Integration into the Mainland: How does Macao Participate in the Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area

Abstract

This paper reviews Macao’s integration with Guangdong Province in terms of three periods: (1) before 1999: socio-economic interaction, (2) 2000-2009: institutional establishment between Macao and Guangdong governments for regional cooperation, (3) 2010 to present: policy implementation for socioeconomic integration. It will discuss factors supporting Macao’s integration into the mainland, including Macao’s lack of natural resources and small territory size, Macao citizen’s social network in the mainland, socio-economic domination of pro-Beijing forces in Macao. However, the disparity of legal system between Macao and mainland, the emerging Macao identity and the core interests of Macao local people become the hurdles to the further integration between Macao and mainland.

Keywords :   Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangdong-Macao cooperation, Regionalization, Macao identity