On the evening of December 19th, a grand gala in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland took place in the Macao East Asian Games Dome. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, were present at the variety show.
The venue features bright lights and festive atmosphere. In the center of the stage charted the blossom scenery of giant lotus with lights. At around 20 o’clock, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by Macao Chief Executive Chui Sai-on and his wife Fok Wai-fun, walked into the gala venue where the audience stood up and burst into warm applause to welcome President Xi Jingping.
The southern Guangdong lion dance dance unveiled the gala. Some classic songs, including My People, My Country and Song of Seven Sons, expressed love for the motherland and Macao, A multimedia show of The Story of Times introduced the glorious achievements of Macao since it’s return to the motherland. The venue also witnessed a great resilience and a determination to strive forward, and the spreading of fine traditional Chinese culture in Macao through the hardy performance of martial arts A Valiant Haojiang and the impassioned poetry reciting Teenagers Said. The traditional Cantonese opera and Portuguese-style dances depicted Macao’s unique charm of a combination of Chinese and Western cultures. The story of The Cozy Moment showed Macao people’s affection for President Xi Jinping. The songs, such as The Beauty of Greater Bay Area, Ride the Waves for Departure Again, showcased the beautiful vision for chasing dream together. The audience was overwhelmed with waves of applause by a programme of wonderful performances and highlights of the whole gala.
At the end of the gala, Xi Jinping, accompanied by Chui Sai-on and Ho Iat-seng, incoming chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, stepped onto the arena to shake hands with main cast members and join them in singing a patriotic song to deliver wishes for the motherland’s prosperity and Macao's brighter future. The venue turned into a joyful ocean of songs and applause.
Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Zhang Youxia, Wang Yi, Ma Biao watched the performance.
Ho Hau Wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Carrie Lam. HKSAR Chief Executive, representatives from all walks of life in Macao and other honorable guests also viewed the performance.