Students at Wushan Primary School in Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian Province, showcase their handmade posters celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland on December 18, 2024. Photo: IC

As Macao celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland on Friday, the city highlighted the vigorous development and achievements of its deepening integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

With a population of approximately 87 million and a GDP exceeding 14 trillion yuan ($1.9 trillion), the Greater Bay Area is offering boundless opportunities for Macao, the Xinhua News Agency has reported. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the GBA Development Plan.

Today, Macao thrives as a vibrant hub of economic diversity, scientific innovation, youth dynamism, and cultural exchange. 

Macao's rapid development is characterized by a diverse and vibrant industrial landscape, attracting high-end talent. It has emerged as a global hub for innovation and one of the most sought-after destinations for investment and tourism, steadily enhancing its international influence.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has actively pursued moderate economic diversification. In 2024, Macao unveiled its first comprehensive plan for this diversification, targeting rapid growth in key sectors such as health, modern finance, high-tech industries, trade exhibitions, and cultural sports. The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is dismantling institutional barriers, facilitating Macao's economic diversification and enhancing its integration into the national development strategy.

Today, Hengqin is home to a plethora of innovation platforms. These platforms are attracting high-end manufacturing enterprises and research institutions that are breaking through critical technological barriers, while providing youth with a vibrant stage to pursue their dreams in Macao. 

Technological innovation has also become a new engine for economic growth, with four state key laboratories producing high-level research results in fields such as traditional Chinese medicine, space science, and health sciences.

"Hengqin serves as a robust support platform for Macao's moderate diversification, featuring six youth entrepreneurship bases that provide opportunities for young people to enter the mainland market. Cultural exchanges are also flourishing, with activities showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of South China's Chaozhou in local schools, allowing students to experience the richness of Chinese culture," Lao Chi Long, vice president of the Macao Youth Federation, told the Global Times.

In 2024, local authorities organized educational exchanges that facilitated visits for high school students from Macao to Hengqin, enabling them to explore the latest developments and broaden their horizons. Over 2,000 students have participated in this initiative, according to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA official website. 

Lao said that many young students in Macao have opportunities to study at renowned institutions on the mainland. They later return to share their experiences and foster a sense of national identity among their peers.

More, Macao's unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, diverse culinary offerings, and distinctive architecture make its tourism sector a vital aspect of its moderate economic diversification. 

The SAR government is dedicated to showcasing Macao's charm to the world, attracting visitors to experience the city's rich heritage. In 1999, only 7 million tourists visited Macao; by December 7 of 2024, that number had soared to around 32.55 million, according to official data. 

Today, Macao boasts one of the highest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage sites, striving to become a global tourism and leisure center. 

According to a survey by the China Tourism Academy, Macao was rated as the most satisfying destination for mainland outbound tourists in the first quarter of 2024. 

Events like the 2024 Macao International Parade, the Macao Arts Festival, and the Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking countries draw visitors from all over, while thrilling competitions like the Grand Prix showcase the city's vibrant sports culture. 

Two young women hold up cultural products representing Macao on December 17, 2024. Photo: Lin Xiaoyi/GT

 

Visitors explore the Macao exhibition hall at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade In Service (CIFTIS) in Beijing on September 12, 2024. Photo: IC

 

Performers dance in the Ruins of Saint Paul during the Macao International Parade in Macao on March 24, 2024. Photo: VCG
 

Youth representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao gather at the Hengqin port to celebrate the National Day on September 30, 2024. Photo: VCG 
 

The 2024 Macao Grand Prix takes place on November 16, 2024, in Macao. Photo: VCG 
 

An aerial view of the Macao city skyline Photo: VCG