(Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday praised the Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone in Hengqin for its role in strengthening Macao’s economic diversification, urging greater efforts to improve connectivity and facilitate integration of the market in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection of the cooperation zone as part of his three-day visit to the Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau.
Xi arrived in Macao on Wednesday for celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the inauguration ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR and an inspection tour of the region.
Hengqin, located at the southern tip of Zhuhai in Guangdong province, is separated from Macau by a narrow inlet. Established in 2021, this cooperation zone provides a key platform for promoting Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
During his visit, Xi visited an exhibition on the development achievements of the cooperation zone and praised the progress made in recent years.
“Practice has proven that the decision of the central authorities to develop Hengqin and establish the cooperation zone is very relevant,” Xi said.
He was briefed on the joint initiative of Guangdong and Macao to create a high-level science and technology platform for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The President praised the integration of advanced multidisciplinary technologies and the zone’s support for the internalization of TCM.
Xi also met with Macau residents living in Hengqin and young Macau entrepreneurs who have set up businesses in the area. He pointed out that the development of Hengqin provides ample opportunities for Macau youth to realize their ambitions and expressed hope that more Macao youth will build remarkable careers there.
Addressing those involved in the planning, construction, management and services of the area, Xi praised them for their pioneering role and contribution to the development of Hengqin.
Xi stressed the importance of concrete measures and tangible results to promote Macao’s appropriate economic diversification, improve the living conditions of its residents and boost employment.
He called for further institutional achievements to reap the benefits of the “one country, two systems” framework and harmonize the rules and mechanisms of the two sides.
In addition, he highlighted the pioneering role of Hengqin and Macao’s deeper integration in facilitating market integration in the Greater Bay Area.
Xi urged improving connectivity to accelerate the creation of a highly coordinated economic system and deeply harmonized regulatory framework between Hengqin and Macao and elevate their integration to a higher level.
Efforts should focus on improving public services and social security systems, to foster a high-quality living environment that facilitates the life, work and entrepreneurship of Macao residents, Xi said .
He also emphasized the need to make full use of the central government’s supporting policies to create a world-class business environment.
Senior officials, including Cai Qi, attended the event.
(Xinhua/Ju Peng)
