On December 18th, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping arrived in Macau for a visit. The Macau authorities were accused of being on high alert, with unprecedented security measures in place, and freedom of speech being suppressed. Articles deemed “dissonant” by Macau media were forced to be taken down.
On the evening of December 19th, Xi Jinping attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Macau government and delivered a speech. Accompanying Chinese Communist Party officials included Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, He Wei Dong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Wang Xiao Hong, Minister of Public Security.
This visit to Macau marks Xi Jinping’s third visit as the President of China, with his last visit being in 2019. According to the schedule, Xi Jinping will stay in Macau from December 18th to 20th for three days, attending the 25th-anniversary ceremony of the Macau handover of sovereignty and presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the new government on the 20th.
Just before Xi Jinping’s visit to Macau, the Macau government, under orders from Beijing, implemented “stability maintenance” measures in the region.
According to a report from the independent Macau media outlet “Lunjin” on December 20th, Xi Jinping’s visit to Macau involved a three-day inspection. However, details about the inspection activities were not publicly announced or arranged by the Macau Information Bureau, leaving many aspects shrouded in mystery. It was revealed that only Xinhua News Agency was allowed to report on the inspection activities, while local media could only cite information from official sources.
Local media reporters faced challenges in covering the handover and inauguration events, as they were required to submit their personal identification to the Information Bureau in advance and register for specific events for coverage, awaiting approval.
A previous article published by “Lunjin” titled “Xi Jinping’s Arrival in Macau – Speculations on Heightened Alert, Vending Machines, Motorcycle Spaces Sealed Off, Netizens Mock: All Bark and No Bite” mentioned the increased security measures in Macau following Xi Jinping’s visit. The article quoted Internet users describing the situation as “all bark and no bite.”
However, this article was swiftly taken down. On December 17th, “Lunjin” issued an “Apology Notice” on its official website, stating that, due to unavoidable reasons, the article mentioned above was removed. The statement expressed apologies to the readers for this decision.
Reports from media outlets like “Macau Power News” indicated that Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on December 18th. Enhanced security measures were observed at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on December 18th, with passengers being directed based on their destinations, and stricter security checks for those heading to Macau. At the Macau Outer Harbor Terminal, police officers with shields were stationed in the arrival hall, and passengers’ belongings underwent security inspections.
Several weeks ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to Macau, the Macau Civil Aviation Authority had already announced a ban on flying drones throughout Macau from December 14th to 22nd.
Furthermore, on November 5th, the Chief Executive of Macau issued a directive for a city-wide disarmament. From December 1st at midnight to December 22nd at midnight, all shooting practices and sports shooting competitions at the Macau International Shooting Center were suspended. Additionally, from December 17th at midnight to 24th at midnight, all weapons and ammunition shops as well as firearm replica retailers suspended their operations during specific times. Individuals eligible to possess firearms were required to surrender their weapons and ammunition to the authorities for storage, while private security companies had to make separate applications.
It is worth noting that an unexpected scene unfolded when Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arrived at Macau Airport.
According to footage from CCTV News, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan disembarked from the aircraft together, descended the stairs, and then accepted flowers from Macau schoolchildren.
Overseas Chinese writer and self-media personality Zeng Zeng posted on social media platform X, highlighting a comparison between a video from CCTV (Video 1) and a video from foreign media (Video 2). It was pointed out that CCTV edited out a few seconds from the video where Peng Liyuan, supporting Xi Jinping as he walked down the stairs, whispered to him, “Take it easy.”
What does this signify? It suggests Peng Liyuan’s concern for Xi Jinping’s well-being, a fact that CCTV seemingly wanted to conceal.
However, CCTV overlooked another incident in the video, where a primary school student offered flowers to Xi Jinping, raised their right hand for a handshake, but Xi Jinping initially hesitated, prompting the student to raise their hand again for a handshake signal, to which Xi Jinping quickly extended his hand to shake the student’s hand.
Chinese netizens commented on Xi Jinping’s delayed response compared to the elementary student’s quick initiative. Some remarked, “The girl may not have learned the proper etiquette in China – saluting, and Xi seems confused.” Others joked, “Baozi [Xi Jinping’s nickname] doesn’t trust the military, and Peng doesn’t trust Baozi’s leg.”