A magnificent supermoon will illuminate night skies across China during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, adding an enchanting dimension to this traditional lunar-centric holiday.
The festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion to enjoy time with loved ones and eat mooncakes -- a round pastry whose shape symbolizes the full moon.
Moon-gazing is also a traditional practice during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Serendipitously, the three-day festival this year has been graced by a spectacular supermoon, with the best viewing time expected to be on the night of September 17th, the festival's main evening.
According to the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the moon will appear most beautiful when it first rises above the horizon. At that time, the moonlight, scattered through the atmosphere, will take on a warm, golden hue before the night has fully descended, allowing for a picturesque view where the moonlight softly blends in the shades of evening.
Li Ning, a meteorological analyst at the China Meteorological Administration said it was a pity that several parts of the country may be unable to see the supermoon due to clouds or even rain, but she celebrated the fact that much of eastern China will enjoy fine conditions for moon gazing.
"In Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Anhui, the skies are expected to clear on Mid-Autumn Festival, just the day following the typhoon, ensuring that the moon-gazing activities on the night of the festival will be unaffected," said Li Ning, a meteorological analyst at the China Meteorological Administration.
The combination of a supermoon and generally favorable weather conditions promises a stunning celestial display, making it a perfect opportunity for Chinese families to enjoy the time-honored tradition of moon-gazing.
Supermoon to coincide with China's Mid-Autumn 'Mooncake' Festival
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
