The exquisite brick carvings of the Lou Kau Mansion, the former residence of the prominent Macao merchant Lou Wa Sio's family in the early 20th century.

Editor's Note:

"Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning. Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development." This is what Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his speech at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on March 27, 2014. Xi's speech clarified China's perspective on civilization in the new era, marking a milestone in global understanding of China's cultural values. Ten years later, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, this speech has gained even greater practical significance.

This article examines the development and transformation of the Historic Center of Macao, analyzes its unique value, and explores the efforts of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and citizens in preserving its historic character. The analysis offers valuable insights for protecting and developing other historical cities in China.

Macao is located in the central-southern part of the Macao Peninsula. Its strategic geographical position and historical circumstances made it a pivotal point for cultural exchange between East and West during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) Dynasties. Through the collision, integration, and interaction of Chinese and Western cultures, Macao developed its own distinctive cultural characteristics. Over the past 25 years since its return to the embrace of the motherland in 1999, Macao has achieved remarkable development, backed by strong support from the motherland. It has showcased to the world the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy with Chinese characteristics.

400-year cultural exchange between China and West

Ji Xianlin (1911–2009), a renowned Chinese scholar, once remarked: "In the more than 5,000 years of Chinese history, there have been several peaks in cultural exchange, with the last and most important being the introduction of Western culture. The starting point of this introduction was Macao in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties."

The Macao Peninsula boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage. Before the mid-16th century, Macao was home to Mong-Ha Village in the north and A-Ma Villge in the south, primarily engaged in fishing, maritime trade and agriculture. They were typical fishing villages in southern China. Key historical events, including the opening of its port, the establishment of concessions, colonization, and Macao's eventual return to the embrace of the motherland, have shaped the city's urban development through five distinct stages: exploratory construction, initial formation, expansion, steady growth and high-speed development.