In Macau, Portuguese elites feel squeezed out by Chinese influence
[ad_1] MACAU: Nearly 20 years have passed since Portugal handed Macau over to China, and although colonial culture still infuses parts of daily life, the influence of the territory's Portuguese elite is declining rapidly as the special administrative region becomes increasingly closer to mainland China. Authorities say they want the world's largest gambling hub to diversify into a trade and business centre for Portuguese-speaking countries including Brazil, Portugal and Angola, but there is a gaping disconnect, Portuguese residents say. Two Portuguese top legal advisers, renowned for their expertise and training of local judges and prosecutors, were abruptly dismissed in August, far ahead of retirement age. And legislation this year proposed Portuguese judges should be removed from sensitive cases altogether. "They say everywhere that Portuguese are part of Macau and are always welcome, part of the history. In fact, what they are doing is not what they are saying," s...