The state key laboratories in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) are playing a vital role in fostering scientific and social advancements, benefiting not only the region but also the broader motherland.
At the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, under the Macao University of Science and Technology and being the first of its kind, researchers are analyzing meteorites.
"Studying meteorites allows us to gain insights into the growth and evolution of the Earth as a whole, including the formation of its magnetic field and the existence of an atmosphere, oxygen, water and other essential components in the development of planetary matter," said Zong Qiugang, director of the laboratory.
Researchers at the laboratory have been involved in significant aerospace projects such as Chang'e lunar exploration activities and the Tianwen Mars exploration missions. The rapid development of the country's aerospace sector has opened up new avenues for their research.
"We are also scheduled to participate in the Chang'e-8 lunar mission in the future, as China plans to establish a relatively long-term lunar research station on the moon," said Zong.
At the University of Macao, the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City is conducting a series of researches on urban intelligence, bringing fresh energy to the development of Macao through innovations in smart transportation, smart energy management and smart bridge monitoring.
Many of the smart technologies developed in Macao are transferred to the Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research Institute, a comprehensive and international industry university research based in Hengqin, where these scientific advancements are further developed and expanded.
Hengqin is an island in the city of Zhuhai, adjacent to Macao.
"Because Macao historically lacks high-tech industries, the advanced technologies developed in the region often have no application scenarios. If the institute aims to contribute to the construction of the motherland or the Greater Bay Area, there is only one place suitable - Hengqin," said Chen Guokai, Director of Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research Institute.
Hengqin is now home to 30 national and provincial-level science and technology innovation platforms, including the Macao-Hengqin Youth Entrepreneurship Valley and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao. These platforms provide a stage for young entrepreneurs in Macao to start their own businesses and pave the way for the growth of the region's diverse economic sectors.
Macao boasts a total of four state key laboratories. The other two are the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI.

State key laboratories in Macao promote local, national scientific, social progress