Macau is rising in the post-COVID era and confirms its role as the main destination for domestic Chinese tourism. Macau effectively promotes itself externally, and Beijing encourages this flow that ensures revenue. Despite the lingering disagreements over the concessions demanded by the Government, the operators are finding their way back to profits, as evidenced by Sands’ results in the first semester. However, Ho Iat Seng promises to deepen Portuguese language education, starting from the early years of schooling. The more optimistic may say: all is well when it returns to its place. But it’s not quite like that. The problems are structural. And they threaten to become eternal.
There is no horizon beyond tourism as long as diversification plans remain dependent on concessions demanded from the operators. This contradiction, within the terms and conditions of the industry’s essence, conceals the true drama of a city long addicted to gaming taxes. Essentially, it’s like demanding that Xerox not sell prints, but instead sell ballpoint pens or pictorial art. Even if it can be imposed in the short term, one cannot harbor the illusion that there is a future in it. Reality will eventually prevail.
What can be demanded of tourism agents today is that they reverse the short-term anguish that gripped the city during the zero-COVID policy. And they are doing so. Indeed, the signals are positive. It’s impossible to reinvent a city that hasn’t existed for decades in a matter of months. It’s wise not to fall into the temptation of believing that Beijing will eventually accept that Macau must thrive on gambling. That’s not the central plan… Therefore, if that’s Macau’s illusion, it’s doomed to failure.
As for Portuguese language education, the political narrative recognizing bilingualism as an identity trait, a tool for diversification, and international affirmation deserves sincere praise. However, once again, there’s a curtain trying to deceive us. Are the new political and economic elites truly committed to this goal? They are not. In fact, they are increasingly distant from it.
First, language education lacks the quality and ambition for an objective of such magnitude. Chinese students learning Portuguese for years are light-years away from being speakers – let alone writers – in the language of Camões. In fact, just like students taking Mandarin classes at the Portuguese School of Macau, who finish high school knowing little more than what we all say to a taxi driver or a fruit vendor. Multiculturalism, the soul of Macau, has two dimensions – and it must go far beyond language. And what is seen – and felt – is a city turning its back on its Portuguese heritage and autonomous culture. Economically, socially, and politically.
Language education – and education in general – maintains such low standards that local children emigrate to foreign universities. And so, we deceive ourselves with the narrative of a bilingual center of excellence or a city that distinguishes itself from China in every way.
The return of tourism and the recovery of casinos were the only short-term formula to save the city. Portuguese language education and bilingualism, above all a culture of educational excellence, are part of the essence of the future that awaits us. Therefore, there are reasons to celebrate the short-term economic and political signs. But it’s also essential to have intellectual honesty and a medium- and long-term vision. Either the Lusophone bridge and economic diversification gain consistency and ambition, or sooner or later, we will regret not having looked beyond the curtain.
*Director General of PLATAFORMA
