Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai said on Sunday that the special administrative region will continue to accelerate development of the Hengqin cooperation zone to diversify its economy, strengthen global collaboration and boost links with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
He spoke at a meeting with a group of some 100 media representatives from across the country touring the Greater Bay Area to explore the economic progress and prospects of the region’s 11-city cluster.
Sam also outlined Macao’s initiatives aimed at deepening industrial diversification, enhancing the SAR’s cultural and tourism appeal, bolstering scientific research and providing a broader stage for the younger generation.
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The Macao leader reiterated the significant role of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin Island in the city’s economic diversification.
He said the national-level initiative, geared to fostering integrated development among Macao and the rest of the Greater Bay Area, will create extensive employment, living and growth opportunities for Macao residents. He urged the local business community, especially younger people, to embrace the Greater Bay Area and national development more proactively through Hengqin.
Sam stressed that the primary focus on Hengqin is to fully capitalize on the advantages of the "one country, two systems" principle to facilitate institutional connections, such as those of laws and commercial regulations in the zone, while boosting investor confidence in Hengqin’s business environment and policy consistency.
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The Macao SAR government has set up a dedicated task force to actively drive the establishment of significant projects on Hengqin, he said.
The chief executive pledged his administration will concentrate on optimizing businesses on Hengqin, and play a proactive role in helping Chinese mainland and overseas enterprises to settle there.
Macao welcomes all people to explore opportunities on Hengqin together, he said.
He hopes to lead Macao in venturing into more markets, including Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, or Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, adding that he wants to organize delegations of professionals from the tourism and related sectors for overseas visits to promote ties.
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It’s expected that offices will be established abroad to showcase Macao’s charm in culture, tourism and leisure.
Referring to the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), he said Macao should align itself closely with the pace of national development.
He has high hopes for various major projects in driving Macao’s advance, such as a 20-billion-pataca ($2.5 billion) international "university city" being built on Hengqin, a world tourism, cultural and exhibition zone located between the Macao Peninsula and Taipa, the expansion of Macao International Airport, as well as a planned industrial park for science and technology research and development.
Through these initiatives, Sam envisions Macao achieving greater industrial diversification, reducing its reliance on the gaming sector, and providing youths with broader career possibilities.
