---
title: "Macau: Special Administrative Region of China"
description: "Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, returned from Portugal in 1999, known for its unique governance under 'one country, two systems'."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/macau"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Macau is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, a former Portuguese colony returned in 1999 and governed under the "one country, two systems" principle.
- When and how did Macau become part of the People's Republic of China?
- What is the constitutional basis of Macau's autonomy?
- How does Macau differ from Hong Kong?
- Why is Macau significant for the Taiwan question?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Timeline

1. 20 December 1999

   Sovereignty was transferred to the PRC on under the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration signed on 13 April 1987, which guaranteed that Macau's existing capita…

2. 13 April 1987

   Sovereignty was transferred to the PRC on 20 December 1999 under the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration signed on , which guaranteed that Macau's existing cap…

3. 31 March 1993

   The constitutional basis of its governance is the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, adopted by the National People's Congress on , which operates under the "one co…

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Example

On 20 December 1999, Portugal transferred sovereignty over Macau to the People's Republic of China, ending over four centuries of Portuguese administration and establishing it as a Special Administrative Region under President Jiang Zemin.

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