Macau returns to China – Some History…
November 17, 2008

RADIO 2CBA FOCAL POINT COMMENTARY BROADCAST ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 17 1999 ON RADIO 2CBA FM.

On December 20 1999, Macau returns to China. This is the end of the European empires in north-east Asia.

Portugal was the first European country to invade north-east Asia. It is the last one to leave. Portugal’s formal control over the colony began in 1557 – 442 years ago.

The negotiations leading to the hand-over have been much friendlier than those between Britain and Beijing leading to Hong Kong’s return to China in June 1997.

The return of Macau has also attracted far less international attention. This is largely because Macau is far less important economically than Hong Kong, and Portugal itself has far less profile internationally than does Britain.

Macau is one of the most “developed” areas in China. It has 437,312 people living in a largely urban area of 21 square KM. Life expectancy is about 82 years. There is a 90 per cent rate of literacy, an unemployment rate of 3.8 per cent and a per capita GDP of US$16,000.

The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Its largest export market is the US (which takes 45 per cent of its exports), the European Union (24 per cent), Hong Kong (8 per cent) and China (6 per cent).

Macau now has to work out its economic future. It has a firm economic foundation at present but it is in a region of great change.

Gambling and tourism are the main sources of economic activity.

Gambling will remain a major activity (it generated 57 per cent of the Government’s revenue in 1998). But it has two problems. First, the casinos will need to be modernized and made more attractive. Gambling is now a major source of revenue-raising for many Asian governments and Macau has a lot of competition.

Second, Macau has an international image for crime, not least that associated with the gambling industry. Attempts to stamp out the crime gangs have resulted in the police being killed.

A piece of good news is this month’s imprisonment of “Broken Tooth” gang leader Wan Kuok-koi for 15 years for gangland violence. He has been Macau’s most notorious gangster.

On tourism, Macau will need to open more tourism offices overseas to promote the territory because it is not well known outside north-east Asia. It will also have to create more tourist attractions because gambling and prostitution are not unique to Macau.

Finally, there is the role of Catholic Church. Macau was Christianity’s first foothold in north-east Asia.

The Pope said last week that the current freedom of religion should be preserved after the territory’s return to China.

The Pope also said that the Catholic Church in Macau should become a key centre for missionary work on the mainland. It could be a gateway for evangelism for the rest of China.