On the afternoon of December 18th, when Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Macao, his heartfelt words, "Macao is a pearl on the palmof the motherland. I have always cared deeply about the development here and the well-being of its people," left a deep and uplifting impression on all sectors of Macao society. They expressed that the phrase "a pearl on the palm" reflected President Xi's deep affection and expectations for Macao, greatly boosting the confidence in the region's development and inspiring a hopeful outlook for its future.

Lao Chi Ngai, Chairman of the Macau Economic Association, remarked that President Xi shares a strong bond with Macao, having visited and inspected the region numerous times, each visit fostering a sense of closeness among the people. In an interview, Lao noted that President Xi's current visit had long been anticipated by all sectors of society. "This fully reflects the country's deep love and support for Macao, boosting the confidence of its residents and further strengthening the foundation for development," Lao said. He pointed out that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, a significant milestone. Macao should seize the opportunity provided by the country's high-quality development, adapt proactively, and make full use of the advantages of the "one country, two systems" policy. By aligning with the nation's development strategy and embracing innovation and hard work, Macao can achieve moderate economic diversification, quality improvements, and overall better development.

Liu Changmei, president of the Macao Urban Culture Promotion Association, shared that hearing President Xi call Macao "a pearl on the palm" would make every Macao resident feel a strong sense of affinity. "'A pearl on the palm' reminds me of a poem about the lotus, which speaks of its fragrance extending far and clear, standing gracefully," she said. "This not only acknowledges Macao's achievements over the past 25 years but also expresses hopes for the future." She reflected that under the support of the nation's policies benefiting Macao, the region has grown into "a graceful young woman". With the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao is set to shine even brighter, becoming a dazzling pearl, offering the best opportunities for all its residents.

Dai Xianyang, Chairman of the Macau Live Broadcasting Association and a local Macanese of Portuguese descent, believed that the phrase "a pearl on the palm" is not just an acknowledgment of Macao but also a form of encouragement. He mentioned that while Macao has made rapid progress in the past 25 years, there is still work to be done. To live up to the honor of being "a pearl on the palm," Macao must take on the significant responsibility entrusted by the country. "The 'a pearl on the palm' proves Macao's significant position in China's development. I hope Macao will seize opportunities in entertainment, sports, and other sectors to help integrate Macao into the national development plan."

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

澳门反响：“掌上明珠”是对我们极大的鼓舞

“澳门是祖国的掌上明珠，我一直惦念着这里的发展和全体居民的福祉。”12月18日下午，国家主席习近平在抵达澳门时的深情话语，令澳门社会各界印象深刻、倍感振奋。他们表示，“掌上明珠”饱含了习近平主席对澳门的厚爱与希冀，极大地增强了澳门发展的底气，也激发了澳门人对未来的憧憬。

澳门经济学会理事长柳智毅表示，习近平主席与澳门情谊深厚，多次踏访与视察，每次都让澳门同胞倍感亲切。他接受采访时提到，习近平主席此行令社会各界期待已久。“这充分体现了国家对澳门的厚爱与支持，让澳门居民信心倍增，也进一步增强了发展的底气。”柳智毅指出，今年是澳门回归祖国25周年，作为重要的节点，澳门应抓住国家高质量发展的契机，主动识变应变求变，充分发挥“一国两制”制度优势，结合服务国家发展战略所需，敢于拼搏、勇于创新，必定能促进经济适度多元提质增效，实现自身更好发展。

澳门城市文化促进会会长刘长妹听到习近平主席说“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’让我想到莲花的‘香远益清，亭亭净植’，这既是对澳门过去25年成就的认可，也表达了对未来的期许。”她感慨道，澳门在国家惠澳政策支持下已然长成“亭亭玉立的大姑娘”，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。

作为土生葡人的澳门直播协会理事长戴显扬认为，“掌上明珠”不仅是对澳门的肯定，更是一种鞭策。他提到，澳门过去25年发展迅速，但未来仍需努力，担起国家交给澳门的重任，才能不负“掌上明珠”这个荣誉。“‘掌上明珠’证明了澳门在国家发展中拥有重要位置，希望澳门未来能够在演艺、体育等板块抓住发展机遇，助力澳门融入国家发展大局。”  

文｜羊城晚报记者 李国辉 王漫琪 特约撰稿人 梁源
图｜受访者提供
译｜邹晓华
英文审校｜林佳岱