North Huandao Road in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will be extended westward to Binhai Business Area in Jinwan District to create a cross-sea bridge between Jinwan and Hengqin. 

The plan was included in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) for Zhuhai's comprehensive transportation system development released in April as an effort to boost linkages between Henqin and Jinwan. 

Located west of Hengqin and separated by the sea, Jinwan has been exploring new industrial cooperation models of "innovation in Hengqin and production in Jinwan" as well as "working in Hengqin and living in Jinwan," while sharing development opportunities between the two places to support the construction of the Hengqin Cooperation Zone. 

An aerial view of Jinwan District [Photo courtesy Nanfang Plus]

Opened at the end of 2020, Honghe Bridge has provided a direct road connection to allow Jinwan motorists to reach Hengqin within around 10 minutes. In addition, Jinhai Avenue Bridge and Phase II of the Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit are currently under construction and expected to cut travel time between the two regions to less than 10 minutes upon completion. They will also provide rail transit connection between Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport, Hengqin, and Macao Light Rail Transit.

Along with Honghe and Jinhai bridges, the new passage will help form direct connections between Jinwan and north, middle, and south Hengqin. Being one of the few districts in China with airports, sea ports, and comprehensive bonded zones, Jinwan will assist in Hengqin's development with airport and deep-water ports resources . 

Jinwan has also been making full use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway, and Huangmao Sea Channel to connect with Hong Kong and Macao, enabling the introduction and docking of advantages factors of the industries, capital, technology, and talents in Hong Kong, Macao, as well as the east bank of the Pearl River Estuary.

Boasting a strong industrial foundation, Jinwan is enhancing industrial matchmaking and cooperation with Macao in the biomedicine, commerce, and logistics sectors, attracting more upstream and downstream enterprises to settle in the district.

For instance, the output value of its biomedical and health industry in 2021 was 18.62 billion yuan ($2.77 billion), accounting for 70 percent of Zhuhai's total. 

Meanwhile, the district will fully optimize Hengqin's financial resources and prosperous modern service industry to attract more Macao investment for its key projects. It will also join hands with the cooperation zone to organize cultural, business, and tourism events, such as large-scale conventions and competitions. In addition, more than 3,000 mu (494 acres) in prepared industrial land lots will be available this year.

Supporting policies will be promoted to further implement the mutual recognition of practicing qualifications for Macao and Zhuhai talents, as well as for allowing Macao youth talents in the district to enjoy preferential policies in both Jinwan and Macao at the same time. 

High-quality resources concerning people's livelihoods, spanning as education, medicine, culture, and living services, will be introduced to Jinwan, while a public service and social insurance system catering to the actual demands of Macao residents will be established.