From above, Macau looks like a beautiful lotus growing towards the sea, blooming on the blue waves of the South China Sea. This beautiful city is not only a place where Eastern and Western cultures blend, but also a city where tradition and modernity blend, and a hotbed for the successful practice of "One Country, Two Systems". In the 25 years since its return to the motherland, this lotus flower has bloomed and its land area has expanded from 21.45 square kilometers at the beginning of the return to 33.3 square kilometers, developing from a city in the South China Sea to an international metropolis; This lotus flower grows vigorously, with the local gross domestic product increasing from 51.9 billion Macau dollars (1 Macau dollar is about 0.12 US dollars) in 1999 to 379.5 billion Macau dollars in 2023, transforming from the past turmoil and depression to the current prosperity and stability... The beautiful lotus flower sways, vividly demonstrating the strong vitality and enormous superiority of "One Country, Two Systems" to the world. Hundreds of years of vicissitudes, 25 years of great changes. Macao grows through inheritance and develops through innovation. Looking back on the past quarter century, people sincerely sigh: this is the period in Macau's history where the development speed is the fastest, the development quality is the highest, and the residents' sense of gain and happiness is the strongest. Patriotism and love for Macau are songs that flow from the heart. In December, the streets of Macau are filled with festive and joyful atmosphere. On both sides of the road, signs reading "Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the National Day and the 25th Anniversary of the Return" stand side by side, with the national flag and district flag complementing each other and fluttering in the wind. 25 years ago on December 20th, Macau was also immersed in a festive atmosphere of red and green. Citizens waved the five-star red flag and the green flag of the Macao Special Administrative Region to celebrate the historic moment of Macao's return to the motherland. After more than 400 years of vicissitudes, Macau has finally returned to the embrace of its motherland The commentator Gao Jinhui, who returned to the event site at that time, recalled the scene 25 years ago and still felt excited. Gao Jinhui is currently the principal of Pui Ching High School in Macau. Like major primary and secondary schools in Macau, Pui Ching High School attaches great importance to promoting the traditional love of the country and Macau from all aspects, including systems, curriculum, teaching materials, teacher training, and activities, in order to pass on the torch of patriotism and love for Macau. Do you know that MACAU is not my real surname/I have been away from you for too long/Mother... "At that time, Rong Yunlin, who sang this song" Song of the Seven Sons "on the land of China, was a student in the primary school department of Peizheng Middle School, and now her younger students all know how to sing this song. This song represents the joy and pride of Macau's return to the motherland, and we will continue to sing this song Wang Yuxin, a sixth grade student in the primary school department of Peizheng Middle School, said. The core values of patriotism and love for Macau occupy a dominant position in Macau society and are one of the important experiences of the successful implementation of Macau's' One Country, Two Systems' policy Gong Zhiming, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, stated. Nowadays, all schools in Macau are raising the national flag. Education on the Macau Basic Law is included in all stages of primary, secondary, and tertiary education. The National Constitution and the Macau Basic Law are listed as compulsory courses in universities. In 2006, the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region legally defined the goal of patriotic education. In addition, multiple ten-year development plans for education and youth development have been announced in an orderly manner, continuously deepening the connotation of patriotism and love for Australia education. At Macau Vocational High School, there is a refreshing learning platform - the "Home Country World" Macau Historical and Cultural Experience Hall. The experience hall integrates traditional culture into the curriculum through multimedia interactive technology, making history and culture vivid and interesting, cultivating students' profound understanding of Chinese civilization and cultural confidence. The unique way of conducting patriotism education through experience centers reflects the connection between Macau and Chinese culture. It can inspire teachers and students to draw on excellent traditional cultural nutrition and wisdom, and has profound significance in enhancing cultural confidence and national pride Gong Zhiming said. The May Fourth Youth Day flag raising ceremony, military summer camp for young students in