“iFLYTEK and iFLYHEALTH plan to invest 400 million Hong Kong dollars (51.22 million U.S. dollars) in Hong Kong over the next five years to establish an international headquarters, an international business headquarters, an international R&D center, an international trade and capital management platform, as well as a 150-member team to drive R&D and overseas market expansion, with a view to establishing an AI ecosystem with tens of thousands of developers,” Cyberport said in a press release on Friday.

Meanwhile, iFLYHEALTH will set up an international research institute at Cyberport focusing on cutting-edge technology research that integrates medical health and AI, the release said.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Sun Dong, secretary for innovation, technology and industry of the HKSAR government, said that the HKSAR government has always been a strong supporter of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development, in which AI and life and health technology are the government’s focus on the development of technology industries with advantages.

He added that Hong Kong has already gathered numerous leading enterprises at home and abroad, including iFLYTEK, SenseTime, Cisco, as well as hundreds of excellent AI enterprises, and an AI ecosystem is taking shape in Hong Kong.

Simon Chan Sai-ming, chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, called the participation of iFLYTEK another milestone in Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem, believing that this will further boost the innovation and R&D of Hong Kong’s AI industry as well as the commercialization of relevant products and technologies, so as to attract AI investments from both home and abroad.

The Zhuhai government is in talks with Costco Wholesale to set up a store in Zhuhai, Guangdong local media southcn.com reported on Thursday.

According to the report, the city’s central business zone, Xiangzhou District, has been negotiating with Costco on the construction of the Zhuhai store, while representatives from the brand have visited Zhuhai to conduct on-site research and evaluate potential locations.

The anonymous government source revealed that the project is still at an early stage and a final decision on the location has yet to be made.

In the recently released 2024 Economic Development Plan for Xiangzhou District, the Zhuhai authorities emphasised the importance of capitalising on the opportunities presented by the Macau-Hong Kong northbound traffic scheme.

They also highlighted the introduction of wholesale membership stores in Zhuhai to attract travellers from the two SARs for cross-border shopping.

Once the new Costco store opens in Zhuhai, it will be the seventh Costco store in China, following the opening of other stores in Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

Earlier in March, Zhuhai authorities announced their intention to bring a Costco wholesale store to the city by “taking advantage of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge policy”.

Since the northbound travel scheme came into effect in 2023, hundreds of thousands of Macau and Hong Kong residents have flocked to Zhuhai and Shenzhen for shopping and entertainment.

Under the scheme, registered residents of Macau and Hong Kong are allowed to travel to Guangdong province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Attracted by more affordable groceries and wholesale warehouses, Sam’s Club Zhuhai, the only American wholesale membership store currently operating in the city, has become one of the city’s major attractions for Macau and Hong Kong tourists.

Data shows that Sam’s Club Zhuhai’s sales grew significantly in 2023, reaching RMB2.5 billion (MOP2.8 billion/US$347 million), making it the seventh highest-grossing Sam’s Club store out of the 800 stores worldwide.

Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung has done battle with some of the world’s worst threats, including the SARS virus he helped isolate and identify. And he has a warning.

Another pandemic is inevitable and could exact damage far worse than Covid-19, according to the soft-spoken scientist sometimes thought of as Hong Kong’s answer to top US health expert Anthony Fauci.

“Both the public and (world) leaders must admit that another pandemic will come, and probably sooner than you anticipate,” he told AFP at the city’s Queen Mary Hospital, where he works and teaches.

“Why I make such a horrifying prediction is because you can see clearly that the geopolitical, economic, and climatic changes are changing so rapidly,” he told AFP.

Politicians must “come to their senses” and solve “global existential threats,” he warns in his new autobiography “My Life in Medicine: A Hong Kong Journey”.

While world leaders are more focused on “national or regional interests”, Yuen said a rapidly changing climate coupled with emerging infectious diseases should be a top priority.

“This is something so important that we should not ignore.”

Humble background  

Yuen is a globally recognised authority on coronaviruses and infectious diseases, but he came from humble beginnings.

Born in Hong Kong in the late 1950s, he grew up in a 60-square-foot subdivided flat with his parents and three brothers. 

Since graduating from medical school in 1981, he has worked in the city’s public hospitals, where doctors are paid far less than in the private sector. 

It was in 2003 when he leapt into the public consciousness, after he and his team successfully isolated and identified severe acute respiratory syndrome, better known as SARS.

It was a vital step towards testing, diagnosing and treating the disease, which emerged in southern China and Hong Kong before spreading globally.

The virus killed nearly 300 people in the city in just two months, a toll second only to mainland China.

That experience informed Yuen’s approach to the Covid-19 pandemic, which ripped through Hong Kong due to lax vaccination, particularly among the elderly.

“We benefited from the 20 years of study that followed the SARS outbreak,” he wrote in his book.

“Until factors beyond our ability to stop or overcome — fear, ignorance, poor messaging, and deliberate misinformation — the measures were effective” in buying Hong Kong time until the vaccines were developed. 

In the end, despite tough lockdown measures and lengthy quarantines, Hong Kong recorded some three million infections — about half its population — and more than 13,800 deaths from Covid-19.

It was a frenetic time for Yuen, who became a familiar face as the government’s go-to expert and penned more than 100 peer-reviewed studies on the virus.

It also put him in a delicate position on several occasions, including when his call to lift restrictions in 2022 was rejected when the city stayed aligned with China’s zero-Covid doctrine of closed borders and quarantines.

The self-described medical “detective” also faced complaints that put his license at risk after he described the seafood market in China’s Wuhan — where the first cluster of coronavirus cases was detected — as a “crime scene”.

‘Transparent investigation’  

Today, Yuen chooses his words carefully and avoids political subjects, but he maintains that understanding the origins of Covid-19 is key.

It is “important to properly do an investigation in a very open, transparent manner” so lessons can be learned for future pandemic prevention, he said.

The World Health Organization has called on China to be more transparent about the pandemic’s origins, without making any firm conclusions on the source.

Last year, Yuen set up the Pandemic Research Alliance with peers in mainland China and the United States to share information and research on future threats.

“It is a bad idea to stop or inhibit these exchanges because it protects everyone,” he said. 

“If we do not talk about it… then another pandemic comes, we have to pay a huge price again.” 

By Xinqi Su

Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents can now use a QR code for border crossing purposes under a joint measure designed to make immigration and clearance more convenient between the two special administrative regions.

The new measure is scheduled to become effective on Friday (19 July), saving QR code users the hassle of presenting physical documentation.

At a launch ceremony took place on Thursday morning, government officials said that the new immigration method would involve fingerprint and facial recognition screenings. 

Benson Kwok, director of the Immigration of Hong Kong said in his address that nearly 2.5 million Hong Kong residents had registered to use the self-service channels in Macau.

According to Ng Wai Han, director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau, as many as 300,000 Macau residents who have registered for Hong Kong’s e-channel services can update their Macao One Account accounts to generate a specific QR code for themselves.

The new function will be found in the ‘My border crossing’ section on the home page.

In 2023, the Macau authorities introduced digital identification to that app, enabling local residents to verify their identity at the immigration halls on the borders between Zhuhai and Macau.

When will non-permanent residents benefit from the new initiative?

The authorities said that they were considering the possibility of extending the new QR code immigration initiative to non-permanent residents in its next phase.

“At this stage, it is difficult to predict the number of potential applicants. However, both the Hong Kong and Macau systems have undergone thorough stress tests,” Ng told the media.

Under current arrangements, only permanent residents aged 11 or over are allowed to make registrations in Macau, Hengqin, or Hong Kong to use the e-channel services in Hong Kong. 

Those aged 18 or older are allowed to make registrations at the self-service machines located at the 24-hour government service centres across the city, as well as the round-the-clock administrative service centre in Hengqin. 

About three hours after successful registration, applicants will be allowed to produce their permanent resident ID card or QR code for the e-channel services.

The 34th Hong Kong Book Fair opened on Wednesday, kicking off a week-long cultural bonanza featuring over 600 activities.

Readers thronged the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Wednesday to pick from rigorously curated selections of books from exhibitors.

Fairgoers can also meet writers from around the world during this year’s event. Established writers including Su Tong and Jin Yucheng will give lectures.

To echo this year’s theme of Film and Television Literature, clips and film stills of movies are displayed alongside the original novels they were adapted from. Many fairgoers tried out an interactive map that showed film locations and relevant tidbits.

This year’s event continues to dedicate a section to books from the Chinese mainland, where over 60 publishers from the mainland showcased nearly 10,000 different books.

The book fair will last through July 23, concurrent with the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the World of Snacks 2024.

Macau’s de facto central bank says there are now 101 licensed financial institutions in the city, an increase of 14 from 2019.

