Hengqin new area to benefit Macao

Macao's economy will benefit from the neighboring Hengqin New Area which began construction earlier this week.

Hengqin island, the largest in Zhuhai, is linked to Macao by a bridge. In August, the central government gave the final approval to make Hengqin the country's third state-level strategic new zone, following Shanghai's Pudong district and Tianjin's Binhai area.

About 12.6 billion yuan will be invested to boost the road network, underground sewage system, dykes and landscaping on the island. Construction is due to be completed by 2013.

According to the blueprint, Hengqin Island will be able to produce 120 thousand yuan per capita GDP by 2015, jumping up to 200 thousand yuan by 2020.

Background:

Hengqin: A New Bridge between Macao and the Mainland

The start of construction work of the new campus of University of Macao (UM) is expected to significantly boost the development of Hengqin Island, where the campus will be located, just before the tenth anniversary of Macao's return to China. Full story >>

Influence:

Hengqin encourages Macao-mainland cooperation

The Hengqin New Area has become a link for new cooperation between the mainland and Macao. As CCTV reporter tells us, the University of Macau will be one of the deal's biggest benefactors with a plan to build a new campus in Hengqin. Full story >>