A large-scale gala to greet Macao's return to China has just ended at Tiananmen Square in Beijing Monday.

At 11:30 p.m., when the "Evening Party of Beijing People Greeting the Return of Macao to the Motherland" began, showers of fireworks were set off, flags and streamers held high, and traditional dragon and lion dances performed to the tune of the song "Flying Dragon."

The 440,000-square-meter square is now illuminated by floodlights while the dark winter sky is emblazoned with brilliant displays of fireworks.

Six huge neon-lit boxes are positioned at the center of the square, flashing the Chinese characters which read "Celebrating Macao's Return to the Motherland."

On the main stage in front of the huge countdown board for Macao's return, a musical number titled "Wild Geese Coming Home" is underway, with a choir of 600 people standing in the formation

like wild geese in flight, representing Macao's return to the motherland.

Choirs sang "Spirit of the Lotus," "Hello, Macao," "At this Moment," and "Hand in Hand Tomorrow," four songs specially created for the occasion, while group dancing were performed

alongside.