In an update on the city’s financial situation on Thursday, the Monetary Authority of Macau said it had optimised both the city’s hardware and software to create more favourable conditions for the development of modern finance.

Several mobile payment tools are now available for use in Hong Kong, mainland China and a number of overseas regions such as Japan and Europe, the authority pointed out.

From January to June this year, some 170 million transactions were recorded, with a total value of MOP14.48 billion (US$1.8 billion).

These figures represent an increase of 16 per cent and 3 per cent respectively over the same period last year.

In addition, local businesses can accept payments via e-wallet services from mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

In terms of the northbound travel scheme for cars, the authority said it was currently in close communication with its mainland counterparts to expand the scope of cross-border insurance services.

Since December 2022, when such services between Guangdong and Macau became available on the market, eight Macau-registered companies have been approved as service providers for around 30,000 vehicles registered in Macau.

Shenzhen is set to launch 20 self-driving buses by the end of the year, following the recent discussion triggered by the introduction of driverless ride-hailing vehicles,  according to local media reports.

Experts told the Global Times that despite the promising future of autonomous driving applications, significant challenges, particularly regarding safety, remain.

Currently, four self-driving bus routes have been approved and are slated to start operation by the end of July, with each ride costing 1 yuan ($0.14). These routes will connect subway stations, commercial and residential areas, central business districts, industrial parks, and scenic spots.

The reports indicate that these driverless buses are equipped with high-definition on-board cameras, millimetre-wave radar, and LiDAR, which provide a 360-degree accurate perception of surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, and changing road conditions.

Additionally, the buses are outfitted with the country’s leading automated driving system, allowing for quick judgment and decision-making comparable to that of an experienced driver. This system ensures precise control of the vehicle, enabling safe navigation along predetermined routes.

Inside the buses, an intelligent interactive display screen offers real-time information on the surrounding traffic participants perceived by the vehicle’s sensors, the vehicle’s autonomous driving status, and the planned driving route, according to local media.

Hong Kong recorded about 21 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2024, up 64 percent compared to the same period 2023, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said on Tuesday.

The initial data announced by the tourism board showed that the number of visitors to Hong Kong in June reached 3.13 million, up 14 percent year-on-year.

In the first six months of 2024, about 16.1 million visitors arrived from the Chinese mainland, about 60 percent more than in the same period of 2023. Five million were non-mainland visitors, representing an 80 percent year-on-year increase. Overnight visitors accounted for 50 percent of all visitor arrivals during the period, staying for 3.2 nights on average.

A survey done by the tourism board showed that visitors were satisfied with their overall experience in Hong Kong. Overnight visitors rated Hong Kong 8.7 out of 10 for satisfaction from January to May, and 94 percent of visitors said they intended to revisit and recommend Hong Kong to others.

According to the survey, Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street and the Peak were some of the popular places visited among overnight visitors from January to May.

Hengqin authorities have introduced a package of measures to promote the development of the e-commerce eco-system, with such businesses in demonstration zones to benefit from financial support.

Top-rated zones can now enjoy 30 per cent of their fixed asset investment, capped at RMB100 million (US$13.8 million/ MOP110.87 million)

Zones that are still undergoing the stage of growth are eligible for up to 20 per cent of their fixed asset investment, capped at RMB20 million yuan.

Additionally, the former zones will receive operational subsidies of up to RMB20 million yuan per year, whereas the latter are eligible to up to RMB5 million per year.

Enterprises will benefit from various subsidies to reduce operational costs – covering office space rent, cross-border network connections, property purchases.

Moreover, they can receive a one-time settlement incentive of up to RMB20 million.

To support the establishment of cross-border e-commerce service providers, subsidies of up to 5 per cent of service fees will be granted – up to a maximum of 2.5 million yuan per year.

Businesses will also receive financial support for trademark registration abroad, establishing independent platforms, leasing overseas warehouses, obtaining logistics insurance, and building product selection centers for brand expansion overseas.

In order to recognise the rising trend of live-streaming e-commerce, support measures for this field include provisions for developing live-streaming e-commerce bases.

Eligible bases can receive subsidies of 50 per cent of their investment, up to a maximum of 3 million yuan.

Talent development is another focus of the support measures.

Collaboration between enterprises and major universities in Macau and mainland China was mentioned in the latest announcement, with e-commerce training bases eligible for a one-time subsidy of RMB500,000.

Tailored-made training programmes will be provided to attract young talent from Macau, with an annual subsidy of up to RMB1.5 million.

Up-and-coming talent who complete certified training courses and join enterprises in the cooperation zone can receive a subsidy of up to RMB2,500, which goes up to RMB4,000 for Macau locals.

To create a vibrant e-commerce atmosphere, event funding of up to RMB3 million will be provided to organisations that hold national e-commerce festivals, product selection events, and industry events that play host to at least 500 attendees.

Additionally, online and offline combined live-streaming festivals held in the cooperation zone or Macau can receive a maximum subsidy of RMB500,000 for events lasting up to three days.

A delegation of consular corps and business communities in Hong Kong has just concluded a five-day Hainan visit, eyeing further collaboration between the two dynamic export hubs of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

Inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Hainan FTP construction, the delegates were bullish on a promising converge of development needs between the two areas, which are close neighbors with complementary strengths.

“I’m quite impressed by the confidence with which the people here in Hainan introduce their hometown’s history, culture, distinctive industries and development strategy,” said Alexander Kaymer, co-founder and managing director of KAYRO Solutions of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao. In fact, many in the delegation shared this sentiment with Xinhua.

“What lures investors to Hainan is that the people here are not just talking about having good and cheap beaches or clean air, that sort of homogeneous concepts, but concretizing the idea of green economy with such indicators as zero carbon and clean production, and really building green industries and eco-tourism into local brands,” said Johannes Hack, president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

The Hainan Free Trade Port features a clear top-level design and blueprint, and focuses on building regional trademarks, Hack said, noting that Hong Kong, an international metropolis boasting edges in professional services, can help Hainan with attracting and utilizing foreign investment.

The two areas can recalibrate their roles in terms of investment categories, with Hong Kong being an ideal option for investing in the secondary market while the Hainan FTP being a suitable place for high-tech venture capital, he added.

“This is my first visit to Hainan, but it certainly won’t be my last. It’s amazing and worth more visits,” Ahmed Elbeshlawy, an analyst of the Consulate-General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hong Kong, told Xinhua, saying that he was impressed by the “richness” in Hainan, including the abundant resources, the diversified industries, and the untapped potential.

With experience in clean production, seed breeding and medical tourism, Hainan is a promised land for businesses, particularly ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing, Elbeshlawy said. “It’s reasonable to believe that in the future, the relevant industries will emerge stronger, their scope of business expanding from the Chinese mainland to the wider world.”

The UAE government is currently leading a nationwide green push, he said, adding that Hainan’s optimal location, cost-effectiveness and inspiring experience in ESG will pool more global green and high-tech investments, including both Hong Kong-based multinationals and UAE enterprises.

Particularly, via the platform of the GBA, bigger enterprises can capitalize on a slew of measures to boost financial market interconnectivity including the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Scheme and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Elbeshlawy said, noting that this is where the development needs of the GBA and the FTP can converge.

Speaking about the visit to the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center and the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center, David Whitwam, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, told Xinhua that he was very excited to see these high-end facilities up close.

China has been deeply engaged in the aerospace field, and its technology ranks among the top globally, Whitwam said. “It’s a fresh experience to get to see so many industries, including space exploration, developing on Hainan Island simultaneously. Investors based in Hong Kong and those from New Zealand should really come and see for themselves.”

The five-day trip spanned across the whole island, covering such cities as Haikou, Wenchang, Qionghai, Danzhou, Changjiang and Sanya, which excel respectively in new energy vehicles manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace, nuclear energy, medical tourism, seed breeding, deep sea technology, among others.

“When I think of a free trade port, I think of sort of heavy industry and shipping and those sorts of things. Whereas this is so much more (here in Hainan),” said Paul McComb, executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. “So in my sense it’s a bit of a gem, or FTP plus.”

Hong Kong, with its favorable business environment and internationally aligned legal and tax systems, remains highly attractive as an offshore venue for Chinese companies seeking to pool foreign talents, and Hainan, with its science parks, new productive forces as well as geographical proximity, can be a perfect place for such collaboration, McComb said.

Members of the delegation also shared their excitement about China’s newly enforced measure to grant five-year multi-entry travel permits to non-Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong and Macao, bullish on future cooperation prospects between the GBA and the Hainan FTP as well as beyond with more exchanges.

A Zhuhai court has issued an order requiring the appointment of an administrator for a Hengqin property developer in liquidation.

