The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Southeast Asia

Background Macau, in 26 editions.

The entry for Macau published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 9 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
9
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

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2023 edition

Changed since 2022

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Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the subsequent 50 years.

However, following a multi-year crackdown by China against a pro-democracy movement in nearby Hong Kong, the governments of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region similarly worked to limit Macao's political autonomy by suppressing opposition activity in the 2021 legislative elections.

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the subsequent 50 years. However, following a multi-year crackdown by China against a pro-democracy movement in nearby Hong Kong, the governments of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region similarly worked to limit Macao's political autonomy by suppressing opposition activity in the 2021 legislative elections.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “Macau: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/macau/background.

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