"I am 20 years old, and I am in Tongji. Macao is 20 years old, and it's in my heart!" Today is the 20th anniversary of the return of Macao to the motherland. LI Ying'ao, a sophomore from the School of Automotive Studies was delighted to send his best wishes to the future of Macao. "I am very concerned about the development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I look forward to Macao's being deeply integrated with the overall development of the motherland, to maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in the economy and society, and to sharing the historical responsibility of national renewal!"
LI Ying'ao spent his 20th birthday 9 days ago. Why he was named Ying'ao which literally means "welcome Macau"? His mother told him that 20 years ago, his family gathered together to watch the live TV broadcast of the return of Macau soon after he was born. When the national red five-star flag rose solemnly at the site of the handover ceremony and the national anthem was played, his family felt excited and hugely proud of Macao's return to the motherland as well as the growing strength of the motherland. Suddenly, an idea occurred to his grandfather who had served 17 years in the army, "Why don't we name this newly-born Ying'ao to welcome the return of Macau?" His idea received a warm welcome by every member of the family. He has been connected to Macao closely ever since.
Because of his name Ying'ao, interesting things had happened to him. In 2001, Beijing successfully bid for the Olympic Games. "Many people who know my name for the first time thought it was meant to welcome the Olympic Games", since the first syllable of Olympic has the same pronunciation of his name, recalled Ying'ao.
"What do you think of Macao"? LI Ying'ao replied, "Macao has been harmonious and stable, and Macao's economy has developed rapidly in recent years. I think it is because of the successful implementation of the 'one- country, two systems' policy". But he felt a little disappointed that he had never been to Macao. He hoped to visit Macao as soon as possible and experience the development of today's Macao.
He said, "as a young Chinese student, I must work hard and bear my motherland in mind all the time. I feel more motivated in this way and ready to take challenges."
Sources: https://news.tongji.edu.cn/info/1003/71981.htm
