The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today said the opening of the new Hengqin Port in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, unlocked fresh opportunities for closer Guangdong-Macao cooperation, in terms of developing Hengqin’s coming Intensive Cooperation Zone as a high-level, outward-facing, economic initiative.

In his speech delivered at the launch ceremony for Hengqin Port, Mr Ho stated the opening there of new boundary checkpoint facility between Macao and Hengqin had immense significance for Macao from three perspectives.

First, the new Hengqin Port created new dynamics for Macao and Guangdong in developing Hengqin, said Mr Ho. The new checkpoint facility would not only facilitate movement of people and of goods between the two places, but also create conditions for members of the Macao public either to work, invest or live in Hengqin. Such activities would help boost further ties between Macao and Zhuhai in terms of social, livelihood and other economic matters, he added.

Second, the new checkpoint promoted further the connection of infrastructure projects serving Macao and Zhuhai, Mr Ho observed in his opening remarks. Such infrastructure included a new Guangdong-Macao crossing – known as Qingmao checkpoint – that was likely to open to the public next year. Other facilities at Hengqin Port were due to be launched in phases, noted Mr Ho. They included a commercial vehicle clearance service and an immigration facility to cater for any rise in the volume of travellers between the two places. Additionally, Macao’s Light Rapid Transit rail system would extend to Hengqin Port. All these projects would help Macao-Zhuhai cooperation become a leading model for cooperation involving other cities encompassing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area).

Third, Hengqin Port made clearer the strength of the “One country, two systems” principle, the Chief Executive pointed out. The innovative approach taken during the construction of the checkpoint facility – overcoming challenges presented due to the differences between Macao and Guangdong in terms of legal system, ways of project management and application of technology – set an example of successful mainland-Macao cooperation under the “One country, two systems” principle, Mr Ho added.

The Chief Executive went on to say that Hengqin Port would open round-the-clock and implement a “Joint Inspection and One-Time Release” principle to customs clearance. The same innovative approach to customs clearance had already been applied at the Macao-Zhuhai boundary checkpoint serving the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Also speaking at today’s opening ceremony was the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui. He said the new Hengqin Port was a benchmark project in the development of the Greater Bay Area. Its launch created favourable conditions for further exchange between Macao and Guangdong; for closer Guangdong-Macao ties; and for advancement of the Greater Bay Area, Mr Ma added.

The relocation to Hengqin Port of immigration clearance and customs facilities previously at Macao’s Lotus Flower Bridge Checkpoint, was approved by the State Council in October 2018. In October 2019, the National People’s Congress endorsed Macao’s management role concerning part of Hengqin Port and certain other adjacent areas. Such areas were scheduled to be handed over to Macao in three phases.

The State Council approved on 2 March 2020, that the first phase of handover –involving a designated area within Hengqin Port – would be placed under Macao jurisdiction from 18 March.

Officials attending today’s opening ceremony for Hengqin Port included: Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Ho Hau Wah; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Mr Deng Zhonghua;  Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Yan Zhichan; and Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR,  Ms Wang Dong, and principal officials of the Macao SAR Government.