Recently, with the support of the Education Fund of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the “Guangdong-Macao Exchange Meeting on the High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce” was held at the Taipa Campus of Macau Millennium College (“MMC” or the “College”). The event was hosted by MMC and the Digital and Intelligent China Technology Alliance, organised by the Macao Cross-Border E-Commerce Industry Association and Guangdong Bosi Cloud Technology Co., Ltd., and co-organised by Macao Newland Technology Co., Ltd. and the Macau Live Streaming Association. Experts, scholars, and industry representatives from higher education institutions, industry associations, and enterprises in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao gathered to discuss the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce, industry-education integration, collaborative talent development, curriculum system development, and the role of AI in empowering industrial upgrading, while exploring new pathways for cooperation and development.

In his speech, Professor Zhong Weihe, Rector of MMC, stated that cross-border e-commerce is a vital form of deep integration between the digital and intelligent economy and international trade. It also serves as a key entry point for Macao to promote appropriate economic diversification, serve the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the “Greater Bay Area”), and expand commercial and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. MMC has always remained committed to serving the development needs of Macao and the Greater Bay Area, actively advancing its distinctive “Digital and Intelligent +” educational approach, and cultivating application-oriented talent with an international outlook, digital and intelligent literacy, and practical capabilities in areas such as cross-border e-commerce, digital and intelligent language services, and smart tourism and entertainment management. He noted that the College will take this exchange meeting as an opportunity to further deepen collaboration with higher education institutions, industry associations, and enterprises, promote better alignment among curriculum development, practical teaching, internships and training, and industry projects, and strive to provide talent and intellectual support for the high-quality development of Guangdong-Macao cross-border e-commerce.

Mr Wong Ka Lon, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Macao and Founding President of the Macau Live Streaming Association, stated in his speech that cross-border e-commerce, as a significant force driving regional economic transformation and upgrading, is entering a new stage of development opportunities. He expressed the hope that deeper Guangdong-Macao cooperation would further promote closer alignment between the education and talent chains on the one hand and the industry and innovation chains on the other, injecting new momentum into Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.

A signing ceremony for industry-education cooperation was held during the event. Companies including Macau Newland Global Shopping Cross-Border E-Commerce Co., Ltd., Millennium Success Investment Group Company Limited, and Zhuhai Hengqin Bringbuys Network Science and Technology Limited Company entered into cooperation agreements with relevant parties to further promote university-enterprise collaboration, resource sharing, and platform co-development, providing robust support for cross-border e-commerce talent cultivation, internships, practical training, and project incubation.

During the thematic exchange session, several experts, scholars, and enterprise representatives delivered keynote presentations. Professor Wang Heyong from South China University of Technology delivered a report titled “Research on AI and Big Data-Driven High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce in Guangdong and Macao”, while Professor Deng Shunguo from South China Normal University shared insights on “Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau Joining Forces to Promote High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce Education”. Drawing on corporate practice, Ding Liqiang, Head of Macau Newland Global Shopping Cross-Border E-Commerce Co., Ltd., introduced the innovative application of large AI models, automation tools, and intelligent workflows in cross-border e-commerce operations, demonstrating practical pathways through which digital and intelligent technologies can help enterprises improve quality and efficiency. Fu Tenglong, President of the Macao Digital and Intelligent Industry Research Institute, analysed Macao’s distinctive cross-border e-commerce practices and development prospects. Huang Lijuan, Executive Dean of the E-Commerce Research Institute of Guangzhou University, systematically explained ideas and implementation pathways for building a high-quality cross-border e-commerce talent development system with Greater Bay Area characteristics, focusing on digital and intelligent empowerment, industry-education integration, and standards-led development.

The exchange session also featured reports on the development of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in cross-border e-commerce, as well as expert discussion sessions. Participating experts held in-depth discussions on curriculum positioning, faculty development, practical teaching systems, laboratory and training platform development, improvement of industry-education integration mechanisms, and the establishment of quality assurance systems, offering targeted and constructive suggestions. A ceremony was also held to appoint members of the Expert Committee for Cross-Border E-Commerce Programmes, further bringing together high-quality intellectual resources from within and outside the College and laying a foundation for advancing the development of the cross-border e-commerce discipline and improving the quality of talent development.

Closely aligned with national trends in digital and intelligent trade and the development needs of the Greater Bay Area, the exchange session provided an important platform for multi-party coordination and collaborative exchange among the government, universities, and enterprises. It is of positive significance for promoting resource integration, complementary strengths, and collaborative innovation in cross-border e-commerce in Guangdong and Macao. Looking ahead, all parties will take the exchange session as an opportunity to continue deepening cooperation and actively advance the coordinated development of curriculum development, talent cultivation, technological innovation, and industrial practice in cross-border e-commerce, making positive contributions to Macao’s appropriate economic diversification and the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.