Ways in which Zhuhai's Huangmao Island can be both preserved and utilized for trade, warehouse logistics, and yacht tourism will be researched by the Macau Society of Oceanography in cooperation with the Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone.

Two agreements were signed during a recent visit to Macao by a Wanshan delegation led by Party Chief Ye Zhen. The first concerns the island environment and development. The second regards the joint establishment of a marine functional food research and development center.

Huangmao Island rises 47m (154 ft) with forested hills north and south separated by a narrow neck [Photo courtesy WeChat ID: zszhuhai]

The 1.1-sq-km (272-acre) Huangmao Island is about 12 km (7.5 miles) east of Hengqin New Area and Macao's Coloane Island and 40 km (25 miles) from Hong Kong's Lantau Island. It is one of the closest Wanshan islands to Macao, and is seen as an ideal foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Wanshan delegation also visited the School of Pharmacy and national key laboratories of the Macau University of Science & Technology. They held an in-depth discussion about how to tap into Wanshan's sea-island biological resources, especially marine pharmaceuticals, reaching an intent to cooperate in the development of marine biological food, healthcare products, and medicines. 

Incidentally, Ningxia Hanas Engineering & Construction Management Co is seeking permits to build a 6-million-tons-annual LNG import terminal at the island, according to the company website. Hanas is one of China’s most competitive engineering, procurement, and construction companies in the power-engineering and petrochemical-engineering sectors. The LNG would be supplied to energy-hungry Macao.