Scott No: 2986-88
Serial number: 1999-18
Values in set: 2
Souvenir sheet: 1
Gold foiled souvenir sheet: 1
Denomination of stamps: 230 fen
Denomination of S/S: 800 fen
Denomination of gold foiled S/S: 50 yuan
Date of issue: 20 December 1999
Designers: Yang Wenqing and Zhang Guilin
Size: 50*30mm
Size of S/S and gold foiled S/S: 140*95mm
Size of S/S and gold foiled S/S stamp: 60*50mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 32
Printing process of stamp and S/S: gravure
Printing process of gold foiled S/S: Offset
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House
Printer for gold foiled S/S: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House and Guangdong Nanfang Telecommunication Group

Commemorative Stamps: Macao’s Return to the Motherland issued on 20 December 1999, the set contains two stamps with a total face value of 2.30 yuan. On the same day, a regular souvenir sheet (face value 8 yuan) and a gold foil souvenir sheet (face value 50 yuan) were released. Designed by Yang Wenqing and Zhang Guilin, the stamps were printed in photogravure by Beijing Stamp Factory. On 20 December 1999, the Chinese Government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. This marked another great milestone for the Chinese nation following Hong Kong’s return. The stamp set captures this historic moment when Macao returned to the embrace of the motherland.

Macao has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times. The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration laid the legal foundation for Macao’s return, while the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China safeguards Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability after reunification. The stamp set features two landmark legal documents as primary images, with lotus and the Great Wall as symbolic motifs. The souvenir sheet bears the portrait of Deng Xiaoping, his inscription of “One Country, Two Systems”, and the folk custom of Macao’s Drunken Dragon Dance. It highlights the successful practice of the great concept of “One Country, Two Systems”, expressing the nationwide celebration and the joy of Macao compatriots welcoming the homecoming.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration

The design has a festive bright red background. At its centre lies the cover of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, with the lotus, Macao’s regional flower, painted at the lower left corner. The lotus is the symbol of Macao, representing purity and peace. In 1987, China and Portugal signed the Joint Declaration, confirming that China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao on 20 December 1999, paving the way for Macao’s return.

The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

This stamp also adopts a red background. The centre shows the cover of the Basic Law printed with the National Emblem, and the Great Wall stretches across the lower section. The Great Wall symbolises the great motherland. As the constitutional law of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Basic Law guarantees social stability and development in Macao after its return.

Souvenir Sheet: Macao’s Return to the Motherland

The main image of the souvenir sheet presents the portrait of Deng Xiaoping alongside the inscription “One Country, Two Systems”. Below are gilded scenes of the Drunken Dragon Dance and the city silhouette of Macao. The Drunken Dragon Dance is a traditional indigenous folk custom of Macao. Dominated by warm red tones, the painting implies that under the guidance of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, Macao returned smoothly, and Macao compatriots celebrated the reunion. The gold foil souvenir sheet shares identical artwork with the regular souvenir sheet; it was China’s first independently produced gold foil stamp.

Artistic Features of the Design

The whole stamp set takes red as the primary hue, solemn and festive, matching the celebratory atmosphere of the handover ceremony. The symbolic imagery of lotus and the Great Wall is concise and distinct. The photogravure printing delivers rich, saturated colours with neat and legible texts. The two individual stamps narrate the story through legal documents, and the souvenir sheet highlights the core philosophy of “One Country, Two Systems”. Together they witness this monumental event inscribed in history, making the set a classic work of major historical themes among the chronological PRC stamp issues.