Macao Unveils Third Five-Year Plan, Prioritising Economic Diversification and ‘Smart’ City Development

Dragon Media News Desk

The Macao Special Administrative Region government has released its Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, covering the period from 2026 to 2030.

Speaking at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Macao SAR government on Tuesday, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said the new plan represents an important initiative to further advance the practice of “one country, two systems” and strengthen Macao’s integration into China’s overall national development.

The plan consists of 10 parts and 36 chapters and sets out eight major development goals for the next five years.

These include ensuring the full implementation of the holistic approach to national security, improving the effectiveness of law-based governance, achieving substantial progress in appropriate economic diversification, advancing high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and accelerating the integrated development of education, technology and talent.

The plan also aims to further improve people’s well-being, make significant progress in building a beautiful and “smart” Macao, and enhance the region’s role in supporting and contributing to China’s overall development.

Sam said Macao’s development has been positioned within the broader framework of national development and that the SAR government will actively implement relevant arrangements under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

He outlined four major priorities for the 2026-2030 period.

First, Macao will promote appropriate economic diversification through major projects and a government guidance fund. Second, it will deepen integrated development with Hengqin and advance the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

Third, the SAR will accelerate urban renewal and promote the construction of a beautiful and “smart” Macao. Fourth, it will strengthen connectivity with both the Chinese mainland and the wider international community, while further integrating into and serving national development.

Before finalising the plan, the Macao SAR government conducted a public consultation from May 20 to June 28, gathering opinions and proposals from different sectors of society.

The new five-year plan is intended to gradually diversify Macao’s traditionally tourism- and entertainment-driven economy while expanding new growth drivers in technology, talent development, modern services, urban renewal and regional cooperation.