China's Xi urges new govt of gambling hub Macau to diversify economy

China's President Xi Jinping urged Macau's new government to have the "courage" to diversify the economy of the world's biggest gambling hub as the former Portuguese enclave swore in its first city leader born and raised in mainland China.

Mr Xi's comments were made at the inauguration on Dec 20 of the Macau government helmed by former judge Sam Hou Fai, who was born in China's southern Guangdong province and speaks fluent Portuguese.

Mr Xi called for Macau to develop new industries and connect with China's national development strategies, including the Greater Bay Area, an ambitious economic plan to link several cities in southern China, including the neighboring financial hubs of Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

"At present the overall situation in Macau is stable, but the internal and external environment is undergoing profound changes," he said. "Efforts should be made to promote moderate economic diversification... focus on cultivating new industries with international competitiveness."