MGM and the Wushu General Association of Macau officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement today to jointly promote the preservation, innovation, and international development of Lingnan lion dance culture. By bringing together the strengths and resources of an integrated resort operator and a leading sports and cultural association, this partnership marks a significant milestone in Macau’s cultural heritage preservation and culture‑tourism integration. It is also set to transform lion dance from an “intangible heritage for viewing” into a “participatory, experiential, and sustainable” urban cultural system.

16 Years of Dedication: From Preservation to Innovation

Kenneth Feng, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited said that MGM has long been committed to promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture and has invested in lion dance heritage for over 16 years. He stated: “This initiative is not a one‑off cultural event, but a long‑term and systematic commitment to cultural development. We began with a single international invitational and have since developed a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing professional competitions, youth development, community engagement, cultural showcases, and international exchange.”

He also underscored the importance of innovation in cultural preservation, citing key milestones such as staging lion dance competitions to Barra Square, set against the UNESCO World Heritage landmark of the A-Ma Temple, creating a truly unique heritage-site competition on the global stage. Meanwhile, the launch of the “MGM Lion Dance Festival” integrates culture, sports, and tourism, breathing new life into traditional culture across diverse settings.

A Powerful Partnership to Build a Sustainable Cultural Ecosystem

Chan Weng Kit, President of Wushu General Association of Macau and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia, stated that lion dance is not only a form of performance art, but also a vital carrier of Lingnan culture and a shared collective memory of the community. He said: “MGM’s longstanding commitment to promoting lion dance development has delivered remarkable results. This strategic partnership represents a powerful alliance with far‑reaching significance.”

The Wushu General Association of Macau currently comprises 130 affiliated associations and over 9,000 members and has long been dedicated to the development of local martial arts and lion dance. Through this collaboration, its efforts will be further extended to cultural promotion, urban applications, and international exchange.

Diverse Initiatives to Drive Public Participation and Youth Development

Under the cooperation framework, both parties will jointly establish a comprehensive and forward-looking development framework for lion dance culture, with key initiatives including:

• Organizing professional international competitions, including the highly anticipated “The 13th International Lion Dance Championship – MGM Cup”
• Launching youth development programs such as the “MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class”
• Curating the “MGM Lion Dance Festival” to enrich the city’s cultural vibrancy
• Expanding outreach across schools and communities to inspire broader participation
• Strengthening international exchange and collaboration to elevate the global presence of lion dance

In addition, both parties will advance the development of the “Lion Dance Cultural Centre”, a dedicated venue combining exhibitions, immersive experiences, and education, allowing residents and visitors to engage with the artistry of lion dance up close.

Shaping Macau’s Cultural IP and Advancing Culture‑Sports‑Tourism Integration

Both parties share the belief that cultural heritage must evolve through “living development”. Lion dance embodies not only refined skills and disciplined training, but also a spirit of unity and perseverance, serving as an important cultural bridge connecting generations and communities.

With the support of the Macau SAR Government and the collective efforts of all sectors, MGM will leverage its strengths in creative curation, experience design, and international outreach, together with the Wushu General Association’s deep professional foundation and community network. Through systematic training, innovative platforms, and global engagement, they aim to elevate lion dance from a traditional performance into a representative cultural IP of Macau. This initiative will further promote the integration of culture, sports, and tourism, attract greater youth participation, and enable this intangible cultural heritage to take deeper root in Macau while reaching a broader global audience.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by 100 guests, industry representatives and media. Attending guests included: Jennifer Si Tou, Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Pong Sio Wan, Head of the Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs and Civic Education of the Municipal Affairs Bureau; Lei Pui Veng, Head of the Athletes Development Department of the Sports Bureau; Lou Ho Ian, Director of Macao Museum of the Cultural Affairs Bureau; Sit Kai Sin, Director of the Maritime Museum of the Marine and Water Bureau; Loi Mei Tim, Head of the Activities Centre of Bairro do Hipódromo of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Chan Ka Leong, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the District Development Center of General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao; Chan Weng Kit, President of Wushu General Association of Macau and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia; Wong Yi Moon, Vice President of Wushu General Association of Macau; Kenneth Feng, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; and Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM.

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About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in Greater China. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. The POLY MGM MUSEUM spanning almost 2,000 square meters, is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities also include conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, MGM COTAI offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings, food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience.  MGM has joined hands with renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to set up the “Macau 2049” residency in MGM Theater. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Serena Chin                     

Director of Corporate Communications

MGM 

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: serenachin@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Assistant Director of Corporate Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo