On the morning of December 19, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, accompanied by Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin for inspection.

Hengqin, located at the southern tip of Zhuhai in Guangdong province and separated from Macao by a narrow strip of water, serves as a vital platform for promoting the appropriate diversification of Macao’s economy. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi has visited Hengqin on multiple occasions, steering its development in the right direction. In September 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued Overall Development Plan for the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, outlining a bright blueprint for the development of the cooperation zone.

In the exhibition hall of Tianmuqintai in Hengqin, Xi visited the theme exhibition of Harmony between Hengqin and Macao -- Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. In the exhibition hall, photos, charts and physical models vividly showcase the development of the integration between Hengqin and Macao and the phased achievements of the in-depth cooperation between Guangdong and Macao in recent years. Xi stopped from time to time to check exhibits and asked about the relevant situation. Xi said that in the past more than three years since the establishment of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, significant progress has been made in various areas, and the level of integration between Hengqin and Macao has gradually improved. These have played an increasingly evident role in supporting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification. Practice has shown that the central government made the right decision to develop Hengqin and build the cooperation zone.

Xi, after being briefed on the joint initiative of Guangdong and Macao to build a high-level scientific and technological platform for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), praised the integration of advanced multidisciplinary technologies and the zone's support for the global advancement of TCM. The Macao New Neighborhood is Hengqin's first comprehensive livelihood project for Macao residents. In front of the exhibition area of the project, Xi had a cordial conversation with representatives of residents living here. Upon hearing the experiences of young entrepreneurs from Macao who came to Hengqin to start businesses, Xi said, "Your stories of innovation and entrepreneurship showed Macao has young people with ideals, a strong sense of responsibility, and the courage to explore and innovate. The development and construction of Hengqin provide broad space and opportunities for you to do business, and there can be great achievements here. I hope more young people of Macao can live a rewarding life in Hengqin."

Xi had cordial exchanges with representatives involved in the planning, construction, management and service of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. He said that "Macao + Hengqin" mode is now becoming a new model to enrich the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, a new highland for advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a new platform for achieving China's high-level opening up. Xi commended the representatives, describing them as pioneers and doers in Hengqin's construction, contributing to the development of China and its Macao SAR.

Xi pointed out that we must bear in mind that the original aspiration behind the development of Hengqin is to facilitate the Macao's appropriate economic diversification. To this end, sustained efforts need to be made to implement the plan rigorously. Whether progress is made in the development of the cooperation zone depends on whether there are concrete measures and tangible results in promoting appropriate economic diversification in Macao and making it more convenient for its residents to live and work, Xi said. It also depends on whether new institutional achievements are made in leveraging the strengths of “Two Systems” and advancing the alignment of rules and connection of mechanisms between the two sides, and whether its role as a pilot program is played in promoting an integrated market in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through the integration of Hengqin and Macao, he added. Guangdong, Zhuhai and Macao are all contributors to the construction of the cooperation zone and beneficiaries from its development, thus they should work together towards the goal.

Xi emphasized that at this new starting point, everyone should follow the central government’s requirements, push forward reforms with determination, tackle key challenges, and work together to open up new ground in the development of the cooperation zone. Efforts should be made to continuously strengthen "hard connectivity" in infrastructure, "soft connectivity" in rules and mechanisms, and "heartfelt connectivity" between residents of Macao and Zhuhai. The goal is to accelerate the establishment of an institutional system with highly coordinated economies and highly aligned rules between Zhuhai and Macao, raising the integration of the two regions to a higher level. Public services and social security systems should be continuously improved to create a high-quality living environment and provide convenience for Macao residents in their daily lives, work, and entrepreneurial endeavors. The central government's various support policies should be fully leveraged to establish a first-class business environment and promote the appropriately diversified development of Macao’s economy and the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market.

Cai Qi, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Huang Kunming, Wang Dongfeng, and Xia Baolong were on the inspection tour.