Hengqin is accelerating its role as a cross-border hub for commerce and culture, rolling out enhanced measures to support both its convention and exhibition sector and seamless financial integration with Macao.

On January 28, Hengqin unveiled a revised policy package aimed at strengthening collaboration with Macao and fostering a cross-border Meetings, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem. The updated framework expands subsidies across the full event cycle, covering 17 categories including exhibitions, conferences, corporate participation, talent development, and enterprise growth. Funding caps have been raised, and implementation rules clarified to encourage broader uptake.

A centerpiece of the policy is the “one exhibition, two locations” model, which allows a single event to be staged simultaneously in Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Eligible projects can receive an additional 30% subsidy atop standard support, while large-scale events may benefit from combined incentives exceeding RMB 2 million. Transport costs between the two regions can also be subsidized, with further bonuses for events attracting significant participation from Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets.

The policy also introduces tiered subsidies for conferences—ranging from RMB 400 to RMB 800 per participant depending on scale and type—and industry or international conferences can receive up to RMB 1 million in support. Exhibition companies with annual revenue above RMB 10 million may qualify for cash rewards, and firms achieving more than 10% year-on-year growth can earn additional incentives tied to event-related revenue. Talent training initiatives are supported at up to 80% of eligible costs, while incentives extend to digital exhibitions, smart technologies, green exhibition spaces, and carbon-neutral certification.

In parallel, Hengqin has advanced financial integration with Macao residents through an expanded dual-currency payment system. Since the official rollout to six major commercial districts on February 2, more than 30,000 Macao residents now regularly perform cross-border transactions using Macao Patacas (MOP) with the same ease as in Macao itself.

This innovation relies on a “one machine, one code” architecture, enabling a single QR code or terminal to process multiple Macao-based e-wallets—including MPay—alongside mainland digital payment platforms. For consumers, it eliminates currency conversion friction and maintains familiar payment workflows; for merchants, it streamlines operations by reducing device complexity and transaction delays.

Beyond retail, the dual-currency system facilitates major life transactions, including property purchases. Residents of the Macao New Neighborhood can now transfer funds directly to mainland developers with same-day settlement, a process that has already supported over RMB 1.34 billion in property payments. The impact on local commerce has been tangible: during the 2025 National Day holiday, Huafa City Hub recorded a daily average of 60,000 visitors, while Legend Ponto Square saw 42,000. By December 2025, monthly MOP-denominated transactions averaged over 1,800, underscoring the system's influence on regional consumption patterns.

Together, these initiatives illustrate Hengqin's dual strategy: cultivating a globally competitive cross-border exhibition industry while seamlessly integrating financial infrastructure to support Macao residents. By combining generous event incentives with innovative payment solutions, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone is positioning itself as a vibrant, borderless economic space where commerce, culture, and daily life intersect.