Macau was transferred to China on 20 December 1999, after 442 years of Portuguese rule.

Why was Macau given back to China?

The government carried out decolonization policies, and proposed Macau's handover to China in 1978. The Chinese government rejected this proposal, believing that an early transfer of Macau would impact relations with Hong Kong. On 31 December 1975, the Portuguese government withdrew its remaining troops from Macau.

Is Macau still autonomous?

Macau, like Hong Kong, is a special administrative region (SAR) of greater China that operates under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Similar to Hong Kong, the One Country, Two Systems policy allows Macau broad but limited autonomy in most of its governing and economic activities.