The order was issued by the Intermediate People’s Court of Zhuhai on 9 July, with an application deadline of 22 July.

According to an online notice, the property developer was registered with the Hengqin authorities in September 2013 with a capital of RMB760 million (US$104 million/ MOP842 million).

Its flagship project, the Haoyi Fortune Center, is a corporate tower block whose construction was completed in early December 2020 against a backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is one of several major high-rise buildings facing the Hengqin Immigration Hall.

The complex — comprising two blocks, one of 30 storeys and the other of 45 storeys — boasts a gross floor area of over 221,880 square metres and houses 988 offices, 890 commercial spaces and 608 serviced apartments, as well as around 1,300 parking spaces.

There are no existing mortgages or liens on the project, according to the court order.

It was not the first time the financially troubled developer had come under public scrutiny.

In 2021, scores of property buyers staged a protest outside the complex after the developer failed to deliver on its promise to complete the project as scheduled.

It was widely reported that as many as 3,000 units and over 200 buyers were involved.

The developer had initially promised to complete the construction and furnishing of the units by the end of 2020.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused multiple delays, resulting in the completion date being pushed back to mid-2021.

It was later pushed back again to the end of that year for the same reason.

The projects erupted after buyers were informed that there would be no definite timeline for delivery of the units, which reportedly cost over RMB40,000 per square metre.

Hong Kong is set to allow private cars from Macau and mainland China to reach the neighbouring SAR’s border at the he Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge under a new southbound scheme as early as the end of the year.

According to South China Morning Post, citing Hong Kong’s transport minister, the start of the scheme will be on a smaller scale than previously suggested, with several hundred vehicles likely to be allowed.

The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme will initially provide more than 1,000 automated parking spaces on the artificial island at the Hong Kong border of the mega-bridge.

This is a departure from the previously reported plan to provide 6,000 spaces.

“We want to start with a smaller scale,” Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung was quoted as saying.

“If demand is good, we will plan the next stage of development. I expect it to be popular.”

As part of a drive to achieve the goal of a “one-hour life circle”, the scheme will allow visitors from Macau and Guangdong province to drive to Hong Kong, park their cars on the artificial island of the 55-kilometre link.

They can then take a bus to the city’s airport for international travel, or enter Hong Kong through the bridge checkpoint.

The parking arrangement means drivers will not be allowed to drive around Hong Kong, which will ease traffic pressure in the city, SCMP notes.

A separate scheme grants limited quotes for Macau private and company vehicles to Hong Kong, an allocation which is determined by lucky draw. 

The latest batch of three-year permits, comprising 750 vehicles, was unveiled last month. A previous allocation of 2,500 quotas was rolled out earlier this year.

China’s largest bubble tea chain, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, opened its first shop in Macau on Friday in the popular tourist spot Senado Square.

In terms of the number of outlets, Mixue ranks first in China and second globally, among fresh beverage makers, boasting 31,568 outlets around the globe as of last week.

The opening of Mixue’s local stop follows the launch of its Hong Kong branch at the end of last year. Known for its low prices on the Chinese mainland, the brand’s expansion into Hong Kong attracted widespread attention and garnered long queues of eager customers.

In January 2024, Mixue Group filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. However, no progress had been made before the prospectus expired early this week.

At Mixue’s Macau store, the prices of ice cream and beverages range from MOP5 to MOP20, mirroring the pricing in their Hong Kong counterpart.

However, there is a significant gap in pricing between stores in the two SARs and in mainland China, with beverages commanding an average price twice as high as similar products on the mainland.

In an interview with local Chinese language news outlet Macau Daily, Sun Lili, the company’s spokesperson, expressed optimism about the Macau market and highlighted the brand’s intention to enhance cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, leveraging Macau’s positioning as ‘One Centre, One Platform, and One Base’.

Meanwhile, the president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, U U Sang commented that the bureau would continue to support Mixue’s expansion into the Macau market, as the brand holds the potential to ‘generate more employment opportunities for the youth’.

The chairman also expressed the hope that Mixue would establish more shops in the city in the future, thereby attracting visitors to explore local neighbourhoods and drive consumption.

Enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area are optimistic about their business prospects, according to the latest findings from the Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI).

The research, conducted jointly by Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), provides insights into the region’s economic prospects.

Based on the survey results for the second quarter of this year, the overall performance index for business activity remained largely unchanged at 54.1, compared to the 54.3 reported in the previous January-March period. The second-quarter figure is close to its highest level since the second quarter of 2021.

The GBAI expectations index rose to 54.8 in the second quarter from 54.0 previously, marking the first rise in five quarters.

“The figures remain comfortably above the 50 neutral mark, reflecting sustained expansionary momentum following a solid start to the year,” the research team wrote.

Analysed by industry categories, the retail and wholesale sector saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.9 points for current performance and a rise of 2.6 points for expectations.

The financial services sector recorded a surge of 15.0 points for current performance and 10.7 points for expectations, while the professional services sector saw growth of 7.6 points and 12.3 points for current performance and expectations, respectively.

The IT sector appeared to take a hit from tariff concerns, with the category’s current performance sub-index plunging to 43.9 from 57.8 previously, and expectations falling sharply to 38.1 from 54.6 in the first quarter.

The research team noted that the May Labour Day holiday and an early start to the 618 online shopping festival in the mainland probably boosted household demand, allowing retail and wholesale to outperform manufacturing and trading, despite a stronger start to the year for manufacturing.

Additionally, the research team highlighted that the risk of overcapacity or macro concerns, such as an uncertain economic outlook, did not deter GBA companies from upgrading equipment and planning to make other business investments in the next 12 months

An updated design for a Zhuhai immigration and customs inspection station has provided the latest sign of the possible construction of an underwater passageway between the neighbouring city and Macau.

According to the Zhuhai Bureau of Land and Resources, the facility will cover an area of 20,000 square metres – opposite the Light Rapid Transit station in Barra.

The plan made public for viewing, which is yet to be approved, also mentions the long-discussed project of an underwater pedestrian tunnel – a link that is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the Inner Harbour district and Wanzhai, a town in Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou district.

Ferry services, which take between five and ten minutes, are currently the main mode of transport for people crossing the border between the two sides.

Guangzhou has lifted restrictions on home purchases by foreigners, including those from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, in a bid to prop up its sagging property market.

The authorities made the confirmation on Tuesday amid rumours circulating online.

Under the new rules, Macau buyers will now be allowed to buy a residential property of 120 square metres or less in areas subject to purchase restrictions.

Authorities said the policy had been in place since last week, with prospective buyers required to submit their identity documents and travel permits.

Those from Taiwan or overseas Chinese, meanwhile, should provide proof of employment or study in Guangzhou city.

For larger apartments, there is no limit on the number of properties that can be purchased, whether in non-restricted or restricted areas.

In May this year, the Guangzhou government announced a reduction in down payment requirements for property purchases – reportedly the largest among the country’s first-tier cities.

For families buying their first home, the minimum down payment has been lowered to a minimum of 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, the previous interest rate floor has been abolished.

Similarly, for prospective buyers of a second residential property, the minimum down payment ratio has been adjusted to a minimum of 25 per cent.

A delegation of consular corps and business communities in Hong Kong has departed from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for south China’s Hainan Province on a 5-day visit to explore broader synergy between the two dynamic export hubs.

Prior to its departure, a launch ceremony was held at the Hong Kong International Airport, during which Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, also the organizer of the event, delivered a speech.

Hong Kong has the ability to play a greater role in strengthening the synergy and coordinated development between the Hainan Free Trade Port and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Li said, hoping that through a fruitful visit, the members of the delegation would have a deeper understanding of the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port as well as the role of Hong Kong in that synergy.

David Whitwam, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, told Xinhua that New Zealand and Hong Kong enjoy close trade ties, and that the Hong Kong market has a great demand for New Zealand’s farm produce and beverages including dairy products.

A long-time resident in Hong Kong, Whitwam has been impressed by the rapid changes and vitality of Hong Kong, particularly thanks to a series of newly-rolled out preferential policies, such as starting from July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the mainland, from which he sees unlimited opportunities for Hong Kong to link up with the Chinese mainland and beyond. He looks forward to more inspiration and broader business opportunities.

From Monday to Friday, the delegation will visit a few cities in Hainan, including Haikou, Wenchang, Qionghai, Danzhou, Changjiang and Sanya.

Zhuhai authorities are transforming several streets into a hub for traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to establish them as “the country’s largest center for online and offline sales” of these age-old remedies.

On Monday, a strategic pact was signed between the Zhuhai government and the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Three districts – the Jida residential area, the New Yuanming Palace and the city’s high-tech zone – are involved in the project, which is due to be completed by October this year.

