On the morning of the 19th, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone, accompanied by Ho Iat Seng, the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Hengqin, located at the southern tip of Zhuhai, Guangdong, is just across the water from Macau and serves as an important platform for promoting the moderate diversification of Macau's economy. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Hengqin multiple times, steering its development. In September 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council released the "Overall Plan for the Construction of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone," outlining a beautiful blueprint for the zone’s development.

At the Hengqin Tianmu Qintai Exhibition Hall, Xi Jinping visited the "Harmony of Qin and Macau—Thematic Exhibition on the Construction of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone." Inside the hall, photos, charts, and physical models vividly and intuitively showcased the integration of Hengqin and Macau, along with the achievements of deep cooperation between Guangdong and Macau in recent years. Xi Jinping paused frequently to inspect the displays and inquire about the situation. He remarked that over the past three years since the establishment of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone, significant progress had been made, with the integration between Hengqin and Macau gradually advancing. The supporting role for the moderate diversification of Macau's economy has become increasingly prominent. The practice has proven that the central government's decision to develop Hengqin and establish the cooperation zone is entirely correct.

Xi Jinping listened to the introduction of the Guangdong-Macau co-built high-end Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technology support platform and affirmed their efforts to integrate advanced technologies from multiple disciplines to help TCM reach the global stage. The Macao New Neighbourhood, Hengqin’s first comprehensive civil project for Macau residents, was also featured. In front of the project display area, Xi Jinping had a warm conversation with residents living there. After hearing a young entrepreneur from Macau share their experience of starting a business in Hengqin, Xi Jinping said, "Your stories of innovation and entrepreneurship show that there is a group of young people in Macau with ideals, a sense of responsibility, and a willingness to explore and innovate. The development and construction of Hengqin have provided ample space and opportunities for you to pursue your careers. There is great potential here. I hope more young people from Macau will create wonderful lives here in Hengqin."

Xi Jinping had cordial exchanges with representatives involved in various aspects of planning, construction, management, and services in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau Deep Cooperation Zone. He emphasized that "Macau + Hengqin" is becoming a new demonstration of enriching the practice of "One Country, Two Systems," a new high ground for promoting the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and a new platform for achieving high-level opening-up to the outside world. "You are the pioneers and doers in the construction of Hengqin, contributing to the development of the country and Macau."

Xi Jinping pointed out that it is important to always remember that the original intention behind the development of Hengqin is to promote the moderate diversification of Macau's economy. We must firmly implement the plans, maintain strategic determination, and strive for long-term progress. The effectiveness of the development and construction of the cooperation zone should be measured by tangible measures and achievements in promoting the moderate diversification of Macau's economy and facilitating the living and employment of Macau residents. It should also be assessed by the creation of new institutional results in terms of leveraging the advantages of "Two Systems," advancing the integration of rules and mechanisms between the two regions, and contributing to the integration of markets in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area through Hengqin-Macau integration. Guangdong, Zhuhai, and Macau are all contributors to and beneficiaries of the construction of the cooperation zone, and they must work together toward this common goal.

Xi Jinping emphasized that at this new starting point, everyone must follow the central government's requirements, push forward reforms with determination, tackle challenges together, and strive to create new progress in the construction of the cooperation zone. Efforts should be made to strengthen the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, the "soft connectivity" of rules and mechanisms, and the "heart connectivity" of Hengqin and Macau residents. It is essential to accelerate the establishment of a highly coordinated economic system and a deeply integrated rules framework for Hengqin and Macau, raising the level of integration to new heights. Public services and social security systems should be continuously improved, creating an environment conducive to quality living for Macau compatriots in terms of living, employment, and entrepreneurship. Central government policies should be fully utilized, creating a world-class business environment to promote the moderate diversification of Macau's economy and the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area market.

This article is reproduced from [央视网]