Portugal leases Macau from China in 1557. The colony becomes part of Portuguese India, but is transferred to Portuguese Timor in 1843. In 1887 China recognizes Portuguese sovereignity over Macau and in 1897 Macau becomes a seperate colony. The colony is restyled as an overseas province in 1951. In 1999 Portugal returns Macau to China as a special administrative region, of which it nowadays is still part.