Today marks the 17th anniversary of Macao's return to China. To mark the occasion, thousands of people attended the flag-raising ceremony on Golden Lotus Square in the Special Administrative Region, formerly a Portuguese colony.

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) government holds a flag-raising ceremony on December 20, 2016 at the Golden Lotus Square to mark the 17th anniversary of Macau's return to the China. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Jinjia]

Macao's chief executive, Chui Sai On, gave a special speech and said he looked forward to further development between Macao and the Chinese mainland.

In the last 17 years, strides have been made in economic ties between Macao and the Chinese mainland. And imports and exports through Gongbei customs were valued at more than 20 billion yuan last year, that's over six times the 1999 figure.

The government of Macao Special Administrative Region holds a reception to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, in Macao, south China, Dec. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Chui Sai On (3rd R F), chief executive of Macao Special Administrative Region, Wang Zhimin (3rd L F), head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao, and Ye Dabo (2nd R F), commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao, attend a flag-raising ceremony held to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in Macao, south China, Dec. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Macau Garrison raises the Chinese flag on December 20, 2016 at a military camp in Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior in celebration of the 17th anniversary of Macau Garrison's establishment. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Jinjia]

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s Macau Garrison raises the Chinese flag on December 20, 2016 at a military camp in Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior in celebration of the 17th anniversary of Macau Garrison's establishment. [Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Jinjia]