Liu Changmei, the artistic director from Macao, president of the Macao Urban Culture Promotion Association and the founder of C-Color Culture Entertainment Limited, who settled in Macao for further studies and development, has served as the chief director of the Macao International Movie Festivalfor several times. She mentioned that when President Xi said "Macao is a pearl on the palm of the motherland," every Macao resident feels a deep sense of warmth and affection.

"The phrase 'a pearl on the palm' is often used to describe a daughter, especially the youngest daughter. This signifies that Macao enjoys the unique love and care of the motherland. After 25 years since Macao's return to China, under the motherland's nurturing, Macao has grown into a graceful and mature young woman," Liu said.

Liu mentioned that when describing a lotus flower, people often say "its fragrance spreads farther and becomes purer, standing tall and gracefully." This, she said, also reflects the character and role of Macao. It means that through Macao, the "fragrance" of the motherland can be spread to the world. "Over the past 25 years, under China's policies that benefit Macao, Macao has blossomed into a flourishing era, much like a lotus flower in full bloom. At the same time, 'a pearl on the palm' symbolizes President Xi's hopes for Macao and for the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin. As the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area develops, Macao will surely become a brilliant and dazzling pearl. This presents the best opportunity for every Macao resident," Liu stated.

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

澳门文艺导演、澳门城市文化促进会会长刘长妹：“掌上明珠”饱含习主席对澳门的希冀

澳门文艺导演、澳门城市文化促进会会长、澳门喜彩文化娱乐公司创始人刘长妹因求学深造在澳门定居发展，曾担任多届澳门国际电影节总导演。她说，听到习近平主席说“澳门是祖国的掌上明珠”，相信每一个澳门人都会感到非常亲切。

“掌上明珠是形容女儿的，而且还是小女儿，这意味着澳门拥有着祖国母亲独有的宠爱。回归祖国25年的澳门，在祖国的关怀下，已然长成了一个亭亭玉立的大姑娘了。”

刘长妹谈道，形容莲花，常会说“香远益清，亭亭净植”，这也是澳门这座城市的品格和作用。意味着通过澳门，可以把祖国的“香气”传到海外。“这25年来，澳门在国家惠澳政策的宠爱下莲开盛世。同时，‘掌上明珠’也是习主席对澳门、对琴澳的希冀，在粤港澳大湾区的建设发展中，澳门必将成为一颗璀璨的明珠，越来越耀眼，这对每个澳门人来说都是最好的机遇。”刘长妹表示。

文｜羊城晚报记者李国辉 王漫琪
图｜羊城晚报记者 温泽广（除受访者供图外）
译｜林佳岱
英文审校｜赵凡