Olympic torch in Macau

Spectators waved flags and cheered wildly as the flame toured the former Portuguese enclave that returned to Chinese rule in 1999. The relay finished without any disruptions as two columns of paramilitary police in blue shorts jogged on each side of the torch bearers.

The relay often seemed to be more about celebrating China than the Olympics. Spectators constantly chanted, "Go China!" not the games' slogan: "One World, One Dream."

One group of students wore white T-shirts that said, "I love China." Others posed with the Chinese flag in front of colonial-style buildings. Another group held a banner that said, "Love the Chinese race. Build up our country's reputation."

No protests

Some spectators said they were outraged by protests about human rights and China's crackdown on protests in Tibet that have marred the relay during its recent overseas odyssey through 20 nations. They came out Saturday to show their love for China.

"Macau people feel proud. The Chinese have fulfilled a dream," said Ip Chi-keong, 46, a civil servant.

"It's right to show concern for human rights problems, but I question their tactics," he said.

The Macau relay was expected to be trouble-free because protests are relatively rare in the tiny city on China's southern coast - the only place in the country where casino gambling is legal.

The torch arrived from Hong Kong, where on Friday it completed a relay that was also unhindered and injected with a strong dose of patriotism. The torch will now return to China's mainland, where the relay continues in the southern island province of Hainan before it makes its way to Beijing for the Olympic Games from August 8-24.