2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, as well as the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the Macao Special Administrative Region's third Five-Year Plan.

Guided by the Macao-Hengqin strategy, the zone is entering its second phase of development, adding fresh momentum to the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

With smart boundary-crossing services and key transport links advancing, cross-border trips are becoming faster and smoother, with average customs clearance time reported at about 1 minute and 40 seconds. Hengqin is now home to more than 7,300 Macao-funded enterprises, supporting Macao's economic diversification. Livelihood integration is also deepening, from cross-border hospital-to-hospital medical transfers to Macao-style education and stronger support for young people pursuing opportunities on the island.

As a platform for higher-level opening-up, Macao and Hengqin are also building new service hubs to strengthen links with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries, deepen institutional connectivity, and add new vitality to the Greater Bay Area. (Photos via VCG)