Residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) are jubilantly celebrating the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland through various activities with originality.

During a cocktail party hosted by the Macao Chamber of Commerce to mark the 5th anniversary of the founding of the Macao SAR, Ma Man Kei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Macao's successful practices of "one country, two systems" over the past five years have proved the vitality of the policy.

"Macao's official forecast for this year's economic growth rateis 20 percent, which is very encouraging," said Ma.

A grand photo exhibition, held by the Publicity and Culture Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR and the Branch of Xinhua News Agency in the Macao SAR, shows Macao's brilliant progress in the past five years. Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Edmund Ho Hau Wah, principal officials of the SAR government and over 500 local celebrities have visited the exhibition. "This exhibition shows the central government's affirmation and encouragement to the SAR government," said a visitor to the exhibition.

Meanwhile, all walks of life of the Macao SAR are staging different kinds of activities for celebrating Macao's return to the motherland.

The Women Association of Macao displayed on the steps of the Ruins of St. Paul Church last Saturday a long cross stitch to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the SAR. The cross stitch is 1.33 meters wide, 50 meters long and weighs over 90 kilograms. Thousands of women used nearly 4,000 rolls of knitting wool to make the design.

The Macao Civil Servants Association held a special party for the anniversary, during which Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah urged Macao's 17,000 public servants to "keep on working hard."

Diverse religious societies in Macao celebrated the anniversarythrough sutra recitation and blessing ceremony, while sports associations held many kinds of games of "The 5th Anniversary Cup," including soccer, table tennis and basketball tournaments.

At present, a joyous atmosphere prevails in Macao. "Social stability, harmonious society and better life since 1999 have given us more happiness and confidence," said Lau, a local entrepreneur, adding that "Macao people are ready for a carnival on December 20."