USJ Sino-Lusophone Business Development Center Supports the 46th “Hengqin·Elite Story” Event
USJ Sino-Lusophone Business Development Center Supports the 46th "Hengqin·Elite Story" Event
24
Apr
24/04/2025
Art and culture convergence: Building integration between Hengqin and Macao – The 46th “Hengqin·Elite Story” event series was successfully held on April 15th 2025 in the SANY Southern Headquarters Building in Hengqin
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ), through its Sino-Lusophone Business Development Center (Hengqin), supported the 46th “Hengqin·Elite Story” event, held at the Hengqin Sany South Headquarters Building. This event, organised by the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of the In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Zhuhai Da Hengqin Development Co., Ltd., featured architect and artist Carlos Marreiros as the keynote speaker. The gathering attracted nearly 100 young talents, university faculty, and corporate representatives from Macao and Hengqin, facilitating a discussion on cultural identity and urban integration.
Ar. Marreiros discussed the importance of blending Chinese and Western cultures. His previous work, including the Macau Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, illustrates this principle. The pavilion, designed as a “Jade Rabbit Lantern,” served to convey East-West cultural harmony. Marreiros extended this theme to his design of the Hengqin Legend Ponto Plaza, which symbolizes the cooperation between Macao and Hengqin.
“Buildings will age, but the spirit of culture will always be fresh,” Marreiros stated, using the “Jade Rabbit Lantern” to highlight cultural connections between the two regions. He emphasized that architecture acts as a vessel for culture, noting, “Culture is the soul of the city and architecture is the container of that culture.” He discussed how to balance Chinese and Portuguese elements in design, bringing life and dialogue into architecture. He pointed out that the Macau Science Museum’s structure represents the fusion of Eastern and Western thought, while the design of Hengqin Legend Ponto Square combines Manueline style, also known as the Portuguese late Gothic, with Lingnan arcade elements, symbolizing the integration of the two cities.
During an interactive session, Emil Marques, Head of Executive Training and Lifelong Learning at USJ, asked, “How can youth promote the development of Hengqin-Macao integration in the context of cultural interaction?” Marreiros emphasized the need for a “heart connection” among residents. He described the Hengqin-Macao Cooperation Zone as a platform for East-West interaction, important for enhancing social integration and the livelihoods of residents from both areas.
The dialogue allowed young participants from Hengqin and Macao to share their thoughts on topics such as “Cultural IP Development” and “Art Empowering Urban Renewal.” Lin, a USJ student, noted, “Ar. Marreiros’ insights showed me that art is not just an expression, but also a tool for problem-solving. In the future, I also want to participate in the cultural and creative projects of the Cooperation Zone and connect the two places with design.”
Addressing concerns about cultural homogenization, a Macao entrepreneur asked how to maintain unique identities amid integration. Marreiros cited installation artworks from the Venice Biennale to illustrate that differences can inspire creativity. He remarked, “Just like the coexistence of Portuguese gravel roads in Macau and modern blocks in Hengqin, the real integration is not to eliminate differences, but to make differences complementary nutrients.”
The Cooperation Zone serves as an entry point for Macao youth into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting their integration into national development initiatives. The People’s Livelihood Affairs Bureau of the Cooperation Zone will continue to deepen policy implementation and youth exchanges. Through the “Hengqin·Elite Story” event series, it will continue to build a bridge for cross-border dialogue for young people from both places, jointly explore new opportunities and new paths for future development, and contribute youthful strength to promoting the deep integration of Hengqin and Macao.
