Macao: magnetic Chinese hub with multiple charms

CITY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Years ago, Macao's cultural landscape was vastly different. Few people considered traveling there for live concerts. Wu Zhiliang, president of the Board of Directors of the Macao Foundation and a resident of the city for nearly 40 years, recalled a time when even free performances failed to draw local audiences.

Since its return to the motherland, however, Macao has developed into a destination capable of attracting world-class artists such as Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and Herbie Hancock.

This transformation has been fueled by the SAR's growing prosperity under the "one country, two systems" policy -- a unique arrangement that allows it to maintain its capitalist system and way of life within socialist China. By 2023, Macao's per capita GDP had more than quadrupled compared to 1999, reaching nearly $70,000.

Modern venues like the Macao Cultural Center have played a pivotal role in hosting performances, while the SAR has also leveraged its rich cultural heritage. In October 2024, renowned Chinese-American pipa virtuoso Wu Man performed at the Dom Pedro V Theater, the first Western-style theater built in China in 1860.

"The historic venue blends beautifully with the pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument," Wu Man told Xinhua. "The atmosphere was excellent, and I could feel the audience's enthusiasm for the captivating sounds and melodies."

Major entertainment companies are also recognizing Macao's potential. On Dec 7, 2024, the Galaxy Arena hosted the iQIYI Scream Night, a star-studded event celebrating top entertainment achievements. This marked the second consecutive year the leading online entertainment platform chose Macao for its annual extravaganza. According to iQIYI, the event drew hundreds of industry stars, thousands of live spectators, and hundreds of millions of online viewers.

The city's growing reputation as a cultural hub is evident in its statistics. The SAR's 2023 Yearbook of Statistics reported over 55,000 public performances and cultural exhibitions held that year, a significant increase from approximately 38,000 in 2013.

Generation Z artist Kun Wangtou, an emerging figure in the local art scene, said exhibitions are now a constant presence in the city.

Despite his youth, Kun's reputation has kept him busy traveling between Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai. His works are currently being showcased in both locations, where he often provides personal introductions for visitors.

Kun, who initially worked as a photographer after earning his bachelor's degree in Boston, decided to return to his hometown to focus on his art. "I am deeply indebted to my hometown for the unwavering support it has given me," he said.