ZHU RONGJI WATCHES AS EDMUND HO IS SWORN IN AS MACAU'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, 1999-12-19 (photo)

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R) watches as Macau's new Chief Executive Edmund Ho, left takes an oath of office during the ceremony to mark the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region early December 20. China regained little Macau after 442 years of Portuguese rule over Europe's first and final colonial outpost on Chinese soil and promptly swivelled its focus to the last item on its reunification agenda - Taiwan. At stately ceremonies in tune with the end of an era, the red Chinese flag was hoisted at midnight on Sunday and this colourful gambling haven became a Special Administrative Region of China, with the promise that it may keep its capitalist ways for 50 years under communist Chinese sovereignty. AF/JDP