Macao : the Portuguese in China

The Chinese call Macao Aomen, ao means 'bay' and men means 'gate' or gateway'

1540 Liampo settlement off coast of Zhejiang Province.

1549 Liampo destroyed. Settlement moved to Sanchuang.

1552 Death of Francis Xavier on Sanchuang.

1553 Sanchuang abandoned. Lampakkau founded south of Canton.

1555 First Portuguese visit to Canton.

1556-57 Macao founded as a base for trade and missionary work in Japan.

1636 Portuguese expelled from Nagasaki. End of Japanese trade with Macao.

1640 Canton closed to the Portuguese.

1641 Dutch displaced Portuguese from Malacca.

1757 Macao lifted restrictions on foreign residents.

1839-42 First Opium War between Britain and China.

1887 Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Tianjin.

1941-45 Macao neutral during Second World War.

1966-67 Riots connected with Cultural Revolution.

1974 Portugal divested itself of most colonies.

1979 Diplomatic relations between China and Portugal established.

1985 President of Portugal visited China.

1987 Sino-Portuguese agreement on Macao.

1999 Macao handed back to China.

1540	Liampo settlement off coast of Zhejiang Province.
1549	Liampo destroyed. Settlement moved to Sanchuang.
1552	Death of Francis Xavier on Sanchuang.
1553	Sanchuang abandoned. Lampakkau founded south of Canton.
1555	First Portuguese visit to Canton.
1556-57	Macao founded as a base for trade and missionary work in Japan.
1636	Portuguese expelled from Nagasaki. End of Japanese trade with Macao.
1640	Canton closed to the Portuguese.
1641	Dutch displaced Portuguese from Malacca.
1757	Macao lifted restrictions on foreign residents.
1839-42	First Opium War between Britain and China.
1887	Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Tianjin.
1941-45	Macao neutral during Second World War.
1966-67	Riots connected with Cultural Revolution.
1974	Portugal divested itself of most colonies.
1979	Diplomatic relations between China and Portugal established.
1985	President of Portugal visited China.
1987	Sino-Portuguese agreement on Macao.
1999	Macao handed back to China.