Editor's Note

As we celebrate the third anniversary of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone (shortly referred to as the "Cooperation Zone"), GDToday is launching a series of interviews titled "Thinker in Hengqin". This series will gather the thoughts of distinguished individuals from the fields of government, business, and academia to review Hengqin's significant progress and offer a comprehensive view of its development journey. Through these dialogues, we aim to highlight Hengqin's role in promoting industrial collaboration between Guangdong and Macao, strengthening ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, and reflecting the importance and potential of China's modernization efforts.

At the end of March, Artyzen Hospitality Group opened a new hotel in Hengqin — Artyzen Habitat Hengqin Zhuhai. Thanks to the hotel’s proximity to the Hengqin Port and Hengqin’s continuously improving business environment and infrastructure, the hotel has seen a significant increase in guest traffic recently.

"As a driving force for promoting moderate economic diversification in Macao, Hengqin has been attracting top companies from around the world in recent years, drawing numerous international business people to negotiate partnerships, thereby increasing demand for accommodation," said Rutger Verschuren, Area Vice President of Macao Operations for Artyzen Hospitality Group, in a recent interview with GDToday. He also mentioned that, beyond the hospitality industry, Hengqin's advantages were becoming increasingly evident in various fields.

Hengqin Development: New Changes Every Week

Recalling his early impressions of Hengqin, Rutger Verschuren said that he first visited Macao in 2008. At that time, his office was located in the Macao Tower, with a bird's-eye view of the entire Hengqin Island. "I remember Hengqin being filled with plantations and vast banana groves," he recalled. "I never imagined that a financial center would be built here."

Hengqin's transformation began in 2009 when then-Vice President Xi Jinping announced during a visit to Macao that the central government had decided to develop Hengqin Island. Over the past 15 years, Hengqin has evolved from a new development zone to a free trade zone, and then into the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, increasingly gaining prominence. Its GDP surged from 285 million yuan in 2009 to 46.179 billion yuan in 2022, with an average annual growth rate of 31.4%. The once-green landscape of banana groves was replaced by towering skyscrapers. Hengqin was transformed from a remote island into a thriving hub of development. Over the past 15 years, Guangdong and Macao have deepened their cooperation, using Hengqin as a platform to promote Macao’s economic diversification and build a demonstration zone for enriching the "One Country, Two Systems" practice.

Looking back over the past three years, Rutger Verschuren noted that Hengqin's development had entered a phase of rapid acceleration. "There are almost new changes every week," he said. " The improvements in border ports and travel convenience especially have injected strong momentum into the regional economy." As the ties between Hengqin and Macao became closer and cross-border passage more convenient, Hengqin not only attracted substantial domestic investment but also became a hotspot for global enterprises to set up operations.

Currently, Hengqin and Macao were working together to leverage Hengqin’s resources and policy advantages to drive innovation in multiple sectors, including finance, technology, and healthcare, creating a powerful clustering effect. Rutger Verschuren believed that these changes would not only attract investment but, more importantly, turn Hengqin into a focal point for global businesses. He said, "From high-end finance to technological innovation, Hengqin’s appeal is growing stronger, and I believe it will become the top choice for more companies to develop in the future."

French companies actively seeking advice, Qianhai-Macao becoming a new investment hotspot

Since 2014, in addition to serving as the Area Vice President of Macao Operations for Artyzen Hospitality Group, Rutger Verschuren also held the position of Chairman of the French Macao Chamber of Commerce (FMCC). He noted that French businesses played a significant role in the economies of Macao and Hengqin, particularly in the luxury goods, hospitality, and environmental sustainability sectors. "These companies have brought investment, innovation, and an influx of human resources to the region," he said.

The FMCC currently has over 150 members. As a key platform promoting the development of French and international businesses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the chamber actively encourages economic diversification and sustainable business practices in Macao through services such as market access, business matchmaking, and company visits. "The chamber has been regularly organizing member visits to Hengqin for field inspections. We began visiting Hengqin early on, and each time we were impressed by the rapid development and changes there. These site visits allowed our members to witness Hengqin's growth and strategic investment value firsthand," said Rutger Verschuren.

He also introduced an important chamber project named "LeBooster Macao-Hengqin." This initiative aimed to provide comprehensive support for local businesses in Macao and the Greater Bay Area by connecting them with French partners and helping them expand their operations. Through business meetings, industry seminars, and product exhibitions, the project would foster deeper understanding and cooperation between businesses, helping them explore limitless possibilities in the global market together.

On June 21, FMCC announced the signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum with Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Company Limited. This new partnership aimed to further promote business growth between French companies and those in Macao and Hengqin, strengthening economic ties between the three regions. Rutger Verschuren stated that many French companies were showing keen interest in establishing offices in Macao or Hengqin and had contacted the chamber for related consultations.

Rutger Verschuren believed that Hengqin was a land full of opportunities, which offered a favorable regulatory environment, financial incentives, and a rich talent pool, making it an ideal destination for international companies in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education. He particularly emphasized that Hengqin's status as a cooperation zone was further strengthened by the implementation of the "closed-loop operation" in March. For foreign companies, especially French businesses looking to expand in the Greater Bay Area, this policy simplified customs procedures between Macao and Hengqin, reducing logistical and regulatory burdens. As a result, Hengqin has become a key strategic base for cross-border trade and investment.

Rutger Verschuren also mentioned that this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and was also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. France and China have a long history of cooperation. The mutual visits of French President Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping not only reflected the importance both leaders placed on bilateral relations but also injected new momentum into cooperation between the two countries. "We are fortunate to have such a healthy relationship and friendly atmosphere. I believe that with joint efforts, cooperation between China and France will see an even brighter future," he added.

Regarding the next phase of Hengqin’s development following the third anniversary of the establishment of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, Rutger Verschuren believed that Hengqin’s strategic position in the Greater Bay Area would continue to rise. Its unique geographic location and policy advantages made it a crucial node in the regional economy. Hengqin could effectively leverage Macao’s appeal in tourism, Guangdong’s manufacturing strength, and Hong Kong’s financial expertise to create a complementary economic development model. "Hengqin has the potential to become a center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. In the future, I hope Hengqin will continue to attract global investors and companies through further policy optimization, expanded international cooperation, and enhanced infrastructure, driving the overall economic prosperity of the Greater Bay Area," said Rutger Verschuren.