On December 19, President Jiang Zemin arrives in Macao to attend the ceremony marking the first anniversary of Macao's return to China (WANG YUGUO)

The people of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a series of celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the SAR's return to the motherland.

President Jiang Zemin arrived at Macao International Airport on December 19 to join the celebrations.

"A good start would not have been possible without the full support of the Central Government," the first Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah said at a celebration dinner given by the Macao SAR government.

Since the Macao SAR was set up, the region has developed steadily with improved security. Ho attributed the region's progress to the local people's hard work and support from the Central Government.

(Beijing Review No. 1 January 4, 2001)