According to a statement by the Geophysical and Meteorological Bureau (SMG) yesterday, construction of the nation’s first Earth System Data International Exchange Centre (Macao) officially began in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin under a joint initiative between the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the Macao Special Administration Region Government, and the In-Depth Cooperation Zone.
The statement noted that the three parties signed a cooperation framework agreement yesterday, setting a three-year construction period followed by, initially, a three-year operation period.
The centre aims to develop an ecosystem for the use of data resources, facilitate international cooperation on Earth system data, and support the cross-border circulation of high-quality data products and services, the statement said, adding that the centre is also intended to contribute to the development of a unified Earth system data market in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The statement quoted the China Meteorological Administration as saying that the centre is the first data exchange centre established as part of its overall development plan. The joint project is earmarked to support the country’s major strategies and Macau’s economic diversification, while promoting the international application of China’s “Mazu” intelligent early-warning solution*, the statement said.
Under the agreement, the three parties will draw on their respective strengths in data governance, international cooperation and the development of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone, the statement noted, adding that the three parties will also work to establish infrastructure for cross-border data exchange and develop policies and mechanisms for the secure circulation and use of Earth system data.
The parties will further explore closer co-ordination between Macau and Hengqin in weather forecasting and warning services, the statement noted.
The project is expected to strengthen data cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Macau while supporting the development of the digital economy in the In-Depth Cooperation Zone and Macau’s appropriate economic diversification, the statement pointed out, adding that it also aims to serve as a demonstration project for cross-border data cooperation under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.
*China’s MAZU (Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap, and Universal) is an AI-powered meteorological early-warning solution developed by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Named after the traditional Chinese sea goddess who protects sailors, the system was launched in July 2025 to support the United Nations’ “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All) initiative - Gemini
This image provided by the local observatory yesterday announces the start of construction of the nation’s first Earth System Data International Exchange Centre (Macau). The centre will be located in Hengqin. Translation from Portuguese was arranged by the Post.
