The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has been granted administrative powers over its surrounding seas by China, resulting in more than tripling of the size of its jurisdiction. According to the Government Information Bureau, Macau’s territory now includes 85 square kilometers of waters surroundin
The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has been granted administrative powers over its surrounding seas by China, resulting in more than tripling of the size of its jurisdiction.
According to the Government Information Bureau, Macau's territory now includes 85 square kilometers of waters surrounding the small country, as well as an area of land where it borders neighboring city Zhuhai, along with its original area of 30 square kilometers. The news continued by stating that “there would be no gaming facilities operated in the zone” or on any reclaimed land created on said waters.
This new development is seen as an opportunity for the country to develop its maritime economy by boosting maritime-related tourism and trade with nearby Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. This comes at an apt time as the government is leaning on business operators in the country to diversify the local economy after suffering great losses from the gambling industry, with gross gaming revenues reportedly falling 34.3 percent to US$29 billion last year based on figures released by Macau's Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
The government aims to improve security in these waters by increasing manpower and the number of boats that will be used to patrol the territory. Maritime threats, such as piracy and terrorism, can hinder trade and shipping as well as incur high costs to the company, the local economy as a whole, and even to human life. As such, it might become important for the government and companies involved to develop a security solution to ensure safety in Macau's waters and seaports.