Macau gaming operator SJM Holdings Ltd has begun a targeted repurchase of its US$500 million senior notes due on 27 January 2026, with filings showing the company has acquired approximately 34 % of the outstanding principal as part of a broader refinancing and debt-management strategy. The senior notes carry a fixed interest rate of 4.500 per cent and were originally issued in January 2021. SJM’s move reflects balancing near-term obligations while pursuing financial flexibility in a competitive market backdrop.
Cambodia has moved to tighten its foreign residency regulations as part of an effort to strengthen national security and bolster confidence among tourists and international investors. The Ministry of Interior has instructed the General Department of Immigration (GDI) to increase oversight of foreign nationals, including better monitoring of residency status and compliance with Cambodian law, in a measure officials say will make the country safer and more attractive for long-term economic engagement. These changes were highlighted during a government conference reviewing 2025 achievements and outlining policy directions for 2026.
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Mai Văn Chính has urged a series of streamlined tourism measures aimed at helping the country reach its ambitious target of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026. Speaking at a meeting of the State Steering Committee for Tourism, Chính emphasized the need to remove institutional bottlenecks, accelerate digital transformation in visa processes and entry-exit procedures, and renew promotional strategies to boost both foreign arrivals and domestic holidaymakers. The government’s goal reflects a shift from recovery to quality growth in the tourism sector, building on the record performance seen in 2025.
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Cui Lijie, the 68-year-old Chinese billionaire and majority shareholder of Imperial Pacific International (IPI), on alleged immigration violations in the United States, according to multiple recent reports. Cui was booked and is being held at the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Corrections while details of the alleged violations and the timeline of the investigation remain sparse. Authorities have not yet released specific charges or indicated how long the probe has been underway, though local court records confirm her detention pending an upcoming immigration hearing.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment has announced a pay increase for eligible non-management team members, reinforcing its commitment to workforce stability as Macau’s gaming and tourism sector continues its post-pandemic normalization. The salary adjustment, which takes effect in 2026, applies to frontline and operational staff and reflects the company’s broader strategy of retaining talent while maintaining service quality across its integrated resorts. The move follows similar wage and bonus announcements by other Macau concessionaires in recent weeks, underscoring intensifying competition for experienced staff in a tightening labor market.
Author: Janice Chew • Wednesday, 14/01/2026
