The Origin of the Macao Question and Sino-Portuguese Negotiations for the Settlement of the Question
2000-11-15 14:16
The Origin of the Macao Question and Sino-Portuguese Negotiations for the Settlement of the Question
Macao has always been Chinese territory. In l535, the Portuguese, by bribing Guangdong local officials, obtained the right of Portuguese ships anchoring in Macao harbors and carrying out trading activities. In l553, the Portuguese went ashore and settled there on the excuse of drying goods drenched by sea water. Starting from l557, they began to settle down in Macao. Following the Opium War, Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane Islands in l85l and l864 respectively. In l887, Portugal forced the Qing government to sign "the Sino-Portuguese Draft Minutes" and "the Beijing Treaty", in which Portugal succeeded in introducing the article on "perpetual occupation and government of Macao by Portugal". In l928, the Kuomintang government and the Portuguese government concluded the "Sino-Portuguese Friendship and Trade Treaty". Making only a few provisions concerning tariff principles and matters relating to business affairs, the treaty failed to mention the question with regard to Macao's position. Consequently, the situation of Portuguese occupation and government of Macao remained unchanged.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Government stated on many occasions that Macao has always been Chinese territory and the issue left by history should be settled through negotiations when the condition was ripe. Negotiations between the Chinese and Portuguese governments on the question of Macao started in June, l986. After four rounds of talks, "the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macao" was officially signed in April, l987. The two sides exchanged instruments of ratification on January l5, l988 and the Joint Declaration entered into force. During the transitional period between the date of the entry into force of the Joint Declaration and December 19, l999, the Portuguese government will be responsible for the administration of Macao. The Chinese government has already resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao since December 20, l999.
Macao has always been Chinese territory. In l535, the Portuguese, by bribing Guangdong local officials, obtained the right of Portuguese ships anchoring in Macao harbors and carrying out trading activities. In l553, the Portuguese went ashore and settled there on the excuse of drying goods drenched by sea water. Starting from l557, they began to settle down in Macao. Following the Opium War, Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane Islands in l85l and l864 respectively. In l887, Portugal forced the Qing government to sign "the Sino-Portuguese Draft Minutes" and "the Beijing Treaty", in which Portugal succeeded in introducing the article on "perpetual occupation and government of Macao by Portugal". In l928, the Kuomintang government and the Portuguese government concluded the "Sino-Portuguese Friendship and Trade Treaty". Making only a few provisions concerning tariff principles and matters relating to business affairs, the treaty failed to mention the question with regard to Macao's position. Consequently, the situation of Portuguese occupation and government of Macao remained unchanged.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Government stated on many occasions that Macao has always been Chinese territory and the issue left by history should be settled through negotiations when the condition was ripe. Negotiations between the Chinese and Portuguese governments on the question of Macao started in June, l986. After four rounds of talks, "the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macao" was officially signed in April, l987. The two sides exchanged instruments of ratification on January l5, l988 and the Joint Declaration entered into force. During the transitional period between the date of the entry into force of the Joint Declaration and December 19, l999, the Portuguese government will be responsible for the administration of Macao. The Chinese government has already resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao since December 20, l999.