Riding on the back of sustained prosperity and social development of the SAR after the hand-over, the Macao people were keen for the celebrations.

Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah presided over the ceremony atthe Golden Lotus Square that accommodates a golden lotus sculpturepresented by the central government in December 1999 as a gift forthe establishment of the SAR.

At about 7:00 a.m., people from every walk of life gathered at the square. Reporters from TVB, the most influential television broadcasts company in Macao, were busy preparing for live broadcasting of the forthcoming solemn scene.

With the flag-raising time approaching, a police band and teamsof public security, fire-fighting and customs forces marched into the square to receive inspection.

At exactly 8:00 a.m., two policemen walked into the square amidtunes of the national anthem, carrying the national flag and the Macao SAR's regional flag. All the people stood silently, watchingthe flags going up in a slow pace.

Flags became the only target in the eyes of Macao compatriots including officials of local administrative, legislative and judicial organs and those from various social sectors.

And many of them carried small national flags. 　

Vice Chairman Ma Man Kei of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Director Bai Zhijian of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR and Special Commissioner Wan Yongxiang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR were there.

Ma hailed Monday at a banquet Macao's great success in implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, sayingMacao witnessed economic prosperity and social stability since it returned to the motherland due to the assistance from the central government, pragmatic and strong leadership of the SAR government and arduous efforts made by local people.

The Macao people will keep up with the tradition of patriotism and exert full support for the SAR government to create a brilliant future for the SAR, he said.

After the flag-hoisting ceremony, some people took picture with flags and nearby buildings decorated with flowers and colorful slogans, and a few aged people even sang at the square.

Just opposite the square is the Macao Forum, which witnessed the official inauguration of the Macao SAR government on December 20, 1999. Since then, Macao has entered a new historical era in putting into practice the principles of "one country, two systems," "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy.

The authorities have predicted that in the wake of liberalization of the gambling industry, Macao's economy will growat a rate of more than 5 percent this year -- the fastest in recent years -- which will be the best gift for both the motherland and the SAR.

(Xinhua News Agency Oct 2, 2002)