According to local media, the authorities are aiming to create a “new” and “high-quality” healthcare consumer experience.

The Zhuhai government is also looking to incorporate elements of food and beverage, tourism, regimen and culture into the project.

“The trend of Hong Kong and Macau residents driving north to spend money has become popular,” said Huang Zhihao, mayor of Zhuhai.

“However, this trend is mainly limited to dining out, late-night snacks and regular shopping, while the demand for a high-end lifestyle has yet to be met.”

The plan for a Chinese medicine hub comes as the local authorities set their sights on another leisure district long frequented by Macau residents.

Several bustling streets stretching for some 580 metres near the Border Gate will soon give rise to a new entertainment complex for “cultural tourism, consumption and socialising”.

Hengqin has now allowed buildings originally built for other purposes to be converted into hotel accommodation in a move to boost investment in the neighbouring island.

Two measures were announced late last week with the aim of “unleashing the potential of hotel development”.

They target office blocks designated for commercial, cultural, creative, high-tech, and scientific research purposes – including existing constructions.

However, according to the Monday announcement, “temporary conversion” approval will only go to projects that are “meaningful” to the industries of cultural tourism, exhibition, as well as trade and commerce.

According to the Hengqin authorities, applicants are allowed to submit their applications with a minimum duration of eight years – on the condition that the period of hotel operation does not exceed the remaining term of the right to land use.

Applicants can also request a period extension from the executive committee of the cooperation zone when the period for using the building as a hotel is approaching an end within three months.

The authorities said that after the eight-year period, of hotel operation, applicants will also be allowed to request termination.

Last week, Hengqin unveiled a raft of incentives designed to bring international sports events to the city and nurture youth development in the field.

Read more: From boardrooms to bedrooms

By Newsgd.com

The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Macao Science Center on July 4th. This collaboration aims to integrate science education resources from both regions, and jointly promote science popularization.

As part of this agreement, the Macao Science Center will establish an education base at the Hengqin National Urban Wetland Park. The center plans to offer a series of specialized courses focusing on sustainable development and ecology.

Hengqin hopes to further collaborate with the Macao Science Center by developing science courses tailored to Macao students. Aligning with the science and technology curriculum guidelines of Macao’s primary and secondary schools, the initiative will combine Hengqin’s facilities and Macao Science Center’s educational resources to design diverse educational activities for students.

Meanwhile, both parties are about to launch a science film production competition for youth, encouraging young people to visit the wetland park, explore various topics, and create science films focusing on biodiversity and sustainable development for display.

Shenzhen has been selected as one of 20 cities in China to lead a “vehicle-road-cloud integration” pilot initiative aimed at advancing intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), Shenzhen Daily reported.

The Chinese government plans to establish a cohesive standard system for this integration by 2026 to facilitate the deployment of smart vehicles, according to a statement from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The “vehicle-road-cloud integration” concept, crucial for the ICV sector, aims to enhance the commercial use of smart vehicles through the combination of intelligent driving technologies with roadside sensors and cloud-based control systems.

Shenzhen is vigorously developing next-generation smart transportation infrastructure and digital road networks to support the ICV ecosystem. Key domestic companies, including ZTE, Genvict, and Soling, are investing strategically in “vehicle-road-cloud integration” technologies. These companies are leaders in communications services, IoT, and intelligent transportation systems.

The Asian nation is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases that scientists say cause global warming and make extreme weather more frequent and intense.

Swathes of northern China have already been baked by heat waves this summer, while unseasonably torrential rains have triggered deadly floods and landslides across much of the south.

State broadcaster CCTV said Thursday the China Meteorological Administration’s National Climate Centre forecasts that “air temperatures in most parts of the country will be somewhat higher… during the midsummer of this year”.

“Against the climatic backdrop of global warming, average temperatures will rise and the occurrence of high-temperature weather will tend to be frequent,” the centre said, according to CCTV.

The mercury will edge one to two degrees Celsius higher than normal in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong and Gansu provinces as well as the regions of Guangxi and Ningxia, the report said.

However, it said northeastern provinces and the northern region of Inner Mongolia will see close to normal temperatures.

China ejects more planet-heating carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other country, but has pledged to bring emissions to a peak by 2030 and slash them to net zero by 2060.

Authorities tend to acknowledge the role of climate change in extreme weather but rarely link them directly to national emissions, and Chinese officials have brushed aside suggestions that Beijing could make more ambitious cuts.

The country saw an average of 2.6 high-temperature days — those with maximum highs of 35 C (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or above — in June, the fourth-highest figure since records began in 1961, CCTV cited the National Climate Centre as saying.

Heat records at 20 local weather stations broke historical records, the report added.

“As global warming intensifies, in recent years, high-temperature days in our country have… begun at earlier dates, occurred with increasing frequency, accumulated over longer periods, had a wider impact range and been generally stronger,” it said.

Parts of northern China sweltered in temperatures of over 40 C last month.

And in eastern Anhui province this week, nearly a quarter of a million people were evacuated as rainstorms caused the mighty Yangtze and other rivers to swell.

Also in June, a landslide in Hunan killed eight people, and heavy rains and flooding left 38 dead in Guangdong.

Macau Urban Renewal (MUR), the developer of the Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) housing project, has confirmed the transformation of a number of MNN units into a residence for students.

In a statement released on its WeChat official account on Wednesday, MUR confirmed that more than 200 units in Building 17 and 18 of MNN will be designated as talent housing apartments, aiming to ‘provide professionals in Hengqin with a high-quality living environment’.

The developer said that discussions were underway with the University of Macau (UM), the Hengqin School Affiliated to Hou Kong Middle School, and the health station of MNN, regarding the rental of the housing.

UM had previously informed its students that a section of MNN apartments would be earmarked for postgraduate student accommodation.

Students opting for single rooms will be required to pay between MOP13,300 (US$1,653) and MOP14,950 per semester, while those going for double rooms will have to pay between MOP7,900 and MOP9,600 per semester.

This information has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning whether MNN is still living up to its promise as a “livelihood project built for Macau residents”.

MUR emphasised in the statement that this move is intended to attract high-quality talents to reside in MNN, thereby enhancing the commercial atmosphere and vibrancy of the community.

Additionally, MUR highlighted that MNN is seen as ‘an innovative and exploratory endeavor’, being the first livelihood project jointly developed by Macau and Hengqin.

Sales of about 4,000 flats in MNN began at the end of November 2023 and were exclusively available to Macau ID holders. However, as of June 2024, only about 30 percent of the inventory had been sold.

By Newsgd.com

The opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan (ShenZhong) Link has ignited numerous new development opportunities for businesses in Zhongshan, as evidenced by the views and experiences shared by local leaders and entrepreneurs.

Jason Yang, Director of Public Relation Department of Akeso Biopharma Co., Ltd., highlighted the company’s international reach, whose products are manufactured in Zhongshan and are now poised to efficiently access global markets via the Link and Shenzhen’s international airport, underscoring the Link’s role in enhancing the city’s export capabilities.

Sherman, Deputy General Manager of Express Luck, emphasized the company’s export-oriented status, with 100% of products destined for overseas markets. He noted that the opening of the Link provides additional customs port options, crucial during peak seasons when container availability and port congestion can become critical issues. This new route offers a strategic alternative for logistics, ensuring smoother export operations.

Jason Xu, General Manager of Guangdong Huapu Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., anticipates significant cost savings on production management and logistics following the Link’s opening. The company expects to reduce costs by over 15% compared to the time they operated in Shenzhen, a figure that resonates with businesses looking to enhance competitiveness through optimized cost management.

Alston Fan, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen YueShen Industry Development Co., Ltd., said that they are actively developing an international order platform. By integrating overseas orders, the platform aims to bring more business opportunities for local enterprises to venture abroad, leveraging the Link as a conduit for international trade and exchange.

Jiang Bin, Director of the Urban Renewal and Construction Service Center, Xiaolan Town, points out that industries such as hardware, lighting, printing, and packaging are closely linked with Shenzhen’s high-end industries. The ShenZhong Link is expected to attract segments of the industry seeking higher industrial support or looking to optimize labor costs, with the Intelligent Industrial Park in Xiaolan standing out as a model for this symbiotic relationship.

As the ShenZhong Link forges ahead, it promises to be more than an infrastructural advancement; it also offers businesses robust support for growth, cost efficiency, and international engagement, heralding a new era of prosperity for the region.

Hengqin has unveiled a new playbook for its sports development with Macau, with one-off incentives for competitive games ranging from RMB2 million (US$270,000/MOP2.2 million) to RMB8 million.

According to the three-year guidance effective from 1 July, there are seven types of categories eligible for financial support from the government.

