The 2nd Macau International Comedy Festival has once again inspired echoes of laughter between Hengqin and Macao, transcending the scope of a mere artistic exhibition. The event has become a landmark in deepening cultural collaboration and exploring industrial innovation between the two regions.

Cultural synergy and innovation

The festival has evolved from the "one festival, two cities" model of the first comedy festival in 2024, now using comedy as a link to connect artistic creation, talent cultivation, IP incubation, and the cultural tourism economy. Macao and Hengqin are leveraging comedy as a fulcrum to drive cultural integration and economic symbiosis.

The complementary nature of Hengqin and Macao's cultural exchange was evident on the festival stage, where Macao's historical district showcased flashes of creativity, while Hengqin's immersive theater performances complemented them. Cantonese stand-up comedy and Mandarin comedy, with their diverse regional humor, created a "laughter without borders" experience for the audience.

Industrial ecosystem building

Leong Wai Ma, Director of Macao's Cultural Affairs Bureau, emphasized that the comedy festival is a key initiative aimed at driving economic diversification through the creative cultural industry.

This aligns with Hengqin's support for Macao's "1+4" development strategy, which focuses on cultural tourism, trade fairs, technology research and development, traditional Chinese medicine, and modern finance.

The festival's spillover effects are already apparent, with the first edition driving increased theater attendance in Macao and attracting attention from cultural tourism enterprises and investment institutions.

In 2024, Mahua Funage, a renowned comedy troupe, established its international business and copyright settlement centers in Hengqin, planning to incubate local troupes and resident performances, creating a comprehensive platform from script creation to capital alignment.

City character reshaping

The rise of the cultural industry ultimately points to the formation of urban spirit. In 2024, the Hengqin Culture & Art Complex, the first large-scale cultural and artistic complex in the cooperation zone, was officially opened. This comprehensive facility, which integrates library reading, cultural performances, and art exhibitions, has filled the gap of large cultural carriers in the cooperation zone.

As of March 31, 2025, the cultural arts center has hosted over 50 artistic performance activities. Looking ahead, the Hengqin Culture & Art Complex will serve as a long-term platform for cultural industry cooperation between Hengqin and Macao, continuously introducing various cultural exhibitions, large-scale theatrical performances, and diverse art festival activities.