Macao, including the Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island, has been part of the territory of China since ancient times; it was gradually occupied by Portugal after the mid 16th century. On 13 April 1987, the Chinese and Portuguese Governments signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao, affirming that the Government of the People' s Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao with effect from 20 December 1999, thus fulfilling the long cherished common aspiration of the Chinese people for the recovery of Macao.