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The proposal of the development of Pan Pearl River Delta (Hengqin) Economic Zone, which would be jointly carried out by Pan-PRD members, will be finished by February 2005, according to Nanfang Daily. 

The project is a strategic move to optimize Macao's industrial structure and to expand its service industry. While, the project will enhance mainland 'Pan-PRD' members' collaboration with Macao and mainland members will have more chances to explore Portugal's and Portuguese-speaking countries' markets with Macao's help.

Source also says, the Hengqin Island project proposal will ask for more policy support from centre government.  

Hengqin Island, the largest island in Zhuhai, which borders Macao, meets a best opportunity in its history, and it will act as a "bridge tower" in the Pan-PRD cooperation. 

About Hengqin Island (From: zhuhai.gov.cn)

Hengqin, the largest island among 146 islands in Zhuhai city and as well as a special district of economic development, is situated at the interaction of "one county & two systems' and as well as intercourse of "inner & outer radiation section". Being geographically located in the southern part of the Zhuhai city, on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary; it borders on the South Sea and is 4 nautical miles away from the international navigation line---Daxi waterway; It is far from Zhuhai Free Duty Zone less than 1 km in its north ; It is within easy access to the western district of Zhuhai, and links up to the west with the Modomen waterway, and is distance from the Zhuhai's Airport about 40 km.; It connect with Macau by the Lotus Bridge, the small water strait is narrowly less 200 m, and it is only far from 3km to the Macau's International Airport; Being separated from Honkong across the sea only by a sea route of 41 nautical miles.

Hengqin is covering a total land area of about 67 sq.km. The total land area of Hengqin shall be enlarged to 86 sq.km after the reclaiming project completed according to the Hengqin Overall Plan, that is 3 times larger than the total land area of present Macau. It has plenty of land resource with a total utilizable land area up to 53 sq.km. Now there is a total land area of 36 sq.km having been undeveloped.

Hengqin was designated as one of the four important development zones by Guangdong province in 1992. It had completed the Hengqin's Bridge linking to Zhuhai urban area and the Lotus Bridge linking to Macau and the first-class national custom-the Hengqin Custom. Now Hengqin has built up a perfectly foundational infrastructure including bridges, road systems, waterpipes, telecommunication, post and national custom for economic developing economy since Hengqin Economic Development Zone was set up.

Hengqin has focused on developing service section, especially on developing tourism industry, and tries to play a developing interaction on Macau in advantage industry. It enjoys multiple preferential policies given by the state to all SEZs. Hengqin is presently becoming to be a pleasant area of tourism, relaxation and resort featuring of internationization, opening and comprehensiveness according to its unique location and the Zhuhai's Tenth-Five Plan.

Editor: Olivia

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