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 Handover ceremonyThe raising of the Chinese flag as Macau returns to mainland control  real 28k Jill McGivering in Macau"An historic ceremony"  real 28k |
Macau handover: Asia's last colony
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At midnight on 19 December the tiny enclave of Macau returned to Chinese control after more than 400 years as a Portuguese colony. BBC News Online looks at what the handover means for Macau and the region as five centuries of European colonialism in Asia come to an end:
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China takes control
The Portuguese and Chinese presidents attend a lavish handover ceremony as Macau becomes a Special Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.Jiang hails new era for Macau
Chinese President Jiang Zemin welcomes Macau's return to the "embrace of the motherland." Portuguese president bids farewell
President Jorge Sampaio pledges that Macau will "remain a crossroads between Europe and Asia."
Eyes on the future
The Portuguese and Chinese presidents attend a lavish handover ceremony as Macau becomes a Special Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin welcomes Macau's return to the "embrace of the motherland."
President Jorge Sampaio pledges that Macau will "remain a crossroads between Europe and Asia."
Eyes on the future
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What now for Macau?
Most Macau residents are optimistic about the return to Chinese rule, but the territory will have a tough time reinventing itself as the dynamic international business centre its new leaders envisage.Cracking down on the triads
Residents are hoping that the arrival of Chinese rule will signal a tough stand on organised crime, writes Jill McGivering in Macau. Handover puts spotlight on Taiwan
The return of Hong Kong and now Macau to China has pushed Taiwan further up the policy agenda of Beijing's leaders.
Colonial legacy
Most Macau residents are optimistic about the return to Chinese rule, but the territory will have a tough time reinventing itself as the dynamic international business centre its new leaders envisage.
Residents are hoping that the arrival of Chinese rule will signal a tough stand on organised crime, writes Jill McGivering in Macau.
The return of Hong Kong and now Macau to China has pushed Taiwan further up the policy agenda of Beijing's leaders.
Colonial legacy
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Portuguese heritage
For many who live in Macau, the history of Portuguese rule means little more than a few colonial ruins.
Mediterranean outpost
Jill McGivering reports on the mood in Macau in the run-up to the handover. End of empire
With the departure of the last Portuguese governor of Macau, half a millennium of European colonialism in Asia comes to an end.
For many who live in Macau, the history of Portuguese rule means little more than a few colonial ruins.
Jill McGivering reports on the mood in Macau in the run-up to the handover.
With the departure of the last Portuguese governor of Macau, half a millennium of European colonialism in Asia comes to an end.
Some of the pictures in this special report are used with the permission of the Macau government
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Last postThe Macau handover closes the final chapter of European colonialism in Asia
Coverage from the BBC Chinese service
End of an eraImages from the day Macau returned to Chinese rule
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