Bill Hornbuckle, chief executive and president of MGM Resorts International, said he met China Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing alongside Xu Qifang, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, as part of discussions focused on ‘bilateral tourism’ and broader cooperation between China and international operators.
Hornbuckle disclosed the meeting in a LinkedIn post last Friday, noting it took place during a recent trip to Macau and Beijing. He described the talks as a ‘thoughtful and constructive conversation’ covering tourism collaboration, cultural exchange, and the role of travel as a ‘catalyst for broader economic activity.’
According to the post, discussions also addressed expanding travel beyond major cities and leveraging ‘cultural, entertainment, and sporting events’ to drive engagement. Hornbuckle added that the group shared MGM’s long-term vision for Macau and mainland China, emphasizing a commitment to ‘high-quality experiences’ aligned with evolving global traveler expectations.
The meeting was attended by MGM China’s executive director and chairperson, Pansy Ho, as well as Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng, chief executive of MGM China Holdings, and Fred Zhou, president of China hospitality for MGM Resorts. Zhou also serves as president and director of Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality, a joint venture developing hotels across mainland China.
The engagement comes amid renewed attention on U.S.-China relations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in China on May 14th–15th, marking the first visit to China by a U.S. president in nearly a decade, following earlier delays due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
For U.S.-linked gaming operators with investments in Macau, such high-level exchanges may carry broader significance as both sides explore avenues to support tourism flows and economic cooperation.
