A valuable gold artwork will be presented by the provincial government of north China's Hebei Province as a special gift to Macao, which returns to the motherland on December 20.

The gilt figure of nine lions is inlaid with 34 gems, symbolizing China's provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special administrative regions. The lions are holding a gold ball illustrating the country's unity, prosperity and bright future.

The piece is 150 cm high, 100 cm in diameter, and weighs 103 kg.

The wooden base of the artwork is carved with well-known scenes of the province, such as Shanhaiguan Pass, on the shores of Bohai Bay at the east end of the Great Wall, representing the welcome extended to Macao by the 65 million residents of Hebei.