Competitive games

As for international competitions for at least 40,000 spectators, the maximum incentive is RMB8 million.

However, the organiser itself has to provide at least USD2 million in cash prizes.

National games are eligible for RMB5 million, on the condition that cash prizes worth RMB10 million are provided.

The minimum incentive for international games are RMB2 million as long as the number of spectators reaches 15,000, alongside the provision of US$500,000.

The incentive is the same for national competitions, yet cash prizes provided have to be worth at least RMB4 million.

All incentive applicants will have to hold their games for three consecutive years if their applications are successful.

Large-scale sporting events

Organisers of mass events that are tailored to at least 15,000 are eligible for a one-off incentive of RMB2 million.

Events organised under the name of a group and involving 20 or more teams are eligible for a reward of up to RMB2 million, with the amount equivalent to 50 per cent of the actual investment in organising the event.

Self-branded competitions

Hengqin authorities are also looking to tap into the island’s natural resources for sports development, with five categories particularly listed: cycling, water-based sports, road race, orienteering, and triathlon.

Games in these areas are up for a one-off incentive of up to RMB2 million, with the amount to be granted equivalent to 50 per cent of the actual investment.

Other types are also up for 40 per cent of the actual investment to a maximum of RMB1 million.

Additional financial support, as much as RMB300,000, or 30 per cent of the actual investment, could be granted if the games were broadcast via Hong Kong or Macau media, or provincial-level media outlets.

Extension of Macau signature events

Events that have been subsidised by the Macau government for three years are eligible for 50 per cent of their investment, up to a maximum of RMB1 million.

However, an turnout of 200 competitors or 20 competing groups is required.

300-strong events held in cooperation with non-governmental bodies could also be eligible for RMB50,000. Those with 100 competitors could receive a maximum of RMB20,000.

Subsidies for venue construction

The Hengqin government also provides an one-off award for investments linked to building or rescaling, with the amount touted reaching 40 per cent of the cost of the project.

As much as RMB1 million could be granted for the construction of a 1500-square-metre pavilion or a 2500-square-metre hall for sporting purposes.

Other supporting measures

Professional clubs can now apply for a maximum of RMB10 million per year if they finish in the top five of the national professional league.

Those non-professional ones could have the opportunity secure an annual maximum of RMB3 million if they made it to the top three of the regional or city league.

Each excellent teenage sportsman is also given the chance to earn a maximum of RMB500,000 per year.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday welcomed and expressed gratitude to the country for announcing a new measure that will make it more convenient for non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong to travel to the Chinese mainland.

Starting July 10, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will be eligible to apply for a card-type document to enter the mainland, according to the National Immigration Administration. The move is expected to enhance convenience of clearance at control points of the mainland, facilitating the residents’ visit to the mainland for business, traveling and visiting relatives, the HKSAR government said in a statement.

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said that at the important moment when Hong Kong residents celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, he is grateful for the central government for introducing the measure in support of Hong Kong again, which demonstrated the country’s care and support for the HKSAR all along.

Under the new measure, individuals holding the card will be able to enjoy self-service clearance at control points of the mainland, significantly enhancing clearance efficiency, he said.

This measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong’s unique status under “one country, two systems” and greatly helps Hong Kong maintain its international character and diversity, thereby providing a significant incentive for companies and talent from around the world to settle in Hong Kong, he said.

Foreign business groups have welcomed Beijing’s recent decision to grant Hong Kong and Macau’s non-Chinese permanent residents multi-entry travel permits, saying the new policy could encourage travel to the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

While calling it “good news for the development of Hengqin and the GBA”, Keith Buckley, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Macao, thinks the economic benefits of the new initiative are limited.

“It is a very good initiative, but it may not have a big economic impact, as many permanent ID card holders are probably not businessmen,” he told Macau News Agency.

Moreover, Buckley believes the initiative could further impact the small and medium-sized scene in Macau.

“On the downside, it may further affect the F&B and retail business in Macao, as obstacles to travel freely across the border are reduced,” he added.

Rutger Verschuren, who heads the France Macau Chamber of Commerce, says the initiative caters to those looking to participate in the forthcoming events in Zhuhai or Hengqin, and those who have partners on the Chinese mainland.

“Sometimes their partners on the mainland cannot easily come to Macau, and this is a hurdle to us being non-Chinese permanent residents,” he said.

“Also, our Chinese colleagues, coming from the mainland, don’t need a visa, that’s a big plus.”

Billy Chan, chairman of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Macau, has described the new announcement as “exciting news”. 

“They’ll be able to go back and forth to do their business, to visit friends, or to do academic exchanges.”

Carlos Cid Alvares, president of the Macau delegation of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says he sees more positive cooperation forming between mainland China and Macau, calling the initiative a “greater incentive” for opportunities to invest, travel, and increase business and exchanges on the mainland.

A joint operation by Macau, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities has dismantled an illegal gambling syndicate, with 93 people arrested, including 11 key figures behind the racket.

According to the Judiciary Police, the operation resulted in the seizure of more than MOP8 million (US$1 million) in cash.

More than half of those arrested were detained in Macau, with four of them allegedly running an illegal gambling den in northern Macau.

The ring is believed to have been active since 2016, with no less than MOP1 billion involved.

The two masterminds are locals, both aged 33, and the nine core members range from 29 to 47 in age.

According to the authorities, one of them works for the government as a customs officer and is now facing disciplinary action.

The syndicate was discovered during a money laundering case in 2022. Four members were found to be involved in illicit gambling.

Police investigators found that the group had used overseas servers for the online betting site they had set up, taking bets on football and basketball games.

Higher odds were touted to attract punters with the help of agents working around the clock, the authorities said.

The arrests were made at a number of flats on the peninsula, Cotai and in Coloane.

Meanwhile, 42 mainland Chinese were arrested in Guangdong with illegal bets worth around RMB80 million.

China’s largest commercial property developer, Dalian Wanda Commercial Management Group (Wanda Commercial), is reportedly set to move its office to the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

Employees will relocate from Beijing to the Hengqin office, with the transition expected to be completed by mid-July, Chinese digital news outlet the Paper reported.

Wanda Commercial is a key subsidiary of Dalian Wanda Group, a major Chinese conglomerate and one of the country’s largest private property developers.

Previous reports from mainland media outlets had indicated that Wanda Group’s Beijing headquarters would be relocated to Zhuhai.

However, according to the anonymous sources cited in The Paper, the current move only involves the commercial property management division of the group, and the headquarters will remain in Beijing.

The source also said that the decision to move to the new office at Hengqin International Business Centre was aimed at reducing operational costs.

In April this year, Wanda sold its headquarters Beijing Wanda Plaza, to alleviate the company’s liquidity pressure.

The group said that despite changes in shareholders at Beijing Wanda Plaza Industrial, Wanda’s employees continue to work from there.

Since 2023, Wanda Commercial has sold 14 malls and other assets, including its Sunseeker yacht business and its flagship Beijing Wanda Plaza.

In June, rating agency Fitch Ratings reaffirmed Wanda Commercial’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘cc’, which is at the same level as the consolidated profile of its 44 per cent parent, Dalian Wanda Group.

Fitch Ratings indicated that both entities’ ratings are constrained by their tight liquidities. It stated that Zhuhai Wanda Commercial’s proposed new financing plan, along with other asset disposal arrangements, are expected to help Wanda Commercial address its short-term maturities.

However, these plans are subjected to execution risks.

Several bustling streets in Zhuhai near the Border Gate have been earmarked for a facelift project to turn them into a hub for “cultural tourism, consumption and socialising”.

According to local media, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on Sunday, with the project being billed as one of the top 10 events of the year for Xiangzhou district.

Zhengyuan Holding, a company responsible for the redevelopment, told the media that the project would cover a 580-metre stretch of streets and nearby alleys.

Construction was originally due to start in March this year.

The streets involved in the project were once home to street vendors, hairdressers’ and massage parlours, as well as casual eateries.

Starting from July 10, mainland authorities will begin issuing multiple-entry travel permits to non-Chinese permanent residents in the SARs, the Exit and Entry Administration of China announced on Monday morning.

According to the announcement, non-Chinese holders of permanent Macau and Hong Kong ID Cards can submit their applications to the China Travel Service agencies in the SARs and be issued a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents. The maximum stay for each visit is 90 days.

With this certificate, in the format of a card, non-Chinese permanent residents will also be allowed to use the fast channel at the borders after completing fingerprint collection and other procedures.

The permit is applicable to those traveling to mainland China for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars, and exchanges. The announcement also noted that holders are not permitted to work, study, or engage in news coverage activities in mainland China with this permit.

