See Also: Zhongyong(encyclopedia)

Macau (sh) and Zhongyong (sh)


Macau (sh)




or Macao Chinese Aomen

Special administrative region (pop., 2002 est.: 438,000), southern China.

It lies on the South China Sea coast and consists of a small peninsula, which projects from Guangdong province, and two small islands, about 40 mi (64 km) west of Hong Kong. It occupies a total land area of 8.3 sq mi (21.6 sq km). Macao city is the administrative centre. Portuguese traders first arrived in 1513, and it soon became the chief market centre for the trade between China and Japan. It was declared a Portuguese colony in 1849 and an overseas territory in 1951. In 1999 Portugal returned it to Chinese rule. Tourism and gambling are the mainstays of its economy.


Zhongyong (sh)




or Chung yung or Doctrine of the Mean

One of four ancient Confucian texts known as the Four Books, published together in 1190 by Zhu Xi.

Its metaphysics had interested Buddhists and earlier Neo-Confucianists. Zhu Xi attributes the work to Confucius' grandson Zi Si, though it was actually part of Liji ("Book of Rites"), one of the Five Classics. Zhongyong expresses an ideal of moderation, rectitude, and lack of prejudice that should encompass virtually every relationship and activity in life.