The legend – A gold stone will appear to the sincere, those with faith who touches the gold stone with their wish will have it granted.
With abundant minerals, skilled labour and naturally well-situated, Zhaoyuan of Shandong Province is the biggest gold mine and gold-producing city in China. In January 2002, Zhaoyuan was officially named as “Capital of Gold in China” by the China Gold Association. 800 metres under the grounds of Zhaoyuan lies the “Linglong Mine”, whose produce are unique to the Capital of Gold due to the precious amounts that ever reach the surface. Five gold stones have been dug from the Linglong Mine and were separately auctioned in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and these auctions became the centre of much media attention. The fifth stone, “Zhaoyuan Gold Stone”, is 136cm in height, 75cm in width and weighs 1.28 ton. The Zhaoyuan Gold Stone was registered in China and is the only stone of great significance, symbolizing “invitation to wealth’, “as steady as a rock”, “exult and avoid evil perils” and “best wishes for all”.
Shandong Province, dedicated to the country, gave the fifth “Zhaoyuan Gold Stone”, with its good wishes, to the President of the United World Chinese Association, Dr Carl Men Ky Ching in 2003, as a token of appreciation to Dr Ching’s lifelong efforts in uniting the Chinese around the world, promoting the economic developments of China and supports to the developments of the Capital of Gold in China. With the stone’s symbolism, the Province would like to wish the Hong Kong citizens and Chinese around the world prosperity, SARS to be eliminated and peace for all. Dr Ching, while appreciating the good gesture and symbolisms brought by the Zhaoyuan Gold Stone, decided to extend such blessings to more people. Under his firm recommendations, the Zhaoyuan Municipal Government gave the Gold Stone to the Macau citizens on the 5th commemoration anniversary of the return of Macau to China, wishing the Macau citizens peace, as well as prospering with China.
IMCC, with the senses of the Communicator of Metropolitan Cultures, planned and organized the Gold Stone Presentation Ceremony for the Zhaoyuan Municipal Government and the United World Chinese Association to the Macau SAR government on fifth commemoration anniversary of Macau’s return to China in November 2004. The IMCC also organized a series of public relations events for the Zhaoyuan delegation. The presentation ceremony was held in the Lotus Square, and also a place where the new scenic landmark of the Zhaoyuan Gold Stone will be placed. The Zhaoyuan Gold Stone was also the first gift from a Municipal government to be placed by the Lotus Square. This Gold Stone endeavours a deepened understanding of the Macau citizens to Zhaoyuan, attraction to tourists and delegates from Macau to visit Zhaoyuan and most of all, becoming a long-lasting city icon of the Capital of Gold in China, promoting greater exposure of “Capital of Gold in China – Shandong Zhaoyuan” to the public and increasing the cultural exchange and cooperation with the Macau business and trading, hence immensely accelerating the pace of internationalization for the Capital of Gold.
Whilst presenting the Zhaoyuan Gold Stone, IMCC took the opportunity to promote “Capital of Gold in China” and introduced Zhaoyuan city to Hong Kong politicians and business leaders; the extended influence of “Capital of Gold” to the Hong Kong Gold and investment markets has effectively attracted capital to Zhaoyuan.
“The gold stone, hidden with endless blessings;
The true love, floods two cities of the same country.”
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