On July 27 2009, Macao SAR was permitted to manage the new University of Macao campus on Hengqin Island although it does not have jurisdiction over other areas.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to be combined with a tunnel, with the main section reaching 29.6 kilometers in length; the chosen location is at the Macao Oriental Pearl Tower.
On December 19 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Macao to attend the fifth anniversary of Macao´s return to the motherland and the inauguration of principal Macao government officials.
On October 29 2003, the Central Government and the Macao SAR government signed the "Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" (CEPA).
In July 2003, many mainland cities began to allow their residents to freely travel to Macao.
In 2001, the Macao Legislative Assembly formally adopted a "legal system on gaming and casino operation" (commonly known as the "Gaming Act"), to give Macao´s "open gaming rights" a legal basis.
On December 20 1999, Macao SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hao Wah was sworn into office. Under the "one country two systems" policy, Macao enjoys independent administration and a high degree of autonomy.
On December 20 1999, the Portuguese rule over Macao ended and the region was returned to the People´s Republic of China (PRC).
