Adjusting the transit stay of Chinese passport holders was to accommodate the development of “one centre and one platform”, the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said today.

Speaking to reporters after the graduation ceremony of the Academy of Public Security Forces, Mr Wong said the move aimed to transform Macao as “one centre and one platform” – a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

The decrease of irregularity found last year is also of the favouring factors for such adjustment.

Under the new rule, which came into effect on 1 July, holders of Chinese passports with proof of transfer to third destination can stay in the city for maximum seven days.

If such travellers breach the rule, they will only be granted a two-day transit period on their second arrival within the coming 30 days. Their entry would be denied for 30 days if they repeatedly acted against the rule.

Mr Wong said the Government did not rule out revising the measure again if they found any irregularity.

The Government adjusted the transit measure in July last year, limiting Chinese travellers up a five-day stay during transit.

When asked, the Secretary said the work on preventing driving under the influence of drug and alcohol was effective, as the number of violation went down in the past few years.