Macao’s former top judge is elected as the Chinese casino hub’s first leader born in mainland China

Associated Press

MACAO (AP) — Macao’s former top judge, Sam Hou Fai, has been chosen the Chinese casino hub’s next leader in a largely ceremonial election, setting him up to become the city’s first chief executive born in mainland China. Almost the entire election committee stacked with Beijing loyalists — 394 of 398 — voted on Sunday for Sam, the sole candidate, in a departure from the long-standing custom of having chief executives who were born in the former Portuguese colony, typically from influential business families. Analysts say the shift in the city’s leadership to someone from the legal profession is likely to create expectations of a declining influence from business circles. They anticipate Beijing’s policy agenda for the city will take priority.