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.