Macao students benefit from its return, see changes and expect more

Biggest changes

"Law and order has really improved. My mother told me that she could often hear gunshots and gunfights could break out at any moment before Macao's return. Gangsters were rampant. When she was nine months pregnant with me, she ran back home at once as soon as she heard a gunshot," Wong told.

"Macao is a safe and harmonious place now. Everyone is busy with their work in good security. Numerous public events, activities are held for you to participate every year. It's a totally different image from the past in which you needed to hide once heard gunshots, and received identity checks at any time," said Wong.

"In August 2017, typhoon Hato struck Macao and caused extensive damage. The flood water inundated three stories of the high-rise building my family lived in," Chan Hio Pan, a postgraduate student from Macao at the University of International Business and Economics, recalled.

"The People's Liberation Army garrison troops were dispatched to help local people restore normalcy. Under a scorching sun, they went onto streets to clean up the garbage, fallen tree branches and the sludge. We thanked them for their help from the bottom of our hearts," Chan said.

"Macao's economy has boomed over the past 20 years, especially tourism. New shopping malls and new casinos have been completed one after another. Social welfare has been largely improved. We have 15 years of free education Our medical care is free to all. We even enjoy an extra cash subsidy from the government," said Lam.

"Smartphone payment has taken off in popularity and we also don't need to bring a wallet with us. Macao people are embracing new lifestyles," Lam added.

"Macao is continuously integrating its own development into the overall development of the country. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao links the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area even closer. Alibaba Cloud and Macao are working together to build smart city. Macao also has a role to play in the Belt and Road Initiative, which is to create a bridge between the mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries," Ho said.

"More recently, I'm surprised by the news that Macao is considering building an offshore renminbi securities market. All these make me feel that Macao is a place where changes take place every day, a city full of enterprising spirit and possibilities," Ho added.