The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) has welcomed yesterday’s promulgation by the central authorities of a master plan for building a Guangdong-Macau in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin (橫琴粵澳深度合作區).
According to a statement by the local government, the plan demonstrates the central authorities’ backing of Macau’s economic diversification and is a major initiative to enrich further the practice of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The local government pledged that it will spare no effort in realising the significant opportunities created by the plan, in a bid to give fresh impetus for Macau’s long-term development.
According to the plan, the aim of the cooperation zone is to assist with Macau’s adequate economic diversification.
“Promulgation of the master plan marks a new stage between Guangdong and Macau for of mutual discussion, joint construction, joint administration and shared benefits,” the statement said.
The government promised that it will align itself closely with the central government in getting the plan off the ground by jointly developing the zone with the Guangdong and Zhuhai governments.
The government said it was confident that – under the guiding principle of adhering to the “One Country” principle while taking advantage of the “Two Systems” model – the zone will be a success.
On December 20, 2019, the statement underlined, President Xi Jinping made an important speech when he was in Macau for the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fifth-term MSAR government. The speech paved a clear direction for the collaboration between Macau, Guangdong and Zhuhai regarding the development of Hengqin. At the ceremony, Xi said it was particularly important for Zhuhai and Macau to jointly develop Hengqin, in order for Macau to expand space for long-term development and create new impetus for development.
Developing the cooperation zone in Hengqin is an important step to advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) and a significant move to enrich the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, the statement said, adding that the plan will boost the driving forces for Macau’s long-term development, “providing Macau with new space and new opportunities to enhance its people’s welfare and livelihoods, while ensuring Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability and facilitating the city’s closer integration with overall national development.”
The statement urged Macau residents “to stay united to seize the opportunities brought by the master plan, and to realise together the development goals outlined in it.
*The direct translation of the term 深度 (shendu) is “in-depth”. The Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) translated the term as “intensive”.
