1999
The People's Republic of China officially resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao.
2000
Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and all Macao citizens jointly celebrated the first National Day after the handover in the millennium year.
2001
The Legislative Assembly officially passed the "
2002
The Macao SAR Government held its first ceremony for the awarding of medals, decorations, and certificates of merit, honoring 39 individuals or entities for their outstanding service to Macao, social contributions, or personal achievements.
2003
The Central Government and the Macao SAR Government signed the Mainland and Macau Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
2004
The Sai Van Bridge, the largest public infrastructure project since Macao's return, was completed as a tribute to the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
2005
The Ruins of St. Paul's was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming China's 31st World Heritage Site.
2006
Macao's first theme park, Fisherman's Wharf, officially opened.
2007
Macao fully implemented a 15-year free education plan, covering early childhood education, primary education, junior high education, and high school education.
2008
The central government introduced six aspects and nine measures to assist Macao in combating the financial tsunami.
2009
In accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law, the Legislative Assembly passed the "Macau Special Administrative Region National Security Law."
2010
A pair of giant pandas, "Kaikai" and "Xinxin," gifted by the central government, arrived at the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion and Pavilion of Rare Animals.
2011
Guangdong and Macao signed the "Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong and Macao" in Beijing.
2012
After passing through the "five-step" legislative amendment process for the methods of selecting the Chief Executive and forming the Legislative Assembly, the Macao SAR completed this process for the first time, approved by the 27th Session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress.
2013
The new campus of the University of Macau on Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, Guangdong, was opened. The new campus is 20 times the size of the original, and the campus is governed according to the laws of the Macao SAR.
2014
The 8th Tourism Ministerial Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was successfully held in Macao.
2015
On December 16th, the State Council executive meeting approved the new "Map of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China."
2016
The Macao SAR announced its first five-year development plan since its establishment, promoting the construction of "One Center, One Platform" with clear goals, paths, and visions.
2017
Macao was hit by Super Typhoon Hato, the strongest typhoon since 1953. A thousand officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison entered the urban area of Macao for emergency rescue and disaster relief.
2018
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Guangdong's Zhuhai, and Macao, officially opened to traffic, significantly reducing land commute times between the three regions. It only takes 45 minutes to drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao.
2019
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the "Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," which directly relates 49 items to Macao and lists Macao as one of the four central cities for the development and construction of the GBA.
2020
The passenger inspection area of the Hengqin Port Macao side and related extension areas were officially transferred to the Macao SAR and governed according to the laws of the Macao SAR.
2021
The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the "Overall Plan for the Development of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone."
2022
The policy of fully opening up Macao private cars to enter and exit Guangdong through the Zhuhai Highway Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was implemented.
2023
The Macao SAR Government announced the "Development Plan for Appropriate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028)."
2024
The Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone officially implemented sub-line management and customs sealing operations. In the same year, December saw the official opening of the Macao-Hengqin Light Rapid Transit(LRT) Line.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
