A launch ceremony for the newly published Macao Gazetteer Series: Book of Geography took place at the University of Macau (UM) yesterday, with outgoing Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng praising the 1,500-page, two-volume tome as “one of the most important cultural projects” completed in the SAR’s history.
The Book of Geography covers the city’s history, natural environment, demographic transformations, urban planning, transportation, public utilities and environmental protection initiatives. It is the first gazetteer – a form of geographical reference directory – of Macao completed since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, according to Ho.
The Chief Executive said that the gazetteer “provides support for developing Macao into a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.”
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He also said that he hoped it would help foster a sense of belonging to both the country and Macao among the SAR’s residents.
At Monday’s ceremony, UM rector Yonghua Song thanked the scholars, experts from various government departments, and people from across a wide range of different sectors for the research that went into preparing the gazetteer.
The launch was attended by almost 100 guests, including director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, Zheng Xincong; the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao, Liu Xianfa; and representatives from the local government.
