Handover of Macau

Handover of Macau. The transfer of sovereignty over Macau from Portugal to the People's Republic of China marked a significant event in the history of Macau, Hong Kong, and China. This event was the result of negotiations between Portugal and China, facilitated by the United Nations, European Union, and other international organizations like the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. The handover was also influenced by the earlier transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in 1997, which was attended by dignitaries such as Jiang Zemin, Deng Xiaoping, and Tony Blair.

Introduction

The Handover of Macau was a complex process involving Portugal, China, and various international organizations like the European Commission, Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. The event was preceded by negotiations between Portugal and China, with the involvement of Jorge Sampaio, Jaswant Singh, and other notable figures like Vasco da Gama and Zhou Enlai. The handover was also influenced by the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, signed in 1987 by Zhao Ziyang and Aníbal Cavaco Silva, which outlined the terms of the transfer of sovereignty. This declaration was witnessed by Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, and other world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Helmut Kohl.

Background

The background to the Handover of Macau involves the history of Macau as a Portuguese colony, established in the 16th century by Fernão Pires de Andrade and Jorge Álvares. The colony was an important trading post, with links to China, Japan, and other parts of Asia, including India, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Sino-Portuguese War of 1849-1851, which involved China, Portugal, and other European powers like France and United Kingdom, led to the signing of the Treaty of Peking, which recognized Macau as a Portuguese territory. The Treaty of Lisbon and the Treaty of Windsor also played a role in shaping the relationship between Portugal and China, with the involvement of notable figures like Salazar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Winston Churchill.

Transfer of Sovereignty

The transfer of sovereignty over Macau from Portugal to China was formalized through the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, which was signed in 1987 by Zhao Ziyang and Aníbal Cavaco Silva. The declaration outlined the terms of the transfer, including the establishment of Macau as a Special Administrative Region of China, with a high degree of autonomy in matters like economy, culture, and education, similar to Hong Kong. The transfer of sovereignty was also influenced by the Basic Law of Macau, which was adopted in 1993 by the National People's Congress of China, with the involvement of Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and other notable figures like Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Mohamad.

Ceremony and Events

The ceremony marking the Handover of Macau took place on December 20, 1999, and was attended by dignitaries like Jiang Zemin, Vasco da Gama, and Jorge Sampaio. The ceremony involved the transfer of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the raising of the Flag of China and the Flag of Macau, with the presence of Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and other notable figures like Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin. The event was also marked by cultural performances, including traditional Chinese music and Portuguese dance, with the participation of Catherine Deneuve, André Malraux, and other famous artists like Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo.

Aftermath and Implications

The aftermath of the Handover of Macau saw the establishment of Macau as a Special Administrative Region of China, with a high degree of autonomy in matters like economy, culture, and education. The handover also had implications for the economy of Macau, with the growth of the casino industry and the development of tourism, with the involvement of Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, and other notable figures like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. The handover also had implications for the politics of Macau, with the establishment of a Chief Executive and a Legislative Assembly, with the participation of Fernando Chui, Edmund Ho, and other notable figures like Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang.

Historical Significance

The Handover of Macau has significant historical implications, marking the end of Portuguese colonial rule in Asia and the beginning of a new era of Chinese sovereignty over Macau. The event is also significant in the context of Chinese history, marking a major milestone in the reunification of China, with the involvement of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and other notable figures like Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. The handover is also significant in the context of international relations, marking a new era of cooperation between China and Portugal, with the participation of European Union, United Nations, and other international organizations like the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. The event was also witnessed by Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, and other world leaders like Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand. Category:History of Macau