Since its establishment on April 23, 2015, the Hengqin area of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone, now also designated as the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone, has charted a course of development characterized by high-level and high-quality opening up. From April 2015 to March 2025, Hengqin's total import and export value reached 300.65 billion yuan, with 21.5 billion yuan recorded in 2024 alone.

Remarkable economic growth and development

In addition to the 300.65 billion yuan in import and export value, the free trade zone has experienced a surge in duty-free and bonded imports and exports, surpassing 123 million yuan this year—a staggering 10.6-fold increase.

Hengqin has forged a unique development path through institutional innovation, cultivating a modern industrial system with distinct characteristics. It has established a robust ecosystem that integrates Macao as a platform, international resources, and Hengqin's space to achieve shared outcomes.

Diversified industrial development

Hengqin has made significant progress across various industries. In the fields of technology and high-end manufacturing, the zone has introduced measures to promote integrated circuit development and has established the Guangdong-Macao Integrated Circuit(IC)Design Industrial Park.

The zone's traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and branding industries have also thrived. Policies supporting the biopharmaceutical and health sectors have been enacted, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao has expanded with the "Macao-manufactured + Hengqin-produced" model.

Additionally, the cultural, tourism, exhibition, and trade industries have emerged as highlights, bolstered by the growth of cross-border e-commerce parks and the entry of major enterprises such as Douyin and RedNote (Xiaohongshu).

Modern financial services have shown steady growth, marked by the successful issuance of offshore RMB bonds and the implementation of cross-border asset transfers between Hengqin and Macao.

Enhanced integration with Macao and optimized business environment

Hengqin has become a new platform for promoting Macao's economic diversification. With the full implementation of the segregated management policy, 105 enterprises and institutions have achieved tax exemptions. The Hengqin-Macao border sees daily averages of 62,700 travelers and 53,000 outbound vehicles, while the Macau New Neighbourhood has attracted over 2,500 residents.

The business environment in Hengqin has been significantly improved through a series of policy measures. The zone offers a preferential corporate tax rate of 15%, a personal income tax rate of 15% for Macao residents, and support for Macao-invested enterprises and talent development.

Furthermore, the zone has streamlined business registration processes, allowing for cross-border business registration and enabling investors to complete registrations without leaving Macao.

Hengqin has taken the lead in rule alignment and systemic integration, establishing a dedicated cross-departmental team to advance this alignment, which has introduced over 260 measures in three years.