China's annual "two sessions" opened on March 4, with several Macao deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) heading to Beijing with proposals focused on advancing the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Advancing GBA integration
Better alignment between China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and Macao's Third Five-Year Plan has become a key focus for Macao representatives.
NPC deputy Kevin Ho King Lun said he will submit six to seven individual proposals, while the Macao delegation will present two collective proposals. The proposals aim to promote deeper integration of Macao's service industries into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). He also suggested building on the experience of hosting the 15th National Games, hoping it will drive breakthroughs in data, resource and information integration across the GBA.
Another NPC deputy, Chan Hong, said the GBA infrastructure links have improved significantly. She noted that further efforts are needed to strengthen regulatory coordination and people-to-people connections, making it easier for Macao residents to live and work across the border.
Deepening Hengqin-Macao cooperation
NPC deputy Ho Sut Heng called for faster progress in aligning systems, particularly in areas such as cross-border data flows and professional qualification recognition, which could open more opportunities for young people from Macao.
CPPCC member Iau Teng Pio pointed to the success of the University of Macau's Hengqin campus, whose international ranking has improved over the past decade, and suggested that the model could be expanded.
CPPCC member Ma Chi Ngai Frederico said Hengqin and Macao should work to improve the movement of people, information and capital between the two places. He also highlighted plans for an international university town in Hengqin as a way to attract global talent.
Building a cross-border livable community
CPPCC member Wong Kit Cheng focused on cross-border elderly care services in Hengqin, proposing the implementation of service standards and encouraging more Macao social service organizations to operate in the cooperation zone.
She also suggested establishing policies to allow foreign domestic helpers to work within the cooperation zone, upgrading customs clearance toward "seamless border crossing," building a shared-standard healthcare system, and developing cross-border livelihood service mechanisms.
Reporter: Dai Bosi
Photo: Hengqin Online
