The 71st Macao Grand Prix, which drew over 100,000 spectators to its iconic Guia Circuit, celebrates not just thrilling racing but also the growing prominence of Chinese racers and teams on the international stage.
The 71st Macao Grand Prix concluded on Nov 17, attracting legions of spectators to witness its electrifying races.
Renowned worldwide for its prestige and impact, the Macao Grand Prix and its Guia Circuit have witnessed both the grit of racers and the transformation of the city itself.
Among the competitors, 43-year-old Macao racer Leong Ian Veng has been a familiar face, participating in the Grand Prix for 19 consecutive years.
Over the past decade, Leong has amassed over 100 trophies in global competitions, but he cherishes his victories in the Macao Grand Prix the most.
During a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV), he proudly showcased three of his championship trophies from the event.
The Guia Circuit stretches 6.2 kilometers, with its widest point measuring 14 meters and its narrowest just seven meters.
Its sharp turns and unpredictable terrain keep captivating racers worldwide.
Michael Rutter, a British motorcycle racer, said Macao had constantly changed compared to 30 years ago when he first raced in the region.
"I've been lucky enough to win nine races. Coming back, it (Macao Motorcycle Grand Prix) has changed massively, like the city, but the track hasn't changed a lot. But all your reference points change everything time they build a new building. It looks different to us because when you race a motorcycle, you look everywhere. You don't just look at the track," he said.
The transformation extends beyond the city's skyline.
Leong takes pride in the growing eminence of Chinese-made cars and Chinese teams on international stages. Macao and Chinese mainland racers have repeatedly claimed top honors, united under the banner of Chinese motorsport.
"When we race abroad now, we rarely say we're from Macao. We call ourselves Chinese racers," Leong said.
"This shift started about a decade ago, reflecting China's different global stature compared to the past. I don't just aim to finish races. Moreover, I strive to represent China on the podium," he stressed.
Macao Grand Prix witnesses rise of China's motorsport
Macao Grand Prix witnesses rise of China's motorsport
China will take further steps to expand high-standard opening-up and create a new landscape of win-win cooperation in 2026, which marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said in a recent interview with China Media Group.
Wang said opening up and cooperation for mutual benefit are integral to Chinese modernization. This year, China will actively expand voluntary opening up.
The country will steadily open up such areas as value-added telecommunications, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, while accelerating comprehensive pilot and demonstration programs for expanded opening-up in the services sector, he noted.
"We will expand the scope and regions of unilateral opening-up and ensure the implementation of zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. We will vigorously promote the effective implementation of policies for special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, further enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, optimize the regional layout and coverage of pilot free trade zones, and support these zones in carrying out more robust institutional opening-up trials in areas such as market access, environmental standards and government procurement, so as to better leverage their role as comprehensive pilot platforms for reform and opening-up," said Wang.
Wang said China will promote the orderly planning of cross-border industrial and supply chains.
Efforts will be made to deepen economic and trade cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance integration and connectivity across production and supply chains, and encourage cooperation in areas including green development, the digital economy, green minerals, new infrastructure and new energy so as to help build global production and supply chain partnerships that are equal, inclusive and constructive, he noted.
"We will give play to the platform role of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, expand overseas marketing networks and explore international markets through outward investment, achieve mutual promotion between investment and trade, and advance the integrated development of trade and investment. We will also improve the overseas comprehensive service system and the national-level overseas comprehensive service platform," said the minister.
In addition, China will participate constructively in global economic governance, according to the minister.
In 2026, Wang said, China will pursue flexible and pragmatic approaches to negotiate trade and investment agreements with more willing countries and regions, while strengthening economic and trade cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as BRICS, G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to further promote mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
China to expand high-standard opening-up to foster win-win cooperation: minister
