Chinese casino hub Macao's elite choose new leader

Macao and nearby Hong Kong are former European colonies that were handed back to Beijing, becoming Chinese special administrative regions that retain considerable control over their own affairs under a formula known as “one country, two systems.”

An elite pro-Beijing panel on Sunday chose a new leader for the Chinese casino gambling hub Macao.

Macao and nearby Hong Kong are former European colonies that were handed back to Beijing, becoming Chinese special administrative regions that retain considerable control over their own affairs under a formula known as “one country, two systems.”

Residents of the two cities can elect some politicians but the top leader is handpicked by an elite committee.

While Hong Kong has been gripped by two months of turbulent anti-government protests demanding full democracy, Mr. Ho’s anointment went ahead with little controversy, highlighting Macau’s much weaker opposition movement. Officials said the 62-year-old Ho garnered 392 votes from Macau’s 400-member “election committee.”

“The protests against the extradition bill will end,” Mr. Ho said at a press conference, adding that the demonstrations were taking a toll on the enclave’s tourism industry.

Macao, an hour by high-speed ferry from Hong Kong, is the world’s biggest casino gambling market, raking in revenues dwarfing the Las Vegas Strip and fueled by high rolling mainland Chinese gamblers wagering at glitzy resorts run by companies including Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts.