On this fine, frosty morning, the Chinese capital is making final preparations for tonight's

midnight return of Macao.

Banners which read "Celebrating Macao's Return" are flapping everywhere in the chill wind, adding a festive note to Beijing which will stage a gala musical and dance performance and

fireworks display to usher in Macao's homecoming.

A stage in the shape of a lotus, the emblem of the new Macao Special Administrative Region, has been erected in front of a giant countdown board east of the Tiananmen Square in the heart of

Beijing, where some 30,000 people will gather to witness the historic moment.

The world's largest city square, where a grand dress parade and celebrations were held for the country's 50th anniversary just two months ago, again will become the focus of hundreds of millions of people through a live TV broadcast.

"We have made every effort to help shield participants from the cold," says Wang Ning, an official with the organizing headquarters in Beijing.

A huge public gathering will be held at Capital Stadium in Beijing tomorrow night. Another big song-and-dance show will also be staged there. The song-and-dance show will be joined by more

than 3,000 performers from Macao, Hong Kong and inland areas.

Various activities are also expected at Beijing campuses. "I don't think I'll be able to hold back my tears when the moment really comes," says Macao student Huang Qiaomei, who is studying

at Beijing Normal University.

Traditional red lanterns and bright flags can be seen throughout Beijing, from Tiananmen Rostrum to downtown areas to the maze of back alleys.

An old lady surnamed Bai placed a red banner at the door of her courtyard two days ago. "I plan to watch the live broadcast with my granddaughter tonight, just as I did two years ago when Hong Kong returned to the motherland," she said.

Parks will be open free to the public tomorrow, and major roads and buildings are to be illuminated to give the city a festive face.

In addition to books about Macao, many keepsakes such as watches, pens and badges which symbolize Macao's return have become bestsellers in Beijing. And the Internet has been widely

used to get up-to-the-minute information about Macao.

Statistics show that nearly one million Internet surfers throughout China have logged on to Macao-related websites to express their congratulations on Macao's return.