The sovereignty of Macao was officially handed back to the People’s Republic of China government in the handover ceremony on the night of 19th December, 1999. These podiums for officiating officials with the national emblems of Portuguese Republic and the People’s Republic of China were placed respectively in front of the seating areas for the officials from each country. After the leaders from both countries gave their speeches, the national flag of Portugal and the flag of the Municipal Council of Macao were lowered, as the national flag of the People’s Republic of China and the flag of the Macao SAR were raised. The handover ceremony finished punctually at 0:00.