A new shopping mall in Macao, M8, has become another commercial and cultural landmark of the region since its opening in September this year.
The "M" stands for Macao, and "8" represents the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites within a 100-meter radius.
Located at the heart of Macao's historic center, the building previously served as a dormitory for Macau Post Office employees and underwent redevelopment in recent years, emerging as M8. Now it becomes a vibrant new destination for tourists and locals alike.
"M8, built in 1963, formerly served as a dormitory for Macau Post Office employees. Standing in the heart of Macao, the building was left vacant for more than 20 years and was incompatible with the current surroundings," said Sophia Loi, director of the M8 project and deputy manager of China Construction Engineering (Macao) Company Limited.
Just a stone's throw away from Senado Square, the newly transformed M8 offers dining, retail, and arts experiences across its nine floors, including three basement levels.
As the first commercial urban redevelopment project since Macao's return to the motherland, the project takes more than 20 years to take shape.
"Avenida Almeida Ribeiro is about 60 meters away from the dormitory. There are two details. One is the bustling Avenida Almeida Ribeiro, the other one is a very quiet residential area that has one or two shops, a very quiet neighborhood," said Sada Lam, the designer of M8 and director of The Oval Partnership.
Lam and the government of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) engaged in extensive discussions on how to seamlessly blend the building with its environment.
"It should not be something glittering. Actually it brings a little softness to its surroundings, thus let people in its surroundings to feel that it is a place that is indrawn and receptive," said Lam.
As twilight sets in, the M8's soft, subtle lighting ensures that the densely populated areas remain undisturbed, a feat achieved through the use of advanced construction materials -- the stone-sandwiched glass.
M8's facade features the world's first ultra-large curved translucent stone-laminated glass -- composed of approximately 1mm thick natural stone laminated between four layers of ultra-large curved glass -- setting a Guinness World Record.
M8 has also preserved the tree that once stood alongside the dormitory, allowing it to be reborn in a new way.
M8 merges tradition with modern urban culture
China's Macao Special Administrate Region has provided uplifting healthcare service thanks to medical tie-up with the Chinese mainland with gushing injection of advanced medical expertise, exchange of punditry and absorption of cutting-edge facilities and equipment.
Three months since its official launch, the Macao Union Hospital stands as a testament to the deepening collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Macao in elevating healthcare services in the special administrative region.
Spanning 76,000 square meters and housing over 850 beds and 26 operating rooms, the Islands Healthcare Complex - Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital is the largest in Macao. Since trial operations began in December last year, the facility has quickly expanded access to specialized medical services. With 25 outpatient clinics in operation now, it accommodates over 1,000 patient visits daily.
"I heard the doctors from Beijing are quite experienced, so I came here for a consultation. After the visit, I found them truly attentive. They asked detailed questions during the diagnosis," said Ou Yuai, a respiratory patient, in an interview with CGTN.
The hospital is managed jointly by the Macao Special Administrative Region government and the renowned Peking Union Medical College Hospital. This partnership has brought invaluable expertise to Macao.
"Currently, 54 specialists from Beijing are stationed here, including 33 doctors. We've devoted significant efforts to establish workflows, manage equipment procurement and instillation, and oversee the recruitment and training of medical staff," said Li Li, deputy director of the Macao Union Hospital.
A highlight of this collaboration is training programs for Macao's medical professionals. Gu Shaojun, an obstetrician and gynecologist, came on board in June after completing a year-long training session in Beijing.
"At Peking Union, I encountered diseases that are rarely seen in Macao. The entire diagnostic and treatment process really broadened my horizons," Gu said.
With state-of-the-art equipment, the hospital is designed to enhance Macao's ability to diagnose and treat complex illnesses. A notable example is the hospital's intelligent adaptive radiotherapy system, the first of its kind in Greater Bay Area. Using AI to quickly calculate and adjust treatment plans, it enables greater accuracy and reduces side effect.
"After creating the treatment plan, the doctor will decide whether it is suitable, and then quickly administer the treatment to the patient on the same day," said Shen Jie, an radiation oncologist.
By combining top-tier medical expertise with cutting-edge technology, the Macao Union Hospital is reshaping access to quality medical services for locals. It serves as a pioneering example of how cross-border partnerships can enhance healthcare standards and benefit residents.
Macao sees uplifting healthcare service thanks to medical tie-up with mainland
