A valuable bamboo basket to be given to Macao in honor of its return to the motherland Dec. 20 is en route to the region from the Provincial People's Government of east China's Zhejiang Province.

A grand shipping ceremony was held here for the art work, which has been given the name "Return of the Pearl." The basket is a blend of delicate craftwork and traditional basketry.

The gift is 1,999 millimeters high, symbolizing the year 1999, and features two dragons holding a precious pearl, representing the return of Macao to the motherland.

The dragons also are symbols of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, which is known as the cradle of Chinese civilization.