A valuable red copper vase presented by the provincial government of east China's Shandong Province as a special gift for Macao has started shipping in Jinan and it is to honor its return to the motherland on December 20.

A grand shipping ceremony for the vase, which was casted from red copper and evolved sophisticated, traditional imitating technologies of ancient bronze, was held here Monday.

The entire red copper vase is 1,999 millimeters high, symbolizing the year of 1999, and weighs 880 kilograms, which infers Shandong's 88 million people's good and kind wishes to Macao.

The mouth of the vase is in the shape of a lotus flower, symbolizing the prosperity of Macao.

A phoenix, a dragon, and the well-known Shandong scenery are engraved on the vase to signify Macao's return to the motherland. (Xinhua)