Gambling will not be introduced to the Hengqin New Area, a demonstration area for exploring a new mode of cooperation between Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao, an official said.

Niu Jing, director of the administrative committee of the Hengqin New Area, said the area will include seven industries — tourism, commercial services, finance, creative culture, traditional Chinese medicine, science and education research and high-technology.

"Investment covering these industries will be welcomed," Niu said.

Niu added that the exclusion of the gambling industry from Macao is in line with the Overall Development Plan of Hengqin, which was approved by the State Council in 2009.

Covering an area three times that of Macao, Hengqin Island, which is incorporated in the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone, offers views of banana forests and fishponds in Zhuhai on one side, and the magnificent buildings of Macao on the other.