#China #Macao #Macao Innovation #Hengqin Zone #Lei Zhen

The Rise of Technological Innovation and Talent Cultivation in Macao

In 2014, Lei Zhen, a Tsinghua University graduate, made the pivotal decision to establish himself in the Special Administrative Region of Macao (SAR). His ambition was to operate his business in Zhuhai, a bustling city in Guangdong Province, China, focusing on the innovative applications of new materials featuring silver nanowires.

With the establishment of the Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone in Hengqin by the central government in 2021, Lei relocated his enterprise. He optimally leveraged the capital, talent, and tax advantages offered by Macao and Hengqin to upscale his production. "Hengqin has vast industrial space and a supportive environment that can provide suitable conditions for the development of technologically advanced and diversified industries in Macao," he remarked.

Today, this cooperation zone has transformed into a thriving hub for innovation and business, hosting almost 6,500 enterprises with investments in Macao, alongside numerous platforms for emerging industries.

During a recent inspection visit to the cooperation zone, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted that the synergy between Macao and Hengqin serves as a new exemplar for enhancing the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'. He described it as a new excellence center for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

New Excellence Center for Innovation

Nestled at the southern tip of Zhuhai, Hengqin is separated from Macao by a narrow waterway. Since its establishment, the cooperation zone has functioned as a vital platform to foster appropriate economic diversification in Macao. This strategic location now allows Macao to flourish in various high-end industries including advanced manufacturing, traditional Chinese medicine, financial services, and cultural tourism.

As of now, the cooperation zone houses 30 national and provincial-level technological innovation platforms, 268 national high-tech enterprises, and 41 specialized businesses at the provincial level. It has initiated innovative platforms such as the Macao-Hengqin Youth Entrepreneurship Valley, tapping into various innovative resources including industrial bases, university support, and research centers in Macao.

President Xi commended the progress made within this cooperation zone, noting a gradual increase in integration between Hengqin and Macao, enhancing the significant role of the latter in promoting viable economic diversification.

In recent years, Macao SAR has also facilitated major scientific and technological projects, establishing itself as a new platform for global innovation and a gathering place for talents. The "Macao Science 1" represents the first-ever space scientific satellite program collaboratively developed by Mainland China and Macao. This satellite boasts the highest geomagnetic field detection accuracy in China, significantly augmenting the country’s space magnetic exploration capabilities.

During his visit to the Macao University of Science and Technology (MUST), President Xi emphasized the satellite as a pivotal symbol of deepened cooperation in high technologies between Macao and the mainland, showcasing the impressive innovative and creative capabilities within Macao's science and technology sector.

Fostering Young Talent

The open entrepreneurial atmosphere in SAR Macao, alongside the opportunities provided by the cooperation zone, has made it an ideal location for aspiring entrepreneurs. Currently, various demonstration bases for industry-university-research collaboration have been established in Hengqin, with notable state laboratories setting up branches to assist in transforming scientific and technological achievements into industrial applications.

As of November 2024, Hengqin has incubated 898 entrepreneurial projects from young individuals hailing from Hong Kong and Macao, with 815 of those projects originating solely from Macao. In a meeting with Macao residents living in Hengqin and young entrepreneurs operating startups in the zone, President Xi underscored how Hengqin's development offers remarkable opportunities for Macao's youth to realize their ambitions. He expressed hope that more young talents from Macao would create fruitful careers in the zone.

"Establishing this cooperation zone is reshaping the regional concepts and career aspirations of Macao's youth. The younger generation is increasingly focusing on the development potential of the vast market on the mainland," asserted Ip Kuai Peng, Vice-Rector of the City University of Macau.

Xi emphasized the necessity of prioritizing education strategically, developing a discipline system, and cultivating high-quality talents to meet the developmental needs of both the country and SAR Macao during his visit to MUST.

For more details, visit CGTN.