Macau prepares for its 'reunification'

Macau prepares for its 'reunification'

MACAU (AFP): The clock began ticking on Macau yesterday, as residents of this tiny Portuguese-administered enclave searched for signs of their own future in Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule.

Half a million Macanese live on a tiny peninsula and two islands just an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong. Their faltering economy relies on Hong Kong day-trippers packing out their casinos and restaurants.

In Beijing, two days after Hong Kong's "reunification with the motherland," the giant clock in Tiananmen Square which ticked off the seconds to Hong Kong's handover was consigned to history.

China will replace it by the end of the year with one marking the countdown to the handover of Macau, Portuguese diplomats said Wednesday.

Macau, across the Pearl River delta from Hong Kong, will return to Beijing rule on Dec. 20, 1999. There has been a Portuguese presence in Macau for more than four centuries.

As with Hong Kong, China has promised a high degree of autonomy for Macau under its "one country, two systems" policy and will allowed it to keep its capitalist lifestyle after the handover.

Residents said they felt proud and happy to see Hong Kong's transition.

"Most people in Macau are Chinese and most of us are mainly happy for Hong Kong because the handover is a great thing," said Chen Man Pak, senior superintendent with the Macau police.

Asia's oldest existing colony, established by the Portuguese in 1557, has always been optimistic about the enclave's handover to China as most of them are eligible for full passports from Lisbon.

The transition so far has been much smoother than Hong Kong's run-up, fraught with Sino-British rows over civil rights and democracy.

However, some local politicians and commentators have warned that while Hong Kong had its arguments up front, Macau's may be yet to come.

Nevertheless the Portuguese protectorate, also known for its dog races and gangland murders, has shown strong support for the Hong Kong handover with thousands traveling to the former British territory to witness the ceremony.

A three-day Hong Kong handover festival was held here. Cheers rang out and champagne flowed Monday night as thousands of people flocked to the streets to greet Hong Kong's return to China after 156 years of British rule.