Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Establishment Day marks the return of Macau to China from Portuguese administration in 1999 and the founding of the Macau SAR under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The day is commemorated with official ceremonies, fireworks, cultural performances and flag-raising events, celebrating Macau's unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese heritage and its continued prosperity under Chinese sovereignty.

When is Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day?

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Establishment Day is celebrated on December 20 each year.

The following is the list of Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Chung Yeung Festival?

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Establishment Day commemorates the transfer of sovereignty from Portugal to China in 1999 and the founding of the Macau SAR under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems".

Macau was a Portuguese settlement for over 400 years, beginning in the mid-16th century, when Portuguese traders established a permanent foothold on the southern coast of China. Over time, it became an important hub for trade between China, Japan, and Europe, blending Eastern and Western cultures. Although China maintained ultimate sovereignty, Portugal administered Macau as a colony.

In 1979, Portugal and China formally established diplomatic relations, and discussions began regarding Macau's future. These talks culminated in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration signed on April 13, 1987, which outlined the terms of Macau's return to China. It was agreed that Macau would become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China, retaining a high degree of autonomy, its own legal system, currency, and way of life for 50 years after the handover.

At midnight on December 20, 1999, sovereignty was officially transferred, ending more than 442 years of Portuguese administration. The ceremony was attended by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, and the newly appointed Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, marking the formal establishment of the Macau SAR.

Since then, Macau SAR Establishment Day has been celebrated annually with flag-raising ceremonies, fireworks, and cultural performances, symbolizing Macau's successful reintegration with China and the preservation of its multicultural heritage, prosperity, and unique identity under the "One Country, Two Systems" model.