The Ending

i came on the boards to talk about the ending too. it didn't look like he was being arrested. the mom was just really sad about the whole situation, and the dad was fine with it. i think it's the fact that he's getting a grandchild is liberating, so that's why he lifted his arms up, even with a recent stroke..i don't know. the movie could've gone for a better ending.

The security guard is waving a metal detector across the father at the airport terminal gate. This was fairly common practice in U.S. airports in the 1990s (Pre 9-1-1).
I think the ending is symbolic of the old culture adapting to contemporary society. Although the father may not understand why his son would ultimately choose to be in a homosexual relationship in a foreign country and reject traditional Chinese family customs, in the end he seems to accept the fact that the world has changed. He may not agree with his son's decision to reject the traditional way of life, but his love for his son will endure. He is thankful that he will have a grandchild and that his son will be happy with another man. He stretches his arms, like a bird spreading its wings, demonstrating that, on an emotional level, he is at peace with the world.

A highly ritualized gesture.
Many Ang Lee films have moments similar to this occuring near the end.
This might be a covention in Chinese dramatic tradition as I have seen
some other Chinese directors using this.

The father is a general, never surrendered by raising his hands during his millitary career. After retirement, he wants a grandson from his gay son. So,
my interpretation of the ending before the sign of 'China airline" is that " As life goes on, you have to give in".

What's the purpose to leaglize a marriage between a man and a woman?

I thought the ending was very touching. For me the main thing was that after forming these bonds between these five people, they are now breaking up. The parents are leaving, and they is very little chance that they will all be together again as a family. The elderly parents go down that long ramp to the next world it seems. After all the lies we hear in the film, we hear two more at the end. The Mom says she is crying because she is so happy. The father says he is very happy too. If the father's final pose is one of resignation (as one person suggested), it is because he knows he will not live much longer and he will never see his grandson, or these other people that he loves and cares about. A great ending for a great story.

"Computers are devices that humans use to avoid doing work."

I'm not entirely sure, but I think it might have something to do with Chinese calligraphy because it was such an important part of that scene and important to the father's character. Perhaps there is a Chinese character that looks similar to that pose, or that movement? Perhaps the movement itself is something that symbolizes freedom for the father (again, going back to the calligraphy metaphor).

I have only watched it once, and I don't think that I'll watch it again. If I do I'll try to pen down some more thoughts in this regard.

Hands up means surrender. The last shot signifies that Mr. Gao has made a compromise and accepted his son's choice, though unwillingly.

A very subtle symbolic sign that the father has surrendered himself for a future grandchild sake. I love the idea.

BTW, I noticed that this final few seconds has been downspeeded to show that dad raises his arms slowly. I keep thinking about the 120fps and this scene.