The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's highest consulting body, hosted a forum, which was attended by CPPCC senior officials to mark the return of Macao to the motherland ten days ahead.

Chun Junsheng, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, noted that in ten days, Macao will return to the motherland. "This is another great event for the whole Chinese nation after the return of Hong Kong in 1997," he said.

Wang Zhaoguo, also vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said the return of Macao will usher in a new era of development for Macao and the motherland.

The Central Committee of the China Democratic League and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions also sponsored forums on Macao's return.

In Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, representatives of all walks of life also gathered and voiced their pleasure with the coming event.

In the meantime, a ten-day art show on the theme of Macao and its return to the motherland opened today in Beijing, hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Culture.