The MSAR Government will hold celebrations to commemorate the 59th National Day on Wednesday.

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, will officiate a flag-raising ceremony at Lotus Flower Square at 8 am.

Representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, the Macao Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, Macao’s principal officials and community leaders will attend the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the Chief Executive will meet more than 40 young people from Sichuan who have taken part in the rescue of victims of the Sichuan earthquake in May.

At 10 am the Government will hold a reception at Macau Tower.

Some government departments will also hold celebratory events including the three-kilometre National Day Marathon starting at Lotus Flower Square, and a concert at Macao East Asian Games Dome at 2:30 pm.

Commemorative covers will be on sale and a stamping service will be offered at the Post Office.

At 8 pm, the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Liaison Office will hold a concert at Macao Forum, and two firework displays will be held on the waterfront near the Macau Tower at 9 and 10 pm respectively.