Crossword Genius

Obama cautious holding former colony (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

macau

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'former colony' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'obama cautious holding' is the wordplay.
'holding' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'MACAU' is hidden within 'obama cautious'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for macau that I've seen before include "Small peninsula in China, a Portuguese territory until 1999" , "region of China" , "SW of 24 [SHANGHAI]" , "Part of China" , "somewhere in China" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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