Macau enterprise stays confident in Hengqin’s future despite challenges in health sector

A bird’s-eye view of Serensia Woods in Hengqin

INTERVIEW

The Guangdong–Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin – established four years ago with a focus on the big health industry – features Serensia Woods as a flagship project. Despite significant development pressures and a lack of sustained policy support, founder Amber Li told the Times, in an exlusive interview, she remains confident in Hengqin’s long-term potential and has no regrets about her decision.

As of May this year, according to the Hengqin Guangdong–Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone Commercial Service Bureau, 7,002 Macau-invested enterprises had set up in the zone. Serensia Woods is recognized as a leading enterprise in Hengqin’s health sector.

In the realm of elderly care – despite the Chinese government’s growing attention to support services – older adults still largely face two options: living in a nursing home or staying at home. Li argued that “retirement planning should not be postponed until one’s 70s or 80s; it should begin in one’s 50s.” While many people wish to age in place, home-based care poses significant challenges, especially the lack of adequate services – as she explained in a recent interview.

With shifting family structures, many households no longer live with elderly relatives, complicating caregiving responsibilities. In modern cities, services like laundry and cooking have become increasingly vital. Even when families can afford domestic helpers, managing them becomes difficult as elderly health deteriorates.

A MACAU COMPANY’S COMMITMENT

Guided by this vision, Li – who returned to Macau from abroad in the 1990s – has actively engaged in the big health industry within Hengqin’s cooperation zone. In 2022, she shelved her original plans to develop in Beijing or Shanghai and instead chose to act on the government’s call to help build Hengqin. As chair of HN Group Limited – a century-old Macau-based enterprise – and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), she led the establishment of a high-end senior care facility in the zone.

“The development of Macau companies in Hengqin was logical,” Li said. “There were many policies at the time that could be prioritized, allowing us to pursue initiatives that other mainland cities could not.” However, when asked about current conditions in the big health industry, she expressed disappointment: “Many policies – including those related to residents’ daily lives and customs clearance – have yet to be implemented.”

She noted that the actual progress has diverged from the original plans, and that Hengqin currently lacks the industrial policies needed to support Macau enterprises. “For instance, Hainan Island already has relatively mature policies in the health and wellness sector, while Shenzhen, Nansha, and other pilot zones are advancing much faster, particularly in areas like cell therapy.”

Hope amid hurdles:  the long-term bet

According to Li, Serensia Woods serves clients from mainland China and Hong Kong, offering wellness management services for issues not easily addressed by hospitals, such as insomnia and detoxification. The facility emphasizes care for functional decline and age-related conditions, prioritizing professional support and precision.

“As a premium senior living option, Serensia Woods provides a unique, comfortable setting that encourages those in their 50s and 60s to engage in cultural activities and social interaction,” Li said. Recognized by the Hong Kong–based non-profit Golden Age Foundation, the project is viewed as an industry leader. “Aging is not about fading away – it’s about continuing to live vibrantly in the right environment.”

Yet, Li pointed out that urgently needed policies in the big health sector remain unimplemented, which hampers Macau’s diversification. She argued that the complementary potential between Hengqin and mainland markets is far from fully realized – particularly in cell therapy. Current restrictions prevent Macau companies from administering drugs outside hospitals, despite outpatient clinics being otherwise qualified, creating barriers to integration and efficient resource use. Li called this “deeply regrettable.”

Founder Amber Li, Serensia Woods

She also observed that Hengqin remains relatively new, with limited foot traffic and underdeveloped appeal to mid– and high-end tourists. Visitors from Macau to Serensia Woods are significantly fewer than those from the mainland or Hong Kong. Despite promotional efforts in Macau, local engagement remains low – prompting concerns about whether residents truly understand Hengqin’s evolving role.

Li encouraged Macau residents to step out of their comfort zone: “Just staying in Macau doesn’t mean understanding the outside world. If we don’t take the initiative to explore, future opportunities will slip away.

The country has given us a favorable environment – the younger generation must dare to venture out.” She added that Macau, unlike Hong Kong, Beijing, or Shanghai – where most areas are within a one-hour commute – must adapt its mindset to stay competitive. “We need to treat surrounding areas as our soil,” she concluded.

Looking ahead, Li said she remains optimistic about Hengqin’s long-term prospects. While challenges such as undeveloped policies and limited customer traffic persist, she believes in the zone’s future. She revealed plans to introduce new offerings – including cancer treatment and rehabilitation programs – to leverage the combined strengths of Macau and Hengqin in building an international health hub.

Key Takeaways

Policy gaps are slowing health sector growth in Hengqin
Despite early optimism and government backing, the lack of concrete and timely industrial policies – especially in areas like customs clearance, outpatient drug use, and cell therapy – is limiting the effectiveness of Macau enterprises like Serensia Woods in driving the health industry forward.

Macau Residents Show Low Engagement with Hengqin Projects
Serensia Woods sees far greater interest from mainland and Hong Kong clients than from Macau locals. Founder Amber Li warns that without a mindset shift and greater outward engagement, Macau residents risk missing out on regional opportunities.

Long-Term Confidence Remains Despite Early-Stage Challenges
While acknowledging delays, underdeveloped infrastructure, and foot traffic issues, Li remains confident in Hengqin’s future and plans to expand into areas like cancer treatment and international wellness programs, signaling a sustained commitment to the region’s potential.