A chrysanthemum fair which opened in Macao this morning at Seac Pai Van Park, Coloane of Macao, added to the jubilant atmosphere of festivities for Macao's return to China on December 20, 1999.

On Thursday evening, a colorful lanterns show, the first of the series of large-scale celebration activities for the handover, was inaugurated at the Nam Van Lakes by local dignitaries, including

Edmund Ho Hau Wah, the first Chief Executive-designate of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The show will last until the new millennium comes, accompanied by fireworks for the first three days, according to the Executive Committee of the Commission of Various Sectors of Macao for Activities Celebrating the Return of Macao to the Motherland.

In the following days, the commission will also organize other activities, such as the cultural performance on the evening of December 19, celebrating Macao's return to China, a celebration

parade on December 20, with the theme of "stepping into a better tomorrow", and the evening party entitled "We love Macao -- we love China".