MACAO – The 14th Macao International Innovation & Invention Exposition (MIIEX) 2026, organised by the Macao Innovation and Invention Association, guided by the China Association of Inventions, and co-organised by the World Intellectual Property Alliance of Inventions, Hong Kong Invention and Innovation Federation and Hong Kong Invention Association, was held at the Macao Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 October to 1 November. This year’s event hits a new record scale, attracting invention organisations, educational institutions, enterprises and individual inventors from over 50 provinces, municipalities and regions across both sides of the Taiwan Strait, together with participants from 30 countries. A total of 671 online and offline works were submitted, an increase of 51 entries compared with 2025, marking the highest number in the history of the exposition. MIIEX is currently ranked among the world’s top 20 international invention expositions.
The Opening Ceremony took place on the afternoon of 31 October at 5 p.m. at the Macao Convention and Exhibition Centre. Officiating guests included Yang Quanzhou, Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Zhang Zuowen, Director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau; Lui I Teng, Legislative Assembly Member; Li Yanqi, representative of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Zeng Zeyao, Vice Chairman of the Macao Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre; Zhang Xiongfa, Deputy Curator of the Macao Science Center; Lei Pak Keong, President of the Macao Innovation and Invention Association; and Wei Zhibin, Chairman of the Macao Innovation and Invention Association.
In his opening address, Lei Pak Keong said the Association actively responds to the national 15th Five-Year Plan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Founded in 2004, the Association has built an exchange platform connecting Macao with the global invention community over 22 years. Since 2012, it has hosted MIIEX annually to showcase innovative achievements of local enterprises and young innovators, facilitate collaboration, and promote science popularisation and technological advancement. Through the exposition, local enterprises are empowered to strengthen innovation, adopt new technologies and foster new business forms, supporting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification. Meanwhile, the Association continuously identifies and nurtures young STEM talents to lay a solid human-resource foundation for Macao’s long-term sustainable development.
Lei Pak Keong remarked that MIIEX has drawn innovators from around the globe year after year. Exchanges with peers from different regions and nations broaden participants’ horizons, inspire creative thinking, and let them experience Macao’s unique charm as a hub blending Eastern and Western cultures over more than 400 years.
All submissions fall into three categories: 595 Innovation & Invention entries (280 online, 315 offline), 51 Creative Works (16 online, 41 offline), and 19 Science & Technology Paintings (10 online, 9 offline). Participants come from both sides of the Taiwan Strait (Chinese Mainland and Chinese Taiwan Region), alongside countries across Asia, Europe, America and Africa including Malaysia, Thailand, Republic of Korea, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Croatia and more. Countries with on-site offline exhibits include Romania, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
A number of outstanding student projects tailored for local needs were featured. The team from Escola de Tong Nam presented an AI Debris-Flow Perception and Evacuation Guidance System. Designed for Macao’s terrain and loose soil prone to debris flow during heavy rainfall, the system integrates rainfall, soil moisture and ultraviolet sensors. It triggers an alarm once preset thresholds are reached or abnormal movement is detected. The team hopes the system can deliver early warnings of debris flow risk, similar to weather forecasting, with a lead time of one to two days once fully developed.
Students from Fai Chi Kei School introduced the Car Expense Saver Mini Program. It addresses common pain points for local drivers, including difficulty tracking vehicle spending and parking meter overstaying penalties. The lightweight, Macao-localised app features seven modules to analyse costs and offer money-saving tips. Trials show users can save around MOP 2,000 per month.
The Awards Ceremony was held after the exhibition. Competitors were divided into Primary School Group, Secondary School Group, University Group, Enterprise & Individual Group. Awards include Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals, Best Organisation Award, Outstanding Mentor Award, and the Grand Prize, the highest honour of the event. The award ratio is set at 35% Gold, 40% Silver and 25% Bronze, open to students of all levels, enterprises and independent inventors.
Two Grand Prize winners stood out. A team from the University of Macau developed a hair-loss treatment, which applies gas-form specific compounds to the scalp and hair follicles to stimulate hair regrowth. Team member Mr. Wei said participation helps promote the project and paves the way for further research and application. Kwan, a Form 1 student from Tong Sin Tong Secondary School, won the Secondary Grand Prize with an AI-powered intelligent foot massager built on traditional Chinese medicine acupressure theories. He stated the project deepened his understanding of TCM and he intends to pursue further studies in related fields.
Wei Zhibin, Chairman of the Macao Innovation and Invention Association, delivered a speech at the Awards Ceremony. He noted that after careful conception and repeated refinement, participants presented practical innovations solving real-life challenges. Following rigorous review and discussion by the jury panel, the competition results were officially announced. With 671 submissions, this edition sets a new record, drawing innovators from more than 50 provinces and cities across both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong, Macao, plus 30 countries.
Wei Zhibin emphasised that the core value of MIIEX is to create a stage for global innovators to observe, exchange and refine their ideas. Several leading enterprises, some involved in drafting national standards, took part and shared experience directly with Macao students. This industry-academia exchange is the core mission of the exposition. He encouraged young innovators to treat each exhibition as a milestone and keep exploring their favourite fields. He closed by thanking all supporting partners, overseas invention organisations, community leaders, teachers and media for their support, so that the journey of popularising science and encouraging innovation can go forward steadily and far.
