committee members. This apparent unanimity underscores the ceremonial nature of the election, influenced heavily by Beijing’s preferences for its administrative regions.
Residents of Macao, most of whom lack suffrage, express mixed feelings about the electoral process they are excluded from. Some harbor optimism that Sam will prioritize public interest over business elitism, while others feel alienated from a political procedure they have no stake in.
Observers note, however, that Sam’s non-local origins are unlikely to stir much controversy in Macao, a city accustomed to migration and cultural diversity. With his victory all but confirmed, the focus shifts to the challenges he will face in governance, particularly those involving Macao’s economic reliance on the gambling industry.
Macao stands as the sole bastion of legal casino gambling in China, an industry that significantly bolsters the local economy but also raises concerns about over-dependence. The central government in Beijing has urged Macao to diversify its economy, fostering growth in tourism, traditional Chinese medicine, finance, and international trade.
In line with Beijing’s directives, Sam has committed to accelerating plans to transform Macao into a global tourism and leisure hub. Furthermore, he aims to strengthen Macao’s role as a conduit for trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. These initiatives are crucial for reducing the city’s economic dependency on gambling, which still remains a vital source of revenue.
Local small businesses, however, face challenges as Macao’s residents often opt for shopping in nearby Zhuhai, where a wider selection of goods is available at more competitive prices. This shopping pattern, coupled with a decline in Chinese tourist spending, underscores the urgent need for economic diversification.
Sam’s transition from judiciary to executive leadership raises questions about his capacity to assemble a competent government team adept at addressing these issues. Despite his robust legal background, including nearly a quarter-century as Macao’s top judge and his education in law at Peking University and the University of Coimbra in Portugal, his practical experience in government leadership is untested.
During his tenure in Macao’s courts, Sam handled politically sensitive cases, including dismissing appeals against police bans on vigils for the Tiananmen Square protests and rulings that excluded pro-democracy figures from legislative ballots.
As Sunday’s election approaches, the people of Macao, and observers beyond, will watch closely. The real test for Sam Hou Fai will begin with his governance challenges, as he attempts to navigate the delicate balance between traditional economic practices and the innovative pathways dictated by Beijing for Macao’s future.