BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 16:Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu have jointly put up a photo exhibition here to mark the return of Macao to Chinese sovereignty on December 20. In April 1987, the governments of China and Portugal signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao that declares that China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao from December 20, 1999.

Portugal occupied Macao over 400 years back. The Portuguese set an autonomous organ in Macao with a governor appointed by Portuguese government as its supreme administrative officer. In November 1885, Portugal declared Macao a ‘free port’ to permit entry of foreign merchant ships into Macao for trade.

After the founding of People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government initiated pressure for return of Macao under its administration. In February 1979, China and Portugal established official diplomatic relations and subsequently reached an understanding in principle that Macao is a part of China and to settle its hand-over through friendly consultation. Under the “one country two system” principle introduced by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to China in 1997; the same model is being applied to resolve the Macao question.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Sharat Singh Bhandari expressed his happiness over the return of Macao to its motherland. “By adopting one country two system principle, China has ensured the right of Macao people even as they are united with their motherland,” Bhandari said inaugurating the photo display.

“For many years, Chinese people and Macao compatriots have been expecting the coming of this occasion,” said Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zeng Xuyong adding that the Macao people had maintained “flesh-and-blood close ties” with mainland China. “We are convinced that the return of Hong Kong and Macao is bound to be followed by the early solution to Taiwan question, and the complete reunification of China is certain to be realised ultimately in near future,” he added.

A Macao Special Administrative Region will be established under the “one country, two system” principle and the socialist system and policies will not be practised in Macao after the hand-over.