Macau, exchange summer camp for Beijing Hong Kong Macao students, and Macau Youth Diplomacy Knowledge Competition in Macau continue to be held. Various diversified activities that are close to the needs of students and focus on experience are being organized to cultivate the patriotism of Macau youth. Nowadays, the most intuitive feeling that mainland tourists visiting Macau gain from interacting with local residents is "kinship": the warmth and friendliness of fellow countrymen, the blood thicker than water affection and love. This is a natural expression of Macau residents' sense of national identity. This patriotic sentiment forged in the blood cannot be separated from the continuous and solid foundation of patriotic education Chen Hong, President of the Macau Chinese Education Association, said. The sound of fireworks and the hustle and bustle of the city is the most enchanting song for ordinary people. At night, a dazzling light and shadow feast that transcends time and space is staged in Macau. The "Guangyun Feimen" interprets the patriotic sentiment of Macau society in pink, the "Speedy Race" presents Macau's racing culture in a dynamic way, and the "Endless Fun" creatively showcases Macau's unique flavor... "2024 Colorful Brilliance of the Haojiang" is themed "Integration of Time and Space", providing a series of immersive nighttime entertainment experiences for Macau citizens and tourists. Under the cover of night, the 24th Macau Food Festival attracted tourists and Macau residents from home and abroad to taste global cuisine and experience the charm of Macau as the "Capital of World Cuisine" at the Sai Wan Lake Plaza; In front of Kanggong Temple, the "Four Seas Soaring Dragon Shines on the Haojiang River" lantern art exhibition gathers outstanding artists from the Greater Bay Area, allowing people to immerse themselves in the unique charm of lanterns... "Macao is a unique tourist destination, with large-scale events, competitions, exhibitions, performances, and various festive activities running throughout the year," said the Director of the Macao SAR Government Tourism Bureau, Maria Helena de Almeida. In the eyes of mainland tourist Zhou Baolan, Macau's lively "human fireworks atmosphere" is particularly attractive. In her travelogue, the streets of Macau are full of vitality and energy, the buildings are colorful, and every wall tells a different story. The government senior apartments in Macau particularly caught her attention, with their beige and white exterior walls appearing particularly warm in the sunlight. This is not only a place for the elderly to enjoy their old age, but also carries the care and respect of the city for the elderly. "The Macao SAR government proposed the establishment of government senior apartments in 2020, which were officially put into service on October 15th this year. The apartment is located in the P section of the newly reclaimed land in Heisha Ring Road, with a height of 37 floors, providing a total of 1815 accommodation units (including single and twin rooms). Mr. and Mrs. Lin, who were among the first to move in, sincerely believe that choosing to retire here is a wise decision that has improved their quality of life. The elevator is convenient for getting up and down, the room is spacious and bright, the food taste is suitable, the transportation is convenient, and shopping is also convenient. Living here is really comfortable, "Mrs. Lin said. After Macao's return to the motherland, the government's fiscal revenue continued to improve, gradually increasing the scope and intensity of public goods and services supply. At present, the SAR government has a total of 293 social service agencies and projects, covering areas such as social assistance, children and youth, elderly care, rehabilitation, etc. The SAR government also collaborates with social service agencies to provide targeted assistance to three types of impoverished and vulnerable groups, including poor families, low-income families, and specific disadvantaged groups. Before returning to the motherland, Macau's economy experienced negative growth for four consecutive years, with an unemployment rate exceeding 6%. With strong support from the central government, successive special administrative region governments have made promoting people's well-being the focus of their governance, with the important tasks of boosting the economy and promoting employment. A series of data provides detailed footnotes for the happy life of Macau residents: ——Since 2012, the overall unemployment rate in Macau has remained below 2% for many years, and the median monthly income of the overall employed population has increased from MOP 4920 in 1999 to MOP 17500 in 2023. ——Macau residents only need to contribute MOP 90 per month, and after retirement, they can receive a maximum monthly pension of MOP 3740, which is distributed for 13 months each year. Macau residents who meet the eligibility criteria can also enjoy benefits such as pension