Handover of Macau

Handover of Macau. The formal transfer of sovereignty over Macau from the Portuguese Republic to the People's Republic of China occurred on 20 December 1999. This event marked the end of over four centuries of Portuguese administration, which began with a Ming dynasty lease agreement in the 16th century. The handover was the final chapter in the process of Decolonization of European territories in Asia, following the Handover of Hong Kong two and a half years prior, and implemented the principle of "One country, two systems" devised by Deng Xiaoping.

Background

The History of Macau under Portuguese rule began in 1557 when the Ming dynasty permitted a permanent Portuguese settlement for trade. Macau's status evolved from a trading post to a colony following the First Opium War and the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. For much of the 20th century, its governance was defined by the Portuguese Colonial Act and later the Organic Statute of Macau. The Carnation Revolution in Lisbon in 1974 prompted Portugal to initiate Decolonization processes worldwide, and it formally offered to return Macau to Chinese control. However, the offer was declined by Zhou Enlai, who preferred to delay the issue while focusing on the more pressing matter of Hong Kong with the United Kingdom. The eventual resolution of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 created a direct precedent and urgency for settling Macau's future.

Negotiations and Joint Declaration

Formal negotiations between the People's Republic of China and Portugal began in June 1986, led by representatives like Zhou Nan and Rui Medina. The talks were generally smoother than the Sino-British negotiations over Hong Kong, though a brief dispute arose over Portugal's proposal for a transfer date in 2007. China insisted on an earlier date before the end of the century, leading to a compromise. The final agreement, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, was signed in Beijing on 13 April 1987 by premiers Zhao Ziyang and Aníbal Cavaco Silva. This treaty stipulated that Macau would become a Special Administrative Region of China on 20 December 1999, maintaining its capitalist system and way of life for 50 years under the "One country, two systems" framework, as later codified in the Basic Law of Macau.

Transfer of sovereignty

The handover ceremony commenced on the evening of 19 December 1999 at the Macau Cultural Centre, with key figures including Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and Prince Charles. Following the lowering of the Flag of Portugal and the raising of the Flag of the People's Republic of China and the new Flag of Macau at midnight, sovereignty was officially transferred. The final Governor of Macau, General Vasco Rocha Vieira, departed, and Edmund Ho Hau-wah was sworn in as the first Chief Executive of Macau by Premier Zhu Rongji. The event was witnessed by dignitaries such as United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and representatives from over 50 nations.

Aftermath and legacy

In the immediate aftermath, the Macau Special Administrative Region experienced political stability and significant economic transformation, largely driven by the liberalization of the gaming industry. The end of Stanley Ho's monopoly led to an influx of foreign investors like Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, turning Macau into the world's premier Casino destination. The handover is commemorated annually on 20 December as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. While the "One country, two systems" model has been maintained, the territory has seen increasing integration with mainland China through projects like the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge and initiatives under the Greater Bay Area. The handover concluded the European colonial era in East Asia.

Government and legal changes

The supreme law post-handover became the Basic Law of Macau, which replaced the Organic Statute of Macau. The Government of Macau was reorganized with the Chief Executive of Macau as head, appointed by the Central People's Government in Beijing. The legal system continued its basis in Portuguese law and the Macau legal code, operating independently from the Socialist law of mainland China under the principle of Judicial independence. Key institutions like the Legislative Assembly of Macau and the Court of Final Appeal of Macau were retained. Portuguese remained an official language alongside Chinese, and the People's Liberation Army Macau Garrison was stationed to handle defense matters.

Category:1999 in Asia Category:History of Macau Category:Political history of China