Jiang sees Macau as a step toward Taiwann

As Portugal made its final preparations yesterday for tonight's historic handover of its oldest and last Asian possession, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said the resumption of sovereignty over Macau after more than 400 years of Portuguese rule is an important step toward reunification with Taiwan.

"The successful practice of the `one country, two systems' idea in Hong Kong and Macau will serve as a model for the solution of the Taiwan issue, and facilitate the nation's complete reunification," Jiang said in Beijing yesterday before leaving for the handover ceremony in Macau.

Jiang said the ceremony and celebrations in both Macau and the mainland demonstrate "the strong solidarity and joyous mood of the Chinese people" and show the resolute support of the Chinese government and people to what will become the Macau Special Administrative Region.

While Jiang prepared to accept the enclave back into China's fold, President Jorge Sampaio said yesterday that 450 years of history are flashing through his mind, and insisted the gambling enclave is ready for a bright future if it seizes the opportunity.

Sampaio defended Lisbon's legacy, rejecting suggestions that years of neglect had allowed Macau to deteriorate into a notorious casino center where gangland assassinations are commonplace. He pointed instead to a new airport, bridges and other infrastructure the Portuguese have built on their way out.

"We leave behind a reality which is well-equipped to deal with future problems," Sampaio said.

"Of course it's a moment of meditation. You certainly will see a film of 500 years going in front of you. It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of history."

The Portuguese are taking pains to assure the handover goes smoother than Britain's return of Hong Kong to China two years ago, an event preceded by bickering between London and Beijing.

But as red carpets were rolled out, security metal detectors were set up and thousands of potted flowers were moved into place under gray skies, Portuguese officials conceded privately that they are concerned about Macau's future in two areas: the independent court system and the political system.

Macau's 430,000 residents are predominantly Chinese -- and they seem happy to be returning to the motherland, although as a Special Administrative Region of China, Macau is supposed to retain a great deal of local autonomy. It's the same formula of "one country, two systems" that has governed Hong Kong since its handover.

"The Portuguese never cared about us. Beijing understands our needs," said shopkeeper Gogo Fong, 38. "The new government can achieve more with Beijing's backing."

Sampaio said he understands some of the local emotions, but hopes that's only a short-term view.

"It's a new page in their history, and the principle of `one country, two systems' has been announced for the last 10, 15, 20 years as a very important principle in which pieces of soil were coming back to the motherland," Sampaio said. "That is obviously something which captivates or touches people."

If Macau residents "come down to Earth," they should realize that Portugal and China co-existed peacefully all these years -- never having fought a war -- "so I think there are good expectations toward the future," Sampaio said.

All sides insist Macau's laid-back and hybrid lifestyle -- with street names a mix of Portuguese and Chinese and a cuisine that might feature fried rice washed down by Portuguese red wine -- will continue as Macau seeks its place in the world as a gateway to China with a continental European flair.