and cash sharing. ——Macau permanent residents aged 65 and above receive an average of over MOP 6200 in cash benefits from the government each month. The social security system also covers allowances for unemployment, illness, birth, marriage, and other benefits. ——The number of public housing units built in Macau has increased to 57117, and 95% of social housing tenants are exempt from paying rent. More than 70% of residents live in self purchased properties, with an average housing area of over 20 square meters per person. ——Elderly people aged 65 and above can enjoy free medical care, and the average life expectancy of Macau residents has increased from 77.9 years in 1999 to 83.1 years in 2023. Macau implements 15 years of free education. In the 2022 International Student Assessment Program test, the overall performance of 15-year-old students in Macau ranked second in the world Gong Zhiming proudly said. Mickey, a Belgian international student studying at the University of Macau, summarized his view of Macau as a "growing city": "If you had been to Macau 20 or 15 years ago, you would have seen it constantly growing." At the recently opened Poly MGM Museum, a Western style tapestry attracted many visitors to stop and appreciate the fusion of beauty and communism. It has a history of over 400 years, and the city pattern in the upper left corner is based on an ancient map of Macau. The edge of the tapestry is adorned with Chinese phoenix patterns and floral decorations. This is an exhibit in the "Blue Ribbon - Exploring Mysterious Waters and Encountering Silk Road Treasures" exhibition, which, along with many other cultural relics, witnesses the history of cultural exchange and integration between China and the West in Macau. Macao is a key node on the Maritime Silk Road and has always been an important window for cultural exchange between China and the West. As a result, Macao has developed a unique urban spirit that integrates Chinese and Western cultures and connects ancient and modern times He Chaoqiong, Chairman and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said. The foreign ships were found to be officials and merchants, and the crossroads opened towards the second ocean Since the Ming Dynasty, Macau has become an important transit point on the Maritime Silk Road due to its unique geographical location and role as a gateway. In the mid to late Ming Dynasty, Macau had become an internationally renowned trading port, playing the role of a central port connecting maritime trade routes between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. Due to the development of foreign trade, this small fishing village has stepped onto a larger historical stage and developed into a busy commercial city. From a commercial port during the Ming and Qing dynasties, to a place where Chinese and Western cultures intersect, and to a special administrative region with diverse development after returning to the motherland, Macau has attracted people from all over the world to gather here with its unique cultural history, shaping distinctive customs, etiquette, architecture, language, and dietary habits. As a city of festivals, Macao holds more than 20 festivals with different customs every year, including Chinese traditional festivals such as Spring Festival and Loong Boat Festival, as well as western festivals such as Easter and Christmas. Macao has also hosted many innovative festival events, such as the Sino Portuguese Cultural and Art Festival, the International Colorful Parade, and the Macao International Music Festival. These activities have enriched the cultural life of Macau and promoted international exchange, cooperation, and mutual learning of civilizations. This year, Macau was elected as the "East Asian Cultural Capital" for 2025. In the view of Wu Zhiliang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Macau and Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Macau Foundation, Macau deserves this honor. For hundreds of years, Macau has been one of the most important and enduring windows for China's opening up to the outside world, exerting a tremendous influence on cultural exchanges between China and the West Wu Zhiliang said that the uniqueness of Macau culture lies not only in the complete preservation of the genes of traditional Chinese culture, especially Lingnan culture, but also in Macau, as one of the earliest ports in China to open up to the outside world, becoming a forefront of cultural exchange and communication with foreign countries. After the return to the motherland, the Historic Center of Macao has been included in the The World Heritage List by UNESCO, covering 22 buildings and 8 frontiers, including the memorial archway of Dasanba, the Ma Temple, the Zheng Family Mansion, and the Sanjie Guild Hall. Walking around the the Historic Center of Macao, you will see that the Great Sanba Temple and the Nezha Temple are built next to each other, and the Mage Temple and Portuguese poets