The government published the two-volume “Macao Gazetteer Series: Book of Geography” yesterday, and Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng underlined that the publication is one of the most important cultural projects since the establishment of Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
Ho made the remarks during the book’s launch ceremony on the University of Macau (UM) campus, with the attendance of nearly 100 representatives including Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau Director Zheng Xincong, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U, University of Macau’s (UM) Rector Song Yonghua.
The Book of Geography consists of two volumes with a total of eight chapters covering different topics. The Chinese-language book contains 1.3 million characters and 1,500 pages.
The book covers various aspects of the city, including its history, natural environment, demographic transformations, urban planning, transportation, public utilities, and the status of environmental protection.
Ho said that the book’s publication underscores the MSAR’s respect for the nation’s tradition and provides support for developing Macau into a base for exchanges and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.
Ho also noted that the book is the first ever gazetteer of Macau since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), showing that the country attaches great importance to the compilation of local chronicles.
During yesterday’s ceremony, Song expressed his gratitude to the experts and scholars from Macau and elsewhere who have done in-depth research and have experience in compiling local chronicles, and he also welcomed all interested parties to provide feedback and suggestions for the gazetteer.
The Macao Gazetteer Series entered its formal compilation phase in 2022, and the government is planning to publish seven sections in total in the next few years, covering topics such “overview and major events”, geography, law and politics, the economy, culture, civil society, as well as biographies, according to the press conference.
This chronicle aims to document Macau’s historical development and current status from ancient times to the establishment of the MSAR, serving not only as an objective record of Macau’s history and development but also providing references for governance, historical insights, local education, cultural heritage, cultural exchanges, and the promotion of economic and social development, according to the press conference.
This photo taken yesterday shows the two-volume “Macau Gazetteer Series: Book of Geography” displayed at the University of Macau (UM). – Photo: Ginnie Liang
