Macao SAR marks 26th anniversary of return to China with flag-raising ceremony

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government held a solemn flag-raising ceremony on Saturday at the Golden Lotus Square to mark the 26th anniversary of Macao's return to China.

At 8 a.m., the honor guard escorted the Chinese national flag and the Macao SAR flag into the plaza. As the military band played the national anthem, both flags were raised slowly, fluttering in the wind.

The ceremony was attended by Sam Hou Fai, chief executive of the Macao SAR; Zheng Xinchong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; senior Macao SAR officials; and representatives from various sectors of society.

Macao Legislative Council member Song Pek Kei highlighted Macao's remarkable development over the past 26 years in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). She noted that next year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, during which Macao will begin preparing its "Three-Five" development plan. She said the region should take a more proactive role in aligning with the country's strategic development, which will open up new opportunities for Macao's growth.

Song also encouraged Macao's youth to actively develop themselves and pursue their personal ambitions while contributing to broader national development. She emphasized that young people play an important role in supporting the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and contributing to the nation's prosperity and strength.

Huang Tzu Tsai, a young resident of Macao, told CMG that seeing the Chinese national flag and the Macao SAR flag rise together fills him with pride and deep emotion. "Over the 26 years since Macao's return, Macao has enjoyed lasting prosperity and stability, thanks to the unwavering support of our motherland," Huang said.