The Chinese National Flag and the emerald green lotus-design regional flag of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) were hoisted to the tune of the Chinese national anthem here Tuesday to mark the 6th anniversary of the region's return to the motherland.

The ceremony was presided over by Macao SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah at the Golden Lotus Square downtown Macao.

Officials from the Central Government's Liaison Office and Foreign Affairs Commission in Macao as well as the SAR government and hundreds of local residents witnessed the flag-hoisting ceremony.

A cocktail party later on the day will be held at the Macao Tower, a local multi-functional convention center, to fuel the celebrations of the anniversary.

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2005)