HONG KONG, Dec 3, Reuters - China's top representative in the semiautonomous gambling hub of Macau will advise the former Portuguese colony's government on national security matters, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.
Last week, Macau authorities arrested Alvin Chau at www.reuters. com World asia-pacific gambling-group suncitys-shares set-rise 61 after-arrested chairman-resigns - 2021 -- 12 -- 02, the founder of Macau's biggest junket operator, which brings in high rollers to play at casinos, along with 10 others, for allegedly using Macau as a base for an illegal live web betting platform. A warrant for Chau's arrest was issued by the mainland Chinese city of Wenzhou, accusing him of forming an extensive junket agent network that helps citizens engage in gambling activities and setting up a company that helps gamblers make cross-border fund transfers.
The move was seen as a warning that Macao and mainland Chinese authorities were adopting a zero-tolerance approach to the promotion of gambling in mainland China, where it is illegal.
Xinhua said that Macau asked Beijing to appoint a national security affairs adviser in the city and that Beijing tasked the head of its Liaison Office Fu Ziying to oversee, coordinate, and support the government on the matter.
Three national security technical advisers from the Liaison Office, which is Beijing's main representative institution in Macau, will be appointed by Beijing.