(Yicai) March 1 -- The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in the island of Hengqin, Guangdong province, has started special customs operations, marking a step forward in building a new integrated high-level opening-up system between the Chinese mainland and Macao.

The new operation became effective today in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, a 106.5 square kilometers area between Zhuhai in Guangdong and Macao.

The zone will adopt more open industrial and information measures to promote the development of technologies and the high-end manufacturing, cultural, tourism, exhibition, trade, and financial industries, enrich the practice of One Country Two Systems, and promote Macao’s integration in China’s national development.

Macao resident Cheng Xi is the first tourist to pass the customs inspection at the Guangdong-Macao In-Dept Cooperation Zone.

Cars arrive at a customs supervision checkpoint to access the Hengqin Bridge.

Cheng is surrounded by media personnel trying to obtain a statement at the customs desk of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

A tourist passes the China Customs security check in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

Editor: Futura Costaglione