The Portuguese flag flutters above the Government Palace for the last time. Police officers fold the Portuguese flag after a ceremony at the palace ending 442 years of colonial rule. The handover ceremony was attended by 2,500 guests, including Chinese and Portuguese officials, businessmen, Catholic clergy and Buddhist monks.
Chinese soldiers march in with the Chinese flag shortly before midnight.
Macau's new Chief Executive Edmund Ho and outgoing Governor Vasco Joaquim Rocha Vieira embrace in a farewell hug. Beijingers take to the streets during celebrations in the Chinese capital to mark the return of Macau to the motherland. People's Liberation Army soldiers prepare to enter Macau from the mainland city of Zhuhai. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Links to other Asia-Pacific stories are at the foot of the page.