Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks next to outgoing Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui at Macau International Airport in Macau, China December 18, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves at children holding Chinese and Macau flags after arriving at Macau International Airport in Macau, China December 18, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its handover to China, and is expected to announce economic perks as a reward for its stability and loyalty as protests rock nearby Hong Kong. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Children holding Chinese and Macau flags get ready before Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival at Macau International Airport in Macau, China December 18, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. Security was tight in the gambling hub, especially for people arriving from Hong Kong. Among the polices Xi is expected to announce are steps to diversifying the former Portuguese colony's economic base beyond its casinos. REUTERS/Jason Lee
A security personnel walks with a sniffer dog before Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival at Macau International Airport in Macau, China December 18, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. Among the measures Xi is expected to unveil are plans to develop it into a financial centre, including a new yuan-denominated stock exchange. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Tourists rest in front of the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau, China December 17, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. Xi's visit, his longest official trip to Macau, will include meetings with government officials and business representatives, as well as the swearing-in of Macau's newly chosen Beijing-backed leader, Ho Iat-seng, on Friday. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Pupils come back from school, in Macau, China December 17, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. Macau returned to Chinese rule on Dec. 20, 1999, with the same "one country, two systems" formula aimed at preserving autonomy under which Hong Kong is governed. REUTERS/Jason Lee
The Grand Lisboa hotel is seen near old apartment blocks in Macau, China December 17, 2019, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to China. While protesters in Hong Kong, across the mouth of the Pearl River, are infuriated by what they see as Beijing encroaching on their freedoms, Macau has seen little dissent. Protests are very rare in the territory with more than half of Macau's 620,000 population immigrating from China in recent decades. REUTERS/Jason Lee