Three months later, on 14th May, the then Prime Minister of Portugal, when making his address to the nation said:
"the Government, despite long and hard negotiations
has now stablished diplomatic relations with P.R.C. This was a matter of great importance to both our countries. It protects the just interests of Portugal in the Orient. This, however, also demanded from us complex and subtle negotiations."
To put it in chronological order: -
On the 8th February, the Portuguese Ambassador signed the Instrument.
On 10th February, the National Assembly congratulated him.
Two months later, during Easter holidays he received a brief cable informing him that he had been relieved from all his diplomatic duties.
It was later told that in the agreement with China the Ambassador should not have included certain clauses nor any anti-Soviet implications. He explained that this was not his doing, but the result of an exercise agreed by the Ministry and he was instructed to sign urgently.
It can also be said that the delays in the Sino-Luso negotiations in Paris was related to Macao.
The Portuguese disagreement was on the inclusion of the 6th January, 1975 declaration which was the Chinese opening topic of negotiation. Portugal claims this was resolved later with good sense and good intentions from both sides. The Chinese claimed they had a position of "principal" which Portugal did not appreciate. But China too had to appreciate Portugal's past history. Macao therefore became a problem of legacy and of past history. The agreement from both sides on these aspects was important and fundamental. Portugal could not change the Chinese opening stance nor could the Chinese disagree or disregard the Portuguese insistance on historical fact.
A