History

Macau becomes a special administrative region under Chinese sovereignty.

Portugal and China agree on return of Macau to Chinese, using the Hong Kong Joint Declaration between Britain and China as a model.

Following military coup in Portugal, the government grants more administrative autonomy and economic independence to the territory.

12-3 incident: Political demonstrations and riots against Portuguese rule, inspired by the Cultural Revolution, see eight people killed and over 200 injured. Portuguese sovereignty is severely diminished and leads to de facto Chinese suzerainty over the territory.

Portugal officially makes Macau an overseas province.

Territory becomes a refuge for Chinese and Europeans during World War Two as it remains largely unoccupied by the Japanese.

Hong Kong overtakes Macau in trade, merchants gradually desert the Portuguese territory.

Macau develops into a trading centre as the opium trade becomes more lucrative for Westerners.

Qing China restricts foreign trade under the Canton System, which focuses all overseas trade on the southern port of Canton, now Guangzhou.

Macau's economy declines after Japan halts trade, Portugal revolts against Spain and Portuguese-held Malacca falls to the Dutch.

Dutch attempt to seize Macau.

Macau's trade reaches its peak as the territory is a key link in the export of Chinese silk to Japan.

Portugal acquires a permanent lease for Macau.

Luso-Chinese agreement: Portuguese rent Macau as a trading post.

Portuguese attempt to gain trading posts by force but are defeated by Ming Chinese forces in several battles.

Portuguese ship anchors in the Pearl River estuary.