Despite its modest land area of just 33 square kilometers, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) attracts over 30 million visitors annually, thanks to its unique blend of a rich and diverse heritage and its modern creativity.
Since Macao's return to China 25 years ago, the region has stood a global model of fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
To mark the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, a flurry of activities has been staged, including a dazzling light show, a performance featuring China's intangible cultural heritage directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou and a Peking Opera show.
"The spectators here have a strong desire to understand Chinese traditional culture. Every time we visit, we try to spread and promote the art of Peking opera at the kindergartens, primary and middle schools," said Yu Kuizhi, a leading Peking Opera artist.
Macao's charm lies in its fusion of East and West, where diverse cultures blend seamlessly.
Its historic center, which includes 22 ancient buildings and eight squares, is listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.
Though small in size, Macao is home to 11 national intangible cultural heritage items.
Since the Cantonese Opera was successfully listed as an UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, the SAR government has taken pains to promote the art in primary and secondary schools.
Under the guidance of top instructors, young students have traveled to the mainland for competitions, achieving outstanding results and injecting new energy into the art form.
Adhering to a spirit of inclusivity, Macao has expanded its international cultural exchanges.
In 2017, it was named the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and recently it was declared as Culture City of East Asia 2025.
Emerging as an arts and performance hub, the SAR government and private sector hosted over 2,000 major performances in 2023, with more than 10,000 cultural events attracting nearly 20 million participants.
With over 50 major festivals taking the stage each year, the city lures tourists from around the world.
Over the past 25 years, Macao has earned numerous prestigious titles, showcasing the rapid development of its cultural sector under the "one country, two systems" policy.
"The nation has positioned us as 'one center, one platform and one base.' With so many golden accolades, we must make the most of our international exchange platform, sharing the distinctive Macao story and the Chinese story of traditional culture and multicultural coexistence," said Leong Wai Man, head of Macao's Cultural Affairs Bureau.
The "one center, one platform and one base" refers to a world center for tourism and leisure, a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and a base for cultural exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.
Macao shines as global model of rich cultural diversity
