Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua pledged support for the University of Macau's relocation to an island in Zhuhai - a controversial project hailed as a new model for cross-delta co-operation.
Mr Huang yesterday wrapped up a two-day trip to the city to hold discussions about Guangdong-Macau relations.
The two governments said Hengqin Island, an 86 sq km island west of Macau, would serve as a model zone for co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. And the relocation of Macau's top university would become a model for future projects.
The central government last month gave the green light to a pilot joint development project between Macau and Zhuhai on Hengqin Island, to make it a key base for commerce, tourism, scientific research and hi-tech industries.
Mr Huang assured university directors that Guangdong and Zhuhai officials fully supported the relocation plan. 'Don't worry. Now that the central government is so supportive of it, Guangdong and Zhuhai will fully back the running of your university in Hengqin,' he said during a visit to the university.
The relocation plan has stirred controversy in both Zhuhai and Macau. A proposal that the university would still operate under Macau's laws after moving to Zhuhai has drawn the ire of officials and lawmakers in the mainland city, highlighting an area of friction between the neighbours.