The Chinese capital's celebration rally for Macao's return was held at Capital Stadium, highlighted by an important speech from President Jiang Zemin to mark the historic occasion.

Jiang told the audience of more than 10,000 that "the return of Macao opens up a new era in the history of Macao. From today on, our compatriots in Macao will truly become the masters of that land."

He noted that "the ever-thriving modernization drive on the mainland is bound to continuously inject new vitality into Macao's development. And the people on the mainland will forever be the strong backing behind the Macao compatriots on their way." The stadium was festively adorned for the evening, with nine huge red lanterns hung over the VIP seats, in front of which 1,999 bouquets of China roses dotted a big board carrying the logo of Macao's return.

On either side of the rostrum were two slogans, one reading " Macao's tomorrow will be better," and the other, "the motherland's tomorrow will be better."

Six huge Chinese characters, written by President Jiang, which represented the theme of the gathering -- "Celebrating Macao's Return," were seen against the backdrop, which featured impressive designs. One of them was a 1,200-square-meter Chinese painting named after Mao Zedong's famous verse "Our Motherland So Rich in Beauty."

The curtain was raised at 7:35 p.m. as a chorus of 1,600 singers kicked off the elaborate event, jointly sponsored by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and the Central Military Commission.

Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing, Li Lanqing and other senior Party and government leaders were in attendance.

Beijing Mayor Liu Qi formally opened the rally at 8 p.m. Then the national flag was hoisted in the stadium as the audience rose and sang the national anthem.

In his speech, Jiang said Macao's return "is another great event for the Chinese nation following the return of Hong Kong and another important milestone in our march toward national reunification."

"Today, Macao has victoriously returned to China, as new China is confidently marching towards prosperity and strength. This historic change fully testifies to the great strength of present- day China and its people," Jiang said.

He continued that the great concept of "one country, two systems" proposed by late Deng Xiaoping is the sole correct guideline for resolving the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan issues, and hence for achieving the complete reunification of China.

The president pledged that the central government will unswervingly implement the policies of "one country, two systems," "the Macao people administering Macao" and a high degree of autonomy for the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), which was established at the wee hours today.

"The Macao SAR will retain its current social system, economic structure, way of life and the bulk of its existing laws," Jiang said.

He noted the central government "will firmly support the Chief Executive and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in their efforts to administer Macao according to law. And we will do all we can to fully protect the rights and freedoms of the Macao residents bestowed on them by the Basic Law. The interests of foreign investors in Macao will be lawfully protected. "

"We are confident that compatriots and other people from various circles in Macao will, with their talents and wisdom, be able to create an even better future for Macao," Jiang said.

According to the president, all patriotic compatriots at home and abroad and all far-sighted people in the world have seen, from the smooth return of Hong Kong and Macao, that the "one country, two systems" policy is most appropriate and correct and is the best approach for solving the Taiwan issue.

To achieve complete national reunification in accordance with the "one China" principle is the shared aspiration of all the Chinese people including the Taiwan compatriots, and an inevitable historical trend which no force on earth can ever resist, he proclaimed.

Jiang expressed the hope that "the Taiwan authorities will not go against the tide of history, erect obstacles to the development of the cross-Straits ties or act against the fundamental interests of the Taiwan compatriots and the entire Chinese nation."

"The Chinese government and people will not tolerate any attempt to split China," Jiang warned.

He noted that China has both the determination and the ability to resolve the Taiwan issue at an early date and accomplish the great cause of national reunification in accordance with the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems."

Jiang's speech was interrupted many times by thunderous applause.

Jia Qinglin, secretary of the CPC Beijing municipal committee, Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and chairman of the China Democratic National Construction Association, and Zhou Qiang, first secretary of the Communist Youth League of China, also spoke at the rally.

Following the speeches was a four-part program of opera, dances, poem recitations and instrumental music, all focused on the rally' s theme of "Sun and Moon Shining Over China."

Popular artists from China's interior, Hong Kong and Macao as well as overseas Chinese artists from all over the world took part in the performance, which expressed the Chinese people's rejoicing for the return of Macao and moved many viewers to tears.

The rally ended with a rendition of the song "Singing in Praise of the Motherland" performed by singers in traditional costumes of China's 56 ethnic groups. Meanwhile China's national emblem and the flag and emblem of the Macao SAR appeared in the backdrop, bringing resounding cheers from the crowd.

Also present at the gathering were leading officials from departments of the CPC Central Committee, government organizations, members of the NPC Standing Committee and the CPPCC National Committee now in Beijing, representatives of non-communist parities, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, people with no party affiliation, various mass organizations, the People's Liberation Army and Armed Police Force, as well as representatives of all the walks of life from Beijing and of the compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and envoys of diplomatic missions in Beijing.