A series of reports on greeting Macao's return are to be published in installments. This third one, written by Our Staff Reporters Huang Zhihao, Hu Guo and Nie Chuanqing, runs in part as follows:

Deng Xiaoping, who creatively put forward the great concept "one country, two systems", once said with deep feeling: The question of reunification is, first of all, a national issue, an issue of national feeling. The 12-year transition period represents the best baptism of national wisdom and national feeling. In recalling their experience in that period, all those interviewed, who were lucky enough to participate in the journey of Macao's return, found it hard to hold their passion in check. It is they who, with utter devotion, have written one heroic and stirring historical songs after another, which were finally condensed into one sentence-for the great cause of the nation.

On April 13, 1987, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Statement was formally signed in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which, in a mere span of 12 short minutes, put an end to the awaiting of 400 long years, heralding the time for Macao to set sail and embark on the homeward journey.

"The Joint Statement has successfully solved the issue of Macao, internationally, it has also set an example for handling problems left over from history, it is hard won and is of great significance," said Zhou Nan, head of the Chinese delegation and vice-foreign minister at that time.

Negotiation between China and Portugal over the issue of Macao began on June 30, 1986. Although friendly cooperation was the keynote of the 10 months of negotiation which, however, also went through trials and hardships.

On March 18, 1987, major progress was made in the fourth round of negotiation between China and Portugal, the draft of the Joint Statement had been examined point by point. With the solution of the Hong Kong issue, we had now taken the gratifying second step.

After Macao entered the transition period, solution of the three major issues-- a question of great concern, was also full of twists and hardships. As he reviewed things about this today, Ambassador Kang Jimin, chief representative of the Chinese side with the first Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group, still had a tidal surge of emotion. He said: The pressing task at the moment for guaranteeing Macao's stable transition and the smooth hand-over, turning into reality the principle "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy, was to ensure the official status of the Chinese language, the localization of law and the localization of public servants-the three core questions.

Over the past 12 years, the Chinese group, headed by the three ambassadors of Kang Yimin, Guo Jiading and Han Zhaokang has, on the one hand, strictly adhered to the principle and stand and, on the other hand, actively put forward proposals to boost implementation of the statement, engaged in in-depth and detailed consultation and cooperation and made mediation with an attitude featuring sincere cooperation, thus paving the way for achievement of the goals set in the Joint Statement.

On November 11, 1999, the last session of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group was concluded successfully in Macao. Ambassador Han Zhaokang said with pleasure on the telephone: Both sides have reached a common view on principled matters concerning Macao's power transfer ceremony, the various special groups in charge of the hand-over ceremony are busy at work in an intense but orderly manner.

Macao's popular feeling is an indispensable, important cornerstone for the stable transition. In 1990, when Guo Dongpo hurried to Macao to take on his new job as director of the Macao Branch of Xinhua News Agency, Macao was experiencing the severe test of confidence within the transition period.

Upon his arrival in Macao, Guo Dongpo began an item of important work--paying visits from door to door. His extensive contacts and exchanges won him trust and respect which finally turned into valuable public opinion and popular feeling.

Enacting the Basic Law of Macao is vitally important to Macao's future. On April 13, 1988, one year after the signing of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Statement, the First Session of the Seventh National People's Congress (NPC) made a decision-setting up a drafting committee for the MSAR Basic Law. Undertaking this glorious mission was a group of 48 members headed by Ji Pengfei, a veteran diplomat of the People's Republic and former director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office under the State Council. And through the more than six months of effort and organization by 22 draft committee members from Macao, a Basic Law consultative committee composed of 90 representatives of various circles in Macao was founded on May 28, 1989, which offered opinions and gave advice for the drafting of the Basic Law, reflecting the voice of Macao residents to the maximum. On March 31, 1993, the First Session of the Eighth National People's Congress adopted the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The key to the success in drawing up the Basic Law lies in how to ensure, during drafting, safeguarding State sovereignty, face up to Macao's reality and reflect the wishes of Macao compatriots.

Portuguese born in Macao are a special group of people in the region. Article 42 of the Basic Law stipulates that their interests are protected according to law, and their customs and culture are respected; in light of the reality that tourism and recreational business occupy an important place in Macao's economy, Article 118 of the Basic Law stipulates the MSAR may independently formulate its tourist and recreational policies in accordance with the overall interests of the locality, etc.

When covering Macao, these reporters often heard the following sentence, "Macao's return is the common cause of everyone of us." True, over the past 12 years, we people in the same boat have helped each other and have formed a strong feeling for China. While the painstaking efforts made by far-sighted people have made the "one country, two systems" concept deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, it is as firm as rocks.

Ma Man Kee is ice-chairman of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee and president of the Macao China Chamber of Commerce. Having lived in Macao for half a century, he has diligently striven and put in all his efforts for the great cause of Macao's return. In the whole process from the drafting and introduction of the MSAR Basic Law to the preparation for the organization of the MSAR government and for the celebration of Macao's return by various circles in Macao, this octogenarian, like a sign pole along the Haojiang River bank, inspires people with lofty ideals to vigorously push the boat forward in a proudly manner.

"Publicizing the Basic Law means publicizing Macao's tomorrow, understanding the Basic Law means understanding the future of Macao." This is the slogan of the Council for Common Progress of the Macao Basic Law, as well as the firm conviction cherished in the hearts of all Basic Law introducers.

"Macao's return is a great cause, it needs efforts made by everybody.

Liu Yiliang, Election Committee member and young board chairman of the Creation Group, takes charge of the work of several community committees for the celebrations of Macao's return, he places the responsibility for his commercial business on the shoulders of his wife, while he himself pitches into the work for Macao's home-coming. His famous remark is: Macao's return is more important than making money. There are many unknown ordinary people greeting Macao's return with their actual deeds. The MSAR Preparatory Committee has held 13 consultative meetings discussing maters concerning methods for the election of the Election Committee of the first government, a total of 2,288 people came to sign their name for the election, including aged people. The election of the first chief executive of the MSAR had aroused the concern of the general run of people, none of the 199 election committee members was absent. The Celebration Committee formed spontaneously by more than 900 people in various circles of Macao has collected 13 million yuan over a period of several months, surpassing their predetermined target.

Editor-in-Chief Li Pengzhu of the Macao Daily put it well when he said: Macao people are thinking of Macao's return, they are convinced that after Macao's home-coming, the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" will be turned into reality, and the social and economic situation in Macao will be better than what it is today.