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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Macao, settled in 1557 as the first European foothold in Asia, was formally ceded to Portugal in 1887. The Territory covers a land area
17 km2 and
462.000 of approximately
has
a
total
population
of
inhabitants (1990).
The present
Portuguese
Constitution
defines
Macao as a Chinese
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territory under temporary Portuguese administration. The territory is under direct responsibility of the President of Portugal who can delegate his powers to the Governor of Macao.
In April 1987 the governments of Portugal and the People's Republic of China signed a Joint Declaration whereby it was agreed that Macao The will
December 1999. return to Chinese sovereignty on 20 Declaration which came into force on 15 January 1988 mirrors the Sino-British Declaration on Hong Kong of 1984.
is presently drawing up the A Sino-Portuguese "Joint Liaison Group" "Basic Law" of the future "Macao Special Administrative Region". The "Basic Law" is expected to be finalised in the Autumn of 1992 and approved by the National Assembly of the People's Republic of China in Spring 1993.
to
the
Joint Declaration of Region"
According Administrative
1987.
Special present
the "Macao will continue to maintain its
In accordance with the economic and social system for 50 years guidelines of "one country", two systems" and the provisions of the Constitution of the PRC.
will be
under directly
the The Special Administrative Region authority of the Central People's Government of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign policy and defence affairs which will became the responsibility of the Central Government.
All rights of the inhabitants in the Macao Special Administrative Region will be ensured by its own laws and the Region will on its
fields in such
as culture, education, own decide the policies science and technology.
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The Macao Special Administrative Region will
remain a
free port and
independent
become a separate customs territory. In anticipation of this status, Macao
GATT joined the
on 11 February 1991
an as
Contracting Party.
f