On December 20^th, the greatest day to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of Macao’s return to the Motherland, the Issuing Ceremony of the stamp issues «20^th Anniversary of the Reunification of Macao with the Motherland» and «20^th Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Garrison Staioned in Macao was held at the General Post Office.

This year marks the 70^th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 20^th Anniversary of the reunification of Macao with the Motherland. In this festive December, the stamps are issued to celebrate these twin milestones. Thanks to the strong support of the Central Government and the efforts from all walks of life in Macao, the city has successfully implemented "one country, two systems" over the past 20 years and it has proved to be a workable solution welcomed by the people.

A total of six sets of stamps themed with the reunification of Macao with the Motherland have been issued since 1999, providing an insight into the local citizen’s patriotism and their love for Macao, the local urban development, the soaring economy, the harmonious and stable social climate, and the achievements of the city and so forth.

The commemorative stamp issue «20^th Anniversary of the Reunification of Macao with the Motherland», designed by Mr. Wilson Chi Ian Lam, illustrates a number of old and new scenic spots of Macao, showcasing the city’s prosperity and presenting characteristics of integration of Chinese and Western cultures, ancient and modern architecture and religious freedom. In addition to the above-mentioned elements, the souvenir sheet sketches a key innovation in the future 5G wireless communications - a high-performance millimeter-wave electrical oscillator - developed by a research team at the University of Macau - State-Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI. Accompanied with the glittering golden lotus, it brings glory to the 20^th anniversary celebration.

The 20^th Anniversary of the Reunification of Macao with the Motherland also marks the 20^th Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Garrison Staioned in Macao. Over the past two decades, the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Macao has unswervingly implemented the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, and has effectively fulfilled the defense to ensure Macao's long-term prosperity and stability after its return. Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau is very grateful to Ms. Yu Si for her elaborate design of the stamp issue «20^th Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Garrison Staioned in Macao». It not only illustrates the positive image of “a powerful and civilized army” and the citizen’s wide recognition to the Garrison for their deep love for Macao and the people, active participation in social welfare undertakings, but also brings into play its role as a stabilizing force of maintaining Macao’s prosperity and stability.

The stamp issues and the postmarks commemorating Macao’s return to the Motherland have the special and important significance in the history of Macao stamps and witness the continuous development of the Macao Special Administrative Region. By recording the city’s important development and achievements over the past two decades with these little stamps, we wish the Motherland a strong and prosperous future, and Macao a steady and distant journey to the better-off society and to share the glory of the great Motherland.