The measure announced today coincides with the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It aims to “further promote personnel exchanges between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as facilitate the smooth development of activities such as trade, investment, cultural tourism, education, and research, and support the better integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the overall national development situation,” mainland authorities stressed, as quoted by CCTV.

The Macau SAR Government issued statement thanking the Central Government for the new policy, emphasising that it provides great encouragement to non-Chinese Macao permanent residents either to invest, visit relatives, travel, do business, or engage in discussions and exchanges on the mainland.

“This further promotes people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade exchanges, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the mainland and Macao. It also contributes positively for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and accelerates Macau’s integration into the overall development of the country.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent a congratulatory letter as a cross-sea passage opened, linking the cities of Shenzhen and Zhongshan in southern China’s Guangdong Province.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is another large-scale transportation project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The project managed to overcome multiple world-class technical challenges and set multiple world records.

All participants, through their hard work and unwavering determination, have successfully completed the project with high quality, Xi said.

“This fully illustrates that Chinese modernization can only be achieved through solid work, as all great causes are accomplished through concrete actions,” he said.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a new cross-sea passage linking the eastern and western banks of the Pearl River estuary, has opened for trial operations today at 3 PM. The two-hour commute from Shenzhen to Zhongshan will be reduced to 30 minutes.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is an amalgamation of bridges, islands, tunnels, and underwater interchanges.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link will significantly reduce travel times. The link is connected to major expressways such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, the Jihe Expressway, and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Coastal Expressway in the east, and the Zhongshan-Kaiping Expressway, the Guangzhou-Macau Expressway, and the Zhongshan Eastern Outer Ring Expressway in the west.

It also interfaces with the Nansha-Zhongshan Expressway (currently under construction) and the Nansha Port Expressway.

The link will charge a toll fee of 66 yuan per standard vehicle for the entire 24 kilometre-long route.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter, expressing warm congratulations and extending sincere greetings to all those involved in the planning and construction.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is another super-large transportation project built in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area after the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Xi Jinping stressed that the next step is to manage and use the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link well, ensure safe, smooth, comfortable and intelligent operation, give full play to its role as a pioneer in transportation, promote the integrated development of the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary, improve the “hard connectivity” of infrastructure and the “soft connectivity” of rules and mechanisms in the Greater Bay Area and promote market integration in the GBA.

Some of Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) apartments have been earmarked for accommodation purposes for University of Macau postgraduate students in an apparent move to lift the residency rate of the compound amidst sluggish sales.

In a recent email to students reviewed by Macau News Agency, UM announced that the new accommodation for postgraduate students would be located within the MNN project.

Students will have to pay between MOP13,300 (US$1,653) and MOP14,950 per semester for single rooms, while those opting for double rooms will have to pay between MOP7,900 and MOP9,600 per semester.

From the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, which normally starts in August, students whose programmes are offered on the new campus will be accommodated in the new postgraduate residences in MNN.

Earlier this year, UM rector Song Yonghua revealed plans for an additional campus on the Hengqin island, which will be half the size of the current one.

The facility will offer a range of programmes, including medicine, new engineering, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, robotics and quantitative business analysis.

This information has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning whether MNN is still living up to its promise as a “livelihood project built for Macau residents”.

Macau News Agency (MNA) contacted the developer of MNN, Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR), for comment on the matter.

Sales of about 4,000 flats in MNN began at the end of November 2023 and were exclusively available to Macau ID holders. However, as of June 2024, only about 30 percent of the inventory had been sold.

To further encourage purchases, ownership restrictions on the development in neighbouring Hengqin were lifted last month.

A real estate agent from Centaline Property told MNA that despite extensive online advertising, apartments in MNN had yet to attract significant attention from potential tenants.

Beijing has announced new duty-free allowance rules for arrivals from Hong Kong and Macau, allowing a maximum of RMB12,000 (MOP13,287/ US$1,651) worth of goods to be exempt from customs duties.

The existing mechanism, introduced in August 1996, only permits RMB5,000 at most. Besides, goods from duty-free shops enjoy an allowance of RMB3,000.

However, according to the latest announcement, made on Friday, the new duty-free allowance rules state that travellers aged 18 or over, residents and visitors alike, will now be allowed a maximum of RMB15,000, including both duty-free goods and their personal belongings.

The new policy also applies to those travelling from the Hengqin island, which enjoys an autonomous customs regime.

All the new rules are due to come into effect on 1 July this year at six entry points: Luohu, Futian, Shenzhen Bay, the West Kowloon station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway, Gongbei and the Zhuhai end of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

The authorities say they will enforce the new policy at all entry points from 1 August.

In response to new rules, the Macau Government Tourism Office says in a statement that they believe that the new rules will increase spending in Macau by mainland Chinese travellers.

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng stressed that these measures reflects the great importance the Central Government attaches to Macau.

The increase in the duty-free allowance will help promote the growth of tourism consumption in Macau and promote the community’s economy, benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, including the retail industry, and help the overall economic development of the MSAR to move forward steadily, Ho adde as quoted in statement by the Government Information Bureau.

Insurer Fidelidade Macau is closely monitoring potential business opportunities in Hengqin and the Greater Bay Area as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, the company told MNA on Friday.

“Fidelidade Macau is now more than ever ready to seize future opportunities, not only in Macau but also in the Greater Bay Area,” said André Simões Cardoso, chairman of Fidelidade Macau’s Board of Directors.

To take steps in the neighbouring In-depth Cooperation Zone and other GBA cities, there needs to be a suitable regulatory environment and flexibility to develop products and services that meet the market’s needs, he added.

“Should we have that window of opportunity (to enter the GBA market), we have the willingness and the company is ready in terms of capital, team members, and platforms,” Mr. Cardoso noted, adding that he hopes to see the necessary regulatory framework take shape across the border.

Fidelidade Macau CEO Paulo Barbosa also emphasized the company’s financial strength and willingness to expand to Hengqin and beyond. “The company has sufficient capital to initiate an expansion project. We are now waiting for both Macau and mainland authorities to allow us to expand our business activities to other areas, hopefully in the short term to Hengqin and in the longer term to the wider GBA market.”

The local market itself has become more competitive with increasingly demanding customers. Fidelidade Macau Executive Director Ivan Cheung noted, “Macau citizens are more knowledgeable about insurance. We need to create more innovative products to make breakthroughs.”

Operating in Macau since 1999, Fidelidade Macau, which provides life and non-life insurance products, is owned by Portugal’s insurance group Fidelidade. Chinese private multinational conglomerate Fosun International is the group’s main shareholder with about an 85 percent stake, while the remaining 15 percent is held by Portuguese state-owned bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos.

In 2023, the group saw robust growth in its Gross Written Premiums (GWPs) in both the life and non-life segments, with 15.8 percent and 27.3 percent expansions compared to 2022.

The CEO of parent company Fidelidade, Rogério Campos Henriques, said the group “remains fully committed to Macau and the SAR’s development,” as he praised the “good results and success,” and highlighted the decision last year by US financial rating agency Fitch to upgrade Fidelidade Macau’s Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating to ‘A’ (Strong) from ‘A-’ (Strong) with a Stable Outlook.

These comments were made during a cocktail reception held on Friday in the SAR to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Fidelidade Macau.

China’s top political advisory body held a virtual consultation session on Friday to discuss the roles of Hong Kong and Macau in China’s development of new systems for a higher-standard open economy.

The meeting of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was chaired by Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

Wang emphasised the importance of focusing research on key issues related to the roles of Hong Kong and Macau in China’s development of new systems for a higher-standard open economy.

He called for actionable and targeted policy recommendations to support the implementation of national policies that aid the development of Hong Kong and Macau.

Twelve members of the CPPCC National Committee delivered remarks from Beijing, Fujian, Hong Kong, Macau, and other locations via video link.

They proposed enhancing the coordination of economic regulations and mechanisms across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau to facilitate the efficient flow of people, goods, capital, and data, thereby improving market integration.

Recommendations included consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping, and trade centre, leveraging Macau’s unique advantages as a platform for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and expanding smooth and convenient international connections.

Officials from relevant departments provided information and engaged in discussions with national political advisors.

Macau will host table tennis, women’s senior volleyball, 3X3 basketball, karate, and under-18 men’s basketball games at the 15th National Games next year.

The executive committee of the event provided an update on Thursday, revealing that the 15th National Games will consist of 34 major events and 401 minor events.

Guangzhou will serve as the host for 136 events, accounting for approximately 34 per cent of the total, while Shenzhen will host 82 events, making up around 20 per cent.

Neighboring Zhuhai will witness the unfolding of track and field, road cycling, and tennis competitions.

Hong Kong has been designated as the host for various competitions, including men’s basketball for under-22s, track cycling, fencing, golf, men’s handball, rugby sevens, triathlon, beach volleyball, and bowling.

