Macau: History

1152 Xiangshan County is established, which is where Macau is administered.

1557 The Chinese agree to have the Portuguese establish a settlement in Macau, but merely as a trading post.

1849 The Portuguese in Macau declare the region as independent.

1887 The Protocol of Lisbon lets the Chinese government recognize Macau's independence, as long as Portugal promises not to surrender Macau to another country without the permission of China.

1966 Chinese communists and Macau citizens clash over the legitimacy of the Protocol of Lisbon; it ends with Portugal keeping Macau.

1979 China and Portugal recognize Macau as a Chinese region under temporary Portuguese control.

1987 Portugal agrees to return Macau back to full Chinese control.

1999

Macau becomes a special administrative region under Chinese sovereignty.