This Issue’s Topical Story

Construction of “Guangdong-Macao Intensive Co-operation Zone in Hengqin” Boosts Macao’s Moderate Diversification of Economic Development

Over the years, Guangdong and Macao have been practically carrying out the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and the major tasks set out at the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference, and maintaining close co-operation in different areas, in order to align with new development trends. This has enabled both regions to grasp the opportunities arising from the country’s “Thirteenth Five-Year Plan”, the “Belt and Road” Initiative, the State Council’s “Guiding Opinions on Deepening Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation”, and the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”. Both sides have continued to push forward the development of Guangdong-Macao co-operation platform including the “Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Industrial Park” in Hengqin, to collaboratively recruit investors and enterprises, intensify multi-faceted co-operation and intensify liaison mechanism.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced in the end of 2019 that NDRC will follow the strategy of the Central Government and actively support the construction of a Guangdong-Macao intensive co-operation zone in Hengqin. The purposes of this zone are building up a mechanism that allows collaborative planning, construction and management for Guangdong and Macao, optimising the “hierarchical management” strategy, exploring the possibility of deepening reform and opening up in terms of civil and commercial laws’ applicability and trading, crafting a business environment that highly aligns with international standard, boosting the moderate diversification of Macao’s economic development.

Macao, Guangdong discussing ‘intensive cooperation zone’ for Hengqin

On 13 March, Mr Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of Macao SAR, and Mr Ma Xingrui, Governor of Guangdong Province, held a meeting in Macao to discuss how to bolster development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and existing co-operation, and a proposal for development of a Guangdong-Macao “intensive cooperation zone” in Hengqin.

Mr Ho expressed his appreciation for the Guangdong Government’s effort to ensure stable supply to Macao of resources, fresh food and daily necessities during NCP episode. Mr Ho also mentioned that with joint effort from both sides, epidemic control work in relation to novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)– had achieved significant results.

He added Macao would remain in close communication with Guangdong for furtherance of disease-control work. Mr Ho stressed the new-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) paid great attention to closer co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and hoped to adopt a more innovative approach to overcome existing challenges to the advancement of co-operation.

Mr Ho added that an “intensive cooperation zone” suggested for Hengqin island, in Zhuhai, was a project that would involve further bilateral effort in order to push forward – innovatively yet practically – Guangdong-Macao ties.

To accelerate development of an “intensive cooperation zone” in Hengqin, the Chief Executive pointed out that Macao would continue to complement its regulatory advantages – under the “One country, two systems” principle – with Hengqin’s strengths in terms of its geographical location, resources and space. These strengths would help in terms of the two sides advancing the exploration of new co-operation models, and in terms of aligning mechanisms for joint effort.

In the meeting, Mr Ma spoke highly of Macao’s effort to contain NCP and has prevented it spreading within the community as well as conveyed the praises and solicitude of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. He added that Guangdong would continue to work in line with the Central Government’s overall planning on epidemic control.

Hengqin had always been a focal point for cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and one of the visions of such co-operation was to assist in Macao’s adequate economic diversification effort, said Mr Ma.

Mr Ma said he was looking forward to working closer with the new-term Government to explore further opportunities for economic development, from a perspective of overall national strategies, and the country’s reform and opening up policies. He added the two sides would step up effort to transform Hengqin as a trial zone for new practices in relation to the “One country, two systems” principle, as outlined by President Xi Jinping when he was in Macao to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of Macao’s Return to the Motherland.

Attendees of the meeting included Mr Zhang Xin, Deputy Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Guo Yonghang, Secretary of the Zhuhai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr Ge Zhangwei, Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Mr Miao Jingshan, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial Government, Mr Cao Dahua, Standing Deputy Director of the Greater Bay Area Office of the Guangdong Provincial Government; Mr Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Administration and Justice, Mr Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Wong Sio Chak, Secretary for Security, Ms Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, and Mr Raimundo do Rosário, Secretary for Transport and Public Works.

Members of the Macao SAR Govement delegation and members of the Guangdong Government delegation before a meeting held in Macao on an overall plan for Guangdong-Macao intensive co-operation zone

Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng cordially shakes hands with the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui

Meeting on overall plan for Guangdong-Macao intensive co-operation zone is held in Macao