Guangdong, the host province, will provide a total of 78 venues for the games, consisting of 12 provincial-level venues and 66 municipal-level venues.

The organizer has stated that over 90 per cent of these venues will be repurposed from existing facilities. Of the 34 venues for the Paralympic Games, 21 will be shared with the 15th Games.

It is anticipated that the majority of the venues will be completed by the end of 2024, with all venue refurbishments and constructions expected to conclude by the end of March 2025.

A new direct air route linking Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, with Budapest in Hungary, was launched on Thursday.

The inaugural flight, CZ649, departed Guangzhou at approximately 1 a.m., carrying over 200 passengers, marking the first direct flight between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hungary.

Operated by China Southern Airlines, the new air service utilizes a Boeing aircraft, with flights scheduled four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The journey between Guangzhou and Budapest takes about 12 hours.

Han Wensheng, general manager of China Southern Airlines, said the new route will significantly enhance economic and trade relations, tourism cooperation, and cultural exchanges between China and Hungary.

China is witnessing a resurgence of inbound tourism this year faster than expected.

The country will expand its visa-free transit policy to include more countries and increase inbound flights from major passenger source countries to optimize its entry and exit measures, according to a circular unveiled on Monday by China’s top economic planner.

The Greater Bay Area is expected to welcome the establishment of more international schools and a diverse student community, insiders from the education sectors of Macau and Hengqin indicated on Wednesday.

On the sidelines of the latest session of the Power Hour talk series conducted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Macau (AustCham Macau), the guest speakers expressed their hope for creating an inclusive and innovative education environment in Macau and the Greater Bay Area.

Kirsty Lowery, deputy head of Harrow Li De School Hengqin, told Macau News Agency(MNA) that the anticipated influx of international and British schools into the region would cultivate a healthy competitive atmosphere in the education sector.

She explained that the heightened competition resulting from the expansion of international schools would drive improvements in the sector, as schools ‘have to strive to be excellent’.

“It’s an area that is developing, the Chinese government is promoting the development of the Greater Bay Area, and they really value education,” she added.

Meanwhile, the deputy head emphasised that as more students from Macau, Hong Kong and the northern part of China are relocating to Hengqin, teachers must adapt their educational strategies to cater to the diverse student population.

Another guest speaker at the event, Nair Cardoso, Director of Saint Joseph International Nursery, shared her perspective with MNA, stressing the need for innovation in kindergartens and early childhood education institutions in Macau to enhance language skills and foster creativity among students.

Ms. Cardoso also noted that the influx of students, particularly in the tourism field, would increase, necessitating an elevated education system that meets their specific needs.

“I think Macau is a multicultural city, we are in a very multicultural place. We need to be more open, more flexible to accept people from different races, different religions, and different culture,” she said.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Tuesday reported improved earnings in the fiscal year of 2023, while its revenue and profit hit new records in the first quarter (Q1) of this year.

Revenue in the fiscal 2023 running from October 2022 to the end of September 2023 climbed 156 percent year on year to 5.7 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 730 million U.S. dollars), while total loss narrowed to 356 million Hong Kong dollars, according to the resort’s earnings report.

In the calendar year 2023 alone, the resort achieved profitability buoyed by the opening of the world’s first “Frozen”-themed land in November, said Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

“The strong momentum continues. The first quarter of 2024 was our most successful quarter ever, achieving record levels of revenue and net income,” Moriarty said.

The resort will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025. It will keep investing in facilities and signature offerings tailored to the anticipation of visitors, according to Moriarty.

What does a love letter entail? For Mak Wing-man, curator of the Xubaizhai collection, it is not confined to the romantic feelings between a couple, but also filial piety, affinity among family members, as well as respect and affection between teachers and students.

With “love letters” as the theme, an exhibition featuring ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy works at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) has drawn a group of rare visitors — people aged 35 or under account for more than 60 percent of the exhibition goers.

“While the Xubaizhai collection is well-renowned, young people seldom came to visit. And even if they came, they would only take a quick look and leave,” Mak said.

But this time the exhibition gained unexpected popularity, with the display period extended to over a year.

What has rekindled the interest of the young in traditional Chinese art is the genuine expression of people’s feelings encapsulated in the paintings and calligraphy, whether it’s romance, family ties, friendship, or patriotism.

“Love has always been a source of inspiration for artists,” Mak said. “The landscape paintings may seem very peaceful at first glance, but they contain many emotions, and the emotion is what we want the audience to feel,” she said.

The more than 60 exhibits told stories of bitter-sweet moments between couples, the sadness of artists when bidding farewell to friends, as well as grief and anguish of poets for the loss of their country.

For instance, the theme poster of the exhibition featured “Farewell by a Winter Stream” by Qing Dynasty painter Chen Chongguang, which depicted a scene as good friends take their leave of each other at a pier. The description of the painting reads: “The water is calm and wide, with withered old trees and crooked branches lining the opposite bank. The cold and desolate river setting amplifies the reluctance at having to say one’s goodbyes and the feeling of wanting to cling on tight to what we treasure in life.”

“We tried to focus on telling the sentiments in the artworks and their connection with us so that you don’t have to be an expert to understand them,” Mak said.

For the past 10 years, as a curator, Mak has been trying to figure out a way to get young people interested in Chinese cultural relics. She once converted a truck into a mobile art gallery, bringing calligraphy and paintings to the doorstep of primary and secondary schools and communities.

For the “love letters” exhibition, the museum, in a breakthrough method of displaying traditional Chinese ink art, created a site-specific video projection installation “Freezing Water: Between Here and There” to bring audiences into the emotional worlds of the artists now and then.

The exhibits were selected among the more than 600 artworks in the Xubaizhai collection, which comprises Chinese painting and calligraphy works dating from the fifth to 20th centuries, with particular strengths in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Xubaizhai’s founder, Low Chuck-tiew (1911-1993) was a renowned art connoisseur who devoted his life to the collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy. “From day to day, I find immense pleasure in poring over books, artworks and artifacts, after losing track of time and depriving myself of sleep until early morning,” Low once said at the opening of the Xubaizhai Gallery of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy.

To pay tribute to Low, who donated his lifetime collection to the HKMoA, Mak prepared for every visitor of the exhibition a little surprise — a “love letter” carefully packed in an envelope.

In the letter, Low expressed his joy in collecting the artworks and giving them back to society.

“In order to avoid the calamities that befell previous collectors resulting in the dispersal of their treasures, I have decided to donate my collection to the public rather than keeping it for my private enjoyment, so that everyone can share the same joy I have experienced throughout my life’s work,” it reads.

The letter, together with all the “love letters” in the exhibition, told a compelling truth: sentiments are everlasting, and love is eternal.

Shenzhen Customs’ anti-smuggling bureau announced significant drug control achievements over the past year on Saturday, highlighting the dismantling of a major drug smuggling network and the confiscation of 1.12 metric tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and other narcotics.

“Cross-border drug smuggling has become increasingly active,” said Zhang Junqiang, head of Shenzhen Customs’ anti-smuggling bureau, as quoted by China Daily. “Criminal organisations often disguise illegal shipments as legitimate cargo to evade detection,” he added.

In the largest bust of the year, Shenzhen Customs, in cooperation with Hong Kong Customs, seized 621 kilograms of cocaine concealed in wooden blocks shipped from the Americas. The smuggling ring had carried out several test shipments before attempting the actual drug movement, showcasing traffickers’ evolving methods.

The neighbouring Hengqin zone announced on Thursday that it will eliminate all limitations on home transactions, according to official sources quoted by China Daily.

The purchase of commercial housing in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will no longer require any qualifications, and simultaneously, restrictions on the sale of commercial properties will be removed, as reported by the Shanghai Securities News.

This information was based on a notice from the executive committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The announcement stated that these changes aim to support people’s fundamental housing needs and enhance overall housing demand.

These measures are intended to foster a new model of property development and promote the stable and healthy growth of the real estate market, authorities said.

The International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum has welcomed more companies from Hengqin this year than before, with an increased focus on intelligent engineering technology and small electromechanical equipment.

According to its organiser, the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the 12th edition of the three-day event, which kicked off on Wednesday, features a total of 90 exhibitors, 26 of which are registered in Hengqin – double the number from last year.

In his speech, Fang Qiuchen, who heads the China International Contractors Association, highlighted the important role of infrastructure in the long-standing cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

“Over the years, China and Portuguese-speaking countries have actively engaged in cooperation in areas such as transport, communications, water resources and energy, promoting the physical connectivity of infrastructure, harmonising regulatory standards and promoting people-to-people communication with Portuguese-speaking countries,” he said.

