Pragmatic progress for Hengqin

The construction of Hengqin will be progressed in four directions in a “pragmatic” manner, Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong said yesterday in Beijing.

The local official was in the national capital yesterday for a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on the development of the Greater Bay Area. Despite that, a majority of the questions from the press concerned the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

When asked how Macau and Hengqin will improve their cooperation developing the Zone, Cheong emphasized that progress will definitely be made, and that pragmatism will be employed during the development.

Earlier this month, the national government approved the plan for the development of the Zone, in addition to making some reminders on the matter for the two regional governments.

The four directions that Cheong mentioned yesterday revolve around the initial intention of diversifying Macau’s economy. They target the development of various industries, the merger of lifestyles, the integration of Macau and Hengqin, as well as the enhancement of cooperation.

A larger number of capitals and businesses from Macau will be encouraged to Hengqin to develop a wider variety of industries and trades. Integration between these entities with counterparts in Hengqin will also be promoted.

Public and social services in Macau will be extended to Hengqin, so that Macau residents living on Hengqin will be able to reach these services at home. A lifestyle similar to that in Macau will also be fostered in Hengqin.

The flow of people, capital, cargo and information between the two places will be enhanced with the ultimate release of border controls between Macau and Hengqin. Those between Hengqin and other parts of Guangdong will be added.

Mechanisms will also be structured to improve services in business and administration.