The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government on Tuesday released the Third Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao SAR (2026-2030).

The third five-year plan is an important initiative for Macao to advance the cause of "one country, two systems" and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development, said Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai at a press conference held at the SAR government headquarters to introduce the plan.

Sam outlined four major tasks for the 2026-2030 period: to advance appropriate economic diversification through major projects and a government guidance fund; to deepen integrated development with Hengqin in southern Guangdong Province and advance high-quality development of the cooperation zone; to accelerate urban renewal and build a beautiful and "smart" Macao; and to reinforce Macao's connectivity with both the mainland and the world, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

The plan also calls for making full use of government-guided funds to mobilize social resources toward high-value-added fields such as integrated circuits, digital technology and biomedicine, injecting new momentum into Macao's efforts to diversify its economy.

Macao hosts four state‑key laboratories – in TCM, microelectronics, smart‑city IoT, and lunar and planetary science. They serve as platforms for R&D and international collaboration. The plan promotes an "industry poses the questions, science provides the solutions" model, encouraging joint labs between universities and enterprises to bridge the research‑commercialization gap.

"This shift demonstrates extraordinary strategic vision," said Ip Kuai Peng of City University of Macau. "Macao's four state‑key laboratories are invaluable research assets."

The plan also explores low‑altitude economy and smart driving systems as new growth fronts. Authorities aim for connectivity between Macao and Hengqin with pilot projects subject to safety standards. Macao Customs is studying simplified procedures – advance electronic declarations and risk‑based clearance – to allow low‑risk cargo to be "pre‑cleared and delivered directly to its destination."