Zhuhai officials and a visiting Macao delegation agreed on June 21 to strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, characteristic financing, Smart City development and many other fields, giving full play to their geographic proximity.

Fernando Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), led the delegation. The head of the Macao government said that continued success of "One Country, Two Systems" asks for an active role of Macao in implementing the overall development strategy of the country. Talent cultivation, teenager exchanges, and improvement of livelihoods are to be jointly promoted to boost the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, according to Chui. The purpose is to achieve an easy and orderly flow of talent, logistics, capital, and information to benefit both sides.

Discussions on cooperation [Photo courtesy WeChat account of Macao SAR Government Information Bureau]

Zhuhai is connected by land and elsewhere a mere 187 m across the water from neighboring Macao. Zhuhai Party Chief Guo Yonghang thanked Macao for its steady support offered to Zhuhai, a Special Economic Zone over the past 40 years. He hoped that the cities' respective resources would be utilized in developing information technology, artificial intelligence, big health, and ocean economy among other high-end pursuits.

Development of Hengqin New Area, the main target for growth, was inspected by delegates. On the list of venues to be visited were the Macao-Hengqin Youth Entrepreneurship Valley (Inno Valley HQ) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao, which house many Macao companies and talents.

Sónia Chan Hoi Fan, Macao Secretary for Administration & Justice, attended the event, as did Liao Jingshan, director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province. Wu Shi, secretary-general of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, was also present.