Macao Special Administrative Region government holds a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in south China's Macao, Oct 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MACAO - China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Sunday held a series of events to celebrate National Day, including a flag-raising ceremony, a running event, a reception and a fireworks show.

The flag-raising ceremony was held early in the morning on the Golden Lotus Square.

Noting that the motherland is the most powerful backing for Macao, Ho Iat-seng said at the reception that Macao's prosperity and stability could not be achieved without long-term strong support from the central authorities

Ho Hau Wah, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ho Iat-seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, leaders of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Macao SAR, as well as representatives from various walks of life of the Macao society, attended the ceremony and reception.

A fun run event was organized after the ceremony, drawing the participation of around 3,500 people from all age groups.

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Noting that the motherland is the most powerful backing for Macao, Ho Iat-seng said at the reception that Macao's prosperity and stability could not be achieved without long-term strong support from the central authorities.

Ho said Macao's economic recovery maintained a sound momentum this year thanks to various favorable policies from the central authorities, vowing to further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security, speed up appropriate economic diversification, improve people's livelihood, and promote the building of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, neighboring Zhuhai city.

Macao Special Administrative Region government holds a reception to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in south China's Macao, Oct 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

He stressed that the Macao SAR government must fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle, resolutely safeguard the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over Macao, firmly put in place the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Macao," actively promote the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and speed up Macao's integration into overall national development.

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In the evening, a fireworks show was staged by Chinese and Portuguese companies as part of the 31st Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. Fireworks companies from 10 countries around the world are scheduled to present 10 shows of fireworks and music within nearly a month.

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat-seng speaks during a reception held by the Macao SAR government to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in south China's Macao, Oct 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao SAR government tourism office and organizer of the contest, said the authority had made active preparations for the fireworks events after an interruption of three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expecting residents and visitors to enjoy the shows, and take part in games at fireworks-themed carnivals and markets.