The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is a collaborative initiative between the Guangdong province and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China to foster closer economic ties and promote cooperation between the two regions.
This Cooperation zone occupies an area of 106.46 square kilometers and is only 187 meters from its nearest point to Macao. The border clearance between Hengqin and Macao normally takes less than one minute. There are also designed cross-border transportation lines being offered free of charge.
Here is also the home to 56,000 commercial entities and more than 10,000 technology companies. It is where a domestically developed chip with record-breaking global computing power was invented, and where a silver nanoparticle material with a diameter of about one-tenth of a thousandth of a human hair was developed. Here is also where architects, lawyers, tour guides, and doctors from both sides can also practice their professions across borders.
The pioneering exploration of Hengqin's pilot development favors joint negotiation, construction, management, and sharing between Guangdong and Macao. Hengqin also serves as a "testing ground" for Macao companies to expand into the Chinese mainland, acting as a bridge between Portuguese-speaking countries by implementing 662 reform and innovation measures.
Additionally, the Cooperation Zone has the world's largest marine theme park, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. Major urban events, such as music festivals and concerts, are also held annually here.
It serves as a new platform to promote the diversified and appropriate development of Macao's economy. It is a new space to facilitate the lives and employment of Macao residents, a new example to enrich the practice of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and a new level to drive the construction of the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao.