Today marks the 17th anniversary of Macao's return to China and the Special Administration Region has seen great development since 1999. According to the World Bank's latest report, Macao is among the world's wealthiest regions. Its Gross National Income per capita by purchasing power parity in 2015 ranked third in the world.

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