Recently, quite unexpectedly, a piece of news about over 150 archways built by Macao people since 1949 to express their love for the motherland went viral on the Chinese internet, becoming the subject of most searched hashtags on weibo, China's primary social media platform.

So, what exactly is the significance of these archways, and why did the story about them capture the public imagination? 

According to Lok Hei, President of Macao Artists Society, when the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, people began erecting archways as a way of expressing their devotion to the motherland.

Between then and the tailing off of the tradition in the 1970s, some 150 different archways were constructed. While most were put up to mark the country's official October birthday, others were erected in honor of other landmark achievements of national importance.

But whatever the reason for their construction, these traditional Chinese archways all had one thing in common: the words inscribed upon them,“I Love you, China”.

As his father was part of the group responsible for putting up the first National Day Archway, Lok Hei well remembers the passion that created them. 

What's more, building the archways was a laborious and time-consuming business, undertaken by the ordinary patriotic people of Macao for no monetary gain. 

No wonder they were so special to people like Lok Hei. The very fact of their existence, is proof that love - especially love for one's country - really can conquer all!

But in the 1970s, the archways, part of the fabric of everyday life for generations of Macao people, gradually faded from sight, leaving behind a few precious pictures that are now the subject of a fascinating documentary.

What happened? Why did people stop building the arches? And why did they disappear?

To discover the answer to this question and a host of other fascinating facts about the people of Macao, join us for "Macao: Better Every Day" on CGTN Documentary from December 19 to December 22.