Hengqin to build 'Macao neighborhood'

To expand Macao residents' living space and accelerate the integration of Hengqin and Macao, the two areas will cooperate to build a 'new Macao neighborhood', providing old-age care, housing, education, etc.

This is seen as an important breakthrough and innovation in Hengqin. The neighborhood is expected to be established near the integrated service area and is only five minutes' drive from Lotus Port, Macao.

Based on the 'one country, two systems' policy, Macao's education, medical care, social insurance, telecommunications and other livelihood support measures will be tried out in Hengqin. This will enable Macao people who work and live in Hengqin to benefit from services similar to those available in their old home. In this way, the lack of Macao's land resources can be alleviated.

The old-age care provisions for elderly Macao people living in Hengqin has long been a public concern. A Hengqin official said that there are still some problems to be solved. Especially, people wonder if Macao's government welfare and subsidies can be extended to Hengqin.

Hengqin is currently discussing with Macao about specific programs, covering integration of education, health care and social security, arrangements for Macao vehicles entering Hengqin, and the exchange and use of Macao'as currency, the Pataca, etc.