Integrated resort operator MGM China and the Wushu General Association of Macau signed a strategic cooperation agreement in a press conference yesterday at MGM MACAU in Nape to strengthen the preservation, innovation and international promotion of Lingnan lion dance culture, with a focus on youth development, cultural tourism and community participation.
The agreement aims to combine the resources of MGM and the wushu* group to create a long-term framework supporting lion dance development in Macau.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng, chief executive officer and executive director of MGM China Holdings Limited, pointed out that the company has invested in lion dance heritage promotion for more than 16 years. “This initiative is not a one-off cultural event, but a long-term and systematic commitment to cultural development”, Feng said.
According to a statement by MGM yesterday, the partnership will support a series of initiatives, including international lion dance competitions, youth training programmes, community outreach activities and international cultural exchanges.
Plans also include the setting-up of a Lion Dance Cultural Centre that will combine exhibitions, educational programmes and immersive experiences, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, Chan Weng Kit, president of the Wushu General Association of Macau and chairman of the Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia, said that lion dance serves as an important carrier of Lingnan** culture and community identity, adding that the partnership will help extend existing efforts into cultural promotion, urban development and international cooperation.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Catarina Lio (廖頴琦), senior vice president of Brand Marketing at MGM, highlighted the educational value of lion dance for young people. She said that the activity combines elements of sport, martial arts, music, culture and teamwork, making it a holistic learning experience for participants. “From a youth generation development perspective, the first thing if you get a chance to come to look at the training, the first class is to learn discipline”, Lio said, adding that lion dance teaches patience, respect for instructors and teamwork, noting that a single mistake can affect an entire performance.
Lio also said that lion dance programmes reach more than 60 schools in Macau, representing nearly 80 percent of local schools, noting that participation has continued to grow alongside increasing international interest in Macau’s lion dance competitions.
The partnership reflects broader efforts to transform lion dance from a traditional performance art into a sustainable cultural platform that integrates heritage preservation, youth education and tourism development, the statement said, adding that both sides hope the initiative will strengthen Macau’s cultural identity while expanding the global reach of Lingnan lion dance traditions.
*Wushu (武術) literally translates to “martial arts” or “military arts” in Chinese. It is both the nation’s ancient heritage and a highly dynamic modern sport that standardises traditional Chinese martial arts into a structured competitive discipline. – Gemini
**Lingnan (嶺南), literally meaning “South of the Ranges,” is a distinct geographic, cultural, and historical region in southern China. It primarily encompasses Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, as well as the Hong Kong and Macau SARs. – Gemini
Wushu General Association of Macau Chan Weng Kit (up) and MGM China Holdings Limited Executive Director Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng address yesterday’s press conference at MGM MACAU in Nape. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
