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DSR 11C
CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO PORTUGAL 24 26 JUNE : MACAO
ESSENTIAL FACTS
General Backgrond
1.
Macao founded as Portuguese settlement in 1557.
Treaty of Peking in 1887 confirmed perpetual Portuguese
occupation of Macao, though China later denounced Treaty
1
and regards Macao as Chinese territory occupied by
Portugal. Political upheaval in Portugual in mid 1970s
led to changes in Macao's administration From being
regarded as overseas Portuguese province, Redefined in 1976
as collective entity with internal legislative sovereignty
'which, with the exception of principles laid down in
the Portuguese Constitution, would enjoy administrative,
economic, financial and legislative autonomy'.
2.
Described in present Constitution as 'territory
under Portuguese administration'. But statement
announcing establishment of development relations between
China and Portugal in 1977 did not mention Macao.
Unconfirmed reports of private understanding between
Portugal and China over Macao's status and future.
Official Chinese statements link Macao with Hong Kong as
historical problem to be settled when conditions are ripe.
Present Status vis à vis Portugal and China
3. Mr Atkins asked Dr Gonçalez Pereira about Macao
during talks in Lisbon in November 1981. Dr Gonçalez
Pereira said he thought China planned to leave Macao as
it was.
correct.
Portugal maintained agreed diplomatic relations
CONFIDENTIAL
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