“This has contributed significantly to achieving regional infrastructure interconnectivity, deepening bilateral and multilateral economic and trade relations, and promoting the recovery and growth of the Portuguese-speaking countries and even the global economy.”

The 8,000-square-metre exhibition space is also dedicated to the 10th-year edition of the Forum on Infrastructure Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Shandong Province takes the spotlight as the highlight of the 2024 event.

“Last year, Shandong’s imports and exports with Portuguese-speaking countries amounted to about US$22.5 billion,” revealed Zhang Qingwei, deputy director-general of the Shandong Department of Commerce.

“Shandong has set up 49 companies in Portuguese-speaking countries, with Chinese investment reaching US$330 million.

Hong Kong climbed two places to rank fifth in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 published by the International Institute for Management Development, a business school headquartered in Switzerland, said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday.

In a breakdown by four competitiveness factors put forth by the report, Hong Kong’s rankings in “Business efficiency” and “Infrastructure” both rose notably to the top 10 globally. The city ranks in the top three in terms of “Government efficiency”, while its place under the “Economic performance” metric saw significant improvement that reflected its economic recovery in 2023.

Regarding sub-factors, Hong Kong topped the world in “International trade” and “Business legislation”, and was among the global top five in “Tax policy”, “International investment”, “Basic infrastructure”, “Finance” and “Education.”

“Having taken into account a host of factors including objective data and business opinions, the report recognized Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world,” said a spokesperson for the HKSAR government.

The HKSAR government has launched an array of measures to bolster market confidence, tourism and consumption to consolidate the momentum of economic recovery. The city is also advancing high-quality economic development in the medium to long run by attracting enterprises, capital and talent from around the world as well as nurturing new quality productive forces, the spokesperson said.

Looking forward, Hong Kong will continue to cultivate new growth areas and enhance competitiveness while acting as a “super-connector” and a “super value-adder”, the spokesperson added.

Hengqin completed its first industrial land bidding on Monday, with plans to transform the land plot into a biopharmaceutical industrial park, providing support to Macau brands’ industrialisation.

According to Hengqin’s Economic Development Bureau, the Hengqin-Macau Innovation Industrial Park Development and Construction Co., Ltd. won the land use rights for the 116,000-square-meter land parcel.

The government land will be developed into an industrial park with a floor area of 400,000 square metres, producing health products, food, biopharmaceuticals, and medical devices.

As outlined in the project plan, the primary objective of the industrial park is to attract large-scale investment projects and foster the growth and industrialisation of Macau brands.

The cooperation zone emphasises that the development of this land plot will provide support for advancements in scientific research, high-end manufacturing, and traditional Chinese medicine sector in the region.

Furthermore, the cooperation zone plans to link this land parcel with existing industrial parks in Hengqin to create an industrial cluster.

Macau’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng indicated at a media briefing on Monday that Macau’s traditional Chinese medicine sector would explore markets in Portuguese-speaking countries amid a growing preference for herbal medicine.

“Macau-brand traditional Chinese medicine products will be introduced and utilised in Hengqin in the future before further expanding into the Greater Bay Area market,” He said.

The bourse in the international finance hub typically suspends trading when a strong typhoon signal or “black rainstorm warning” is hoisted, meaning several days are lost each year. 

Southern China is accustomed to seeing seasonal typhoons in the latter half of the year, but climate change has made tropical storms more unpredictable while increasing their intensity. 

On Tuesday, John Lee said that from September 23 investors can trade as usual “when the typhoon signal number eight or above is hoisted in Hong Kong, or even during a black rainstorm warning”.

“Shenzhen and Shanghai are now trading in bad weather. There is no reason why Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, should not follow suit,” he added.

“Non-stop trading in inclement weather can strengthen the competitiveness of the Hong Kong Exchange,” he said, adding that the September timeframe would give the industry time to prepare.

Katerine Kou, chair of Hong Kong Securities Association, said discussion on the move had been ongoing for a year given the city’s role as “a super connector between the Chinese market and the global market”. 

“I think Hong Kong as a whole, including the exchange, have been trying to score more points, and to enhance its global competitiveness,” Kou told AFP. “This is definitely a score-winning move.”

Last year, the city raised its highest T10 warning — for Typhoon Saola — for only the 16th time since World War II. 

A week after Saola, Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years, leaving its streets inundated and subway stations waterlogged. 

According to a consultation paper from the city’s bourse proposing trading continue through bad weather, the exchange was impacted by severe weather four times in 2023, “including three full-day market suspensions”. 

“During such trading suspensions, investors are unable to manage their portfolios and are exposed to potential market risks, especially in scenarios where the markets of their underlying positions are open,” it said. 

On Saturday night, inside the dining car of high-speed sleeper train D910 from Hong Kong to Beijing, crew members were presenting passengers a spectacular performance of Peking Opera, which met with loud applause.

High-speed sleeper trains linking Beijing and Shanghai with Hong Kong commenced operations on Saturday. The new train service runs between Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station/Beijing West Railway Station every Friday to Monday.

Sung Jik Tung, a student from the University of Hong Kong, was one of the passengers on the first high-speed sleeper train to Beijing. He and 15 other Hong Kong students were going to Beijing to participate in artificial intelligence training for about a month.

Sung told Xinhua that he was very excited to be on the maiden trip made by the first high-speed sleeper train to Beijing to witness the moment.

The co-location arrangement at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station enables passengers to travel between different destinations across the country with ease and convenience.

“It was convenient and it saved us a lot of time, and also we could walk less, which was very friendly to middle-aged and elderly people,” Hong Kong passenger surnamed Ho said.

On the train D908 bound for Shanghai, a Hong Kong passenger, insisting on merely using his surname Wan, and his family was full of expectation for the trip.

Wan said riding on an overnight train will not affect the children to go to school and adults going to work on Monday. “When the children heard that they were going to spend the night on the train, they were very excited.”

Gary Zhang Xinyu, chairman of the Legislative Council’s Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways, was also on the train D908. He said that the overnight train service provides business people with extra traveling options, improves the efficiency of business exchanges between Shanghai and Hong Kong, and helps Hong Kong better integrate into the overall development of the country.

“The train today is nearly full, which is both gratifying and challenging for us. We hope to do provide quality service to our passengers,” Ma Shuang, chief attendant on the D910 train bound for Beijing West Railway Station, said.

The new train service has also added several stations along the route, including Shijiazhuang, Changsha South, Guangzhou, Shenzhen north and Hangzhou East.

On Sunday morning, passengers got off the high-speed sleeper train D909 bound for Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station and went straight to visit M+ Museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Becky Ip, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said that the cultural atmosphere in West Kowloon allowed visitors to experience a different Hong Kong and unique charm of the city’s arts and culture.

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has expressed hope that Macau’s overall economy will see double-digit growth this year compared to last year.

The chief executive made the upbeat prediction on Monday at the Macau leg of an eight-day media campaign to promote economic investment in the Greater Bay Area, which includes Hong Kong and Macau. 

According to official figures, gambling accounted for 40 per cent of the city’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 – down from around 63 per cent during the city’s heyday.

“Although the overall GDP last year was still lower than in 2019 before the pandemic, we are confident that it will recover to a better level this year,” Ho said.

Macau’s GDP reached MOP434.67 billion (US$54 billion) in 2019, with a recovery to 80 per cent observed in 2023.

The first quarter of 2024 saw a year-on-year increase of 25 per cent.

Commenting on the role of Hong Kong and Macau in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a metropolitan region in southern China comprising nine major cities in Guangdong other than the two SARs, Ho described the former as a “big brother” to the latter.

“Hong Kong is an international financial centre that has been supporting Macau for years,” the chief executive told the media.

No GBA city should ‘roll inwards’

Ho also urged GBA cities to avoid pushing each other into a state of “involution and homogenisation”, with the former being a newly coined term to describe burnout in cut-throat competition.

“GBA cities should develop their distinctive industries based on their own positioning,” he stressed during the media briefing. “Macau seems to be weak in other industries, but we’re confident about co-development with the rest of the GBA.”

The Macao leader also spoke highly of Hengqin’s development prospects, saying that government officials from the SAR and Guangdong province will be able to work together on the 106-square-kilometre island, which is about three times the size of Macau.

It is a challenging task for the governments of Guangdong and Macau to establish a “system of joint consultation and governance”, Ho stressed.

“Just imagine that the Macau SAR government operates under a capitalist system, while working with the Guangdong provincial government under a socialist system,” Ho said.

“However, in the past three years, my colleagues from both governments have successfully integrated”.

“They have been able to reach consensus on problem-solving perspectives and approaches, which is of the utmost importance,” he added.

“If there were conflicting thoughts from senior officials of the two regions, it would be difficult for those at lower levels to start to work.”