Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the casino hub of Macao to diversify its economy as he swore in the former Portuguese colony’s new government on Friday at an event marking the 25th anniversary of its handover to China.

Xi Jinping has called for Macau to prioritise economic diversification as its “first” hope as he wrapped up a three-day tour of the Chinese gambling hub to mark the 25th anniversary of its handover from Portugal.

China's President Xi Jinping said Macau should "keep up with the trend of the times" and play a bigger role on the international stage, as he urged the world's biggest gambling hub never to be complacent and show "courage" to change and innovate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday inaugurated a new Macau leader and called for the gambling hub to diversify its economy as the former colony marked 25 years since being returned to China. The Chinese president on Friday emphasised the need for a diversified economy as he laid out "four hopes" for Sam's administration.