Hundreds of thousands of people were in and out of Macau on the traditional Dragon Boat Festival and the Father's Day,which fall on Saturday and Sunday,respectively,according to local customs.Macau residents flocked to China's inland to visit their relatives,go shopping or sightseeing.On the other hand,visitor arrivals in Macau also increased by big margins.

Together with their children and wives,many Macau men were seen enjoying meals at restaurants in the neighboring city of Zhuhai Sunday.

Dragon-boat races were held in Macau and a number of cities in Guangdong to commemorate the Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan who lived in the Kingdom Chu more than 2,000years ago.Macau drew athletes from the inland and Hong Kong.

Gongbei Customs,the only land gate linking the special administrative region with China's inland areas,had to open special passages to handle the passenger flow in rush hours.Police were there helping them fill in entry and exit cards and reminding them of taking care of their luggage.

( eastday.com June 18, 2002)