The power of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone to bring in high-quality projects was further shown Dec 6 with the signings of 12 contracts with companies that match the zone's ambitions.

A signing ceremony took place at Chimelong International Conference Center on Hengqin Island for projects in integrated circuits (IC), electronic information, biomedicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, "big health," and modern finance.

Among them are four Macao-invested projects that support diversified development of the Macao economy. One of them is Hengqin's first advanced manufacturing base for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine with Macao elements. Unmanned factory production lines are to produce TCM products that dissolve in three seconds, absorbing and degrading pesticide residues and heavy metals.

Rendering of Guangdong Institute of Intelligent Science & Technology Lab, which matches and is next to the Hengqin Advanced Intelligent Computing Center Phase III Building [Photo courtesy WeChat account: hengqinzaixian2021]

In addition, the State-Owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of Zhuhai and Shanghai-based Sino IC Leasing have opened a Guangdong-Macao Semiconductor Fund with a registered scale of 10 billion yuan ($1.57 billion). The fund will be used to bring major IC industrial projects to the zone and to help develop an international scientific innovation center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Among the other projects are an International Innovation Center for China's electronic network information industry, Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science & Technology AI Laboratory, Hengqin TCM New-Drug Technology Innovation Center, Airbus Helicopter China Headquarters for training and maintenance, and Hengqin Daan International Incubator for the transformation of medical science and technology, precision medicines, and applications of digital economy. 

According to the Overall Development Plan for Construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the development of scientific R&D and high-end manufacturing, TCM, cultural tourism and exhibition, and modern finance have priority.

Li Ziwei of the zone's Economic Development Bureau said achievements in attracting investment have shown promising results. He added that there also has been successful promotion of the moderate diversification of Macao's economy. 

Hengqin is to have distinct industrial clusters, sci-tech innovation carriers, and cooperation with global talents to promote domestic and overseas high-quality industries, technologies, and talents in the zone.