CE: deepening of Macao’s integrated development with Hengqin facilitates Greater Bay Area’s high-level opening-up

MACAU, October 22 - The Chief Executive, Mr Sam Hou Fai, today attended the 4th Business Conference on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development. During his speech, Mr Sam stated that the business community is a key driving force behind the development of the Greater Bay Area.

As a city with one of the world’s most open trade and investment systems, and a region with one of the lowest corporate tax rates globally, Macao enjoys the status of a free port and a separate customs territory under the “One country, two systems” principle. Macao also plays a unique role as a “precise connector” between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government welcomes investors from both home and abroad, to capitalise on the policy benefits and market opportunities offered by Macao and Hengqin and across the Greater Bay Area, as well as to join hands in making new contributions to the building of China as a strong nation, and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Mr Sam emphasised that the development of the Greater Bay Area is a major national strategy personally conceived, planned and promoted by President Xi Jinping, and also represents a new practical way to advance the “One country, two systems” principle.

President Xi attaches great importance to the development of the Greater Bay Area. He has defined it as a “strategic pivot for the new development paradigm, a model for high-quality development, and a leading area for Chinese modernisation”. This vision sets the course for the advancement of the Greater Bay Area.

Mr Sam pointed out that the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan calls for deepening the development of the Greater Bay Area; strengthening the alignment of rules and the integration of mechanisms in areas such as scientific and technological innovation and economic development; continuing to promote cooperation in key areas to achieve breakthroughs; and giving full play to the pioneering and experimental role of major cooperation platforms. The country’s 15th Five-Year Plan also calls for accelerating the development of a world-class bay area; deepening Macao’s integrated development with Hengqin; improving the mechanisms for Macao to play a greater role in the country’s opening up to the outside world; making use of Macao’s strengths in professional services to assist enterprises to “go global”; and leveraging Macao’s role as an important window for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilisations.

The Chief Executive also stated that, in line with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the Third Five-Year Plan of the MSAR – announced and commencing its implementation this year – clearly sets out that Macao will actively participate in the development of the Greater Bay Area through more open and inclusive measures. Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan will continue to deepen the alignment of rules and the integration of mechanisms, enhance policy coordination and the sharing of resources; promote in-depth synergy between Macao’s Four Major Projects and the Greater Bay Area; and build an internationally-competitive system for scientific, technological and industrial innovation.

In particular, Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan will promote the integration of the Greater Bay Area market through closer cooperation between Macao and Hengqin, play a pioneering role in piloting new initiatives, and generate new institutional outcomes, so that “Macao + Hengqin” becomes a new model for enriching the practising of “One country, two systems”, as well as new high ground for the development of the Greater Bay Area, and a new platform for the country’s high-level opening up.

Mr Sam noted that this year’s Business Conference on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development, themed “Integrating the Greater Bay Area for a Connected World”, brought together diverse perspectives on the topic of “Strengthening the Resilience of the Greater Bay Area’s Industrial Chains and Promoting Synergy for Global Economic Development”. The event promoted a “joint venture” approach to help the Greater Bay Area’s technology, finance, healthcare and wellness, cultural tourism and exhibitions sectors expand internationally, respond more effectively to global market needs, and strengthen their international profile and competitiveness.

The conference was also the occasion for the release of a number of reports, including the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Supply Chain Promotion Report 2026”. Conference guests also had the opportunity to go on an organised visit to the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The aim was to explain the various policy benefits arising from the Cooperation Zone in what is now the fifth anniversary of its establishment. The visit also intended to explain how the Cooperation Zone is a practical and efficient cooperation platform rooted in the Greater Bay Area and open to the world, designed to foster deeper exchanges between the domestic and international business communities, and enable exploration of business opportunities.

The Chief Executive added that Macao is one of the four core cities and core drivers of the Greater Bay Area. Advancing the development of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin to a high standard is not only key to breaking the deadlock in Macao’s efforts to promote appropriate diversification, but also a top priority for Macao’s participation in the high-quality joint development of the Greater Bay Area. The “Macao + Hengqin” initiative must serve both the diversification of Macao’s economy and the development of the Greater Bay Area, whilst also contributing to the country’s overall development.

Looking to the future, Mr Sam stated that Macao will uphold the principle of “One country”; capitalise on the advantages of “two systems”; build upon Macao’s positioning as “One Centre, One Platform, and One Base”, and “One Highland”; align closely with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan; and support and coordinate with Guangdong Province’s 15th Five-Year Pla, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s First Five-Year Plan.

During the period of Macao’s Third Five-Year Plan, the city will leverage its Four Major Projects and government-guided funds as key drivers. By capitalising on Macao’s inherent resource endowments and strengths in connecting with both domestic and international markets, the city will step up policy and financial support, with a focus on promoting key industries such as traditional Chinese medicine and holistic health, specialised finance, high and new technologies, and conventions, exhibitions and trade, as well as culture and sport. This will foster the clustering of industries, talent and technology, and catalyse the emergence of new-quality productive forces. With the integration of Macao and Hengqin as a strategic starting point, Macao aims to contribute its own strengths while integrating into and serving the broader landscape of national development.

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