By People's Daily News-Covering Group in Macao

The return of Macao to the motherland heralds a new era of history. The fact that Jiang Zemin, Zhu Rongji and other Party and State leaders set foot on the soil of Macao to participate in the hand-over ceremony and a series of celebrating activities has greatly inspired Macao compatriots; representatives of overseas Chinese and foreign citizens of Chinese origin from across the world have witnessed and taken great pride in this solemn historic moment; major government officials and well-known personages of some countries have either attended the celebrating activities or sent in cables or letters expressing their sincere congratulations; world media has generally praised the complete success of the grand ceremony for Macao's return. Cheering and laughing surge like spring tide everywhere on both banks of the Haojiang River and over the vast land of China. All this has given full expression to the common desire of the Chinese people for a mighty and united motherland, demonstrated the magnificence of China's reform and opening drive and the advance of the great motherland toward a beautiful prospect of complete rejuvenation.

The brilliance of Macao's return has gone down in history. But its glowing enthusiasm is enormous and lasting. It can be predicted that the important and far-reaching significance of Macao's return will be further revealed with the passage of time.

People who have experienced this important historical event can draw profound enlightenment therefrom.

Macao's return fully shows that patriotism is the deepest feeling rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people. Macao, which covers an area of 23.6 square km and has a population of over 400,000, is very small in the Chinese territory, it, however, affects the hearts of the 1.2 billion compatriots. Although the century-long separation is not short in history, it has not melted the eagerness of Macao compatriots to return to the motherland, still less has it stifled the yearning of the people of the motherland for the Macao compatriots, this fact itself is a miracle. In Macao, we don't feel strange, people have different experiences and political beliefs, but we have common language. More importantly, common fate and interest have linked us closely together. It is the will of the people for the reunification of the motherland, and it is our expectation for a prosperous and powerful motherland. We deeply realize that patriotism is the glorious tradition of the Chinese people, it is an enormous cultural and ethical wealth whether in the past, at present and in the future, it is also a solid foundation and mighty force for us to get united to realize the great ideal of the rejuvenation of China.

Macao's return fully shows that we must not only firmly bear in mind the bitter lesson that backwardness would make one suffer beating, we must all the more treasure the important experience accumulated over the protracted revolutionary struggles, particularly over the past 20-odd years of reform and opening up, and that is that if a country which wants to place itself in an invincible position, it must discard the old and establish the new, advance with the time and go with the tide of historical development..

The smooth solution of the issue of Macao is the necessity of history. Without the establishment of New China, particularly the tremendous success of the reform and opening up drive, it would be inconceivable for all that have taken place today. The great cause of reform and opening initiated by Comrade Deng Xiaoping is full of vigor and vitality and has a bright future. It is the only road leading to the realization of socialist modernization. This historical conclusion that could be reached only after going through a rough course full with twists and turns. We must all the more treasure all achievements of today and more consciously uphold the Party's basic theory and adhere to the basic line and basic program, work hard with one heart and one mind and push the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics comprehensively into the 21st century.

Macao's return fully shows that the great concept of "one country, two systems" is the only correct road to the reunification of the motherland. The essence of this concept is, taking the whole situation of the country and national interest to heart and proceeding from reality, to realistically handle and solve questions left over from history. The successful practice of the concept of "one country, two systems" first in Hong Kong and today in Macao has once again proved that the Chinese government is firm and unshakable in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems". In whatever difficulties encountered, those who really safeguard the fundamental interests of, stand together through thick and thin and share weal and woe with the compatriots of Hong Kong and Macao are naturally all Chinese sons and daughters who are concerned with the fate of the Chinese nation. The practice of separation is unpopular and reunification is the general trend. We are convinced that the smooth return and maintenance of steady development of Hong Kong and Macao will play a promotional role in the eventual solution of the issue of Taiwan. No matter how tortuous the course may be, any man-made obstacle will finally collapse before the tide of history.

Macao compatriots, in a cheerful mood and with solid steps, have entered a new age featuring the concept of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing Macao" and a high degree of autonomy. With the all-out support of the Central People's Government and the strong backing of the people of the whole country, the hard-working and intelligent Macao compatriots, who exert themselves to make the country prosperous and strive to make progress, will certainly create a better future.