Special one-stop service counters for handling the social security matters of both Guangdong and Macao residents in Hengqin were launched on March 23, marking another step towards the integration of Guangdong and Macao on the basis of previous cooperation.

Huang Yujie, director of the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, said that these service counters are the first of their kind in China. They provide assistance in public social security matters under two social systems. At present, residents can handle 76 Guangdong affairs and 13 Macao affairs at these counters without traveling to their place of domicile.

A student of the University of Macau, who has recently come to Hengqin for an internship, noted that it used to be time-consuming to go back to Macao to handle affairs on workdays, even though the two areas are adjacent, and that the opening of these special service counters will make it very convenient for him.

Macao residents handle affairs at the special service counters in Hengqin [Photo by Zeng Yao / Guanhai App]

These counters will adhere to the newly-made service manual to offer unified services. Staff members will go through regular trainings and exchanges with their peers handling social matters in Zhuhai and Macao to learn more about the latest policies and service requirements in the two areas.

Guangdong has been gradually promoting the exchanges and integration in social security with both Hong Kong and Macao. The province now has 189 service counters to handle affairs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and has set up 84 service points for Guangdong matters in Hong Kong and Macao.

A total of 306,200 Hong Kong and Macao residents are currently covered under Guangdong's social insurance, with 35,500 having received payouts. Since the opening of these special counters, the figures have each increased by 51 percent and 62 percent.

Xia Qing of Guangdong's Department of Human Resources and Social Security said that the special service counters in Hengqin have opened a new path for the innovative development of social security in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Of note, the department will strive to provide better social security services to residents in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, covering all platforms and the entire handling process.