‘Sands Cares in the Greater Bay Area: The Macao and Hengqin Study Tour for Youth 2026’

Sands China organises Hengqin visit for Macao youth to learn about two regions’ integrated development outcomes

(Macao, Sept. 2, 2026) – To consistently strengthen exchange between Hengqin and Macao and facilitate Macao young people to integrate into national development, Sands China and the Macau Youth Development Service Centre co-organised ‘Sands Cares in the Greater Bay Area: The Macao and Hengqin Study Tour 2026’ on Sept. 2. Students majoring in social work at the City University of Macau and the University of Saint Joseph, Social Service Team members of the Macau University of Science and Technology, and Sands Cares Ambassadors joined together for the study tour to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Wednesday. Through field visits, exchange with professionals, and volunteer services, the visit allowed Macao youth to gain firsthand understanding of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone’s latest developments. The event has been met with enthusiastic response since its inception last year, attracting a combined total of 80 participants over two tours.

Covering various areas including urban planning, industry development and public services, the study tour gave the youth an opportunity to gain new experiences and understand the development progress of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone from multiple perspectives. The tour included site visits to several signature projects within the In-Depth Cooperation Zone and an exchange session with local social work professionals. These activities helped the students fully understand the practical outcomes of the integrated development between Macao and Hengqin across dimensions such as planning and construction, industry development, and social services. The trip also allowed them to recognise Hengqin’s important role and positioning as a platform for promoting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.

The first stop was the zone’s Planning Exhibition Hall for a professional guided tour. Students learned about the In-Depth Cooperation Zone’s positioning, development achievements and future plans, and further understood the blueprint for integrated development between Macao and Hengqin. The group then visited the Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Experience Hall and participated in a sachet-making workshop, exploring the preservation and development potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine culture. The experience gave them a greater appreciation of the advantages of the zone’s big health industry and its pivotal role in advancing Macao’s ‘1+4’ strategy for appropriate economic diversification.

To further promote exchange and dialogue between Macao young people and Hengqin-based social service organisations, Sands China arranged a networking luncheon on the same day where social work professionals from the In-Depth Cooperation Zone shared practical experience and industry development trends with students. They discussed in detail about topics such as community service models, integrated livelihood development and youth’s professional growth, which allowed the Macao students to better understand the current developments and frontline experience of the social service system in the zone.

The group then visited the Macau New Neighbourhood Seniors’ Service Centre in Hengqin, subsidised by the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and operated by the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM) Guangdong Office. The students and Sands Cares Ambassadors took part in community volunteer services, joining senior members of the centre in activities that promoted intergenerational bonding. The energetic youth from Macao not only showed support for the seniors living in the In-Depth Cooperation Zone but also conveyed community care through practical actions, reflecting intergenerational harmony and the extensive integration of livelihood services between the two regions.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Young people are the future pillars of society and play a vital role in advancing the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As this year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, we have organised a study tour for university students from Macao to visit the zone. Through field visits, professional exchange and frontline volunteer service, this initiative helps them gain first-hand insights into the development of Hengqin-Macao integration and a deeper understanding of the tangible benefits it brings to people’s livelihoods. We encourage local young people to continue exploring the tremendous opportunities offered by the Greater Bay Area by putting their knowledge and expertise into practice, thereby actively integrating into the nation’s overall development and contributing to the development of both Macao’s economic diversification and the Greater Bay Area.”

As part of Sands China’s ongoing efforts, Sands Cares in the Greater Bay Area: The Macao and Hengqin Study Tour for Youth is designed to provide field visits and exchange and learning opportunities that strengthen team members’ and local community members’ knowledge of national development strategies and the Greater Bay Area’s developmental achievements. Moving forward, Sands China will continue to organise more youth exchange and study activities in support of the country’s and the Macao SAR’s developmental directions, with a view to nurturing a new generation of talent with a broader outlook, patriotic spirit and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Photo caption: A group of university students, social service volunteers, and Sands Cares Ambassadors gather for a study tour to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Wednesday. Sands China and the Macau Youth Development Service Centre co-organised the ‘Sands Cares in the Greater Bay Area: The Macao and Hengqin Study Tour 2026,’ which comprised field visits, exchange with professionals, and volunteer service.

Photo caption: Macao youth gain firsthand understanding of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone’s latest developments during Wednesday’s study tour. Covering areas such as urban planning, industry development and public services, the outing helped participants gain new experiences and understand the development progress of the In-Depth Cooperation Zone from multiple perspectives. The event has been met with enthusiastic response since its inception last year, attracting a combined total of 80 participants.

Photo caption: Macao students and Sands Cares Ambassadors take part in community volunteer service Monday, joining senior members of the Macau New Neighbourhood Seniors’ Service Centre in Hengqin in activities that promote intergenerational bonding. The energetic Macao youth showed support for the seniors and conveyed community care through practical actions, reflecting intergenerational harmony and the extensive integration of livelihood services between Macao and Hengqin.