September 17 marks the fourth anniversary of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Since its official inauguration on September 17, 2021, this strategically significant area has entered a new phase of comprehensive implementation and accelerated development.
Over the past four years, Hengqin has remained committed to its mission of promoting appropriate economic diversification in Macao and advancing Hengqin-Macao integration, achieving continuous breakthroughs in institutional innovation, industrial synergy, and livelihood cooperation.
Industrial synergy: New growth engine through Macao-friendly diversification
In terms of industrial development, Hengqin has focused on key segments of the "Four New Industries" closely linked to Macao, implementing a dual-driven strategy of attracting major projects and nurturing emerging enterprises. In the first half of 2025, the "Four New Industries" accounted for 66.8% of Hengqin's GDP, serving as a cornerstone for stable economic growth.
Companies like Cotti Coffee have established global headquarters in Hengqin, engaging in product R&D and supply chain management. Innovative enterprises with core competitiveness have also emerged in cultural tourism, exhibitions, traditional Chinese medicine, and technology R&D.
People-centered integration: Building a seamless living space
On the livelihood front, Hengqin strives to serve as the first stop for Macao residents integrating into the mainland cities of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Student shuttle buses and ambulances achieve rapid cross-region passage between Macao and Hengqin. Macao-style restaurants have gradually opened in the Macau New Neighborhood project alongside Avenida Hong Kong-Macao, and the Hou Kong Middle School Affiliated Hengqin School hosts 580 Macao students.
The University of Macau has set up an interim campus in Hengqin, accommodating over 400 postgraduate students. Convenience measures such as business registration with dual-place incorporation, and Macao drugs used in Hengqin continue to be implemented, with ongoing improvements in education, healthcare, and other supporting services.
According to statistics from the Hengqin Border Inspection Station, as of 17:00 on September 16, 2025, the station had inspected over 70.54 million passenger trips and 8.2 million vehicle trips, with average annual growth rates of 39.6% and 31.8%, respectively. Hengqin Port has become one of the busiest ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Systems convergence: Paving the way for institutional innovation
In terms of rules alignment, Hengqin has accelerated the introduction of regulations allowing Macao healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals to practice, while revising rules for architecture and tourism professionals from Hong Kong and Macao. As of July this year, 1,669 professionals from Hong Kong and Macao had registered to practice in Hengqin.
Hengqin has also developed guidelines for rules convergence with Hengqin-Macao characteristics, proposing 12 convergence pathways and exploring a joint mediation model combining mainland and Hong Kong/Macao mediators. Labor arbitrators from Hong Kong and Macao have been introduced to participate in case hearings. The Cross-Border Data Service Center and Large-Scale Model Compliance Guidance Center have been established to provide one-stop services for enterprises.
Regional collaboration: Driving deeper GBA integration
Regarding the mutual development of the GBA, the "bonded+" innovation model continues to deepen. Customs has introduced new inspection and quarantine supervision models for goods in transit to Macao, while launching services such as "bonded+financial leasing" and "bonded+processing." As of September 1 this year, 2,245 enterprises had registered with customs in Hengqin, with 107 qualifying for tax-exempt status. The Hengqin tax authorities have launched a pilot tax credit incentive program, introducing ten incentives across four categories covering invoice management, tax services, policy support, and financing facilitation.
Hengqin is becoming a critical testing ground for institutional innovation and market connectivity in the GBA. As one Macao entrepreneur noted: "Hengqin is not just a geographical 'new paradise'—it is also a 'common market' in institutional innovation and a 'spiritual bay area' in cultural integration."
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Hengqin Online
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
