C(2025·南通市期末)
In December 2024, Macao celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to China. Do you want to know what makes Macao so special?
Macao lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta in Southern China. It is a Special Administrative Region(SAR) of China and follows the “one country, two systems(一国两制)” rule.
The lotus(莲花) is an important symbol of Macao. It stands for purity and beauty. It also shows Macao's special culture and history. Just as a lotus can grow beautifully in muddy water, Macao also keeps its charm and grows stronger even with many changes and challenges.
Macao was a Portuguese colony(殖民地) in the past for a long time. In 1999, it returned to China. Since then, it has become one of the most famous places in the world because of its casinos(赌场). You can see many people from different places coming here to try their luck. Because of this, the local economy keeps growing. Now, Macao's GDP per person is as high as that of some developed countries.
Even though Macao has a strong economy, it has some big problems. It depends too much on casinos. Also, many casino workers feel stressed. To solve these problems, Macao is working to make its economy different. People are now paying more attention to areas like finance, technology, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Culturally, Macao is also famous for its mix of Portuguese and Chinese traditions. You can see this in its buildings, food, and customs. The Historic Centre of Macao is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It shows the rich culture of the city.
Macao is a lively and unique city. Now it is working hard to create a better and brighter future.
1. What does lotus stand for?
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2. What rule does Macao follow?
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3. What is Macao famous for in culture?
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1. It stands for purity and beauty.  ; 2. One country, two systems.  ; 3. It is famous for its mix of Portuguese and Chinese traditions.