The Guangdong government has released a strategic plan to position Zhuhai as a major regional gateway, geographic node, innovation pioneer, leader in ecological civilization, and model for livelihoods and happiness.

On March 29, the province announced "Opinions on Supporting Zhuhai in Building a Modernized and Internationalized Special Economic Zone in the New Era of Socialism With Chinese Characteristics." The action guideline calls for "dual-circulation" development in which Chinese and foreign markets complement and reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay. 

Goals include a "remarkable increase" in Zhuhai's independent innovation capacity and modern economic level by 2025, giving more prominence to the city's role as a major new growth pole in Guangdong Province. 

The city will also take the lead in China in terms of public service and environmental quality, pioneer in Reform & Opening Up, support for moderate diversification of Macao's economy, and tangibly progress as an ecological and intelligent livable city.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Blue Dolphin Island where the bridge dips into a tunnel [Photo by Li Jianshu / WeChat account: zhtqb12345]

Zhuhai's overall competitiveness and role as a driving force for the Macao-Zhuhai Pole is to be much stronger by 2035. At that time, a modern socialist and internationalized special economic zone will exist as an eco-civilized and model city for better livelihoods. 

Specifically, Zhuhai will modify provincial and local regulations, as authorized on the basis of institutional innovation. And, some provincial-level economic and social management powers will be delegated to Zhuhai in accordance with law.

In other matters: 

The city also may develop unified registration of real estate on uninhabited islands. 

A cluster of high-end industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is supported as is a demonstration zone for cooperation between Shenzhen and Zhuhai. 

Construction of the Southern Marine Science & Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) will move ahead, and more key laboratories are to be lured to Zhuhai.

Transport infrastructure projects that are urged forward include the Zhuhai-Zhaoqing and Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) high-speed railways; Nansha-Zhuhai (Zhongshan) Intercity Railway; Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase II; and Shenzhen-Zhuhai Intercity Railway. The city will seek national support in building intercity railways to accelerate integration with Macao.  

In addition, shipping industry projects such as the third phase of the Gaolan Port Container Terminal are favored. Cooperation will be enhanced between Zhuhai Port and nearby harbors such as Guangzhou Port.

The Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport second runway is to be included in preliminary work for the national 14th Five Year Plan (2021-25). The facility is designed to be upgraded to an international airport.

Furthermore, Zhuhai will develop tourism projects on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Blue Dolphin Island where the bridge dips into a tunnel to and from Hong Kong.